and would trample as much upon the City of London and the Countries as ever John of Lâ—yden and Knipperdolling did upon the poor Citizens of Munster 4. The Sectaries hypocrifie appears by their pretending a bare liberty only peaâ—â—ably and quietly to enjoy their owne consciences and that without any offence or molestation to others And however if this might not be granted after they had helped to overcome the common enemy they would quietly sit downe and leave the Kingdome not offer to make any disturbance and this was held out along time in their speeches and in many books I have heard Master Peters speak thus and he was wont in many places to speak thus and the Apologists in their Apologeticall Narrat 〈…〉 supplicate the Parliament to look upon them as those that doe pursue no other interest or designe but a subsistence be it the poorest or meanest in their owne Land with the allowance of a latitude to some lesser differences with peaceablenesse as not knowing where else with safety health and livelihood to set their feet on earth But by these and many other specious pretences being increased in number and power and having gotten the sword into their hands now they speak out and are not contented with a bare Toleration but stand for all the places of power honor and profit in the Kingdome crying out of the City Remonstrance most of all because it petitioned against Sectaries being in places of publick trust its apparent a Domination they aime at and to have things in such a posture that they may suppresse all the Orthodox hence many speeches have sallen from them to this purpose that they will never lay downe the sword whilest there 's a Preist lefe in England that they will pack them all away for Rome and this last yeere in many places where they come they ordinarily will not suffer the Ministers to preach in their owne Churches Pulpits but by sorce hinder them yea pull them out of Pulpits threaten them assault them hence they will not endure zealous godly Presbyterians to enjoy any places in the Armies or other where but watch for iniquity use all tricks and unjust wayes to keep them out and turne them out of which there are many examples 5. The Sectaries abominable hypocrisie showes it selfe in yeelding to things against their mind and conscience that thereby they may be in a capacity and inabled to destroy and overthrow what they seeme to be for working and using all their power against it as for example many of the Sectaries took the Covenant and do take it which they hate with al their souls that so they might come into such places keep such places where being they improve those places all they can to destroy the Covenant and the contents of it hindring a Uniformity and the neerest conjuction in Government c. and are all for a Toleration and instead of endeavouring to extirpate Heresie Schisme they promote it all they can and plead for strange forced interpretations and Jesuiticall equivocations of the Covenant contrary to all literall sence the generall scope and the minds of those that made it alwayes so declared from first to last 6. The Sectaries great hypocrisie is seene in that in their speeches oft-times many of their Pamphlets and for divers of their actions why they do such things and why they refuse this and that as not hearing our Ministers preach not joyning to our Assemblies not paying their Tyths with many such they alledge the Covenant and bring that for their ground t is against such an Article of the Covenant or such a clause of an Article when as t is knowne to God and hotoriously manifest to all the world they care not at all for the Covenant make nothing of it but daily with a high hand breake every-Article and every clause of each Article but their doing and refusing of such and such things are upon other grounds and ends as the saving their purses their destroying of a settled Ministry the increasing and spreading of all Errors and Heresies and bringing in of confusion into Church and State I could write a large book upon this subject how the Sectaries daily break the Covenant and are indeed like to those spoken of in Daniel 11. 32. Such as do wickedly against the Covenant I will begin with the first clause of the first Article indeavouring the preservation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine worship Discipline and Government c. when as they daily write with all bitternesse against the Church of Scotland their Discipline and Government c. yea have furthered the printing and spreading wicked books against the Government of the Church of Scotland written by Prelats and their greatest enemies O how is Master Burton in his Conformities Deformity in his 19 20 21. pag. guilty of breach of Covenant in writing so against their Church Government as to stirre up Princes and all civill powers against them as much as against the Popes Supremacie I might proceed to show though they take the Covenant into their mouth yet they go against that clause of indeavouring to extirpate Heresie Schism prophanesse c. on the contrary indeavouring the spreading and growing of all Heresies Errors and so I might in the rest but I shall conclude this with one word which is that they are fearfully and hypocritically guilty of the breach of the solemne League and Covenant and that if ever the Sectaries should be a meanes to involve and ingage in a war against Scotland our Brethren in their weakest condition even when their Armie 's put to the worse might in the head of their Armie spread before God the solemne League and Covenant and appeale to heaven to help them as the great Turk did once in such a case against the Christians and might well trust that God who is a God keeping Covenant a God of truth that helped the Turks against the Christians in such a case would help them his servants against the Covenant breaking Sectaries 7. The Sectaries hypocrisie appeares in casting that upon others and unjustly charging them with such things which themselves are faulty in both practise and purpose to practise only speak against such and such things in another party that others being suspected by this meanes and they not they may compasse their ends the better thus they have given out many reports and raised jealousies upon many worthy men as if not right that they sought not the good of their Country Religion but only preferment and their owne ends that so they being taken to be the faithfull men might raise their owne fortunes and bring about their owne designes many Sectaries have given out things on purpose of the Scots that they are false and alwayes were for their owne ends c. the better to hide their owne basenesse being indeed that themselves which they falsely cast upon our Brethren Thus the Sectaries give ouâ— that if
composed by Protestant Synods who have an eye to the Scripture in what they doe but the assuming of such a power so as to enact a Law to bind all to conformity 't is a falling under that in Esay Their fear towards God was taught by the precept of men 't is with Nebuchadnezzar to erect his golden Image with Jeroboam and his Councell to set up the golden Calves 't is a rejecting of Christ from being King an utter overthrowing of the Kingly Prerogative and Office of Christ and a destroying a foundation of faith 47. That all Power Places and Offices that are just in this Kingdom ought only to arise from the choise and election of the people and that all the power right any man hath in governing and ruling over those he rules stands wholy in the choice and election of those that are ruled and that men need not ought not to yeeld obedience and subjection to the Commands Summons Lawes c. of any but of those they have chosen and who are their Representers and to submit yeeld obedience to any others whom they have not chosen is inconsistent with the nature of just freedoms and to exercise any power not derived from choice is no lesse then usurpation and oppression 48. That all the Legall Supreame Soveraigne Regall Legislative power of this Kingdom is in the House of Commons the chosen Commons of England and in no other whatsoever there 's no other the Svpreame Court of Judicature of this Land but the House of Commons That all Majesty and Kingship inherently residing in the people or state universall the representation or derivation of it is formally and legally in the state Representative or elect and in none else The Supreame power only of right belonging to the House of Commons they only being chosen by the people 49. That the state universall the body of the common people is the Earthly Soveraign Lord King and Creator of the King Parliaments all Officers and Ministers of Justice Underived Majesty and Kingship inherently resides in the state universal and the King Parliaments c. are their own meer creatures to be accountable to them and disposed of by them at their pleasure the people may recall and re-assume their power question them and set others in their place 50. That whatever the Fundamentall Constitutions of Kingdomes and Common wealths have been by forefathers whatever agreements compacts have been of subjection and obedience of such a people for themselves and posterities to one as under Kingly government or to more yet the men of the present age following many hundred years after ought to be absolutely free from what their forefathers yeelded unto and freed from all kinds of exorbitancies molestations without exception or limitation either in respect of persons officers degrees or things and estated in their naturall and just Liberties agreeable to right reason 51. That the House of Commons cannot have any power nor exercise any power justly but what the people who chose them conferred upon them and the common people having given them no power to establish Religion as having no such power in themselves and therefore could not conferre that which they had not therefore the House of Commons cannot assume a power to controule Religion or a way of Church Government upon the people and although the Kings Writ for chusing Knights and Burgesses implies the establishment of Religion yet all implications in the Writs of the Establishment of Religion showeth that in that particular as many other we remain under the Norman yoak of an unlawfull power from which we ought to free ourselves and the House of Commons ought not to maintain upon us but to abrogate 52. That seeing all men are by nature the Sons of Adam and from him have legitimatly derived a naturall propriety right and freedom Therefore England and all other Nations and all particular persons in every Nation notwithstanding the difference of Lawes and Governments rancks and degrees ought to be alike free and estated in their naturall Liberties and to enjoy the just Rights and Prerogative of mankind whereunto they are Heirs apparent and thus the Commoners by right are equall with the Lords For by naturall birth all men are equally and alike born to like propriety liberty and freedom and as we are delivered of God by the hand of nature into this world every one with a naturall innate freedom and propriety even so are we to live every one equally and alike to enjoy his birth-right and priviledge 53. That the body of the people may do all that lawfully of themselves which their Deputies Trustees Representors chosen ones do for them only for greater conveniency they Depute them and they may go no further in any thing nor sit no longer nor dispose of any thing but according to their Commission and power received from the Represented I might here also annex to these Errours many strange and false Expositions of Scripture given by Sectaries in their Sermons and Discourses but I will only give two or three 1 That of Matthew 28. v. 18. Allpower is given to me in heaven and in earth By heaven there is meant the uncreated heaven there are the created heavens and the uncreated heaven here is meant the uncreated heaven the God-head so that the meaning of these words is all the uncreated power of the God-head is given to Jesus Christ 2 That of Genesis the ninth And surely your bloud of your lives will I require at the hand of every beast will I require it That by Beast there was meant a wicked man 3 That of Luke 24. To day shalt thou be with me in paradise that to day was to be referred to Christs saying so not to the time when he should be in Paradise of which the Reader may find more in some following pages 100. 101. In my First and Second Parts of Gangraena page 28. 29. of the First Part Third Edition and in page 1. and 117. of the Second Part Second Edition I have laid down some Tenets of the Sectaries destructive to Civill Government and humane Society but now in this Third Part among these Errors mentioned I have discovered much more of their Anarchicall and Antimagistraticall spirit many of these last Errors plainly showing they are enemies to all Government Order and Distinction and would bring all into a popular confusion and reduce all Common-wealths and Kingdoms into such a condtion as they were before they had Laws Customes of Nations Rulers over them and that as often as the weak judgements and humours of the giddy in constant multitude pleased and this spirit of Anarchy fully showes it self in many whole Books written on purpose some Sermons many Speeches and in many late practises of the Sectaries I have forborne quoting in the margine one or more particular Bookes with the Pages just against the Errours for proof as I have done in other Errors because not only one Book
trouble you the Danes and Saxons never mastered this â—and by power but by our home-bred distempers To prevent those fears let English-men keep to their proper Interests and Scots to theire and I know not why we might not marâ—ch into Bavaria and Lorain before they come to us and make them pay all old Arreares I must confesse I am divided between Ireland and the Palatinate only I quiet my self in this that we may doe both And againe pag. 9. And if our back-doore were well shut at home how might Euphrates be 〈…〉 yed up I meane the West Indies and the East too offer themselves to our devotion And not only Master Peters but divers other Sectaries do in a sort deifie this Army I beleeve never was there an Army or rather one sort of men in the Army viz. Independents and Sectaries so cryed up in Pulpits Pamphlets Speeches and that to their faces as this is I might relate passages out of Sermons printed Pamphlets of the Saints in the Army the Independents calling them the strength preservers deliverers of the Presbyterians the instruments under God by which we enjoy all c. But I must abreviate and conclude this with a speech lately related to me of a great man of Master Peters his Religion that a discourse arising about the great Turk seasing on some of our Merchants goods in Turkis upon occasion of the difference between King and Parliament the Ambassador there being on the Kings side and what course there might be to help it he answered to this effect we had an Army that the terror of it was such that we needed not to feare the great Turke but it might go to the gates of Constantinople and demaud right 8. Master Peters designe is to plead for the keeping this Army on foot still and that in England for this Winter at least and to possesse men of the need of it and to perswade against the disbanding of it by any meanes and to work this the more he runnes into praises of the Army and Commanders of which the Reader may find such passages as these page 6. Your demand about the disposing the Army is not so proper for a private pen to engage in yet this I may say that other Nations in our condition would think if they look round about them and within them the disbâ—nding an Army if trusty ought not to be a work of haste When the seas are down in England I think the passage into Ireland will be easier and if we can maintain a defensive Warre this Winter I trust the spring will invite many over thither in the meane if these faithfull Commanders were in Garrisons without any designe be it spoken you have alwayes an Army ready the private souldier will still runne to his honest and well known Commander c. Briefly I say this to your question that this Army was hardly gotten and I wish it may be as hardly disbanded and so page 10. speaking of preserving the conquests hee writes thus By the same meanes the mercy is gained it may be preserved if men yea good men were instrumentall in the one they must be in the other And of their praises that they may not bee disbanded see page 5. I find our Souldiers generally in the old forme rather wondering then boasting admired by the enemy for their gallantry and Conduct And page 6. Feare not that Army whose Commanders like Samuel can ask any County or Town where they have been whose Oxe or Asse have they taken 9. Master Peters closely but shrewdly strickes at that neer conjunction and union joynt interest of both Nations as one by vertue of the Covenant in a uniformity of Religion in Doctrine Government and Discipline and labours to divide between them by hinting passages to look upon them not as one but as two Kingdomes having different interests for proof of which the Reader may take notice of these following passages page 7. Let us remember England as it was never conquered but by faction so it can never be ruled but by love the same Last will not fit an English and a Scottish foot they came not suddenly to what they enjoy and therefore should give England a little breathing over what is propounded it will be their mercy to keep what they have and ours to be growing up to what we desire So page 10. To prevent those feares let English men keep to their proper interests and Scots to theirâ— I would as soon credit a Garrison to a known honest godly English man differing from me in his opinion c. And pray Master Peters why not a known honest godly Scotch-man differing from you in his opinion implying a Scotch-man though a known honest godly man differing in opinion you would not trust 10. Master Peters strickes at the City of London and their Remonstrance page 11. in these passages speaking of our late enemies saith Their highest designe now is to make it Royall you may remember how willing I was once to have made a match my weaknesse was such that I did not study whether both parties were well agreed and my simplicity kept me from thinking of a Corrivall and let London know that if they think a Parliament sits the quieter by being so near them so 〈◊〉 think when the Parliament doores are shut up at Westminster their shops will hardly stand open at London Iâ— the clashing of swords cannot be heard yet death climbing up their windowes by the increase of the plague calls for something And in the same page again Had the Citizens Remonstrated more about their debts due and lesse about their wille they might have had more thanks and it may be by this time some might have kept Orphanes from their doores that â—ry for the money lent to supply the States use 11. Mr Peters designe in his Answer to seven Queres is to represent and render himself all along as some great Statesman and knowing man a great Traveller and of great experience a man beloved of godly men and respected at home and abroad a man of great interest in the most Learned and godly men of other Nations as Master Forbs the Scotchman Doctor Ames a man so active as if he did all and so wise as to give Answer to Queres and Counsell and Resolution to Parliament men as by some passages in these Answers it should seem this friend was in the hardest matters both of Church and Sâ—ate a man that could not be missed by the Parliment or the Army not spared out of England and such hints have bâ—â—n given out both in Sermons and in Speeches Now the whole frame of the Queres and Answers shewes this to be his â—â—me but more particularly these passages page 4. Master Richard Sâ—â—wâ—y a Member of the House who was of our Counsell in this work I preached at Worcester at our coming in and did observe a doore open to the Gospel Master Peters was of the Counsell belike for taking of Worcester
Majors any otherwise but as a Member of that Honourable Court concurring with the rest and then whereas this Libeller calls it an unjust Remonstrance 't is a most just and equall Remonstrance as hath been fully proved by Master Bellamie in his Justification and Vindication of the City Remonstrance and in that Book entituled the Sectaries Anatomized and if I would give liberty to my pen I could further justifie not only the justnesse of it but the necessity of it and show demonstratively that it will never be well with this Kingdome whilst Sectaries are in places of publike trust and that the subjects of this Kingdome can never expect justice nor right whilst men of other Religions then what is established by Law are in places of power and I wonder that the Anabaptists and Sectaries should be so offended at that part of the Remonstrance when as 't is their dayly practise not by faire and just wayes God knowes but by undermining watching for iniquity laying snares for men yea going against all principles Military and Civill of Honour and of Justice to put men from places of Trust and Command of which there are many remarkable unparalleld instances and the world in due time may have a true account of them And lastly whereas 't is said presenting a Remonstrance for procuring Licence and Authority to suppresse all such as have good principles and grounds for their practises that 's most false for in the same Remonstrance against Hereticks Blasphemers Anabaptists c. they petition for the setling of Religion and church-Church-government according to the word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches which Religion church-Church-government so built hath certainly good ground for its practise For the second I desire the Reader to observe a few things upon some of the expressions in this Pamphlet that he calls the Anabaptists and Sectaries the meek and quiet of the Land as Master Peters doth the harmlesse Anabaptists then which that there are not a more turbulent unquiet people in the world made of Salt-Peter let this Book witnesse and the language in it given the cheif Magistrate of the City with the railing seditious Libells put out dayly against the King House of Lords Assembly yea and the House of Commons too The Anabaptists of old calld themselves the meek of the Earth and said that now the promise must be fulfilled the meek shall inherite the Earth when they by bloud Rapine cruel Warrs seased on the possessions of others Secondly that these Sectaries will take things for granted and therupon passe desperate censures upon Magistrates Ministers and all when as there is no such thing but quite contrary as going on to aggravate things against my Lord Major and resemble him to wicked Ahaz c. for breaking his promise when as he performed it most punctually and conscientiously considering himself both as a Christian and as a Magistrate in such an eminent place Thirdly that these new Anabaptists as well as the old are guilty of speaking evill of dignities and bringing railing accusation in print against Powers branding the Lord Major with that brand set by God himself on wicked Ahaz this is that Lord Major of London Thomas Adams by name c. A Citizen a freind of mine having been this last summer in Cheshire and divers other Countries upon his occasions heard many Malignants say they would turne Independents for then they should not take the Covenant nor be forced to any thing but be at their liberty June the 11. I was told by a godly Citizen and a cordiall friend to the Publike that some of the Independents have said they will have their way yet whatsoever it cost them In some of the weekly news-Books I have observed passages inserted of the great love and unity in the Army between the souldiers Presbytery and Independency making no breach and in the Perfect Occurrences of the Week calld the two and twentieth Week ending the 29. of May 1646. the Pamphleter tells us 't is very observable to consider the love and unity which is among the souldiers Now I asked about that time a Chaplaine of the Army a moderate Presbyterian whether it was so and how it came about he gave me this answer through the great forbearance of the Presbyterians who suffered them to have their wills and crossed them not took all patiently and said he if the Presbyterians should not have done so but stood upon things as the Independents it had been impossible but the Army had been broken in twenty peeces many a time before this for the Sectaries are of such a proud high spirit that if they had not had their wills there would have been no peace and indeed both in Armies Assembly City there hath been that forbearing yeelding on the Presbyterian party in reference to the publike that the Independents and Sectaries if they had been in their place would never have done though it had cost the totall losse of three Kingdomes I beleeve no age nor story can parallell all things considered the Love Patience long-suffering of the Presbyterians yea the passing by and putting up so many provocations and unsufferable abuses as they have done and that from a contemptible handfull of men in comparison but that 's our comfort That the patient expectation of the poore shall not be forgotten for ever and that God will save the afflicted people but will bring downe high looks I have been assured from divers good hands as Citizens and others that the greatest thing in the City Remonstrance that the Sectaries are offended at is that about places of publike trust they take that most hainously that Sectaries should not have places of honour profit and power which clearly shewes to all the world 't is not a bare Toleration of their consciences of enjoying their own personall Estates in the Land that they seek or which would content them but they look for Preferment Rewards power to have others under them so that 't is a Domination and to be in such a condition that others may seek to them to be Tolerated that they aime at a Toleration and liberty of conscience contents them not but a Liberty of Offices and a power of great places both in Military and civill affaires they stand for Master Burroughs in the yeare 1645. both preached and printed even in that Tractate where he pleades for a Toleration That the Magistrate may to men who differ from the State in greater Errors at least deprive them of the benefits and priviledges of the State notwithstanding their pleas of conscience and in evills of lesse moment put them to some trouble in those wayes of evill so farre as to take off the wantonesse of their spirits and the neglect of meanes some trouble may be layed in the way so that men shall see there is something to be suffered in that way and there is no reason why any should be offended at this yea Master Burroughs
to attend to what he should â—ay and now to know it Now if those times be of all others the most perilous where there are false teachers venting errours and hereâ—ies but in a way of creeping into houses how perillous and dangerous are those times where there are false Teachers and seducers holding all sort of errours armed being Commanders and Officers of Regiments and Companies who creep not into houses but openly command houses and abide in them and by their power can and do drive away the faithfull shepheards that should defend the sheep that so the Wolves and Foxes may the more freely devoute them and that when they have â—avened and made havock in one place can march to another and so go into all places by their power forcing and commandiâ—g what they please All which clearely shewes us we are in a far worse condition then when the enemy was in the height of his successes and victories at the taking of Bristow or ever since the Parliament began God is more dishonoâ—ed pretious soules more destroyed all things tending to Anarchy Confusion and new Broyles worse then before Certainly in God have any delight in this Kingdome or purpose to do it good he will deliver us from this wicked generation of Sectaries one way or other They have these three last yeares been encreasing and growing very bad but this last yeare they have been outragious I am confidently perswaded if a Commission were issued out from both Houses to faithfull godly men and they backed with such power not to fear the Sectarian souldiers to sit in the severall Counties to examine and enquire out the insolencies and enormities of the Sectarian souldiers and Chaplaines that were in the noble Earle of Manchesters Army and now in Sir Thomas Fairfax'es Army with assurance of protection to the complainants and witnesses there would be the dreadfullest and abominablest things found out both in opinions practises that ever were heard of in any Army of Christendom and most of the Cavaliers would be found Saints to them so that t is evident there 's more need of disbanding and cashiâ—ring the Companies and Regiments consisting most of Antinomians Anabaptists Seekers Antiscripturists c. then of Vandâ—â—sks Regiment of which there were so many outcryes and that justly too as I believe 7. Corollar Hence then by what is laid down in this Booke of the. Errours Heresies Practises insolencies of the Sectaries we may see that never in any age or in any Christian State or Kingdom whether Orthodox or Hetrodox Protestant or Popish hath there been such a sufferance and Toleration of those who have been contrary minded to the Religion established by civill Authority as hath been and is in our Kingdome The Sectaries talke much upon all occasions of Toleration and liberty of conscience in Holland Poland Transylvania France Switzerland Turky but let any man look into those Countries and but understand aright what is allowed in those places and then consider what is daily practised in England and suffered without all questioning and he must needs confesse there 's no such liberty nor Toleration in any of those places enquire and aske after Holland France Poland c. where there are Tolerations whether Sectaries or Dissenters from what 's setled by the civill Sanction do come into publike Churches causing tumults and riots and by violence put by the Ministers from preaching pulling them out of their Pulpits abusing them grossely and preach openly with all kind of reproaches against the established Religion whether Books are suffered to be printed with license and sold openly â—enting all kind of errours blasphemies yea branding with most odions names the Religion established and the supreme Authority who settles it yea daring to present into the hands of and at the doores of the houses where the supreme Judicatories sit Bookes and Pamphlets with Protestations against what themselves have enacted whether great numbers of Emissaries Mechanicks of all sorts are suffered to be daily sent forth into all parts of their Countries and Kingdoms to draw away the people from their Religion and if any man in authority dare be so bold to molest them though they abuse Magistrates to their faces yet they are one way or other delivered and presently fall the faster to their work again whether the way to preferment and places of honour profit trust command be in those Countries to oppose and to be most active against the Religion and Government established and the ready way to be kept out of all such places and by one device or other to be turned out yea to be brought in trouble be for a man to be zealous for the Religion and way of worship setled in that Country whether in any of those Countries if those who be Hereticks and Schismaticks or Dissenters only from what the Magistrates of the Countries have established being cal'd in question by those in highest place for writing against and reproaching their Ordinances and Lawes and thereupon affronting them to their faces and writing Bookes publikely against them have they notwithstanding continuing in all contempt escaped without punishment and received those favours and priviledges which none before them though never so conformable to the Lawes and State have received and so I might instance in many other like particulars Now I challenge any man in all his reading or travelling to give me any such instances in Holland France Transylvania Turky c. but I can give many proofes in all these kinds within these three last yeares in England In the Bishops times before this Parliament there was great favour shewed towards Papists and persons Popishly affected but did they come into our Churches established by Law and bringing their Priests put by our Ministers from preaching and celebrating the Lords Supper and set up against the will of the Ministers and Parishioners their owne Priests to preach points of Doctrines and to say Masse or did the Bishops when Popery was most countenanced suffer Popish Books railing against our Ministery Church c. to be licensed by their Chaplains and sold openly In the Kings late Armies where as it hath been reported there have been many Papists and Popish Commanders yea and Priests did they ever where they were quartered drive away by force the Protestant Ministers and in the midst of the publike exercises on Lords dayes come with their souldiers and disturbe them in Prayers preaching and put up their Priests in their rooms I never heard of any one such example in this kind O what outcryes would these things have made if done either by Bishops or Papists but these things are ordinarily and daily practised by the Sectaries Indeed the liberty the Sectaries now have in England is rather a Domination then a Toleration a Raigne rather then a sufferance yea their Raigne and Domination is swel'd so high that the godly Ministers and Christians who are for the Church-Government and way established by Parliament have much a
Articles put in against him and be so violently prosecuted And if the Sectaries dare do thus whilst they are a labouring for a Toleration as they say before they know whether they shall prevaile and have the upper hand when t is evident the House of Peeres the Kingdom of Scotland the City of London the Ministery of the Kingdome and the body of the people are against them yea and whatever they vapor the greater part of the House of Commons too what will they do if ever they should get their way established by a law and come to have all the strength of the Kingdome in their hands what will they doe when they are masters of the Presbyterians that thus persecute them whilst they are Probationers Qâ—id facient Domini aâ—dent cum taliâ— fures and therefore by these beginnings of Persecution these Kingdomes of England and Scotland may judge what to trust to and look to finde if ever these men come to have power in their hands they will be as bad as the Circumcelliones among the Donatists as those Anabaptists to the Citizens of Munster they will be desperate persecutors of the faithfull Ministers of Christ thinking they shall doe God good service in killing them The Lords may know what to trust to if ever the Sectaries prevaile The Scots had best look to it also they will finde them worse neighbours a hundred times then ever the Bishops were all the reformed Churches had need contribute their help against them for if they prevaile they will all suffer and be much disturbed in their place The Assembly of Divines shall feele their liberty of conscience The City of London and Citizens shall be reckoned with and paid for their Petitions and late Remonstrance The House of Commons also may assure themselves they shall feele their power when they are grown strong enough as is evident by many threatning passages in Pamphlets of the Sectaries especially those Members of the House who are not theirs but have vigorously appeared against them they will pull them out by the head and ears and kick them out of the House Certainly the House of Commons so great and understanding a body notwithstanding many flattering Petitions of late to them crying them up in late Pamphlets above the House of Peers and protesting deeply to be at their service and command against all the world cannot be so weak as to beleeve them and to think if the Sectaries get power into their hands and overthrow the House of Peers Ministers City that they shall escape and not follow after they have written spoken done as much against them as the House of Peers Ministers Citie and no question will again as they see their advantage or are discontented or upon some new light that they were not chosen by all the free-men of England but only by the Prerogative men the Freeholders No man knowes where these Sectaries will stop or stay or to what Principles they will keep and is there any safety then in adhering to such a party and caring to please them who are off and on T is evident even in those Books made against the House of Peers and in which the Commons and their Power are so cried up that many things are laid down destructive to that House and in the midst of flattering the House of Commons they brand them with in justice medling with what they have nothing to do with as matters of Religion As the fit takes them they now will cry crucifie them crucifie them but what may they expect from that party if once all the Militia and strength should be in their hands To conclude this Corallary I say God keep me and all true Presbyterians from that liberty of conscience the Sectaries would give us if we lay at their mercy and liberty of conscience were theirs to give 9. Corall Hence then from what I have laid downe of the Sectaries as in a Mirrour and Christall Glasse we may with open face behold the true bottome cause of all our evils and mischeifs both in Church and State the maine reason of the obstructions of all good things why Religion and Church Government not yet settled why Ireland not releived peace not attained and the great ground of all the miseries upon us why such jealosies and differences have beene betweene England and Scotland such discontents taken at London why the Assembly and godly Ministers of the Kingdome slighted many well-affected Counties offended Petitions not regarded the well-affected discouraged many great greivances not remedied many Delinquents protected and not call'd to an account strange Articles given to some in Armes at some places contrary to Ordinances of Parliament illegall elections of Members of the House of Commons taking place so many scandalous pamphlets against Monarchie the House of Peers and House of Commons sold openly such high insolencies committed against the House of Peers as never were in any age with many more namely that great love and favour of Sectarisme and Errors in too many persons of our times This is the spring that feeds all our evils the primum mobile or great wheele that turns all the rest about Hence t is no matter though Ireland be lost England and Scotland embroyled Parliament and London at a distance the godly Ministers hearts lost the Kingdome offended Armies and great Taxes continued c. rather then any thing be done against Sectaries Sectaries must not be dis-eased or displeased what ever come of it they must be nourished and increase Erastian principles must be maintained and cried up prophanesse let alone open wicked men joyned with and all to further Sectarisme and Liberty of Conscience so called Whosoever knowes and hath observed the present affairs and state of things cannot but see the truth of what I now say and I challenge any man to instance in any one thing at least for these last twelve months wherein so many evils have been and are upon us but I will rationally resolve into that and though other pretences have been held out as sometimes priviledges sometimes the liberty and safety of the subject sometimes godlinesse sometimes unseasonablesse an unfit time c. many things folded together and indeed the love of Sectarisme sometimes so wrapt up in them that not discerned by all as in all ages men have not wanted pretences yet â—is apparent to all wise men that this is the very cause Is it not evident whatever hath been pretended the true cause of all the jealosies differences and faults found with the Sâ—ots to bee a great love and care of Sectaries whom we know the Scots so hate and therefore have done it out of revenge Is it not evident the true and only reason of the Cities being so slighted reviled such a change of carriage towards them to arise from their appearing against the Sects and Errors of the times and striking in with the Ministers to joyne for a thorough Presbyteriall Government have not all the
the First generall head concerning the manner and matter of this Book For the Second the commending some directions and taking off some misconstructions and cavils for the better understanding of the subject matter and manner of this Booke let the Reader observe and consider these following 1. That the Sectaries run such around of all opinions as that they are come to hold many Popish and Prelaticall opinions and to go upon the Papists grounds and mediums for many of their Tenets which in the Errors Positions and Practises reckoned up in this Booke the Reader may observe as the 5 6 7 36 Errors nay there 's almost no Popish or Prelaticall principle and Error but many Sectaries are fallen into it and in the practise of it as being against the Perfection Sufficiency Perspicuity of the Scriptures being for Pope Toleration and a Dispensation for want of an Infallible Judge as the Papists are for the Pope upon that ground denying preaching to be the word of God and the service of God as much or more then ever any of the Prelates did being for Musick Organs Hymns in the publick Assemblies holding anointing the sick with Oyle maintaining Perfection in this life with some Popish Friers besides divers other Popish Errors hence divers Popish Bookes written by Preists and Friers have beene Translated and lately set forth by some Sectaries sold openly and I suppose Licensed because the Stationers names for whom printed and Printers names expressed 2. The Reader shall find in this Booke the Sectaries Designe and Practise not to be only corrupting Religion running out into extravagancies and strange conceits that way but to be against Magistracy and Civill Government their designe of opposing setled Government and bringing an Anarchy and Confusion into Church and State being here so fully laid open that they who run may read it T is in this Book unvailed and the wâ—â—king of this spirit in all sorts of Sectaries and places clearly manifested they have in Terminis in divers Pamphlets and some Sermons declared against Monarchie and Aristoâ—acie and for Democracie they have expressed themselves in such a manner concerning that that they make it noe other then an Anarchie making all alike confounding of all rancks and orders reducing all to Adams time and condition and devolving all power upon the state Vniversall and promiscuos multitude whom they make the Creator and Destroyer of Kings Parliaments and all Magistrates at there meere pleasure without tying them to any rule or bounding them by any lawes 3. I doe more punctually and particularly give the proofes of the Errors and Heresies named in this Third Part then in the two â—ormer with Animadversions by way of Confutation or Observation upon more of the Errors and Practises then I did before as having beene desired by some so to do and being that which I judge will make the work more profitable and the Reader shall finde the proofs of the Errors set in the Margents just by them and the Animadversions under every particular Error or else of divers of them put in one where the Errors are more of a kind and the Reader will finde I have in all Books quoted all along to prove the things I charge the Sectaries with dealt very punctually and faithfully and I challenge them to name any one thing quoted false or wrested among so many and for other Relations I have them from such knowne godly Ministers and Christians being eare and eye witnesses of them that I cannot easily be deceived t is possible some circumstances of order time place number may in some stories be mistaken and yet the maine storie true as we see in Histories of battles and other humane things they often are though I know nâ—ne such and have beene in all circumstances as well as substance as faithfull and carefull as a man can well be and I can say it that of all the particulars in this kind that I have related in these three Books besides many matters of fact in Antapologia which in all amount to some thousands I do not know of any one particular related by me excepting one that I have reason to suspect was not true and yet that was written me in a Letter by a Reverend and godly Minister and was the voice of the Country and all I did was only printing that Letter no otherwise affirming it which particular when the untruth of it shalâ— be made apparent to me from the man himselfe or his freinds I shall be ready and have offered it to some who have spoken of it to right him publickly in print 4. Whereas some Letters written to my selfe or some other Ministers are printed in this Booke which have some passages in them casting honor and praise upon me resembling me to some Worthies in their times as Luther c. for which I may be censured as being the hand instrument of publishing my own praises and counted vain-glorious I do by way of taking off this exception desire the Reader to consider these things First that I have left out of Letters many passages which reflect honour on my selfe constantly passing by such Titles Epithites and other expressions that are matters of praise in all particulars excepting the justifying of my work in writing thus against the Sectaries Now my Books for the manner and way of writing having beene so cried out of by all the Sectaries and many weak Christians by their meanes having beene also offended I thought it necessary to print some passages of Letters from godly Ministers giving testimony to my Books and approving me in the way of my writing them justifying me by the practise of Morney Plesseus against the Papists and of Luther and the judicious Reader shall find if he observe I print no other passages that may so much as reflect any kind of praise upon my selfe but only those that justifie my undertaking in this kind against the Sectaries and which the Lord knowes I print not so much for my selfe or my owne praise but for the sakes of others that they may be satisfied of my Books against all the calumnios cast upon them and profit by the reading of them Secondly T is not unknowne how the Sectaries by writing and speaking have set themselves to disparage me and to cast scornes of all kinds upon me such as hardly ever were upon any man in any age and all to weaken my esteeme credit and authority with the people that being looked upon as a man so weak that a woman can answer my writings and that I know not how to put the Nominative Case and Verb together c. all I do against the Sectaries might be slighted as not worthy to be looked upon Now it being apparent this is the designe of the Sectaries and their master peice and God by his providence without my seeking in the least stirring up many learned men to bear witness to my works in Letters to their Freinds which have beene brought to me and in
and idely by going from Country to Country preaching And indeed instead of any Ministers or people opposing the Sectaries out of Policy worldly Interests t is evident t is the high way to some gainfull Place or other to become a Sectarie or to favour them hundreds turning Independents and Sectaries meerly for preferments and Places as heretofore men turned Prelatical and Arminians because of great Livings and how the Independent party have feathered their nests got well for themselves above other men the Reader shall find more spoken of it in this Book 7. As for that which is said I write so against the Sectaries out of a spirit of persecution and hatred of peaceable consciencious men I can say truly if I persecute consciencious peaceable men whom do I then love my love delight and interest is in such and I am so far from a spirit of persecution that I would be glad but to find the same measure from Independents Brownists Anabaptists and others which I would measure unto them if it were in my power namely I would not imprison banish them and such like only hinder them from all places of power and trust in the Kingdome and from spreading their Errors and Opinions to the hurting of others keep the unsound from the sound which if I differed in judgement from what was established in a Church and had nothing else done to me I should never conplaine of persecution and violence for that for t is absolutely necessary for the peace and welfare of the civill State besides what t is for the honor of God in the preventing the spreading of all Errors and Heresies And for a conclusion of this I have the clear and full testimony of my conscience that my appearing against the Sectaries hath not risen from any such base and poore grounds as the Sectaries alledge but from a sense of my duty that I might witnesse to the truth of God in this sinfull and adulterous generation And now to draw to a conclusion of this Preface nothing that hath yet befallen me of scandals reproaches and other sufferings or that shall further befall me in this way of Books set out against me of persecutions and troubles to bonds imprisonments losse of estate shall the grace of God assisting me turn me out of my way of constantly opposing the Sectaries so long as they go on in their way but when they for my writing against them shall speak against me as most vile and abominable I shall answer them as David It was for the Lord that I have done it and I will be yet more vile then thus and though every day naybour in the yeer should bring forth some book against me as bad as Balthazar Paeimontanus writ against Zuingl and Bolsecuâ— against Calvin yet for my part I shall be so far from being troubled that I shall take all those books as Job speaks and bind them as a crown to my head nay if all the Sectaries in England were combined against me and there were as many of them as tiles upon the houses in the City and every one of these Sectaries were a Devill yea had a legion of Devils as I beleeve some of them are possessed with many yet I would go on against them and if the Sectaries should be able out of this Book or any other to take advantage of my zeale faithfulnesse and plainnesse of spirit to make something of some words to stir up the Civil powers to trouble me yet for all that I shall not give them ever but write so much the more pâ—int them 〈◊〉 pray speak against their Errors and if God should give me so into their hands as to be able to deale with me as the Papists did with some of the â—itnesses of the truth yet I am confident they should have no cause to rejoyce but I should overcome even in that like Sampson kill more Philistims by my death then by my life and many Brethren would waxe more â—old to preach and write against them and out of my ashes should arise those who should further discover them I know the Sectarian faction must be destroyed and fall Babell must come downe as well as Babylon and the making of them naked is a preparatory work to the making of them desolate and eating their flesh But O that God would rather give them to see what they have done and make them to confesse give him glory and returne helping to build his House with both hands which they have so laid waste and hindred all this while and O that they would take well this Book look into it and observe Gods hand in finding them out accept of it as it was indeed intended for their good and not cast it away with saying t is sharp and bitter but rather remember that of the Apostle that men must be sometimes sharply rebuked That they may be sound in the â—aith Erasmus often said of the Papacit in his time that it was so corrupt that it weedeâ— acrem medicum a sharp Physitian a gentle would have done no good and therefore he raised up Luther a man of a free and hot spirit that cared not for gold and that feared not great men but went on in the cure of the Church strong and rough humors needing strong phisick to purge them out The foulnesse and strength of the disease of Sectarisme at this time call'd and calls for a strong Pâ—tion and may justly plead against the offence of any acrimonie and quicknesse that may be found in it Jesus Christ himselfe that meeke Lamb of whom it was written he should not strive noâ— cry neither should any man heare his voice in the streets yet his zeale of his Fathers House made him as t is in the second of John to make a 〈…〉 rge of cords and drive all that sold Oxâ—n Sheepe and Doves and the châ—â—gers of money out of the Temple and overthrow the Tables saying unto them that sold Doves take these things hence make not my Fathers House â—n house of merchandise and I remember not that ever I reâ—d of the like sharpnesse and quicknesse of Christ as this in any other case that against the Scribes Pharisees and S 〈…〉 es false Teachers was the likest and certainly the servants of Christ in a 〈◊〉 when the Church of God and Religion is bought and sold and made merchandise of by false Teachers as Saint Peter speaks the precious truths of God and the immortall souls of them for whom Christ died prestituted and sold to the base lusts and selfe ends of men when there are not found in the House of God so good intruders as thâ—se that sell Oxen Sheepe and Doves such profitable creatures but those that sell T 〈…〉 Crocodiles Pipers Serpents and all kind of Monstâ—rs they may and ought at such times and in such cases to imitate Christ and to doe something more then ordinary for the purging of the Church and that may show their zeale for
of one Andrew Wike p. 169 170. A Relation of a story of Katherine Chidley and her sons being at Bury in Suffolke and of Gaffer Lanceter of Bury and his Pamphlet entituled Lanceters Launcâ— p. 170. 171. A relation of a Quarter-Masters preaching and of his telling the people he had a command from the spirit to preach and was under the command of the spirit p. 172. A Relation of words spoken by a Captain in the Army concerning the decolling of the King p. 172. A Relation of a Trooper in Northhamptonshiere standing up in the Church and speaking to a Minister questioning his Doctrine as also some souldiers wounding a Ministers son in that County p. 173. A Relation of a Captaine speaking how they would come against the City of London if the House of Commons should give order so to do p. 174. A Relation of a Sectary saying of the Ordinance of Tythes the Parliament made an Ordinance to rob men and calling those Theeves and Robbers who executed it and of his arresting the Justices of Peace and the Distrainers p. 175. A Relation of an Independent Commander declaring they were against Independent Government as well as Presbyteriall if it should be settled they were for liberty of conscience that no man should be tied to any thing p. 175. Animadversions on a Libellous Pamphlet entituled The Lord Mayors farewell from his Office of Majoral-ty p. 175 176 177 178. A Relation of the true Reason why breaches have been prevented in the Army there being so many Sectaries in it namely the great forbearance patience the passing by provocations and abuses p. 179 180. A Justification of that passage in the City Remonstrance that no Sectaries should be in places of publike trust and what some of the Independents opinions was of that heretofore as most equall p. 180 181. and a laying open the necessity of the Remonstrance taking place in that and what if no Justice nor good can be expected p. 181 182. A Relation of a Discourse between a Citizen and an Independent concerning the King and of the Independents interpretation of the Covenant concerning that part of it of defending the Kings Person p. 183 184. A Relation of the Libertinisme and Atheisme of the Sectaries p. 185 186 187. A Relation of the many kinds of uncleannesses of the Sectaries as Incest c. p. 187 188 189 190. A Relation of the drunkennesse of the Sectaries p. 190 191. A Relation of the loosenesse of the Sectaries p. 191. A Relation of the Sectaries couzening and deceiving p. 191 192. A Relation of the Sectaries grosse lying and slandering p. 192. A Relation of the pride of the Sectaries and boasting in armes of flesh p. 192 193. A Relation of the Sectaries unsufferable insolencies and horrible affronts to Authority particularly 1. Against the Lawes of the Land both Common and Statute p. 194 195. 2. Against the King 195 196. 3. Against the House of Peers 196 197 198 199 200 201 202. 4. Against the House of Commons 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213. 5. Against many particular Members of both Houses by name 213 214. Against Committees of both Houses 214 215. Against both Houses as conjunct in their Authority and Power p. 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223. Against our Brethren of Scotland p. 224 225 226 227. Against the City of London p. 228 229. Against the Assembly p. 230. Against the Ministers of the Kingdome p. 230 231. Against the Reformed Churches p. 231. Against inferiour Magistrates and Courts p. 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240. Among all the wickednesses of the Sectaries the Reader may observe these six following particulars 1. How they make it their worke to destroy and overthrow Religion p. 233 234 235 236. 2. How that when the King cast himselfe into the armes of our Brethren of Scotland they wished he had gone rather to France or Ireland p. 236. 237. 3. Their evill carriage towards our Brethren of Scotland p. 237 238 239. 4. Their prodigious carriage toward the Kingdome of Ireland p. 239 240. 5. Their damnable hypocrisie and dissimulation p. 240. and that in seven particulars 6. Their contemning and abusing Gods Ministers A Relation of a Sectaries grosse couzening one to whom he owed 50. pounds the latter end of the sheet A Relation concerning some passages spoken in a Sermon by M. Knollys an Anabaptist p. 241. A Relation of some passages delivered in divers Sermons by M. Symonds p. 241 242. Animadversions on M. Burtons Conformities Deformity p. 243 244 245. Certaine Quaeries propounded to M. Burton to shew him how he is mistaken p. 247 248. A Relation concerning Green a Felt-maker that preaches in an Alley in Colemans-street p. 248 249. A Relation concerning some Letters writ to worthy Members of the House of Commons Members of the Assembly and other Ministers by godly Ministers concerning the abuses done by the souldiers in the Army p. 249 250 251 252 253 254. A Relation concerning one in Authority and what trickes and devices he used to bring one in to be a Burgesse of Parliament p. 255 256. Certaine Corollaries drawne from the Errours and Heresies laid downe in this Booke Corol. 1. Shewes that by the insolent proceedings of the Sectaries those places of Scripture in Timothy and Peter are made good and fulfilled in our Sectaries p. 256 257 258. Corol. 2. Shewes that Errors and corrupt Doctrine produce a wicked life and loosenesse of manners p. 258 259 260 261. Corol. 3. Shewes that many of the Sectaries are not onely against Church-Government but against Civill Government p. 261 262 263. Corol. 4. Shewes that our evills are not taken away but only changed p. 263. Corol. 5. Shewes into what a condition we are fallen and from what fallen that we can doe and suffer such things as we do p. 573 294. Corol. 6. Shewes what a great plague and judgement to the Land so many Sectaries in the Army are p. 265 266 267. Corol. 7. Shewes that never in any Age or any Christian State there hath been such a sufferance and Toleration as hath been and is in our Kingdome p. 268. 269 270. Corol. 8. Shewes that the Sectaries though they will receive Liberty of Conscience yet they will not give it to others where they have power p. 271 272. Corol. 9. Shews as in a glasse the true cause of all our present evills to be a love of Sectarisme and Errours p. 27. Corol. 10. Shewes well-meaning men should learne to be undeceived p. 278. A Postscript in which the Reader hath an account given him of many Pamphlets put forth against Mr. Edwards since he writ the second part of Gangraena and some brief Animadversions upon them all as M. Burroughs Vindication Gangraena playes Rex M. Saltmarsh's Shadowes flying away c. A Relation of the Names and of the Speeches and doings of the principall Independents and Sectaries spoken of in this Booke Mr. Jesse page 19. 82. 85. Mr.
but many not only one page but divers pages prove these Errors the whole scope of many books and pamphlets being to maintain these eight or nine Positions last mentâ—oned and for the Readers satisfaction I referre him to these Pamphlets hereafter named An Alarum to the House of Lords against their insolent usurpation of the Commons Liberties A Remonstrance of many thousand Citizens and other free-borne People of England to their own House of Commons A Defiance against all Arbitrary usurpations and encroachments either of the House of Lords or any other The just mans justification A Pearle in a dunghill or Leiutenant Colonell Lilburne in Newgate An Arrow against all Tyrants and Tyranny The free mans Freedom vindicated The just man in Bonds or Leiutenant Colonell Lilburne in Newgate Arguments proving we ought not to part with the Militia to any other but to the Honourable House of Commons A Petition and Appeale of Overton to the High and Mighty States the Knights and Burgesses in Parliament assembled A Petition of Leiutenant Colonell Lilburns wife to the chosen and betrusted Knights The Copy of a Letter sent by Leituenant Col. Lilburne to Master Wollaston keeper of Newgate Queries to find out who t is that holds out against the state of England The last warning to all the inhabitants of London In which and divers others he shall read Principles so destructive to all Government whatsoever Democraticall as well as Monarchicall and Aristoâ—taticall that the like are not to be found in the writings of the old Anabaptists neither ever did the old Anabaptists when they were in the power of Princes and States and brought before their bars ever carry themselves with that scorn and height of contempt towards them as Lilburne Overton and other Sectaries have done to that High and Supreame Court of Judicature the House of Peers And certainly if these Assertions and Positions about Magistracy and Civill Government were true and necessary then all the Acts Lawes Proceedings Processes of former Parliaments and of this present Parliament with the proceedings of all kind of Magistrates and Inferiour Courts are uncertain questionable yea unlawfull void and Null all who have suffered by Sentences of Courts of Justice have suffered unjustly all who possesse any thing as Lands Houses Debts by judgements of Courts have no Title to them all men who exercise any power of Rule and Government over others are usurperâ— intruders and they may say I never chose the men that made these Lawes upon which I was proceeded against and such verdicts given I never gave my consent that such men should be Judges Justices of Peace Sheriffs Juries or that such Courts should be erected yea these principles do bring in to this Kingdom and all other Nations all kind of confusion and Anarchy overthrow all ancient bounds rancks orders differences of persons and things as rich and poor Magistrats and people servants and masters bound and free and reduce all things back to unsetlement uncertainties perplexities and that as often as mens humours please and indeed keep all things from a possibility of being otherwise and all rationall wise men who understand the nature of Government and Common-wealths must needs confesse as much and that I may even to weak men deceived with specious pretences discover the weaknesse and folly of divers of the later Positions I commend these following particulars to the Readers serious consideration 1. These men who deny to the Peers of this Kingdom the Title of Lords and say 'T is not proper to Christians but a mark of the Gentiles yet they give to the Commons greater Titles as High and Mighty the Titles of Emperours and Monarchies and to the common people Majesty Kingship Soveraigne Lord yea give Gods Title calling the people Creators and Kings Lords their meer creatures 2. Instead of Legall Rights and the Lawes and Customes of this Nation the Sectaries talk of and plead for naturall Rights and Liberties such as men have from Adam by birth and in many of their Pamphlets they still speak of being governed by Right reason so that look now as they do in matters of Religion and Conscience they fly from the Scriptures and from supernaturall truths revealed there that a man may not be questioned for going against them but only for Errors against the light of nature and right reason So they do also in Civill Government and things of this life they go from the Lawes and Constitutions of Kingdoms and will be governed by rules according to nature and right reason and though the Lawes and Customes of a Kingdom be never so plain and cleer against their wayes yet they will not submit but cry out for naturall Rights derived from Adam and right reason 3. According to all principles of Justice and Right reason who is fittest to judge in such and such cases what is according to right reason whether every Delinquent and ignorant Mechanick cald in question for if that may be allowed farewell all justice none shall be punished nor innocent righted or the Rulers Judges and setled Authority of a Land Is it not rationally to be supposed that those Ancestors who founded a Government for such a Nation and those who have followed in a Succession having yeelded to and setled such Lawes could better judge of right reason what was for the good of such a Nation and accordingly made Lawes then every mean man who knows no reason of Lawes and States nor is capable of Government and the true nature of it neither conceives the Government of Nations in reference to other Nations nor in reference to the body of the people but Ship passengers and all might be split upon many rocks if such unskilful Pilots had the steering 4. T is certain all Nations and people though all came from Adam have not the same Lawes Customes Constitutions of Government and so are not nor cannot be alike â—ree There is a liberty left in Commonwealths to frame and mould them as shall be judged most convenient and all are not tied to one Rule this the Independents grant when they deny it in the Government of the Church and seeing men are borne and live in different Climates Countries and are of severall Manners Dispositions Constitutions Educations the same Lawes Customes kind of Government would not be for the good of all but what would fit one and be usefull would not serve another some are of a more servile Disposition some of a harsher stubborner nature some of a gentler freer nature some people are situated in Islands some upon the Continent some have such neighbours of such a temper others have not some Countries wholly subsists on such commodities others subsist in another way and so many such differences might be given now whether Customes and Laws necessary for such a people founded on the proper reason and nature of such a place and people be proper for all I leave to wise men to judge M. Peters that great Sectarian
them and so came away letting them do as they would At another time there being Poultrie provided by the good woman of the house for their diet which she killed with wringing their neeks about as the custome of the Country is these souldiers would not have them dressed but threw them away and fecht others cuting of their heads for they would not eate things strangled and such was the carriage of these Sectaries that though John Mathewes be a man well affected to the Parliament and well disposed yet he professed he had rather have Prince Rupert and his Company to quarter there then that Troop of Captaine P. A Copie of a Letter written lately from a Reverend godly Minister in Northamptonshire to a person of quality and worth in London Worthy SIR THough I am perswaded that you know that many Errors abound in the Army yet I cannot think but such destructive tenets as some of them have broacht amongst us when they lately quartered here are not particularly come unto your eares Therefore out of zeal to Gods glory the safty of our Church and Commonwealth Parliament and Ministry I could not but impart what I have heard from their own mouthes and by honest neighbours of them The sacred Covenant bindes me with all faithfulnesse to indeavour to discover Incendiaries hinderers of Reformation of Religion dividers of the Kingdomes c. And truly I cannot think these any other though as yeâ— God hath hindred their sparks which they cast into all the straw which they passe by from flaming into open and violent liscord I can produce both the names and I think sufficient witnesse people are affraid almost to speak against the souldiers that they have seriously spoken as being their judgements and purposes that if the souldiers knew the Countries minds as the Country might know the souldiers they would have another kind of Reformation then this Parliament is about That they have not so long sought for liberty and now to be inslaved That they could goe all England through by force of Arms if they listed That the Country might call the Parliament to account for what they had done for they were set up by them They commonly in derision call our Brethren Jack Sect and say they plot with the King against the Parliament but if there were any occasion of drawing the sword against them they would be more fierce against them then ever against the Cavaleirs They upon long dispure with me cominued in this that there is no such office as the Ministry and it 's blasphemy for any one to say that he is a Minister of Jesus Christ more then any other man such an office was but it ceased A Captaine Reformadoe said their swords shall never out of their hands as long as one Priest continued in England They scorned all our religious dayes and duties call them fools that pay Tythes and them theeves that receive them will beleeve no more Scripture then what they prove by experience to be true I might have heard more but that my heart abhors such seditious and blaspemous speeches They speake most contemptibly of Christs person and as I heare deny either the Trinity or at least the holy Ghost If it be for any publick benefit I will search after more particulars and sufficient proof Sir I am bold to impart my troubled thoughts unto you whom I have cause to judge faithfull to God your Country and your Friend Truly we fear some hurt by these in Arms if a speedy course be not taken with some of them for I find that they stick not to their principle of Liberty but only in receiving it they will not give it if they had the power of giving it unto others For ought I can observe with all their Errours they labour to poyson others where they come My mind will be much satisfied when I shall know you have read these lines concluding my duty of discovering Incendiaries c. discharged till further occasions be offered The good Lord look upon us and save us from these instruments of safety I desire your spirituall health and comfort with all temporall happinesse and successe Sept. 24. 1646. Yours to be commanded A godly young man of Summersetshire or Dorsâ—tshire at whose house a Lieutenant of a Company of Sir Thomas Fairfax Army quartered told me that this Lieutenant maintained these Opinions 1 That women might preach and would have had a gentlewomâ—n in the house this young mans sister to have exercised her gifts telling her he knew she had gifts and had been alone a meditating 2. That if a womans husband was aâ—leep or absent from her she might lye with another man and it was lawfull for sleep was a death and pressed it upon a young Gentlewoman in the house whose husband was then at London 3. That it was unlawâ—ull to kneell in prayer which was maintained by him or some others of his company and when they prayed they prayed leaning There is a godly Minister of some place more then ordinary that was in the Army about Oxford who heard a Colonell of that Army speak it in his hearing and the hearing of many that as for fighting against the Irish he was against it for they did nothing but what they might do lawfully and gave his reasons and grounds for it 1. Because they did but fight for their Religion and Liberty of conscience and for their Lands and Estates 2. That if the whole Commons and body of the people would agree and put down King and Parliament overthrow the Constitution of this Kingdom in King Lords and Commons they might do it as this was told two godly Ministers from whom I had this relation so was it communicated to some members of both Houses June 24. A godly Citizen told me he heard a great Sectary that belonged to the Army say speaking of Ireland he doubted and so did many more in the Army whether it were lawfull to go fight against the Irish and that that Country was theirs as well as England was ours Though the boldnesse and presumption of many of the Souldiers Officers and common Souldiers hath been very great both against the command of God and the Parliament to preach in the open Churches in all Countries and places where they have come putting by many godly and able Ministers from their Office and invading their Pulpits yet their open and frequent preaching in the University of Oxford doth most of all declare their impudencie that they should dare to do it in the midst of so many learned men and in a place so famous for learning and that in the publike schools in Oxford to preach daily and that against humane learning as they did for some time and after complaint of it to the Generall as a thing so scandalous and odious to all ingenuous men and his forbidding their preaching in the Schools yet the Souldiers continue still to preach in Oxford daily in a great house
Heresies and Sects that they which are approved may be made manifest among us The good Lord in due time purge his Church and now his Fanne is in his hand let us pray that he may thoroughly purge his floore nothing but pure Wheat shall be in the Lords Barne Lord thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven so commending your holy labours both in Pulpit and Presse to the blessing of God I rest Your lover in the Truth and for his sake who is ipsa veritas Nichol. North. From Dover July 13. 1646. Sir Last day repeating to my people here in Saint James Parish the summe of these Errors that they might avoid the like Captaine Temple a great stickler in this Town for the maintenance of all Sects as I hear sent me this letter after Sermon being as it seems displeased that I should forewarn my people of Heresies and Errors I pray consider of it and make the best use of it you can The man is a stranger to me and I an to him I never saw him to my knowledge and he did not hear me preach that day he wrote to me though in his Letter he sayes he is my observer Mr. North DOubtlesse you may get into your peoples affections with enveighing against any pretenders to Religion as if all such did hold such points as your story wherewith you filled up your hour But I pray Sir be so honest as to tell them this afternoon that it was very likely that Tiltboat â—ent your companion to London was an Atheist one of your Church of England For such swearers drunkards blasphemers do use to go in your Tilt-boat and there talk of Religion according to your story But all wise men know your objects of spleen called Independents Anabaptists c. hold fundamentalls in Religion and can maintain it by Scripture better then your self Your observer Miles Temple Dover the 12. July 1646. This is a true Copie to a tittle of Master Temples Letter sent to Master North on the Lords day July the 12. 1646. Attested by Nicholas North John Dyâ—us Ministers A Copie of a Letter from a worthy Minister in the West of England Worthy Sir I Had not the happinesse either to see or heare of the second part of Gangraena till within these very few dayes The first part did so much good in weakning the reputation of the Sectaries and marring their market wheresoever it came that it is not unlikely there may be meanes used by some agents in London to hinder the spreading of this How it comes to passe I know not but if any corrupting Books come forth making for Independency or any of the Sects we are sure to here of them soon enough and finde them in too many hands I am glad you have made good your ground so well against Cretensis whose bitter arrogant unministeriall stile and passages will be enough to lay open to the world the temper of the mans spirit though you should be silent In that which concernes Master Burroughs I thought verely you had been mis-informed He utterly denyed the truth of that relation to a good Presbyteriall friend of his and mine who alwaies hath had him in good esteem for piety sure it will amaze his friend and many others when they shall see this largenesse of conscience in Master Burroughs You cannot immagine how I was struck at the reading of it If Saints of the first magnitude in the Independent way the greatest pretenders to conscience can do this what credit can we give to the rest such Presbyterians as they will scarce owne to be Saints have not that latitude of conscience to tell 〈…〉 willingly much lesse write it print it and give it under their hâ—â—ds to all the world This is too too bad As concerning that Collier whom you spake of in your Book I could give you a large relation as how he was banished out of Garnesey he and many more of his followers whom hee had seduced for their heresies and turbulent behaviour afterwards imprisoned at Po 〈…〉 th 〈◊〉 was the â—irst that sowed the seeds of Anabaptism Anti-sabbatariâ—â—ism and some Arminianisme among the rest in these parts hee hath had the boldnesse to publish two or three pamphlets full stuffed with erroneous principles and â—avouring of an illitterate Carter or an Husbandman for so he is by his calling I heare though now by usurpation a Preacher The first time he preached amongst us which was in time of publike exercise some that heard him said afterwards if that were true which Master Collier had taught them they would never heare any of our Minâ—â—ters more You may guesse his doctrine by the use was made of it doubtlesse 〈◊〉 was stronge poison he gave them that wrought so strongly at first Sir if I were not in great haste I should writ more at large I should be glad to heare from you in a word oâ— two how things are likely to goe for which I shall rest June 1646. Your thankfull friend A Copie of a Letter sent from some of the Committee of the City of Exeter to some of that City here in London GEntlemen we referre you to our former Letter sent you by post wherein we gave you information of the imprisoning of our honest Citizeâ—s by the Deputy Governour and Officers of that Garrison they yet continue in custody The Committee was refused to have the knowledg of the cause of their imprisonment Our Constables are opposed in doing their duties in a word they do openly contemne and violently incroach upon the civill power contrary to former ordem sent them Yesterday they demanded more monies of us for the Garrison We do what in us lyeth to oppose them in their undue courses But the insolencie of this day is such that we thought it our duty to make this present dispatch to you doubting what a day may bring forth The cause is thus we taking notice of the frequent preaching of Captaines at the Castle Guild-Hall and in private housés and of their drawing away of the people thought it necessary with the advice of Ministers to have the Ordinance of Parliament of the twentie sixth of Aprill 1645. to be published which prohibits all such to preach as were not ordained Ministers c. which accordingly was read at the Cathedrall before the morning Sermon this day The Deputy Governour hearing it commands it to be read the second and third time the Officers jeering and scoffing all the time of the publishing of it in contempt both of the Ordinance and of the Committee After the Sermon was ended the Deputy Governour most presumptuously stands up in the Bishops seat and takes upon him publikely to give the meaning of the Ordinance and saith aloud that it did not forbid their meetings and that in the after-noones they would have their exercise in the Custle which accordingly they had and that he had the command of the City and of all that were in it with many words
with unbeleevers when Christ prayed he took his Disciples apart indeed he taught and exhorted all so the Saints in the Acts they prayed alone from the world and Christ saith goe preach the Gospel to all he doth not say goe pray with all and Christ nor his Apostles never prayed with the world the Apostles taught in their Synagogues and expounded in their Assemblies but not a word of praying with them and experience teacheth us how our hearts are straitned and how wee limit the spirit if I may so speak when we pray with unbeleevers and faith commeth not by praying with them but by preaching for faith commeth by hearing I know no word for the Ministers praying with the world nor Saints to joyne with them Object But Christ gave thanks The Apostle Paul gave thanks before them all Answ Christs thanksgiving was sometimes miraculous for by his blessing the creature he did a miracle so the Apostle's was too as farre as I know for you know how wonderfully after hee and all with them were preserved Or if we may give thanks with them it is because all have a right to the creatures restored them by Christ that in a way of exhortation or praise a Saint may informe them therein of their right by Christ Object But what shall they do that have families shall they be as Heathens doth not the word say that he will pour out his wâ—ath upon the Heathen and the families that call not upon his Name Answ That makes nothing for it for it is not said that the Heathen and these that know him not shall call on his Name this is not for it but to shew the misery of these that cannot sure it is sweet for Saints to eye the rule for all that they do Sure I do not write this that I would diminish any of the unbeleevers priviledges for Christ Jesus knowes my heart is more pitifull unto them then ever but I finde in the word that the Gospel must be preached unto them they must be exhorted and pitied and prayed for and Saints must shine before them by a holy The rest was torne away by a Sectary it was signed M. D. Plymouth the 5. day of the second moneth 1645. And subscribed thus To her Loving Brother Nicholas Couch in Dartmouth This Couch is an Ensigne in Dartmouth Animadvers on this last letter by way of Confutation Thanksgiving is made a part of Prayer as well as the other three Petitions Intercessions c. 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. v. Acts 27. 35. Paul gave Thanks to God in the presence of them all where in the Ship by many passages of that chapter Acts 27. particularly the two first verses it is evident they were not beleevers and so Christ Joh. 6. 10. 11. v. gave Thanks among them all and set aside the Disciples ther 's no ground to think any of them were beleevers but called the multitude men and such like phrases not Disciples in 1 Corinth 14. where the publike meetings of Christians are spoken of and severall parts of worship described as Singing Praying Prophesying unbeleevers are spoken of as coming into those Assemblies where these parts of worship are performed and they are not excluded from being present at one more then another nor beleevers commanded to suspend Prayer upon their coming any more then Prophesying but the chapter carries it as free to come in at all and the Church free to performe Praying and Singing as well as Prophesying notwithstanding unbeleevers present compare these Verses together 14 15 16 22 23 24 25. As for those Answers in this Letter that Christs Thanksgiving was miraculous c. they are meer subterfugies and by the same reasons men might argue against all giving of thanks before meat saying these examples of Christ and Paul were miraculous and so not binding but with these compare 1 Tim. 4. 3 4 5. verses how meaâ—s are to be received with Thanksgiving and sanctified by Prayer speaking of meats and drinks and then consider Christs and Pauls example and it will show t is for our practise besides t is such a Thanksgiving as hath Prayer and Petition in it for a blessing as is cleare from the fifth verse t is â—anctiâ—ied by Prayer and Pauls Thanksgiving in that twenty seven of the Acts had Petition and Prayer in it not only for the meat but to raise up their dejected minds in the Ship almost killed with griefe vide Calvinum in locum Acts 27. 35. loriâ—â—m Some Passages taken out of a Letter written out of Oxfordshire to a Citizen in London ONe Floid newly come to be a Preacher to the Troop of Major Huntingtons that now quarters at Aston Roreant preaching in that Church on Sunday last June the 14. on John 20. 17. Touch me not I am not yet ascended collected from those words these three transcendent points First That Lay-men Weavers Tinckers and Coblers being gifted might be Preachers Secondly Learning was not any meanes or help to understand the meaning of the Scriptures Thirdly That any Chamber Barne or Stable or other place was as holy as the Church and that there was no holynesse in the Temple for God destroyed it nor in any Church This Floid a youth of twenty yeares did lie at Master Calverts the Bookseller at Ludgate-hill Major Middleâ—ons man did not only rend with his hand the service-Book but cut it with a knife and burnt it in the fire at John Chiches of Kinston and it set the Chimney on fire till they quenched it And they justifie the burning of the ten Commandements Creed Lords prayer Psalmes ninty five Epistles and Gospels I would bee glad to know of Mr Edwards the Antagonist of Hereticks what to do in this matter To whom though unknown I present my love in the Lord. June 16. 1646. A Reverend and learned Minister living in Oxfordshire was by some in the Army and some of the Parish conspiring together as he was preaching in his Church opposed and with tumults disturbed There was one souldier a great Champion that did openly and boldly in the Church affirme that he was raised up of God immediatly and inspired with extraordinary revelations whom the Minister by this place of Scripture Matth. 24. 26. Wherefore if they shall say unto you behold he is in the desert goe not forth Behold he is in the secret chambers beleeve it not overcame and put to a non-plus so that they went out of Church with a kinde of a Diabolicall fury TThere is one Master Del a Preacher in the Army and Sir Thomas Fairfax's Chaplaine who summer was two yeares preached a strange Sermon at Lincolne and since put out a Pamphlet against uniformity in Religion calling it Anti-christian c. the man preaches and speaks much against Tythes and yet besides his Chaplains place to the Generall keeps a great living in Bedfordshire This Master Del Expounding the seven last verses of the 54. of Isaiah in Marston Church neer Oxford before the Generall and
about Bridgewater and drew the modell how to storm Bridgewater and who routed the Enemy at the entrance into Cornwall and who reduced Exeter and Worcester to the last point of extremity with many particulars about Bristow and at Oxford but it shall not need there are some men in the Army upon the places keep a true account of these things and in a convenient time will speak and undeceive the world And so Master Peters pag. 12. writes thus How long therefore shall I intreat some three or foure Iâ—inerury Ministers in a County Evangelists went out before Churches were setled how easily might the Land be in some measure reduced to God and their own civill Interests if provision was laid in of this kind But you will object We have about nine thousand Parishes and not a thousand able men I answer You see the need of Itinerants and secondly why may we not follow the practice of other Reformed Churches and gather up godly youths our of shops and send them for improvement somewhere c. Master Peters is carefull to propagate his Church-way at home as well as abroad and that in all haste and at once to over-spread the Kingdome with it by his importunity for three or foure Itinerary Ministers in every County to goe over each County and therefore asks how long he shall intreat implying this was not the first time and indeed the first fruits of these Itinerary Preachers that I can heare of clearly shewes the designe there being three named who have passed the House of Commons for some parts of Wales Master Cradock Master Symonds Master Walter or some such name who are said to be Sectaries and two of them I know to be such and decline coming to the Assembly though appointed by the House of Peers the Assembly should give that House an account of them and lest there should not be Independent Preachers enough for this worâ— Master Peters is earnest to have youths gathered out of shops and sent to Oxford for improvement and though they fall short in Arts and Tongues to be sent abroad But by the way let me ask Master Peters why not some sent to Cambridge but all to Oxford This clearly shewes the designe because Cambridge all the Colledges in Cambridge are Presbyterian but at Oxford there being so many preaching Commanders and Officers they may quickly learn the opinions of the Army and their way of preaching and be sent forth with their desperate Principles destructive both to Church and State 5. Master Peters cryes up magnifies and extolls to the heavens the Commanders in the Army of his Religion and mind and takes occasion to instance in particular men as if there were none to be compared with them as may be seen pag. 6. Fear not the Army whose Commanders like Samuel can ask any County or Town where they have been Whose Oxe or Asse have they taken never fewer complaints nor many men of such quality whose design is only to obey their Masters viz. the Parliament the â—lighting the Army is their money triumphant chariors would have broke our necks So pag. 4. For Worcester I am sorry so little is spoken of it where so much worth and gallantry appeared and indeed I cannot remember where I have seen so much done in so short a time foure Regiments of Foot under the command of Colonell Rainborow came and raised works within Pistoll shot of their Royall Sconce c. wherein Lievtenant Colonell Pride and Lievtenant Colonell Ewers had a chief share whereupon the Enemy accepts of those Propositions you have seen and truly I wish Colonell Raâ—nborow a sutable imployment by sea or land for both which God hath especially fiâ—ted him Foraign States would be proud of such a servant 6. Weakning and darkning the valour faithfulnesse and worth of other Commanders not Independents though of the same Army and of the other Armies in comparison relating matters wrong and very partially for the extolling his own party as the Reader may observe in the Relation of Worcester giving to Colonell Whaley only a preparatory part making a little way for the taking of Worcester but attributing the glory of the work to Colonel Rainborow now Governor of Worcester Colonel Pride c. speaking thus pag. 4. Where when that valiant Commander of Horse Colonel Whaley had done his duty and with the help of Countrey Forces had block up part of the Town foure Regiments of Foot under the command of Colonell Rainborow came and raised works within Pistoll shot c. whereas I have been told from good hands and so I beleeve hath Master Peters before this of the great wrong and injury he hath done Colonell Whaley in this Relation Colonell Whaley before ever Colonell Rainborow was sent having reduced Worcester to the last point and Worcester being in a such condition then that there wanted little else tantuâ—â— non that it was not actually surrendred but of this more afterwards So pag. 6. Feare not that Army whose Commanders like Samuel never fewer complaints nor many men of such quality whose design is only to obey their Masters viz. the Parliament as if no other Army or Commanders like them And so pag. 10. By the same means the mercy is gained it may be preserved if men yea good men were instrumentall in the one they must be in the other conside when you see cause to conside c. as if no other Armies were means to gain Conques and Victories but this nor none other to be trusted to conserve what is won and instances in men to be credited with Garrisons who are honest godly English-men he may know by other passages who are his honest godly English-men viz. Sectaries and such as are opposite to the Scots though differing in opinion as all France being most Catholike trusts it self to their Protestant Leaders So would he have all places of strength and command trusted with Independents Anabaptists though the Parliament be Presbyterian 7. The seventh particular in this Pamphlet is the excessive boasting trusting in and omnifying this Army as if it were omnipotent able not only for all ends and purposes at home but to conquer all Christendome yea the whole world to goe to Bavaria Lorain the Palatinate Ireland France to incounter forraign threatnings and teach Peasantâ— to understand Liberty to secure us against Danes and Saxons yea to cause the West Indies and the East to offer themselves to our devotion the proofe of which the Reader may find pag. 6. Were I perswaded that forraign threatnings were in earnest I wish this Army might be sent to encounter them and teach Peasants to understand Liberty and I would not doubt but to see good fruit of it soon I would rather our men should live upon their wine then they upon our beer So pag. 9 10. What you hear of a conjunction between the Prince of Wales and his Lievtenant Generall the Duke of Lorain with some promises from his Uncle Bavatia need not
the Judges that there was in Monarchie and Aristocracy an enmity against Christ which he would destroy and as he was speaking some turbulent fellowes and Sectaries clambred up by the Bench and cryed out my Lord my Lord Mr Pr. doth it in malice we will maintaine our Minister with our bloud whereupon the Judge threw away the paper and said he would heare no more of it though he had before commanded Master Eldred to read openly all those Heterodoxies The Lords day following Master Feake in the Pulpit endeavored to answer all the Articles put up against him to the Judges in a great Auditory Many other things I have heard of him since his coming to Hartford but what I here set down of him besides the relation I have had by word of mouth of persons of worth 't is given me under hand in writing and that with this seale set to it what I have here written I will justifie and much more when I am called to it There is one Richard Overton a desperate Sectary one of Lilburnes Breed and followers who hath printed many scandalous things against the House of Peers and notice being given of him there was an Order granted for the taking of him and seasing of his Presse a Presse that had printed many wicked Pamphlets that have come out of late against the King the Lords the Presbyteriall Government the City and for a Toleration and Liberty destructive to all Religion Lawes and Government yea overthrowing by the principles laid down in them the power of the House of Commons whilst they seeme to cry up and invest that House with the Monopoly of all the power of the Kingdome who being apprehended by the Messengers sent out for him was brought before a Committee of the House of Lords where he refused to answer any questions and carried himself with a great deale of contempt and scorne both in words and gesture and after this being brought before the House of Lords he refused to answer any questions propounded by the Speaker as in the name of the House and to that question whether he were a Printer or no hee would not answer but told them he was resolved not to make answer to any interrogatories that should infringe his propertie right or freedome in particular or the rights freedomes and properties of the Nation in generall Besides he gave saucie and peremtory words to the House of Lords and appealed from the House of Lords to the House of Commons whereupon the Lords committed him to Newgate as he most justly deserved Now since his commitment to Newgate there are some wicked railing Pamphlets come out in his name and sold openly Pamphlets venting a company of cursed principles both against Religion and civill Government tending to nothing else but the overthrow of the fundamentall constitution of this Kingdome in King Lords and Commons and setting up the body of the common people as the Soveraigne Lord and King denying King and Lords any power and the House of Commons any further then the peoples Deputies and at the pleasure of and will of the people and to the ruine of Religion by pleading against the Ordinance for punishing Blasphemies and Heresies The first Book of this Overtons is call'd A defence against all Arbitrary Vsurpations of the House of Lords and a Relation of their unjust and barbarous proceedings against that worthy Commoner stiling himself so The second is An Arrow against all Tyrants and Tyranny shot from the prison of Newgate into the Prerogative Boweâ—s of the Arbytrary House of Lords by Richard Overton Prerogative Archer to the Arbitrary House of Lords The third is A Petition and Appeale to the House of Commons calling them the High and mighty States the most Soveraigne House and himself their leigo Petitioner In all which he most audaciously and unsuâ—â—erably abuses the House of Lords charging them with Tyranny â—surpation invading the Liberties of the people denying them all legislative power desiring due reparations against them scoffing and scorning them and their power descanting upon by way of conâ—utation the Order of the House of Lords for his commitment and stirring up the House of Commons and all the people against the House of Lords to free the people from their oppressions tyrannies c. I will give the Reader a taste of this Anabaptisticall spirit by transcribing a few passages out oâ— these wicked and cursed Pamphlets In page 5. of his deâ—iance against the Lords he speaks to English-men thus Ye in speciall be encouraged against all opposition and incroachment of Kings Lords or others upon the House of Commons their rights and properties derived from the people And acknowledg none other to be the supreame Court of Judicature of this Land but the House of Commons and in this gallâ—â—t resolution live and dye and acquit your selves like men For my part I 'le treaâ— upon the hottest coales of fire and vengâ—ance that that parcell of men intituled the House of Lords can blow upon me for it Page 15. 17. He makes the Lords to be sâ—bordinate and subject to the Commons the great Representors of the Land and calls the Knights and Burgesses Assembled the upper House and the Judges of the House of Peers as well as his Page 19. 20. speaking of the power of the Commons hath these words Therefore these Lords being none of the peoples Vicegerents Deputies or Representors cannot legally passe upon any of the Represented to 〈…〉 y sentence fine or imprison but such their actions exceeding the soveraigne compasse must needs be illegall and Antimagistraticall and therefore as by that soveraigne power confer'd from the people upon the House of Commons I made my appeales to the said House refusing altogether to submit unto that usurpation of the Lords over the peoples properties c. In the same page speaking of the House of Lords in a scoffing manner faith Their Lordships might do well to send me to Doctor Bastwicks School of complements that I might have a little more venerable Courtship against the next time I appeale in their presence In page 17. 18. relating how the whole House of Lords derided him upon his refusing to answer the questions of the speaker of the Right Honourable House of Peeâ—s he sets down that he replyed to them Gentlemen it doth not become you thus to deride me that am a prisoner at youâ— Barre And thereupon speakes of the House of Lords such caâ—riage such Court for indeed Comedies Tragedies Masks and Playes are farre more fit for such idle kind of men In page 6. Overton speaking of the House of Lords writes thus And these are further to let them know that I bid defiance to their injustice usurpation and tyranny and sâ—â—rne even the lest connivance glimpse jot or tittle of their favour Let them do as much against 〈…〉 e by the rule of Equity Reason and Justice for my testimony and protestation against them in this thing as possibly they can and I
Commission and Councel board might not doe Yee now frequently commit mens persons to prison without showing cause Ye examine men upon interrogatories and questions against themselves and imprison them for refusing to answer Yee have entertained to be your Committees servants those very prowling Vaâ—leâ—s that were employed by those un just Courts who took pleasure to torment honest conscionable people yea vexe and molest honest men for matters of Religion and differences with you and your Synod in judgement and take upon you to determine of Doctrine and Discipline approving this and rep 〈…〉 thing that just like unto former ignorant politick and superstitious Parliaments and 〈…〉 cations So page 17. Truly t is a sad thing but too true a plaine quiet minded man in any place in England is just like a harmlesse sheep in a thickeâ— can hardly move or stiâ— but he shall be stretched and lose his wooll such Committees have ye made in all Cities and Countries and none are so ill used as honest godly men Yeâ— have now â—are full 5. yeers which is 4. yeers longer then we intended for we could chuse you but for at most one yeer and now we wish ye would publish to all the world the good that you have done for us the liberty you have brought us unto c. And if yâ— beleeve there is a God ye must beleeve it and if ye do beleeve it consider the way 〈…〉 ye have 〈…〉 d and truly repent show it by w 〈…〉 ing contrary to what ye have done or purposed to do and let us quickly and speedily 〈◊〉 thereof for God is a God that taketh vâ—nge 〈…〉 and will not suffer you to go on to your rui 〈…〉 And 〈◊〉 in these and 〈◊〉 other printed passages the Sectories 〈◊〉 their in sol 〈…〉 against the House of Commons so they declare their insol 〈…〉 in severall other particulars as First in going with a high hand against Votes passed in that House for instance when a passage in a Letter sent 〈◊〉 the House of Commons after Nazâ—by fight about liberty of conscience was upon debate Voted and Ordered by the House to be left out and was not in the Copies printed by co 〈…〉 d of the House the Sectaries presently printed that passage and besides bare printing it did it with a blaming of them who lest it out in the Letters printed and being printed it was set up upon Church doores to make it more publick viz. the Churches of greatest resort of people as at Stepny at the time of Master Burroughs preaching and printed in a sheet with some motives to the Presbyterians for liberty of conscience at the end of it as a passage in such a Letter written by such a man whose name I forbeare printing Secondly in scoffing at and writing against the priviledges of Members of the House of Commons and declaring themselves against those provisoes of exemptions made of Members in the House of Commons upon any Ordinances as that of Accounts c. declaring they are as free as any Members of that House and that they ought not to be in bondage to any Law oâ— Ordinance that they will not stand to declaring against theirs and their servants freedome from arests suits c. divers scoffing passages to which purpose the Reader may â—inde in Lilburâ—s innocency and truth justified and other Pamphlets above named Thirdly in taking notice of publickly and publishing in priâ—t matters in the House under debate and deliberation there before agreed on and resolved yea and speaking their pleasure of such things and branding the Members who have brought in or spoken to such things of which there are many instances as in the Ordinance for the preventing of the growing and spreading of Heresies Blasphemies brought into the House of Commons they printed it they made Observations Animadversions Queres Invectives against it spoke against those worthy Members by name who presented it and all when it was but newly under debate for proofe of all which particulars let the Reader look upon these following Pamphlets S 〈…〉 e moâ—â—sâ— and â—umble Queres concerning a printed paper entituled An Ordinance presented to the Honorable House of Commons for the preventing of the growing of Heresies A D 〈…〉 to the Bill for preventing the growth and spreading of Heresies Some breif Observations upon the foregoing Ordinance Master Burtons Conformities Deformity Pag. 17. Overtons Arrow against all Tyrants pag. 12. 13 14. of which Ordinance yet but under debate in that House this Overton writes That by the powerfull agitation of Master Taet and Master Bacon two Members of the House a most Romish Inquisition Ordinance had obtained admission into the House there to be twice read and to be referr'd to a Committee which is of such a nature if it should be but confirmed enacted and established as would draw all the innocent bloud of the Saints from righteous Abel unto this present upon this Nation and fill the Land with more Martyrdoms Tyrannies Cruelties and Oppressio 〈…〉 then ever was in the bloudy dayes of Queen Mary yea or ever before or since For I may boldly say that the people of this Nation never heard of such a diabolicall murthering devouring Ordinance Order Edict oâ— Law in their Land as is that So when the Assemblies last Petition about Church-Government was in the House under debate Master Salt 〈…〉 arish takes notice of it prints is writes against it Fourthly In a contemptuous carriage to the commands of the House of Commons in refusing to answer any questions propounded and instead of answering charging the House of Commons with injustice c. as is to be seen in a Letter of Lilburnes to his friend and divers other Pamphlets Yea Lilburne in a Book lately printed even since his Appeale from the Lords House was accepted by the Commons as himselfe saith and he so favourably and patiently heard by the Committee of the House of Commons to consider of the priviledges of the Commoners of England as appeares by a wicked Pamphlet intituled An Anatomy of the Lordâ— Tyranâ—y and unjustice exercisâ—d upon Lieutenans Colonel Lilburne brands the House of Commons with injustice ingratitude saying page 20. of Londons liberty in chains discovered that he could never in his life enjoy justice from the House of Commons although saith he I have waâ—ted upon them therefore this sixe yeers and followed them as close as any man I think in England and I have beene as serviceable to the Common-wealth of England in my place and condition as any one man whatsoever that site in that House though I have beene ungratefully dealt with by them as ever man in England was Fifthly In opposing the power of the House of Commons in medling with matters of Religion making any Lawes Ordinances or Orders in reference to matters of church-Church-Government Master John Goodwin first preached against their power in this kind because they were chosen by the common people of the Land worldlings
prophane persons ignorant c. who having no knowledge in Religion and so likely to chuse such as themselves were unfit for such a work and afterwards in print being charged with it by Master Prynne as proved against him before the Committee of plundered Ministers he justifies his Preaching of which the Reader may see more in those Answers and Replyes that passed betwixt Mr. Goodwin and Mr. Pryn and particularly in Mr. Pryns Truth triumphing over falshood Epist Dedicat. and in the Book pag 106 107 108. The Author of the last warning to all the inhabitants of London pag. 5. saith That the betrusted Commons have not permitted this liberty in policie of every one worshipping God as they will but in Justice and upon mature knowledge that they neither are nor can be betrusted to make Lawes to rule men in the practice of Religion The Sectaries Remonstrance to their own House of Commons as they call the Honorable House pag. 12 13. speaking of matters that concern the worship of God denys the Commons any power at aâ— to conclude the people in such things It is not for you to assume a power to controule and force Religion or to force a way of church-Church-Government upon the people because former Parliaments have so done and affirms the Commons could not have such a power justly entrusted upon them by the people that trusted them And what need any further witnesse The House of Commons to their faces in the last 〈…〉 a st Sermon before them heard enough by Master Dell a famous Sectary and the Generalls Chaplaine against their power and authority to meddle in things of this kind Fifthly the Sectaries have written publikely and spoken openly against many particular Members of both Houses by name yea against the Honourable Speakers of both Houses by name and divers other prime eminent Members of note as well for their estates and ranks out of the Houses as power in the Houses calling by name some of them Traitors Achanâ— accusing them of treason and wilfull betraying of their Countries and Trusts as the Religious Earl of Manchester Sir Henry Vane Senior Master Barwis charging others by their severall names with other crimes as injustice oppression protecting of Delinquents sending many thousand pounds to the King at Oxford procuring by their publike places in the House contrary to the Self-denying Ordinances private and profitable places to themselves pride and loftinesse of carriage breach of promises giving out of the Scots that they have a wicked design tending to the prejudice of the State It would fill up many pages to relate all the passages in Lilburns Overtons Master Musgraâ—es Books Englands Birth-right and such like Pamphlets of Sectaries against some of the Peers by name as thâ—â— thrice Noble and Worthy Earl of Essexâ—â—tely â—â—tely deceased the Earl of Stamford Lord Hâ—â—sden and divers of the Commons as Sir Arthur Hazelrig Master Lilsle Master Glyn Master Blackstone Master Gorbet Master Whitaker Master Allen Master Tâ—et Master Bâ—â—on yea they fall foule upon Sir Henry Vanâ— the younger Master Sollicitor Lievâ—enant Generall Cromwell Sir Henry Mildmay Master Holland c. and would have them turned out of their places as being Nonrefidentiaries Pluralists strengthening others in those wayes by their examples telling them these other places distinct from their Memberships of Parliament prejudices greatly the Common-wealth sowes up their lips makes them they dare neither speak nor doe what they should and without which 't is hoped they would but I must not enlarge more on this head and therefore referre the Reader to the Books themselves to peruse the particulars at large Sixthly The Sectaries have spoken written publikely against contested with the Committees of Parliament the Committees of each House both of the House of Commons and Lords How Lilburne carried himself to the Committee of Examinations his pamphlet entituled The copy of a Letter from Liâ—â—t Col. Lilburne 〈◊〉 a Friend shewes at large what Master Musgraves carriage was to a Committee of the House of Commons of which Master Liâ—ts was the Chair-man himselfe relates in his pamphlet entituled Another word to the wiâ—e and in that Book he speaks against the proceedings of that Committee and in that of all the Committees of the House of Commons shewing his reasons why he declined that Committee and the answering of their Interrogatories Now his words are as followes I am blamed because I decline the Committee how should I expect any good from them when they dare not or will not suffer our cause to be publikely heard and debated but doe shut their doores against both our friends and also against strangers contrary to Law yet suffer they our adversaries whom we accuse to sit with their hats on as Judges in the cause both permitting them and they taking upon them to examine us And how can I assent unto the Committes demands to bring witnesses to be examined before such a Committee as cannot or is not authorised to administer an oath and so consequently cannot determine or give any judgement for or against the party accused for that all matters of fact and causes criminall are to be tried and determined by the verdict of twelue men upon solemne oaths and deposition of witnesses And how can I without incurring the hainous sinne of perjury submit unto the Arbitrary proceedings and determinations of any Committee being bound by solemne oath and protestation to maintaine the Lawes and just liberties of the people and that the Proceeding Orders and Results of the Committees be Arbitrary and not regulated by the Law I need no further proofe then that exorbitant and unlimiâ—ted power they take upon them and daily exercise in seazing on free mens goods and imprisoning their bodies contrary to Law for which if they should as they ought pay 500. li. a peice and trebble dommages to every party greived according to the Statute of 17. Carol. made for the abolishing of the Star-chamber I beleeve they would not adventure so boldly to transgresse Overton in his Pamphlet call'd A Deâ—â—ance against all Arbitrary usurpations either of the House of Lords or any other p 14. 13. declares his contemptâ—os insolent carriag towards a Committee of the Lords House how when he was asked by the Earle of Essex two severall times whether he were a printer or no he answered that he would not answer any questions or Interrogatories whatsoever but would stand to the rights and properties of the people of this Nation as also that he asked the Committee some questions talked sawcily to them as to know where or before whom he was What is a Committee of Lords the most supreme Court of Judicature in the Land Gentlemen if you be a Committee of Lords then I appeale from you Seventhly the Sectaries have carried themselves in word and deed insolently against the Parliament of England not only as I have fully proved abusing apart the House of Lords the House of the Commons Commit of each House and
divers particular Members of both Houses by name but as conjunct in their Authority Power and that in both the senses in which the Parliament is taken whether as we meane the three Estates in Parliament in their Legislative power the King the Lords the Commons or whether the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament making the highest Court to punish other Courts and offendors according to Lawes already made and having a power to make Ordinances and to set out rules and directions in emergent occasions of the Kingdome till a Law can be made Now in the first acception of Parliament the Sectaries have by word writing and all their proceedings especially of late overthrowne Parliaments and the fundamentall constitution of the three estates King Lords and Commons and that in denying all Legislative power to the King and Lords and of three Estates leaving and making but one cutting off both King and Lords from their unquestionable legall power according to the Lawes and fundamentall constitution of the Government of this Kingdome yea indeed destroying all the three estates taking away all the power and authority from the King Lords and Commons and placing it in the universall people giving them power to doe what they will and as often as they will as being the Creator of all and making the King Lords and Commons their meere creatures to be disposed of as they please and as the Sectaries are against the power of the three Estates in Parlia to make new Lawes giving this Legislative power only to the Commons and that to at the discretion of the people so are they against the Lawes and Acts already made by King Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament having inveighed against all Lawes from first to last both Common and Statute yea against Magna Charta it selfe calling it a poore and beggarly thing below a Freeman c. of the proofes of which particulars though the Sectaries Books are full I shall only name one place in the Remonstrance of the Sectaries to their owne House of Commons page 15. where they speak thus to the Commons Yee know the Lawes of this Nation are unworthy of a free people and deserve from first to last to be considered and seriously debated and reduced to an agreement with common equity and right reason Magna Charta it selfe is but a beggarly thing containing many marks of intolerable bondage and the Lawes that have beene made since by Parliaments have in very many particulars made our Government much more oppressive and intolerable and in all their Books they speak against the knowne positive Lawes of the Land and cry out for Lawes according to right reason and for naturall primitive rights the just rights and prerogative of mankind which as they are the sonnes of Adam from him they have legitimatly derived of which they make themselves the sole Judges for otherwise our Ancestors who first founded this government and Lawes and the Parliaments ever since in all ages being rationall men have judged the present forme of Government and the Lawes to be most agreeable to Right Reason and Equity for this Nation and accordingly have confirmed and ratiâ—ied them so many times Now if this insolent outragious carriage of many Sectaries be well considered it will be found Treason in the highest forme not only against the King but the Kingdome too as my Lord Cook spake in the case of the Gunpouder Traytors they having plotted endeavoured written many Books done many actions to overthrow the fundamentall constitution and lawes of this Kingdome and that not by blowing up one Parliament but by their gun-powder spirits labouring to destroy all Parliaments in their constitution of three Estates for ever and if Strafford and Canterbury for endeavouring to subvert the fundamentall lawes of this Kingdome though they professed ignorance in many things and for what they did pleaded the command of the King and carried themselves with all duâ—ifull submission to the Parliament not to their faces and in the time of a Parliament endeavouring to overthrow Parliaments and Lawes and confronting them were yet charged and suffered death how many deaths hath Lilburne Overton and the rest of their fellowes deserved who have with so much violence sought the overthrow of the three Estates and the Lawes of the Kingdome and in the stead of the Fundamentall Government Lawes and Constitution of this Kingdome to set up an Utopian Anarchie of the promiscuous multitude and the â—usts and uncertaine fancies of weake people for Lawes and Rules and if these audacious men and their daring books shall escape without exemplary punishment and instead thereof be countenanced and set free I do as a Minister pronounce that the plague of God will fall upon the heads of those who are the cause of it Aâ—d in the second acception of the Parlia for what hath been done by the joynt power of both Houses in their Ordinances and commands yea the power which they claime and is expressed in the Writs by which they make such Ordinances and command obedience to them both the Authority and the Ordinances following from that Authority are denied and reproached all kind of wayes by the Sectaries and here I have so large a feild to walke in that I might make a fourth part of Gangraena in laying open the particulars of this kind but I will only speak a few things In the generall the Authority of both Houses of Parliament in matters of Religion and all Ordinances whatsoever tending that way have beene all violâ—â—ed with a high hand and trampled undeâ— foot with scorne and detestation openly declared against in the strangest manner that ever was in any age Now for the Sectaries opposing the Parliaments Authority to establish church-Church-government and to set up the true Religion I will among many quote only three First Collyer a Master Sectary in his Queres p. 24. answering that question what power c. saith they have none at all and that t is one of the first and greatest degrees of Antichristian tyranny for man to assume to himself power in spirituall things vide p. 24 25 26 27 28 29. Secondly Mr. Burton in his Pamphlet entituled Conformities Deformity it being the maine scope of his Book speaks against the power and practise of this State and present Parliament to enact a Law to binde all to conformity in Religion and makes it to be the feare of God raught by the precept of men to be hypocrisie idolatry to be that which turnes men away from the truth and so from Christ page 7. 15. and in page 12 1â— he writes thus Aâ—d therefore in this time of pretended Reformation belike the Parliament doth but pretend Reformation because it sets not up by a Law Independencie and Sectarisme Presbyteriall Government the Diâ—â—ctory Confession of Faith Catechisme being all but pretended Reformation with Master Burton to erect this great Idoll to wiâ— a power in man to prescribe Lawes and to lâ—gi 〈…〉 commandements for worship
and Church government and to presse them upon every mans conscience w 〈…〉 is it but with Nebuchadnezzar to erect this golden Image and with an immortall Law of the Medes and Persians to bind all men to fall downe and worship it Or what is it but with Jeroboam and his Councell to set up the golden Calves with a strict comandement of universaâ—l conformity none daring among all those ten Tribes openly to proâ—esse the pure worship of God saving the Prophet Elijah to whom these seven thousand were not knowne The Parliament may do well to take notice that he resembles their settling Church-government and Religion among us to Nebuchadnezzars erecting his golden Image and Jeroboams setting up the golden Calves Thirdly the Pamphlet entituled The tender Conscience religiously affected descanting upon a part of the Preamble of an Ordinance made by the Lords and Commons concerning suspension of ignorant and scand alous persons from the Lords Supper where the Parliament saith never any of Gods servants since theâ— foundation of the world had 〈◊〉 high and strong engagements beartily and sincerely to endeavour the compleat establishment of purity and unity in the Church of God then we have charges the Parliament with speaking of blasphemy and aske where had the Lords and Commons this large Commission to middle in the affairs of King Jesus so farre c. 2. For the Sectaries opposing all the Ordinances of Parliament in matters of Religion and tending to Religion to say nothing now of Ordinances in civill mâ—tters as the additionall Ordinance of Accounts Lillurnes Innocency and Truth justified page 69. the Ordinance of Excise the Ordinances for Takes spoken against in Englands birth-right page 44 4â— t is so apparent that I can give not only passages out of Books written against all the Ordinances in that kind but relate insolent tumultuous practises contrary unto and in scorne and contempt of the Ordinances of Parliament There are many books and passages in books written against the Ordinance of Tyths as that Pamphlet call'd Ordinance for Tyths Dis 〈…〉 ted Englands Birthright A Copie of a Letter written to Master William Pr 〈…〉 with divers others wherein they speak both against the thing and the Parliament calling Tyths Antichristian Jewish Diaboli 〈…〉 the root and support of Popery c. charging the Parliament with breach of â—ovenant for making that Ordinance There are Sermons preached all the Kingdome over against this Ordinance of Tyths that being one of their subjects commonly in all their preachings and the Sectaries in places have abused and beaten those who have beene gathering of Tyths and themselves deny payment and provoke others not to pay by all the meanes they can A great Sectary in Bermonsey parish being call'd in question for non-payment of his Tyths by vertue of the Ordinance of Parliament said of that Ordinance the Parliament had made an Ordinance to rob men and they who executed it were theeves and robbers The Ordinance against mens preaching not being Ordained how hath it beene scoffed at in severall Pamphlets of the Sectaries and how doe souldlers and every mechanick not only disobey it but put by many godly Ministers from their Pulpits preaching whether they will or no causing many tumults and riots in Churches yea threatning and laying Ministers by the heeles for publishing it The Ordinance for the better observation of the monthly Fast how hath it beene and is slighted by the Sectaries spoken against as legall popish not observed but things done in contempt of the Fast and when civill Officers have questioned people for travelling and worldly works on those dayes some Sectaries have opposed them in the execution of their offices the proofe of which particular and that of committing a Minister to prison for reading the Ordinance against Lay mens preaching the Reader may finde it in the Letters sent from the Committee of Exeter to some in London The Nationall Covenant taken by both Houses and appointed by Ordinance with solemne instructions for all to take it how fearfully is it scoffed at and jeared in many Books of the Sectaries Arraignment of Persecution c. and forced Jesuiticall equivocations and interpretations put upon it by many as by Walwyn in A word more to Master Edwards as by Cretensis in his large Preface to the Reader before his Anapologesiates Antapologias The Nationall Covenant is called a double faced Covenant the greatest make-bate and snare that ever the Devill and the Clergy his Agents cast in among honest men in England in our age which I dare pawne my head and life so to prove it to be in a fair and publick discourse against the greatest maintainer thereof in England Lilburns Londons liberty in chains discovered page 42. The Directory established by Ordinance is in severall Books of the Sectaries spoken much against resembled to Jeroboams calves said to have contradictions to the Canonicall Scriptures Turners Heavenly confidence for Syons Saints page 64 65. scoffed at in a Ballad call'd A Prophecie of the Swinâ—herds destruction The Ordinances for the Presbyteriall Government and the Government it selfe in the going to set it up have beene preached written against and all manner of wayes opposed by the Sectaries What hath beene more familiar and common with the Sectaries in their Pulpits and Books then to call the Presbyterian Government Antichristian a â—lim of Anti-christ Tyrannicall Lordly cruell a worse bondage then under the Prelates a bondage under Taskmasters as the Israelites in Egypt besides many bitter jeares and scoffs have beene made both of the Government and Ordinances as 〈◊〉 The Arraignment of Persecution Martins Eccho Ordinance for â—yâ—â—s dismounted The last warning to all the Inhabitants of London as also they have made disgracefull pictures of the Presbytery one printed and joyned to a paper call'd Severall Votes of tender consciences another to a Pamphlet call'd The tender Conscience religiously affected But among all the Sectaries Books abusing the Parliaments Ordinances about Presbyteriall Government let the Reader take notice of the Pamphlet call'd Tender conscience religiously affected propounding questions of weighty consequence in which the Author descants upon the Ordinances of Parliament and charges them with speaking blasphemy and many other crimes and the Ordinance for Tyths dismounted where that Sectary speaking occasionally of the Ordinance of Parliament for the Lords Supper saith For indeed at the first onset it was not policie to rush such a diabolicall and villâ—nous invention point blanck upon us with an It is decreed and ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament But after a more mysterious manner of Ordination slily intrude it upon us unawares in the godly and specious vizor of Rules and Directions as if our Parliament men â—ad such a spirituall and holy care â—ver â—s to give us such wholsome and 〈…〉 directions 〈…〉 indeed under this innocent apparition in the shape of Lam 〈…〉 they are no other then ravening Woolves rending and tearing us in p 〈…〉 ces
said again and again of his Protestation Protested I will if he will not be angry with him it was this that in that Book there was grosse Brownisme which he nor his Brethren no way agreed with him in and that for his part he would as soon subscribe to the Book of Common-Prayer as to divers things there Shall I tell him what Mr. Symonds of Roterdam one of the moderatest and modestest of that way said upon the comming forth of his last Book Conformities Deformitie to a friend of his that shewed it him and asked him of it no I will forbear least it should trouble the old man too much I could tell some stories of Mr. Burton and his Church I have a relation given me in writing by 〈◊〉 whâ— was present and heard all about a difference that fell out in the time of the Church-meeting between M. Burton and a Butcher and some others of his Church about prophecying but 't is too long to insert here and I promise it the Reader in the 4 part of Gangraena I have been told a late famous story by divers godly Ministers of the City of a great falling out betweene Mr. Burton and some of his Church about singing of Psalmes Baptising of Children prophecying and somewhat else and upon some Brethren cal'd in to hear the businesse how far M. Burton yeelded in those particulars both against his judgment and his practise but I must reserve that too I could make large Animadversions on his Pamphlets and show many strange positions in them beside contradictions falshood weaknesse hard speeches against the faithfull servants of God much pride and arrogancie but I will for present animadvert a few things only on his last Book Conformities Deformitie in a Dialogue between Conformity and Conscience and I shall refer all I have to say at this time to three heads 1. To show the scope of Mr. Burtons Book and what the man would have in it 2. To represent to M. Burton and the Reader the great evill of it and how unlike Mr. Burton is to what himselfe was formerly 3. Propound some queries to Mr. Burton to show him how he is mistaken all along in the ground he goes upon For the first his main scope is under the name of Conscience to represent the Sectaries as the only conscientious men and under that colour to plead for a Toleration of them all and an indempnity from all restraint by the civill Magistrate and under the name of Conformity to brand all Presbyterians and to speak against all establishment of Religion and church-Church-Government by Magistrates and Synods as great Hypocrisie Idolatry rejecting Christ from being King c. destroying the foundation of faith and in his prosecuting this besides Sion Colledge the Assembly the City of London the Ordinance for preventing the growth of Heresies which he fals fouly upon he railes fearfully and speaks most wickedly against the Generall Assembly and the Scottish Church-Government saying that in the Generall Assembly there is the like Supremacie set up which the Pope 〈…〉 selfe claimeth â—ver Kings States Kingdomes Common-wealths that 't is a spirit of Antichristian pride and tyranny of rebellion and treason in lifting up a Papall Throne above Kings and Kesars above Kingdomes and Common-wealths to the ensâ—aving of the whole Nation in their soules bodies aâ—d estates that it sets up in the Church an Oracle of Infallibility and such a Supremacie as no true-bred English Christian can interpret for other then Antichristian Tyranny and all under the name of a Christian Presbyterian Church-Government that if that Presbyterian Government be set up thereby our Fundamentall Lawes Priviledges and power of Parliaments Liberties and freedome of all true-bred English Subjects would be brought under perpetuall bondage worse then that eitherof Egypt or Babilon all which and much more the Reader may find in page 19 20 21. of-that Booke For the second Mr. Burtons great evill and how unlike Mr. Burton now is to Mr. Burton formerly it may apppeare thus in that M. Burton in all this booke builds up againe the things he formerly destroyed undoing all his owne acts agreeing with Canterbury Pocklington c. in their Principles and Practises against the Reformed Churches particularly the Scots and their Church-Government M. Burton being Cantuariensis redivivus nay let me not wrong the dead though they were great Enemies to the Scots and Presbyteriall-Government yet in all their writings I doe not find such rancorous malicious passages against the generall Assembly as in this Booke of M. Burtons he makes use indeed of the Bishops and their creatures Arguments and weapons against the Presbyteriall Government and the Reformation but withall goes higher and in patronizing and pleading for all Errours and Heresies under specious pretences as they did Arminian Popish and Socinian Doctrines not writing one word against all the Heresies and Blasphemies of these times but speaking against my books and Dr. Bastwicks for the discovering of them O how is M. Burton fallen I heard a godly and â—â—arned Divine say lately of him upon reading his Conformities Deformity that he had alwaies thought M. Burton to be a godly man but he now thought him the greatest Apostate in England He should not have wondered much to have seen such a book written by John Goodwin but that M. Burton should he could not have believed it had he not read it and certainely in his writing this Booke and many others God left him the man is departed from all his former principles of zeale and love to truth he can finde no Deformitie now in Heresie nor Blasphemy but onely in Conformity to Presbyteriall-Government and the Magistrates non-Toleration of Errours The Lord hath made him a fearfull example and all men may take warning by M. Burton for turning Independents who before he turned Independent was so zealous against the least Errours and the least Innovation in Worship as that he would straine things and make a great matter of a little but now he hath no heart against the greatest Errours he can doe nothing in all his Pamphlets for the honour of Christ he can see no deformitie in all the Blasphemies Heresies of these times but onely in the Orthodox Reformed Churches and Presbyteriall-Government and that which aggravates his sin is he hath done this after sad and serious admonition given him in the fourth Corollarie of the first Part of Gangrâ—na and after a great sicknesse this Book being stiled by himself in his Title page The first fruits of his late recovery from death to life If any man 9 or 10 years ago when M. Burton was upon the Pillory for writing against some great men who favoured Popish and Arminian Tenets should have said to the people this man whom you now see thus suffer and whom you so love and adore the time is coming when he shall plead for a Toleration of all Religions and speak against the Magistrate for defending Religion by Lawes and Edicts this man
whom you thus see shall come to preach againe in this City and have free Liberty of his Ministrie when all damnable Heresies and Errours shall be vented by preaching and writing and yet shall never speake against them this man who hath preached and written with so much earnestnesse against bowing at the Name of Jesus against people coming up to the Raile about the Table to receive the Lords Supper against Christs dying for all men sufficiently when the Divinity of Christ shall be denied the Scriptures denied to be the Word of God when all Churches Ministry and Sacraments shall be denied he shall never write nor preach against them yea this man who will not yeeld now to Bishops in a Ceremony or some outward matter of order to keepe his Ministry shall afterwards yeeld to the people and submit to base conditions contrary to his judgement as to forbear baptizing some of his peoples children and to let singing of Psalmes be suspended with other such like and all to enjoy his Ministry and Church Certainly the people would have beene ready to have stoned such a man and said it could not bee or if they had believed it fewer certainly would have pitied him or visited and rewarded him in prison nay when Mr. Burton was in prison if any man had sent to him such a Message that he should do what he does now viz. write against and be a more bitter enemy against the Reformed Churches our Brethren of Scotland yea the godly Ministers Mr. Calamie c. then ever Canterbury was or Dr. Wren certainly the man would have defied such a Message and said as Hazael am I a dog that I should do so and yet now we see what he hath done and doth daily Mr. Burton surely is in a sad condition and I have often thought of him to be in the case of that Idolater the Prophet Esay speaks of 44. Esa 20. hee feedeth of ashes a deceived heart hath turned him aside that he cannot deliver his soule nor say is there not a lye in my right hand The Lord in mercy open his eyes and give him repentance for this last five years work and particularly for writing his last Book cal'd Conformities Deformity Thrdly I shall propound a few Quaeries to Mr. Burton to show him how he is mistaken all along in his grounds 1. Let me ask you M. Burton why you are so angry with the Magistrate the Assembly Sion Colledge the City for establishing and setling of Church-Government if it bee of God and they are perswaded so why should they not be for it and if Independency Brownisme Anabaptisme c. be not of God as they are well assured they are not why should they not be against them hinder and suppresse them M. Burton you will upon your rash and weake perswasion hinder Presbytery all you can the Administration of the Sacraments in a Presbyteriall way may not then the Magistrate upon strong perswasions after serious debates by a learned Assembly and Scripture-grounds satisfying their consciences enact by a Law Presbytery and forbid Independency c. 2. Mr. Burton whether is this a good Argument because Jeroboam did evill by a Law and commandement to set up the golden Calves at Dan and Bethel therefore Asa Hezekiah Josiah c. might not lawfully command the true worship of God in their Kingdomes and put down the false and whether may not Magistrates lawfully make use of their power from God for good because some Magistrates abuse that power for evill and if it be no good Argument as certainly 't is not then hath M. Burton said little against the Magistrates power in matters of Religion for this is the way of his reasoning in Conformities Deformitie and the strength of the man 3. Pray M. Burton let me ask you this question suppose the Parliament would by a Law or Ordinance set up Independent Government and the Church way would you account this so great a sinne as Hypocrisie Idolatry c. and if not how can you then the setting up of Presbyteriall Government especially seeing the question is not so much about this or that particular but the enacting by a Law that which all should conforme to 4. Mr. Burton I am serious with you pray answer me here are such and such men hold all kind of errours and vent them up and down and they say 't is their conscience would you have them suffered to preach write and infect all that come neare them if there be no such evill and danger in errours but they may be preached printed why were you so fierce and violent against the Bishops and their Chaplaines for preaching writing Arminian Popish points though they vented them in an orderly way in comparison of your Saints who goe from Country to Country venting errors in their own Pulpits and when called to preach by Authority not intruding into other mens Pulpits and printing with license not in contempt of Authority There are divers other Sectaries to be discovered and their waies and preachings laid open as Greene the Felt-maker who was one of the first Mechanicks that presently upon the first sitting of this Parliament preached in our Churches publikely as at Algate and elsewhere and was one of that company that went over with Colonell Homstead about Summer was two yeares to Trinidado but is returned lately and now preaches in an Alley in Coleman-street once on the Lords day and once on the weeke day where there is great resort and flocking to him that yards roomes and house are all full so that he causes his neighbours Conventicles as Cretensis and others to be oft times very thin and Independents to preach to bare walls and empty seats in comparison of this great Rabbi as Spencer sometimes the Lord Brooks Coachman an early Preacher too as Gorton who hath lately set forth a Book cal'd Simplicities Defence against Seven-Headed Policy wherein are many dangerous and erroneous passages but I cannot speake of them now the fourth part of Gangraena will supply what 's now wanting I have lately seen divers Letters and some Petitions that have been written and sent up from godly Ministers and others to Worthy Members of the House of Commons to some Members of the Assembly to other Ministers in the City and Citizens concerning the insolencies tumults and strange carriages of many Sectaries Commanders and Souldiers as also other persons both men and women of their Sect but it would be too long to give a Copy of them as I have done of others in the former part of this Book and therefore I will onely relate the Contents of some of them In one Letter a godly Minister about Bristow writing to a Member of the Assembly tells him he had formerly written to him of a preaching Troope that had infected the Countries with errours but now he wâ—ites to him that many of them breake into houses steale Horses and have been indighted here These are our Saints saith he who need
contention an evill conscience and when some lust though secret hath brought forth an errour this and that false doctrine then those Doctrines fully received daily strengthen and nourish those lusts yea daily increase unto more ungodlinesse as the not being liable to be questioned by superiour Assemblies as Classes Synods emboldens men to broach and spred such errors as holding that God sees no sinne in his Children that all our sinnes cannot hurt us nor all our good workes further our salvation encourages men to sinne more freely as believing that the soules dye with the bodies or else sleep till the resurrection yea that there is no resurrection makes men say let us eate and drinke for to morrow we shall dye that is since the soule dyes with the body and the body shall rise no more therefore let us take what we find here enjoy our pleasures and satisfie our lusts whilest we may 3. Coroll Hence then we may clearly see from many of the principles and practises laid open in this booke that many of the Sectaries of our times Anabaptists Libertines Independents are not onely against Government in the Church all Authoritative power of Classes Synods but against Civill Government too Monarchie and Aristocracie both Kings and Lords have been cryed downe in many Books Speeches yea and in Sermons of the Sectaries and for Democracie though in divers Pamphlets they seem to contend for that as in opposition to all Kingly and Lordly Government yet in pleading for it they have laid downe such positions as are not consistent with any Civill Government at all but what necessarily would bring any Common wealth the most popular into a chaos and confusion and had they any reason or wisdome they could not but see the weaknesse of their owne Principles and the dreadfull consequences that must necessarily follow thereupon but as the Apostles Peter and Jude speake of the Hereticks of their times upon occasion of speaking evill of Dignities and despising Dominion so may we of ours These as naturall bruit beasts made to be taken and destroyed speake evill of the things they understand not In a word nothing pleases them not the Government nor any part of it not the Lawes their designe is to have all pull'd downe to have a totall change made that being abrasa tabula they might write in it what they pleased and might come to have the new modelling of Church and Common-wealth O how like are our Sectaries to the old Anabaptists of Munster and Germany their very spirit having entred into our men O how like is John Lilburne to John of Leyden as if he had beene spit out of his mouth M. Dell to Thomas Muntzer and so others of them to severall great Sectaries that I could name I dare be bold to say and can prove it that the old Anabaptists never delivered or held principles more destructive to humane society to all kind of Government both Politicall Ecclestasticall and O economicall to all godlinesse and Religion then many of our Sectaries nay I believe no instance can be given of them whilst they were under command and in the hands and power of the civill Magistrate that ever they carried themselves so scornfully and contemptuously to the supremest Courts and Judicatures of Kingdomes and States and committed such outragious actions publikely even in the worship of God against the Religion established the faithfull friends of the States as our have done 4. Corol. Hence then we may plainely see by what 's laid down in this Book our evills are not taken away but onely changed or rather some persons and instruments removed not the evills There are other men now under other habits and names do the same things and farre worse for instance one of the great complaints against some Bishops was the putting men into the Ministry and to preach who had been Serving-men Barbers and such like behold it is now in fashion worse are now suffered and that in such a way as the Bishops Lay-preachers never attempted viz. to put by painfull Orthodox men from their places whilst they with their ignorance and errours starve and poyson the peoples souls Another great evill under the Biships was the corrupting of Religion and destroying it in time by countenancing corrupt men and discountenancing the zealous Orthodox under the name of turbulent violent men who made divisions c. and is noâ— the same in use among us now Is it not more apparent by many Bookes written Speeches and Actions which hundreds and thousands are witnesses of that a Toleration and the ruine of the Protestant Religion is intended and designed now then that the Bishops intended to bring in Popery Another great evill was the speaking against and reproaching the Reformed Churches and speaking evill of some of the great Reformers as Calvin Beza Knox c. which some of the Prelates and their Chaplains in some of their Books Sermons Discourses or Disputations in the Universities as Canterbury Wren Pocklington Martin Cosens Duncombe Mountague had done and O how were these cried out on for so doing but alas now the Reformed Churches particularly Scotland whom we have covenanted to defend and according to the example of the best of them to reforme yet after such a Covenant both Churches and the prime Reformers as Calvin Knox c. have been a thousand times worse reproached And so I could go over all the rest and that not onely in Religion but in the matters of Justice and the Liberty of the Subject but I must take off manum de tabula 5. Coroll Hence we may see by all the Errours Heresies strange Practises discovered in this booke into what a condition we are fallen and from what fallen that we can do and suffer such things as we do I knew the time when it might have been said of us as of the Angell in the 2. Revel 2. we could not have borne them that were evill and this we had when we were at worst we hated the doctrine of the Nicolaitans but now wee have left our first love zeale are become a people that can suffer any thing the twentieth part of what we now make nothing of but have pretences excuses and pleas for seven yeares agoe would have made us cry out bitterly kept daies of fasting and prayer for though with the hazard of our lives and Liberties made complaints and spoken one to another looked for the judgments of God to have come upon us but now we beare all nay what was most evill in the Bishops and their Chaplains for which they wicked men as they were commonly cal'd have been cast out as Popery Arminianisme prophaning the Lords day countenancing Papists Arminians c. is new light and new truth in Sectaries and Independents prophanenesse ahd ungodlinesse in them is now become conscience godlinesse Saintship Now the grossest Arminianisme without making mince meat of it can go down we can swallow without any trouble Popish Arminian
Pills and that without being wrapt in gold yea Arrian Socinian Tenets and what not We heare of no Remonstrances famous Speeches plain home Sermons now against errours in doctrine as heretofore no Committees sitting upon Books to deale with Mr. Dens Mr. John Goodwins M. Burtons and divers others as with Mountagues Dr. Jacksons and Cosens Books Magistrates Ministers too silent the people also too contented and quiet yea many instead of crying out and being pained at heart love to have it so will prefer a man and give a great deale for some to preach errours among them and disturbe their faith when as they will give nothing for an able man every way qualified to preach the truth God may take up that complaint of our present times which he doth by Jeremie My people have committed two evills they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters and hewed to themselves broken Cisternes that can hold no water hewe and be at a great deale of cost and paines for puddle poysonous water but reject and slieght a fountain of pure and living waters 6. Coroll Hence then we may see from all the Errors Heresies Insolencies of many Sectaries in our Armies and among the Souldiers laid downe in Gangrâ—na what a great plague and judgement of God to this Land some of our Armies and Souldiery have been and are now more then ever namely in that so many Commanders and Souldiers diffused throughout the Body of the whole Army yea some whole Troops and Regiments should be desperate Sectaries and Hereticks We must needs be under a great plague to have those who should be the Instruments of our safety and have the sword in their hands to be such kinde of men and to do as they do Heresies and Errors in any men are a great evill upon a Land a sad matter but in the Souldiery 't is armed impiety who by power and force may propagate and spread all kinde of errors and opinions without controle and by marching from Countrey to Countrey have opportunity of infecting all parts of a Land Certainly the Sectaries in the Armies I speake now as a Minister of the Gospell judging of things according to Scripture and not according to carnall policy and outward appearance are the greatest plague and judgement of God that hath been upon this Kingdom this hundred years when I heare daily of the errors they scatter the insolencies they commit and see what great evills they are the cause of in Church and State I often thinke of a passage in a famous Speech made by Sir Edward Deering in the beginning of this Parliament speaking of the corruptions in Religion among us to be first remedied before the Scots Army then in the Land to be considered of used these words or to this effect Let the sword rage from North to South or 't is better it should rage from North to South rather then the corruptions in Religion not be taken away so say 〈…〉 it had been better the Sword of the Enemy had raged from North to South then this Sword of Heresie and Plague of Error like a Gangrene should over-run the Kingdome as it doth T 〈…〉 is destroyes the precious soules and I am fully assured the Sectaries in the Armies have destroyed more soules and overthrowne the faith of more with their heresies and wicked opinions then they have killed the bodies of their enemies with their Swords The constitution of our souldiery so many Sectaries being in our Militia besides that 't is a great and fearfull plague of it selfe 't is a great cause of all other evills 't is that which emboldens the Sectaries all the Kingdome over and encourages that party to do so many wicked things as they doe daily affront the House of Peers abuse Scotland the City of London Ministery publikely print preach all kind of abominable errours 'T is that which awes the good party oâ— at least out of policy makes them not so zealnus and oâ—solute against the errours of the t 〈…〉 'T is that keeps the Church Government from going on a pace that is a great remora to the punishing of Hereticks c. 't is that indeed which hath infested and infected the Kingdome so generally There are few of our Eâ—issaries and not 〈◊〉 Sectaries but are oâ— have been Souldiers belonged to the Armies as Chaplaines or one way or other have followed the Campe they all smell of the Army Hich Knollys Erbury Dell Sâ—ltmars 〈…〉 Peters 〈…〉 cheler c. we 〈…〉 ay truly say 〈…〉 a B 〈…〉 Our Ar 〈…〉 the N 〈…〉 of all 〈◊〉 and a 〈◊〉 evills and 〈◊〉 we may see the true cause why all the Sectaries are so 〈◊〉 warre and keeping up the Armies can not abide to he 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 ing because their Kingdome is in larged and maintained thereby but certainly it will never be well with the Kingdome till the Armies be disb 〈…〉 ded or at least 〈◊〉 〈…〉 delled the Sectaries put 〈…〉 God be me 〈…〉 ifull unto 〈◊〉 we 〈◊〉 in strange handâ— and things are come to a strange passe and all wise men who have read Hiâ— stories understand any thing and by together many of the Sectaries Speeches and Practises conceive it cannâ—â— but be very perillous to have the sword in so many ma 〈…〉 mens hands and scare a new Tiragedy to be acted like that in G 〈…〉 and at M 〈…〉 ster by the old Anabaptists yea worse 〈◊〉 The godly Orth 〈…〉 Ministers and Christians and all true hearted English men may 〈◊〉 out and say as in 10. Psal Helpe Lord 〈◊〉 wicked walks â—n every fidâ— when the vi 〈…〉 and with the Prophet M 〈…〉 lachie 〈◊〉 Mal 15. 〈…〉 the proud happy yâ—â— they th 〈…〉 yea they that 〈◊〉 God are 〈◊〉 delivered The Sectaries of our Armies invading the Pulpits abasing the godly Ministers laying wast and prophaning the publike places 〈◊〉 apart for Gods worship are like 〈◊〉 and like 〈◊〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 the Houses of God in possession nay they are like to those husbandmen in the 20. of Luke that reasoned among themselves saying This is the heire come let us kill him that the inheritance may be ours So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him The Sectaries knowing that so long as the godly Ministers and such a Ministry continues in the Kingdome they shall never doe their worke bring in all heresie and confusion the inheritance shall not be theirs therefore they set themselves to destroy the Ministry and Ministers that the inheritance may be theirs The Apostle Paul 2. Tim. 3. bids Timothy know this that the perilousnesse of times stands in false Teachers seducers creeping into houses to lead captive silly women and in men reprobate concerning the faith resisting the truth and not in so much in war famine nor other calamities which happens to the body and therefore makes this preface before it this know also implying it was not so well known and stirring up Timothy the better
alterations towards the City beene since that time and began at that time Is it not evident whatever is pretended as want of time the feare of the Tyranny of Ministers c. the cause why Religion and the Church Government is no better settled to be the love of Error and Heresie which they know the Government would destroy And so I might go thorough the rest and therefore we may see to whom and to what to attribute all the mischeifs and evils that are upon us and further hang over us Canterbury Strafford or whom else you will name out of designes of Popery or absolute greatnesse or what else you will imagine were never greater causes of all the evills and mischeifs in their times of differences with the Scots of invading the liberties of the subject c. then some men among us are of our present evils and all to uphold the faction of Sectaries and Opinionists and to make way for a Toleration which to advance and bring about and themselves by that to greatnesse of place and estate and to licentiousnesse of living they are so madly set upon it that they care not to run the hazard of ruining three Kingdomes and reducing all into a Chaos of confusion in Church and State that so they man have the creating of all new and erect their Babell But it may be some will say t is wonder there should be so great a party loving and favouring Sectarisme and Error as to be able to hinder things thus and to disturbe the Kingdomes and if there should be so what may be the true reason of the exceeding great favouring of all kind of Sectaries and Libertines 1. I answer there are some men who have beene and are but meane in outward estate birth and place and others though richer in the world yet below in the vallies in comparison and being exceeding ambitious proud covetous and withall subtile apprehending also by reason of these deep distractions and troubles in the State an opportunity of becoming great and raising themselves by being the heads of a great party and getting an interest and great power in many people and knowing the corruption of mens hearts how pleasing liberty and to have a mans swinge is and observing which way the pulse of the present times beat thereupon have set themselves to stand for countenance all kind of Errors and all kind of men whatever they be that doe walke in irregular wayes These men being Politicians know that the appearing for any one Sect two or three and restraining the rest will not doe their work make them the heads of such a considerable party as be able to deale with the opposition they may likely meet with in their ambitious designes but if they would doe good upon it they must let loose the rains to all Errors whatsoever Errors against the Scriptures against denying a God the Trinity c. they must preferre all sorts of men of those principles one as well as another constantly stand by and appeare for all that are questioned in that way let their opinions be what they will their carriages never so insolent in the spreading of them and their persons never so unworthy and contemptible on the contrary opposing undermining and breaking all those who are active against their party and by thus doing proclaiming as it were open liberty to all men according to their severall wayes and lusts Papists Atheists Libertines c. they are in a faire way in some convenient time keeping off any thing too from being settled to have so many freinds as to be able to help them into the saddle especially at a time when others are justled out Jeroboam to keep the people to him and to strengthen the Kingdome fearing least they should returne from him to Rehoboam took counsell and made two golden Calves and said to the people t is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem and instead of the sonnes of Levi made Preists of the people for the Calves which he had made and whosoever would might become one of the Preists So there are too many in our dayes that they may get the people to them and strengthen their power have made golden Calves set up the Doctrine of Toleration of all Religions a worshipping of Calves and give liberty to whosoever will the lowest of the people to be Preists Coblers Shoe-makers Tinkers Taylors to preach administer Sacraments c. and that because t is too much for the people as Jeroboam said too much slavery subjection to depend upon Ministers too much for the people to pay Tyths and part with so much of their meanes they shall enjoy all freely and thus by prophecying â—alse Doctrine and allowing whoever will to prophesie they may come to beare rule by that means as Jeremie speaks 2. Though there seeme not Sectaries viz. formall Sectaries so many as to be able to carry things thus to the disturbance of the Kingdome yet if we consider whom they make use of and strike in with and by their policies and activities pretences have drawne in to their party no wonder Sectarisme hath such a power and influence upon affairs for with the Sectaries are joyned the loosest and wickedest men whom they tell they will let enjoy their lusts not force them to go to Church or any Government the men who have got good offices and places of profit who before they had such were known divers of them to go contrary but now stick close to them to keep their places needy meane men that so they may get something by fishing in troubled waters guilty obnoxious men that they be kept from being called to account men unduly and illegally chosen into places that so they may not be turned out some simple weak men who are by the Sectaries cunning putting fair glosses upon soule things and jumbling other things of interest of the Kingdome publick saâ—ety liberty c. meerly cheated Now all these joyning with them and they to gaine and keep them applying themselves in suitable wayes to every one of these sorts every wise man may easily conceive how Sectaries may prevail as they do here 's a chain consisting of so many links as may draw a great weight after it though all this while the first link is the love of Sectarisme and errors unto which all the other are fastned and that which drawes all the rest this is the Head Faction the others only subservient this first raised and now upholds all the rest to uphold it selfe and these others without that could not stop all the good and be the cause of so many mischiefs and evils that are upon this Kingdom 10. Corall Hence then from all this Discovery of the Sectaries laid downe in this Book their Errors strange wayes insolent proceedings many middle men well-meaning people drawne in by them meerly coâ—oned by their faire pretences and specious showes should upon this making them so naked and pulling the Sheeps
cald Divine Light manifesting the love of God unto the whole world is to plead for a generall salvation of all men and devills and that Christ hath paid the Price of his bloud for them all Divine Light pag. 19. Divine Light pag. 11 12 13. Divine Light pag. 11 13 14 23. The proofe of this is in p. 36. of this Third part of Gangraena * Vid Pareum in hunc locum Nemâ— nescit ut post consummationem saeculi fiat temporis abolitio sequatur aeternitas * Divine Light manifesting the love of God unto the whole world page 5. Vide Divine Light Manifesting the love of God * Proof p. 22. of this Third Part. * Proofe A godly Minister of this City told me he heard an Independent Minister maintain this Opinion before company Animadvers * Proof of this Third Part of his Gangaena page 107. * Proof vide p. 84. of this Third Part. a Proof p. 36. of this Third part b I have been told from good hands of severall Anabaptists brought before the Magistrate who have refused to take an oath and of others who would speak the truth as in the presence of Christ but not sweare c Proof p. 147. of this Third part of Gangraena d Proof Pamphlet entituled Certain Queres 1645. by Thomas Câ—lyer and in Third part of Gang. p. 28. e Vid. Pamph. entit An alarum to the H. of Lords p. 1. f Proof pamphlet Overtons defiance to the H. of Lords p. 6 Proof vide pag 111 112 of this Third part of Gangraena Proof vide Master Burtons Conformities deformity the whole scope of the Book being to maintain this among other pages vide pag. 7 8 13 14 15. and for Animadversions on this the Reader shall find in the latter part of this Book Pamphlet entituled A Remonstrance of many thousand Citizens and other Free-born people of Engl. to their own House of Commons p. 12 13. * Many Ministers M. Spurstowe M. Cardel M. Wills my self with others heard this Exposition given in the presence of a thousand people at least * For proof Vide pag. 23. 24. of this Third Part of Gangraena Animadvers ☞ ☜ * Vid. Overtons petition to the High and Mighty States the Knights Burgesses in Parliament Assembled ☞ * Last Reports of the English Wars p. T. Ames lib. 5. de Conscient c. 25. De mutua obligatione inter Magistratus et subditos A Remonstr to the House of Commons page 19 20. * Proof Vide page 35. of this Third part of Gangr * For proof Vide M Bellamâ—es justification of the City Remonstrance p. 11. * Proof p. 114. of this Thâ—rd Part of Gangr * Proof p. 107 of this Third part of Gangr Vide Doct. Bastwicks utter rouâ—ing of the Army of the Independents Epist to the Reader ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ * pag. 51. 52. Certain Queres * pag. 18. 19. page 22. 25. page 27. page 27. ☞ page 28. page 29. ☞ Animadvers ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☜ * Bristoll ☜ ☜ A Seeker ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ It hath been usuall for men given to fafour heresieâ— Schismes to speak evill of the zealous Ministers who oppose them so Constan the Emperor often call'd Athanasius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 impiâ—m item 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sâ—elestum Theod. lib. 2. cap 16. * A fit man to be a Deacon of an Independent Church ☜ ☞ ☜ ☜ Animadver ☞ ☜ ☜ Second part of Gangrana 131 Blackwood Apostolicall Baptisme or a Rejoynder to M. Blake p. 81. 82. I am of opinion that Heaven received few such souls â—s this Sectarie and Christ saith non retipio tales animas * Sâ—e Mr Walwins Pâ—edict of Master Edwards conversion Whisper in M. Edwards eare c. * Bushers Book of the old Edition page 19. New Edition page 23. ☞ ☜ Animadvers * This Pamphlet is generally spoken and beleeved by all to beâ— his and many of his Church have openly said so to 2 John 10. 11. ☜ Minors no Senators A Discovery of New lights This was upon occasion of the City Remonstrance * It was in some of the Newes Books of that week * Master Burroughs the morning starr preaching about seven a cloke in the morning and Mr Greenâ—al at three of the clock in the afternoone ☞ ☜ ☞ He speaks of the surrender of Oxford Animadvers * Quaest nonâ— Quinam habent pâ—testatem excommunicaâ—di Resp Classium Synodum est quando diâ—â—iculâ—as aliquae subest commu 〈…〉 consiâ—io declarare decernere quinam debeanâ— excommunicari * Ecclesiae ta 〈…〉 en particulares â—t carâ—m communio postulat naturâ— lumen aequitas regularum exemplorum Scripturae docent possunt 〈…〉 ac saepissime etiam debent confoederationem aâ—t consociâ—tioâ—em mutuam inter se iniâ—e in Classibus Synodis ut communi consensu subsidâ—o mutuo utantur quantum commode â—ieri potest in iis praesertim quae sunt major is momentiâ— Ames lib. 4â— de Conscient cap. 29. quaesh octâ— * Mr. Peters message from Sir Thomas Fairâ—ax ☜ * This is fully proved in the first sheet of this Gangraena and in some sheets following this * Vid. A Letter eâ—tit Englands lamentable slavery The Copy of a Letter from Lic vâ—en Col. Lilburne to a Friend A Pamphlet call'd A Question and an Answer Lil 〈…〉 es 〈◊〉 â—â—d Truâ—h jâ—s 〈…〉 Englands Bâ—rth-right ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ Vide Mr Pryns Animadvers on Mr Goodwins Theomach pag. 22. Master Pryns Truth Triumphing over falshood pag. 106. 107. 108. * City Remonstrance Remonstrated pag. 23 24 25 26. Page 7. City Remonstrance Remonstrated Animadvers Animadvers * The inclosed is the first Letter in this Third Part of Gangraena pag. 21. a copy of which was given me from the Citizen in whose Letter it was inclosed and not from the Gentleman to whom it was written ☜ * The Parliament may by this see what prejudice some of these Independent weekly Pamphleters doe them by speaking of their affaires whilest under debate and before finished and how by their expressions in their Newes Books the reformed Churches abroad and many at home come to be greatly offended with the Parliaments proceedings as if they denyed the Three Persons in the Trinity whereas this debate was not upon the Assemblies presenting the Articles of Religion but upon an Ordinance to punish wiâ—h death those who should deny the Terms expressed in the Ordinance where among others Person was but for the thing whatsoever was said of the word Person it was Voted at that time ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ * Epist Zuing. Oecolampad lib. z. ☞ ☜ * Mr Rurr 〈…〉 enicon pag. 34. * Mr Burroug 〈…〉 enicon pag. 36. 37. ☜ ☜ Animadvers * Remonstrance of many thousand Citizens and other Free-born people of England to their owne House of Commons An Alarum to the House of Lords a Vide A Pamphlet ontit A Parable p. 4. 12. 16 as