Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	king_n	prince_n	queen_n	3,203	5	6.8163	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A90227	The araignement of Mr. Persecution: presented to the consideration of the House of Commons, and to all the common people of England wherein he is indicted, araigned, convicted, and condemned of enmity against God, and all goodnesse, of treasons, rebellion, bloodshed, &c. and sent to the place of execution. In the prosecution whereof, the Jesuiticall designes, and secret encroachments of his defendants, Sir Symon Synod, and the John of all Sir Johns, Sir Jonh Presbiter, upon the liberty of the subject id detected, and laid open, / by yongue Martin Mar-Preist, son to old Martin the Metrapolitane. This is licensed, and printed according to holy order, but not entered into the Stationers monopole.	Overton, Richard, fl. 1646.; Robinson, Henry, 1605?-1664?,	1645 (1645)	Wing O620; Thomason E276_23; ESTC R209849	47,185	54

teeth lie in his 〈◊〉 ready to cut he wants nothing but a Parliament Corrall to whet them with all but my Lord were he mine I would knock out his braines with an Independent Hammer to prevent the groweth of such teeth for Daniell tels us the nature of great iron teeth Now whereas my Lord he excepteth against my witnesse I humbly conceive the equity of this Cou●● cannot receive his exception against me in the justification of this Butcher and murtherer of good men seeing himselfe is a mercilesse inhumane Butcher the son of a Butcher yea my Lord his Grand-father and Great-Grand-father were Butchers for whereas my Lord he hath acquired the name of Sir John Presbyter in truth he is a Preist the son of a Bishop Grand-child to the Pope and the Divell is his Great-Grand-father all murtherers and Butchers of Gods people Therefore good my Lord le● not mine Evidence be thus unjustly disinabled Judge LIBERTY-OF-CONSCIENCE you are sworne for the King to give in your Evidence in his Majesties behalfe against the Prisoner at the Bar and the challenge against you being such as may be dispenc'd with you are to proceed in your Evidence LIBERTY-OF-CONSCIENCE My Lord To what the former Evidence have testified I shall with brevity adde that this Malefactour PERSECUTION destroyeth the Innocent with the wicked contrary to the comma●●d of Christ Mat. 13. 30. let the tares and the wheat grow together untill the harvest from which Parable appeareth that the Kingdome of heaven or Christs Government over the whole world doth strictly charge his servants the Kings and Rulers of the Earth for by him Kings raigne to suffer tares Turkes Jewes Pagans and Infidels as well as Christians to grow or live ●ogether in the Feild of the World their Dominions untill the Day of harvest or desolution of all things and not plucke them up because they are Tares Turkes Jewes Pagans c. least they plucke up such as may become as the Pillars of Solomon in the House of God even glorious witnesses of Jesus Christ What greater Rebellion therefore can there be by those Servants to the Housholder then to plucke up the tares from the wheat As their Office brings all under their Dominions so it is to preserve all in their Dominions that tares and wheate Infidell and Beleiver may grow and live peaceably together in civill cohabitation commerce c. in their Dominions untill the Harvest or end of all things when the Lord of the Harvest shall seperate the tares from the wheat with come ye● blessed goe yee cursed c. Secondly my Lord he depriveth the Jewes as much as in him lieth of their geliverance according to the Covenant God made with their Fathers from this their Captivity notwithstanding the wrath of the Lord threatned against them that shall evill entreat them th●rein Zach. 2. 8. Esa 54. 15. 17. cap. 51. 22. 23. for my Lord he hath made the name of a Jew as hatefull as Judas yea his nature is not to leave a man of them to pisse against the wall Now my Lord though the Jewes are led captive by the Gentiles under the time of the Gospell and though the naturall branches are broaken off and the Heathen grafted in yet still they are beloved for their Fathers sakes Rom. 11. 28. and are not to be persecuted for their infidelity for he that toucheth them toucheth the apple of Gods eye What though they are stumbled shall we boast our selves against them God forbid for if wee that are wild by nature be grafed contrary to nature into the good Olive Tree how much more shall they which are naturall branches be grafted into their owne Olive Tree againe Therefore the Apostle would not have us ignorant of this Mystery that blindnesse in part is hapned to Israel untill the fulnesse of the Gentiles be come in and all Israel shal be saved Rom. 11. 25. 26. compared to Isa 49. 22. 23. Deut. 30. 1. 2. 4. 5. Amos 9. 14. 15. Now what hindereth their salvation and deliverance so much as persecution for they are even led captive by PERSECUTION and made slaves to him even to this day And how shall they beleive if they shall have no time given them to beleive this divelish Spirit gives them not a minute he will not suffer a Jew to live amongst the Christians or come neare him what hopes then is there the Jewes should be converted where this Tyrant is in force Shall we that have received vantage by their rejection thus recompence them with tyranny our Lord whome they slew would not have them slaven but they are beloved of him and himselfe will be their Deliveror Rom. 11. 26. 27. 28. yes this Incendiary hath caused our Kings and our Rulers our Bishops and our preists not to suffer a Jew by authority to live amongst them how then can we complaine of the vengance that is at this time upon us our children that have been so cruell so hatefull so bloody minded to them and their children we have given them the cup of trembling surely we must tast of the dregges Hearken therefore no longer to those which teach this bloody doctrine of persecution for neither they their preachings fastings weepings long prayres c. can deliver in the day of distresse as long as ye persecute Behold yee fast for strife and debate and to smite with the Presbyterian fist of wickednesse but this is the Fast which the Lord hath chosen to undoe the heavy burthen and to let the oppressed goe free and that yee breake every yoake Thirdly my Lord He is a murtherer of Kings and Princes c. for the murthering of heriticke Princes is the naturall brat of this divelish Spirit for from this ground that the contrary minded are to be forced the Papists justifie the murthering of Herticks making all Heretickes which seperate from them for that Religion that is bottomed on this principle that all must be forced will they nill they where it cannot force must murther so cometh it to passe so many Kings have been murthered by the Papists because casting of the Romish yoake they free themselves from their power of forcing therefore the Papists to make good their coercive principle betake themselves privately to murther such Princes to prevent a countermanding power and keep all in their catholicke subjection so that such as would have all forced where they connot force is to be feared will privately murther Therefore it is dangerous for a King to trust his person with such men for if the King should change his Religion to one opposite to theirs who knowes those men will not doe as their principle leads them even murther their Prince but on the contrary that Religion that is grounded on the principle of meekenesse patience and long sufferance instructing the contrary minded and utterly contesting against all compulsion cannot in the least measure administer any feare or danger unto Princes of their persons be of what Religion they will for

let me humbly crave liberty to Challenge this Jury who though my Lord in all probability they be honest Gentlemen yet my breeding education nature and course of life is not so well known unto them as unto divers other Geentlemen of worth and quality here present indifferent men of far more esteem in the world more able to discerne my cause the evidence mine accusars shall bring Besides my Lord these men of the Jury are men possest with an inveterate hatred and malice against me and are parties in my Indictment for together with the Grand Inquest they conspired together against me and provoaked Gods-Vengance to prosecute against me now for me to be tryed by mine accusars and mortall enemies I hope your Lordship cannot conceive it equall or legall wherefore my Lord I beseech you have mercy upon me consider the blood of the innocent least it be a prey to the malice of envy and let more indifferent men be chosen Judge Persecution I much wonder at thy impudence in excepting against such a Jury yet so far as in equity I may I am willing for justice sake to grant the utmost the Law affords Prisoner I humbly thanke your Lordship the Lord blesse your Honour and I beseech your Honour for the assistance of Sir Symon Synod Judg Well then let Sir Symon be cal'd into the Court. Clarke Call Sir Symon Synod Crier Sir Symon Synod come into the Court. Judge Sir Symon if you can further his Majesties service in the proposall of others in the roome of those Persecution doth except against to Mr. Sherriffe to be impanneled you are commauded Sir Symon Synod My Lord since it is your Lordshids pleasure with the consent of this Honourable Bench that I shall be serviceable to him I shall most willingly propose to his consideracion persons of sufficient worth and estimation in the World that are not prejudiciall to the Person of the Prisoner neither are parties in his accusation indisserent men acquainted with his life and conversation able to discerne the evidence that shall be brought in again 〈◊〉 him men whom I shall commend unto your Lordships acceptance for soundnesse of judgment and singular Piety in the cause of the Cle●●y this being a matter which concernes them in an high nature wherefore by your Lordships favour I shall propose those if if no better can be procured to wit Mr. Satan Mr Antichrist Mr. Spanish Inquisition Mr. Councell-of-Trent Mr. High-Commission Mr. Ass●mbly-of-Divines Mr. Rude-Multitude Sr. John Presbyter mine only son Mr. Scotch Government Mr. F●●ls●-Prophets Mr. Ecclesiasticall-Supremacy Mr. Pontificall-Revenue These never sailed the designes of the Clergy who in all Ages have endevoured the Advancement of the Church of God the Tribe of Levi wherefore this being a Case that concernes their Advancement which above all things in the wo●ld is to be endevoured I am emboldned to propound them unto Mr. Sheriffe for the Tri●ll of this Prisoner Judge 〈◊〉 Simm this is a strange Jury you propose Justice Reason My Lord it is according to the nature of the Clergy can you expect Grapes of Thornes or Figges of Thistles if you shall but according to Reason consider of their Wa●es and Pretences which indeed beare a specious shew you shall find them no better then ravening Woolves in Sheepes Cloathing Justice Humanity My Lord it cannot stand with Humanity much lesse wich L●●a● Equity that a Case which concernes the generall good of mankind should be refer'd to the Verdict of such anhumane Jury Kings Ser. My Lord there be divers of them whom Royall Prerogative hath called in to his Assistance and at this day I conceive maketh use of them for the Establishing the Liberty of the Subject and the Protestant Religi● on so that for my part I cannot see how all of them can be condemned Kings Attorn My Lord a great part of them are Props to the Protestant Religion Justice Reason My Lord what though Royall Prerogative and the Protestant Religion should be founded upon them must they therfore be concluded Anthentick non sequitur and for the Liberty of the Subject though they may be used as a Glosse yet Reason will tell you that they are as directly opposite to it as the Zenith is to the Antipodes Judge Sr. Simon I cannot in Equity permit such unworthy Persons to be on the Jury only Mr. Assembly of Divines Sr. John Presbiter and Mr. Scotch-governement are commanded to attend the Court for the service of the King if occasion be Then the former Jury being sworne c. the Goaler is co 〈…〉 anded to set fortb PERSECUTION to the Barre Clar. PERSECUTION hold up thy hand Looke upon him Masters of the Jury hearken to his cause You shall understand that he stands indicted in this County of Just-judgment by the name of PERSECUTION c. Upon this Indictment he hath beene Arraigned and thereto hath pleaded not guilty and for his tryall hath put himselfe upon God and the Countrey which Countrey are you your Charge is to enquire whether he be guilty of this Treason murder c. in manner and forme as he stands Indicted or not guilty And heare your Evidence Crier If any man can give Evidence or can say any thing against the Prisoner let him come forth for the Prisoner stands upon his deliverance Clar. call Gods-Vengance Gaffar Christian Gaffar Martyrs Gaffar Lib. Cons Crier Gods-Vengance here Gaffar Christian here Gaffar Martyrs here Gaffar Lib. Cons come forth prosecute or you forfeite your Recognisance I cannot get in my Lord Sir Symon keeps me out O! murder murther my Lord. Judge What is the matter Lib. Cons My Lord Sir Symon Synod is like to pull out my throate with the revenous Clawes of an Assembly and Mr. Scotch-Government was fit to stab me with his Scotch dagger and the John of all Sr. Johns Sr. John Presbyter with his Classicall Club would beat out my braines For my Lord they are affraid I should come into your Honours presence least I should find entertainment in this Kingdome and so Mr. Pontificall-Revenue turne Seperate from the Church of England Crier Peace there every man keep silence upon paine of imprisonment make way there for Liberty-of-Conscience Jemmy put up thy dagger Sir Symon ●oe paire your nalles Sir John away with your Club that Liberty-of-Conscience may come into the Court. The Witnesses being come in they are sworne every one according to their knowledge to give in a true Evidence for the King against the Prisoner at the Barre Clar. Gods-Vengance stand up what can you say for the King against the Prisoner at the Bar GODS-VENGANCE My Lord I have from the beginning dilligently observed the Nature and inclinations of this Prisoner eve● to have been so averse to God and all goodnesse that his Actions in all Nations Kingdomes and St 〈…〉 s amongst Societyes and people have been in direct Enmity to the end of Christs comming for he came not to destroy mens Lives but to save them

factious spirit by such wholesome strict Lawes as may best conduce to the suppression thereof as of Treason Rebellion or the like for allare Traytours and Rebels in their hearts to the publike peace and generall good of humaine societies salus populi the peoples safety which our State counteth the suprame Law which are of a perseuting spirit for it is in direct opposition to that Law And who more guilty then the Papist and the Protestant when one is too mighty for the other the Papist stronger then the Protestant the Protestant stronger then the Papist the stronger is so ambitious and fiery zealous for his owne cause especially the Papist that one place is too hot for them both and the Protestant as he is a persecutour of the Papist so as well as the Papist is he a Persecutour of Anbaptists Brownists Antinomians Independants c. but they persecute none but seeke the generall good peace and safety of all Sorts Sects and Societies of people yea even of their Enemies so that as Papists are Enemies and Traytours to the safety of all Sorts Sects and Societies so are the Protestants considered in this persecuting capacity both persecuting therefore in this sense their Religions are both trayterous desperate and dangerous to the Publicke Good Therefore it ought to be the care of those Kingdomes and States where those persecuting Religions are to purge those Religions of this Malignant persecuting spirit this trayterous disposition for Relegions may be absolute yea the Protestant more truley Protestant if cured of this Pestilentiall disease of persecution for indeed persecution is no part of Religion but a meer spirit of Treason insensibly insinuated and distill'd into Religions by Popes Bishops and Preists so that ignorantly the members of those Religions are made Traytours to their owne Rights and Liberties and so enslaved to the trayterous designes of the Clergie the very roote of Treason for indeed the Teachers of Persecution are the Archest Jesuiticall Traytours of all whether Papist Protestant c. such as Mr. Edwards who most impudently and trayterously saith in his Antipologie that the Parliament is bound in duty to compell all men to the Decrees of the Assembly Mr. Polit-Power Mr. State-Policy I commend your policy herein for indeed Mr. Edwards in so saying is a Traytour to politique power But I pray you proceed Mr. State-Policie Well then as all are borne subjects to their Kings so are Kings to see that all may have their Birthright Liberty and Priviledge of Subjects that all may be kept in the generall Bond of peace of what sort or sect soever for as Lucius Lavinius said to King James all the different members being wrapt up in the skine of one constitution need no stronger obligement to uphold the whole then their owne interest Therefore were the devouring principle of persecution weeded out from betwixt all Religions they might all enjoy their publike safety to the generall enlargement and strengthning of politike power for the strength of the King lies in the multitude of people so that it is most consonant to State policy to include all rather then deprive any of publike protection M. Nationall-Loyalty Mr. Foreman this is a matter of great weight that we have in hand therefore not sleightly but seriously to be weighed and deliberately examined both from our owne knowledge and experience as from the just Evidence given in by the Witnesses for I conceive this prisoner is antiently knowne to us all that wee may be better enabled to give in our verdict wherefore having something to say of antient experience I shall first desire Mr. State-Policie since he hath given us an hint of wholesome meanes that might be used to prevent and suppresse this turbulent rebellious Spirit of Persecution that he would declare what further he hath in his thoughts thereon Mr. State-Polic That which in it selfe is wicked neither honourable to God allowed by him nor profitable to man but dangerous and destructive to common safety and peace falleth under the Sword of the Majestracy and the Majestrate may 〈◊〉 use such meanes as shall best secute the publike peace from the evill their of Now since the generality of the people are possessed with this Evill Spirit infused nourished and preserved in their hearts by Popes Bishops Preists and at present in the Land by the trayterous Synod called the Assembly of Divines who labour with might and maine to establish and sede this trayterous spirit in the Land and further since all by compulsion are to be forced to the Civill peace and publike vnity and all are to be desended and preserved under the publike freedome one as well as an other therefore to this end the Majestrate ought to bind all Religions that no Religion have power over other that all in the Generall have Toleration and none in particular be offensive for the Papist may be a Papist the Protestant a Protestant without the power of Compulsion the deprivation thereof is no wayes injurious to their Religion as a man that hath a wen or a bunch that growes upon any member may be a perfect man and that a perfect member without it Therefore to this end a Nationall Covenant would not be inconsiderable to engage all in this publike freedome that as all should be sharers in it so all should be desenders of it That no Protestant Minister or other should teach privately or publikely either by preaching writing or conference any thing contradictory or distructive thereto That no man upbraid reproach scoffe deride threaten or doe any violence to any for his Religion and such like And that this be continued from Generation to Generation under such and such penalties as the State shall thinke fit so that in a small time if the Governours would hearken to the feare of the Lord this oppression of conscience which is now made State Policie condemned by the God of mercy and all mercifull men would waxe out of date and be cast out as abominable to God and destructive to mankind Then their feares and jealousies one of an other which puts them in a continuall posture of war both offenfive and defensive would be at an end their Controversies would be of an other kind false and equall Disputes and it is better and farre cheaper to provide words for Argumentation then instruments of war for blowes and bloodshed and would conduce I am sure more to the common good and satety the one doth encrease knowledge the other nothing but rage and revenge by reasoning those that are ignorant would shortly see how they and their Forefathers have been cheated of the Tenth of their encrease fool'd and nurs'd up in blinnesse by Bishops Preists c. meerly to uphold their greatnosse stuffe and cram their ungodly guts that it is become a Proverbe as fat as a Bishop and how soone if PERSECUTION be acquited it may be verified on the the Presbyters I leave that to the issue only I wish the people to try things

themselves and not trust too much to their L'ppes for their Lippes are Cozen Germaine to their Teeth and this is most certain they all speake through the Teeth Mr. Nation Loyal Mr. Foreman according to the Evidence we have received and result of our consultation hitherto he is guilty ipso facto of what is laid to his charge and for mine owne part I know that Toleration is not against Nationall Loyalty but may well stand with Nationall peace as by divers antient and moderne Examples I can make it appeare Abraham lived among the Cannanites and Perizzites Gen. 13. 7. 16. 3. againe he sojourned in Egypt Gen. 12. 10. after in Gerar where King Abimelech bid him dwell where it pleased him cap. 20. 21. 23. 24. afterwards among the Hittites cap. 23. Lot lived in Sodom Iseack also dwelt in Gerar yet contrary to the King and his Subjects cap. 20 Jacob lived 20. yeares with his Vncle Laban in one house yet different in Religion Gen. 31. 30. 33. the Children of Israell lived 430. yeares in Egypt Exod. 12. 40. afterwards were caried away to Babylon where they remained 70. yeares all which times they differed in Religion yet no danger to the State Sampson lived among the Philistimes Lot in the Land of Vz yet their Religion though different was not disturbant to the State And in the time of Christ when Israell was captive to the Romans lived divers Sects of Religions Herodians Scribes and Pharises Sadduces and Libertines such as denyed the Resurrection and Samaritanes the common Religion of the Jewes the Christian and Apostolick Religion all which deffered from the common Religion of the State which in all probability was the worship of Dima whome all the world almost then worshipped Act. 19. 20. yet all these lived under the Government of Caesar not any wayes injurious to his Crowne and Dignity or disturbant to the peace of his Government but when Persecution arose then the State was troubled by tumults uproares c. And how doth Toleration injure the State of Holland Poland Trasilvmia c. their Weales States and Citties are well and peaceably governed divers Religions are in their Provinces yet all have one harmony in matters of State all united and engaged in the generall safety peace and tranqillity of their severall Kingdoms States and Provinces wherein they so freely enjoy their soverall safeties protection and freedomes Mr. Liberty-of-Subject Mr. Foreman besides what I have received form the Witnesses of my own experience I know that if PERSECVTION be not executed the Liberty of the Subject now in controversie cannot be setled in this Land for the Anbaptists Brownists Independants c. true and faithfull Subjects to the State that stood to the publike cause when the Preists such like scurrel●●s vermine durst scarce be seen in it but Jesuitically caried themselves in an equall ballance betwixt both that though the King had conquered yet most of them would have kept their Benefices a wise generation I say these more noble spirited men that freely spend their lives fortunes and estates for the Liberty of the Subject and that from the most noble and rationall princ●●ple the Common Good and not for selfe respect neither those of them which suruive nor the succeders in their faith shall enjoy this Liberty their just Birth-right but be wholy deprived thereof and the purchase of their Blood be ceas'd and devour●●d by those Presbyterian Horse-leeches and confined to such blood-thirsty Ca●●tle which is directly opposite to the just Liberty of the Subject Mr. C●●mpas S●●m Mr. Foreman I have beheld the īnnocency of their intentions and ●●ty of their lives to wit of Anabaptists Brownists c their affections to the Common-wealth their forwardnes of assistance in purse and person kowing their Meetings to be so innocent so far from confederacy or counterplots pag. 3. ●●d yet their pers●●ns so hated contemned and belyed such wounds made upon their consciences that my heart aboundeth with greife that their miserie should be thus passed by their wounds so wide and deepe and no oyle of mercy powred in so that me thinkes everie man is bound in conscience to speake and doe what ●●e can in the behalfe of such an harmeles people as these pap 4. Therefore Mr. Foreman being privy to the truth of the Evidence against PERSECVTION the sole causer of their wounds and miserie I conclude him an enemie against God and all goodnesse c. and that he is guilty of the Indictment Mr. Truth- -Peace Mr. Foreman much I could say against the Prisoner to witnesse the verity of the Indictment but for brevity sake I shall referre you to the discovery I have made of his Impiety Treason Blood-shed c. in that Booke intituled The Bloody Tenent and I commend unto you and to the necessary perusall of the COMMONNS and nobles of England that most famous peece called The Compassionate Samaritane as a most exact modell of rationa●●y Mr. Light-of-Nature Mr. Foreman whereas Sir Symon in the defence of PERSECVTION saith that LIBERTY-OF-CONSCIENCE opens a gate to all manner of prophanesse loosenes●●e c. the Light of Nature might teach him that Toleration is no Approbation or rhe suffering of Religions a warrant to be of no Religion much lesse to publike prophanesse for this comes within the nompasse of that which Nature teaches the most ignorant therefore within the reach of publike restrain●● according to the Lawes of common mode●●y and civility which Nature hath written in the hearts of all men naturally Such publike Transgressions that are uncivill unnaturall and unbecomeing humaine society is open prophanesse and lo●●senesse fall under the restraint and correction of the Magestrate whose power is over the things of Nature those being offences of that kind As the Majestrate is to maintaine the publicke peace and all civill societies therein so is it preserve publike modesty comlines and civillity that there may be a generall comely demeanour as rationall creatures so their carriage and publicke demeouours are to be rationall regular and comely and not openly licentious prophane and blasphenious contrary to common sense reason and humanity Mr. Creation Gentlemen we have spent much time and our Uerdict is expected and the case is so evident and plaine that I thinke what is done may suffice if you Mr. Orphan and Mr. Day-of-Judgement be agreed with us in your Verdict let us give it in what say you Ambo We are agreed guilty guilty Crier A Verdict Make way there for the Juri●● Judge PERSECUTION hold up thy hand Masters of the Jurie looke upon the Prisoner is he guilty of this Treason Rebellion Bloodshed c. in manner and forme as he stands indicted or not guilty Foreman GUILTY my Lord. Judge PERSECUTION thou hast heard the hainous Accusation that hath been proved against thee and the verdict the Jurie have given in upon thee what canst thou say for thy selfe to award the sencence of death 〈◊〉 passing

and Scotland in blood to settle and establish bloody Persecution by Covenant over the Cons●●iences of honest and faithfull men unto the State under the specious and godly pretence of Reformation as Mr. Edwards one of their Champions manifests who is so impudent as to assert that your Lordship is bound to compell all men to the Decrees of the Synod ascribing to them as the Papists to the Pope an infallible unerring spirit and openly proclaimes that Toleration of such honest faithfull Subjects as Anabaptists Brownists Independants Antinomians c. to be in direct opposition to the Covenant and though before they might have beene lawfully tole are yet now they cannot under breach of the Covenant Consider My Lord is not this Jesuiticall subtilty most desperate and secret delusion that by this Covenant they would engage your Lordship either to be a Covenant breaker or else intringe the Liberty of the Subject entrusted by the Common people in your hands one of these is inavoydable and yet all under the coulour of Reformation the true Protestant Religion the cause of God and I know not what in nomine Domini perpetrant onine malum so that it is most certaine that this fellow whose name Sir Symon feigneth to be Reformation is absolute PERSECUTION so that had these Reformers but as much power as Queen Maryes Clergie their Reformation would conclude in fire and faggot Judge oh insufferable Assembly I see 't is dangerous for a State to pin their faith upon the sleive of the Clergie J. Reas Further my Lord whereas others are impoverished spend their estates engage and loose their lives in this Quarrell they are enriched and advanced by it save their purses and persons cram and fill their greedy guts too filthy to be caried to a Beare heape up wealth to themselues and give not a penny while others against whom they exclaime venture and expend all yea my Lord this great go belly'd Idoll called the Assembly of Divines is not ashamed in this time of State necessity to guzle up and devoure dayly more at an ordinary meale then would make a Feast for Bell and the Dragon for besides all their fat Benefices forsooth they must have their foure shillings a ●ceco by the day for litting in constollidation and poore men when they had fil'd all Benefices with good Trencher men of their owne Presbyterean Tribe they move your Lordship that all Ministers may be wholy freed from all manner of Taxations that now the Trade of a Presbyter is the best Trade in England all are taxed and it goes free poore men that have not bread to still the cry of their children must either pay or goe in person to the wars while those devouring Church-lubbers live at case feed on dainties neither pay nor goe themselves but preach out our very hearts they make it a case of conscience to give all but wise men the 'l give hope let the sicke the lame and maimed Souldiers and those that that have lost their limbs and begin the streets let women that have lost their husbands let parents that have lost their children let children that have lost their parents and let all that have or suffer oppression and misery in and for the publike cause consider this and be no longer riden and jayded by Clergy Masters but to give the Divell his due one thing to their commendations I have observed that they are so zealoussy affected with the honour of their cloth that 't were pitty to diiroable them of their Casloke garbe to be led in a string from Westminister to Allgate in Leatherne Jackets and Mattokes on their shoulders and my Lord though some thinke they would do the State more good in Leatheren Jackets Mattokes then in long Cloakes and Cassockes yet me thinks they would doe the State better service with their Canonical Girdles were the knot ty'd in the right place Judge Sir Simon we convocated the Assembly to consult with about matters of Religion not arrogating to our selves or ascribing to them a Spirit of infallability considering that we are but Parliament men not Gods therefore we made tryall of their advice but for them hereupon to arogate Supremacy over the State and people lay claime to an unerring spirit and perswade us as Edwards in his Autipol saith that we take it for granted that the conclusions of their Debates Controversies and Consulations are according to the mind of Christ because We cal'd them together and hereupon to compell all men to their Decrees is most impudent presumption and popish arrogance We did not suppresse the High Commission to subject Our Selves to an Assembly race out Episcopall to set up Presbyterian Prelacy for what more Prelaticall what more exorbitant then such presumption t is a meere Monopole of the Spirit Sir Symon you have so plaid the Jesuites as it seemes We have only put downe the men not the Function caught the shaddow and let goe the substance while We were supprossing Primates Metrapolitanes Arch-Bishops Bishops Ecclesiasicall Courts Canons Injunctions Decrees c. you have so subtilly carried the businesse as it seemes Primacy Metrapolitanisme Prclacy c. shrunke into the Presbytry and our High Commission turn'd into an Assembly of Divines We out of Our good intentions cast out this Evill Spirit thence and it entered it seemes into these Swine who thus headlong run upon their own destruction the Divellbath brough his hogges to a faire Market arrogating an infallability and a supremacy over Us and the people condemning PERSECUTION when they were persecuted but commending and approving it if they may pesecute Truly Sir Synton you have out run the Constable your ambition is a little too swift for your policie What breath out threatnings menaces and persecutions openly before you have power to persecuted sure you were not in your wits when they were vented J. Human. My Lord they have set even till they 'r run mad you might do well to adjorne them to Bedlam for my Lord they are raging mad to have the innocent blood of the Anabaptists Browni●●s Independants c. J. Reas My Lord they have over studdied themselves and crack'd their wits in finding out a Religion for us poore men they have been mightily puzled about it it hath cost them the consumption of many fat Pigge Chicken capon c. the infusion of many a cup of sacke to bring it to birth and after such dalerous pangs and bitter throwes for almost these two yeares who would have though they should be delivered of such a ridiculous vermine called a Presbyter parturiunt montes nascitur ridiculus mus And now my Lord after this mountanous delivery they are at their wits end what dressing to put it out in all the Taylours in the Kingdome are not able to content them what to doe they know not and now the matters worse then ever it was they had thought to have shewne the world it in the godly shape of Reformation but upon examination 't is