Saltmarsh Creâ—ensis Walwin Webb and divers other Sectaries who hath been a Man-midwife to bring forth more monsters begotten by the Divell and borne of the Sectaries within this three last years then ever were brought into the light in England by all the former Licensers the Bishops and their Chaplaines for fourescore years he hath licensed Books pleading for all soâ—ts of Sectaries as Seekers Antinomians Anabâ—ptists c. as Sâ—â—t 〈…〉 sh and Walwins Books and for Antibaptists denying since Christs death all Baptisme by water as Wâ—bbâ— Book page 6. where is â—id down that I 〈…〉 Baptisme which was water did end at the coming of Christ and that there is no Baptisme by water instituted by Christ yea for Antiscripturists Arians Anitrinitarâ—ans Questionists and all Blasphemers as is apparent by his licensing that late wicked Pamphlet call'd Some modest and humble Queries concerning a printed paper Intituled an Ordinance presented to the Honourable House of Commons c. where if the Reader do but compare the former part of that Ordinance in what cases only that Ordinance inflicts death viz. upon the wilfull and obstinate publishers of such damnable Heresies and Blasphemies with the second Quere made upon that Ordinance whether it be agreeable to the mind of Christ for men to inflict the heavie censure of death upon their Brethren for holding forth such Doctrines or opinions in Religion suppose contrary to admonition which for ought the Inflicters know except they make themselves infallible may be the sacred truths of God he must needs find thus much pleaded for that therefore such blasphemies and Heresies contained in the Ordinance yea Atheisme it self for that is in the Ordinance that God is may not be punished with death because for ought any man knowes they may be the â—acred truths of God and the maintainers and publishers of them our Brethren So that at once in this Quere upon the Ordinance all the fundamentalls of Christian Religion are overthrown and such Doctrines and opinions as are contrary unto them for ought any man knowes except he make himself inâ—allible may be the sacred truths of God yea grosse Scepticisme and Atheisme is brought into the Church This Master Bachiler hath Licensed severall Pamphlets for a Toleration yea noâ— only for a limited bounded Toleration of some Sects and opinions as suppose Anabaptists Independents but for a Universall gâ—nerall Toleration of all consciences and opinions as may be seen in Walwins Books licensed by him yea he hath licensed unlice 〈…〉 sed Books printed before he was borne as a Pamphlet entituled Religious Peace made by one Leonard Busher and printed 1614. wherein there is a pleading for a Toleration of Papists Jewes â—very person or persons differing in Religion and that it may be lawfull for them to write dispute confer print and publish any matter touching Religion either for or against whomsoever And that the wickednesse of Master Bachiler the Independent may the more appear I desire the Reader to observe in his licensing this and some other Books these following particulars First He gives not a bare Imprimatur to his Book of Bushers but gives his Imprimatur with a speciall Recommendation in these words This usefull Treatise entituled Religious Peace long since presented by a Citizen of London to King James and the High Court of Parliament then sitting I allow to be reprinted and so to some of Saltmarshes Books Smoake in the Temple Groanes for Liberty Reasons for Vnity Love and Peace c. We have Imprimaturs with speciall approbations and discourses of the lovelinesse exellenty sweetnesse glory shining in them Secondly in the reprinting of this Book for generall Toleration call'd Religious Peace Master Bachiler made some materiall alterations and writ in the margins of such places in the Book where some speciall passages were for Toleration that they should be printed in a great letter differing from the letter in which the body of the Book was printed for that end no doubt that the Reader might better observe them and this I was told from a person of some quality and a Scholler who saw the Originall Book wherein such alterations were made and told me they were the same hand with that whiâ—h gave License to the Book I shall give the Reader an instance or two and no more whereas Bushers Copie page 16 is thus Therefore I humbly desire his Majestie and Parliament with all godly carefulnesse to consider that 't is not possible that the Church of Rome called Catholick or those that ate descended of her and have received their Faith and Discipline from her ever was or could be the Apostolick Church call'd Primitive Church or shee that is descended from her Master Bacheler changes it from Faith and Discipline into Ministery and Ordination reading it thus and have received their Ministery and Ordination from her That passage in the old Edition page 11. printed in the same letter the whole Book is viz. Therefore as the Papist when they complaine of the Turks and Pagans for their bloody persecution do therein condemne themselves because they are found to do the same yea worse for 't is a greater tyrannie for one Christian to force and kill another then for Turks and Pagans to kill a Christian for that is no such great wonder seeing it is a Paganish part who have no better knowledge but Christians should have better knowledge and more mercy then to play the Pagans against Christians is in this new Edition printed in a different character a greater letter neither is this the only Book wherein 't is discovered John Bachiler treads in the steps of some Licensers who went before him being acquainted with Index Expurgatorius but in Webbs Book he altered and changed as in the second part of Gangraena I at large have shewed The man hath justified and acquitted the former Licensers Doctor Baker Doctor Bray Doctor Heyward Doctor Weeks and the rest of that race who in the point of licensing were Saints to him who hath licensed such books and things that I am confident none of them durst have done for feare the people would have risen up and torne them in peeces and certainly the people would never have borne with such books in the Bishops dayes besides should any man before the sitting of this Parliament have writ or licensed such Books of which good store have been both writ and licensed within this three last years that man or men whoever they had been had without all question been first questioned and proceeded against by this Parliament of all men This Bachiler is such a desperate Licenser that nothing now in that kind can stick with him having swallowed down those wicked Queries upon the Ordinance against Heresies and Blasphemies and I am afraid that if the Devill himselfe should make a book and give it the Title A plea for liberty of conscience with certaine Reasons against Persecution for Religion and bring it to Mr. Bachiler hee would license it and
so certainly and generally spoken of that a godly Minister who dwelt hard by heareing of it came next day to the Town to find out him who baptized this horse and the rest who had a hand in it and to stirre up the Parish to complaine and prosecute them Which story being thus related to me with much confidence from these two Citizens as having spoken with this neighbour Minister and divers of the Inhabitants of Yaksly yet because I well know that reports will flye variously and many mistakes may arise in relations and because this was so sad a 〈…〉 ory and such a dâ—sperate proph 〈…〉 ation and contempt of Gods Ordinance of Baptisme I therefore intreated these Citizens for my satiâ—faction and for the credit of the story to others to get under the hands of some of the Inhabitants of quality who related it the truth of the story wh 〈…〉 of it was true and what might be built upon 〈◊〉 certa 〈…〉 â—herâ—upoâ— they sent about it and took such a course that aboâ—t ten dayes agoe in September I received from the hands of a godly Minister this certificate to a tittle and do keep the Originall by me to produce when ever I shall be called to make proof of it August 15. 1646. THat Captaine B 〈…〉 an t was quartered at Yakesly in the County of Huntingdon about June 2. 1644. and preached on the Lords day in the Parochiall Church and in the time of his quarter there his souldiers fecht a bald horse out of Master Finnmo 〈…〉 s stable of the Captaines where he was quartered and in the Church at the Font having pissed in it did sprinkle it on the horse and call him Ball 〈…〉 because he was hairie and crost him in the forehead They had souldiers Godfathers and one Widdow Shropshire a souldier sonick-named was the Godmother This the Leâ—â—tenant Brayfield by name reported to the Captaine and they all gloried in it at Master Finnmoâ—rs and the other souldiers immediatly reported the same to be done in many houses where they were q 〈…〉 Which we the Inhabitants of Yakesly do witnesse whose names are subscribed William Finn 〈…〉 Thomas Eva 〈…〉 John Caryer Robert 8 Sumerly his marke John Pal 〈…〉 er Robert Cu 〈…〉 dge Hollâ—â— Bell. Robert Ra 〈…〉 er Corporall was the man 〈◊〉 acted the part of the Minister Bartly Ward by name was the Godmother Laureâ—ce Dodds 〈…〉 man was 〈◊〉 that fâ—cht the horse out of the â—â—able The â—ame godby Minister who hath relation to those parts and 〈◊〉 whom I hall this paper tells 〈◊〉 here are 〈…〉 y other misde 〈…〉 anore of some of the Sectariaâ— souldierâ— spoken of By many in these parts as the baptizing of a piggâ— and other straâ—ge exploith with he will enquire the 〈◊〉 of and 〈…〉 ordingly 〈…〉 finds give me notice and he saith 〈◊〉 S 〈…〉 souldiers are so 〈◊〉 that the godly Orthodox Ministers cannot with safety to their persons preath against some of those 〈◊〉 which they 〈◊〉 as against universall grace and some others some of these souldiers to one godly and able Minister who preached against their opinions laid their hands upon their swords threatning him with a great deal of â—ury There is a godly Minister and a man of some place more then ordinary whose wise being much incl 〈…〉 ed to the Sectaries and going often to their meetings he went divers times with her and among many strange passages which he hath seen and heard in those Assemblies he relates this following story for a certain truth which hee both saw and heard but was not willing to have his name made known because of some estate lying so that he perhaps might suffer much for discovering any thing concerning the Sects About Algate in London there was a great meeting of many Sectaries among others one Master Knowls Master Jesse and some other of the Sectarian Ministers were there for the restoring of an old blind woman to her sight by anointing her with oyle in the name of the Lord The manner of it was after this manner the old blind woman was set in the midst of the Roome and she first prayed aloud all the company joyning with her to this effect that God would blesse his own Ordinance and Institution for the restoring of her sight after she had done praying Master Knowls prayed for some spice of time to the same effect for a blessing upon this anointing with oile and after prayer she was anointed with oyle these words being words uttered by him who anointed her or to this effect The Lord Jesus give or restore thee thy sight In my first part of Gangr 〈…〉 a a story is related of some Sectarian Troopers assaulting Master Andrews a Minister in Northamptonshire Now I shall give the Reader a continuation of that story viz. so farre as to shew to what place these men went from Wellingborrough and what pranks these and others of that Troop played in Warwickshire which was told me by a good hand from one who came out of those parts and assured me it was most true and proferd to give it me under his hand and the hands of others in that Town and the story is as followes That very company spoken of came to a Town call'd Lemington or Remington in Warwickeshire and to the house of one John Mathews who looks to Baron Trevers estate there where their Captaine quartred viz. one Captaine P. and they told him of the passages at Wellingborrough boasting what they had done and how narrowly the Priest escaped them and what they would have done if they had gotten him and there was a great deale of applauding them by their fellowes who were there The constant course of that Troop whilst they quartered in that Town was to speak against the Ministrie calling them Priests disswading the people from going to Church hardly three of a hundred of that Troop would goe to Church they would tell the people that they would give them a Book should do them more good then all the Sermons they should ever hear in all their lives from all the Priests and that they could preach better then the Ministers of England and this Company of Sectarians was so rude that they did more hurt to a fine Dove-house of Baron Trevars which this John Mathews was to look to then Prince Rupert and all his souldiers when they quartered there This John Mathews intreated them they would not make such spoyle and wast killing old as well as young without distinction and he prevailed with their Captaine to go to them to forbid them but they answered him that pigions were soules of the aire given to the sons of men and all men had a common right in them that could get them and they were as much theirs as the Barons and therefore they would kill them take their liberty and not part from their right upon which words the Captaine said he was so convinced with their arguments that he could not answer
will not be perswaded though never such reason be showed them yea if an Angel from he even or one of the old Prophets arising from the dead should speak against their Opinions and wayes 't is to befeared many of them would yet go on The strong delusion that God hath sent upon many of them to beleeve lies the great interest of divers in regard of preferment and profit the Popes Crown and the Monks bellies the deep ingagements of others to that way by many relations and having mens 〈◊〉 in admiration make it is hard work to convince men though there be never such evidence of Reason I may complaine of the Sectaries of our times as Paraeus doth of some Lutherans and others in his time that things are altogether carried by opinions yea by affections no Arguments no Apologies can take place They that at the will and pleasure of some men do not approve of unprofitable scandalous yea monstrous opinions they are cast off the right hand of fellowship denyed them although they preach Christ sincerely But now in the interim till that Treatise can come forth which I intend shall preoede the Fourth Part of Gangraena I wish the Sectaries to consult Baldwins cases of Conscience who handling that case of Conscience whether the Authors and maintainers of false opinions are to be spoken against by name resolves it affirmatively giving Scriptures and Reasons for it yea showing that false teachers are rather by name to be branded then those who lead only wicked lives and Calvins Tractate against the Libertins giving reasons of his owne practice and answering objections in not only writing against the opinions of the Libertines but naming Coppinus and Quintinus cheife heads of that fastion Secondly a man would wonder at it that the Sectaries should so rage and cry out against me and my Gangraenaes for meddling with matters of fact and nominating men when as long before I put pen to paper in that kind divers of them had in Pamphlets spoken against many Presbyterians by name both godly Ministers and other worthy persons as Master Calamie Doctor Burges Master Prynne c. Master Burton telling in 〈◊〉 Pamphlet a story of me by name a◠Colchester but false and raking 〈◊〉 old matters at Bury against Master Calamie in another Pamphlet call'd Truth still Truth though shut out of doores and all before the First Part of Gangrana was printed and indeed the Sectaries have all along both before my Books came forth and 〈◊〉 since upon all occasions yea such of them as have spoken and written most against me for so doing as M. Saltmarsh M. Goodwin M. 〈…〉 on c. writ against the Pres 〈…〉 rians by name and related all 〈…〉 of fact stories of them and in a disgracefull manner and way comparing them with D. Pockling 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in a scoffing 〈…〉 ing abusive way dealing with them and 〈◊〉 hath not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 only by Independents to Presbyterians but the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 written Books and given us stories and that long before I 〈◊〉 thought of this way of 〈◊〉 Sectaries a◠Anti 〈…〉 ians Anabaptists Familists and that by names with all particulars of their doings as well as opinions and of his judgement upon them as Master Wells his History of the Rise Raigne and Downfall of the Antinomians and some others in that kind so that in this I doe but follow them and write after their Copie and I appeale to the ingenuous Reader how they can with any colour blame that as a great evill and wickednesse in me which they account in themselves zeale of Gods glory and a doing God service especially considering that the Sectaries in their naming of Presbyterians and bringing in matters of fact and stories have proceeded in a sixfold manner and way all which in matters of this kind be the things most liable to blame and exception and which I have all along carefully shunned and declined First the Sectaries in writing Books against the Reformation and Presbyterians have not spared to write against and that in a most reproachfull and vild way whole bodies Assemblies Communities and those the highest and greatest as the House of Peers House of Commons the City of London and Common-Councell the Assembly the Kingdome and Generall Assembly of Scotland some scores of such Books written by Sectaries being in all mens hands whereas in my writing against Sectaries I have spoken only against particular persons but to whole Bodies and Societies I have tendred all due respect vindicating them and their power against the Pamphlets and aspersions of Sectaries Secondly the Sectaries in their writings of matters of fact have not only named ordinary persons but persons of the greatest quality and place abusing them by name as divers Members of both Houses the Speakers of both Houses some of the Lords and some of the Commons the Lord Major of London by name but I have all along declined the naming of persons in authority and Magistracie viz. in that way Thirdly the Sectaries in their personall matters and stories of the Presbyterians have still related things manifestly untrue of which there hath been no ground at all as Master Price ' s story of Master Bellamie 〈…〉 ding it unlawfull to sell Prayer Bookes as the Anabaptists in the Lord Majors farewell of the late Lord Major as some stories of Cretensis Master Burroughs and Master Burton of me the contrary unto them being the truth as a passage in Master Dels Epistle Dedicatory to the House of Commons concerning Master Ley of the Assembly most false as a passage in Master Burtons Epistle of his Conformities Deformity of the new Lord Major known to be untrue and so I could go on with instancing in passages in Master Saltmarsh Lilburne and other such Books manifestly untrue and indeed of all the stories and matters of fact the Sectaries have in their Pamphlets in disgrace of the Presbyterians I hardly know one true one whereas the stories related by me of them the most of them are knowne to many and are certain and I have beene all along carefull as by my Reply to Cretensis is evident Fourthly the Sectaries in their matters of fact have fallen upon Presbyterians with old matters many yeeres ago before Presbyterians yea gone back as farre almost as to their childhood as Master Price did to Master Bellamie and Master Burton goes back to Bury ten yeeres before to finde something against Master Calamie and so I might instance in others but I have confined my selfe within three or foure yeeres and to the times since they were Sectaries Fifthly the Sectaries have brought in against Presbyterians matters of bodily infirmities of their complexions and such like as Saltmarsh in his pretended Answer to my Second Part of Gangraena upbraids me saying Your face and complexion showes a most sadly parched burnt and withered spirit but I have forborne that least I should reproach my Maker for he that made me made them Sixthly many
Knollys p. 19. p. 48. 241. M. Peters p. 24. 27. 76 77. 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146. M. Tandy p. 54 57 58. George Young p. 64. M. Dell p. 63 64. 213. 262. M. Randall p. 25. Thomas Collyer p. 27 28 29 51 52. William Bowling and his errours p. 35 36 37. Captain Paul Hobson the Taylor p. 45. 49. John Sims a Shoomaker p. 50. 〈◊〉 â—â—ckmoore p. 51. John Pâ—â—le p. 54. Floid a Preacher p. 62. Matthewes p. 66. M. Eaton p. 68. 264. M. Saltmarsh p. 72. 75 76. 113 114. Lamb p. 78. 113. Kiffin p. 78. Turner p. 78. M. Kendall p. 79. Thomas Moore p. 80. M. Wainwright p. 81. Heath a Collar maker p. 81. Rice a Tinker p. 81. Field a Bodiesmaker p. 81. Crew a Taylor p. 81. M. Feake p. 81. 147. M. Harrison p. 81. M. Downing p. 81 82. Henry Den p. 85 86 87. M. Beedle of Glocester p. 87. Andrew Debman p. 88. M. Erbury p. 89 90. 250. Sir Worts p. 95. Potter a Smith p. 96. John Durance p. 96 97. M. Larkin p. 97. M. Powell p. 97. Brabson p. 97 98. Cornwell p. 98. M. Blackwood p. 98. M. Batcheler p. 102 103 104 105. Dagnall a Bookseller p. 105. Barre a Weaver p. 105. Hich p. 105. Carter p. 105. M. Bunniard p. 105. M. Postlethwait p. 105. M. Craâ—ts p. 105. Oats a Weaver p. 105 106. Tench p. 106. M. Burroughs p. 107 108. 118 119. 164. 180. 181 M. Symonds p. 108. 131. Crab p. 110. Thomas Weâ—b p. 111. Blunt p. 112. Emmes p. 112. Wrighter p. 112. Cretensis p. 114 115 116 117 118 119 120. 159 160 161. M. Cradock p. 131. 163. Richard Overton p. 148 149 150 151 152. John Lilburne p. 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 262 John Price p. 160 161 162. M. Sympson p. 163. Andrew Wicke p. 169 170. Katherine Chidley p. 170 171. John Hall p. 171. Lanceter p. 170 171. M. Symonds p. 241 242. M. Burton p. 242 243 244 245 246 147. Greene the Felt-maker p. 248. Spencer a Coachman p. 249. Gorton p. 249. Lievtenant John Web p. 251 252. 254. Colonell John Hewson p. 252 253. Major Axton p. 253. Margeret North p. 253. A New and further DISCOVERY OF The Errors Heresies Blasphemies and Proceedings of the Sectaries of these times HAving given the Reader an account in my First and Second Parts of Gangraena of many of the Errors Heresies Blasphemies and pernicious Practises of the Sectaries I shall now proceed to adde divers more Errors Blasphemies and insolent unheard of Practices by all which the Reader may observe those words of Paul fulfilled in our times viz. that evill men and Seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived and that place speaking of false Teachers and Doctrines for they will increase unto more ungodlinesse and their word will eate as doth a Gangrene and in this Third Part I shall more particularly and largely set downe the corrupt Opinions and Principles that have been vented against the Civill Magistrate and the Government of Common-wealths as also relate more Practises and insolencies of those Sectaries who are Souldiers and belonging to the Army then I did in the former Parts And first of all I shall lay down the erroneous Opinions not enumerated in the former Catalogues which being added to the two hundred and fourteen set down in the First and Second Parts will amount with those in the Appendix too to neer upon three hundred The third Catalogue of the Errors Heresies and strange Opinions of the Sectaries of these times 1. THat God hath a bodily shape and proportion man was made according to the likenesse of God in personall shape and God the Creator beareth the same form in shape and person which man hath This Opinion was held by some Hereticks in the fourth Century first known by the name of Audiani and afterwards call'd Anthropomorphitae Augustine in his Book de Haeresibus ad Quodvult Deum cap. 50. writes of them Audianos quos appellant alii vocant Anthropomorphitas quoniam Deum sibi fingunt cogitatione carnali in similitudinem imaginis corruptibilis hominis Theodoret in his fourth Book Haeret. Fabul writes there was one Audaeus who said God was like to man and gave to God the parts of a man who fell into this Error by his misunderstanding of those places of Scripture which speak of God according to mans understanding Danaeus in his Tractate de Haeresibus fully confutes this Opinion and shows the story of it and in that this Heresie should be now pleaded for in Print it shows us how the Devill in these times revives old Errors dead and buried for many hundred yeers 2. The story of Adams eating the forbidden fruit and of the Serpent is an Allegory by the Serpent in that place is no other then concupiscence and by the fruit of the tree some other eating then the eating of a materiall Apple is understood This also is an Error revived held by David George who lived a hundred yeers ago In David Georges life written in Latin by his sonne in law Nicolaus Blesdikius pag. 161 162. 't is related that by the Serpent entising our first Parents he meant concupiscence and pleads for an allegoricall interpretation of the Serpent because the Historicall Narration of the Serpent as it is laid down by Moses saith David George draws divers absurdities with it 3. In marriage there are no degrees of bloud or affinity forbidden but a man may marry the next of kin to him a brother may marry his Sister an Uncle his Neece a Sonne his Fathers Wife and so in any degrees without exception so that if this liking to marry happen betwixt the nearest of kindred then it is also the most naturall the most lawfull and according to the Primitive purity and practise The maine scope of this booke called Little Nonsuch or certaine new questions is to plead for Incestuous Marriages where the Author sets himselfe to evade all the Scriptures in the Old and New Testament saying T is not marriage simply with Sisters Brothers Wives c. that is forbidden so long as a man keeps wholly to such a one having taken her for wife but the committing fornication with them not being married Now I shall show the falsenesse of this by two Scriptures The first in Leviticus 18. where both in the generall verse 6. and in particular the several degrees are forbidden expressely verse 7. 8 9 10 c. of the Fathers wife of the Sister of the Fathers Sister c. And whereas the Author of that wicked Pamphlet pleads that uncovering of nakednesse is meant of fornication only and not of marriage I Answer The Holy Ghost in that Chapter expounds the uncovering of nakednesse to be marrying verse the 18. and makes taking to wife and uncovering nakednesse to be the same
Christ saving only he should not dye for the sinnes of men This Mistris Attaway had a great parchment role wherein many things were written and this was to be given to Jenney and this Jenney beleeved all Mistris Attaway told him as fully as might be that he should never dye c. This Mistris Attaway also gave out that there should come ships from Tarshish to fetch away all the Saints to Jerusalem and all that would not turne Jewes should be destroyed and this whole Land should be destroyed and therefore she would goe away before hand to escape This Jenney Mistris Attaway and some of their Tribe held no hell but what was in the conscience the soules mortall they held the Book of Esdrâ—s had great things in it to them who had the spirit to understand it and that there was Esaus world and Jacobs world this was Esaus world but Jacobs world was comming shortly wherein all creatures shall be saved And this Prophet who was shut up was to come forth to preach this new Doctrine of generall Restauration and Salvation of all and though all should be saved yet there should be degrees of glory between those that have been Saints they should be more glorious and those who were the wicked though now restored This Jenney held from that Scripture in Genes where God saith I will make him an help meet for him that when a mans wife was not a meet help he might put her away and take another and when the woman was an unbeleever that is not a Sectarie of their Church she was not a meet help and therefore Jenney left his wife and went away with Mistris Attaway A Commander belonging to the Army told me last July he had seen some of the Sectarian Preachers preach lately with their hats on and sitting he told me he had heard Master Cradock Master Peters and other such Preachers insinuate into the souldiers flatter them all kind of wayes telling them what they had done what fame they had atchieved how they had conquered â—he Kingdome and particularly a little before he heard Master Peters preaching thus you who have conquered the Kingdome done all this service and now when you have done all this might expect your Arrears look to enjoy your Liberties yea and expect preferments good places as you have well deserved it may be you shall be cast into a stincking prison but if it should be so t is the will of God and yee must provide to beare it There is one Thomas Collier a great Sectary in the West of England whom I have spoken of in the second part of Gangraena and have printed some Letters of his in this third part I have seen a Book of his printed in the year 1645. called certain Queres or Points now in controversie examined wherein among other Errours laid down by him he makes Baptizing the Children of the faithfull not only to be vaine bâ—t evill and sinfull yeâ— the commission of Baptizing Children to come from the Divell or Anti-Christ or both And secondly that Magistrats have no power at all to establish Church-Government or to compell any to the Government of Christ by any humane power and upon occasion of discoursing of the power of the Civill Magistrate what hee should do now religion is corrupted and the Magistrates endeavour is to Reforme it and to this end have called an Assembly of Learned men to assist them in this work This Learned Master Collier if he might be thought meet makes bold to present these three words in this case to the Parliament First To dismisse that Assembly of Learned men who are now call'd together for to consult about matters of Religion and the reason this Learned Clark gives is because he cannot conclude that God hath any thing to do there for them he knowes no rule in the Book of God for such an Assembly and therefore cannot expect a blessing The second Word To go on in subduing of Antichristian enemies so farre as by Civill Law they have power for there must by this or some other meanes be a desolation upon the tenth part of the City The third Word is That the Parliament would give the Kingdome to the Saints and for who gives the Kingdom to the Saints so it be done Master Collier will not much dispute whether it be the Lord Jesus immediatly or Jesus by a Parliament only thus much he would have men take notice that by the Kingdome is meant an externall Kingdome for the Saints shall possesse that as well as the spirituall Kingdome and Government of the Church of Christ Hence we may see by Master Colliers words that his Saints viz. those whom he hath described before in the former part of his Book Separatists Anabaptists do look for from the Parliament that they should give the Kingdome to them and all temporall power and rule and take it out of the hands of all others So that the King the Parliament unlesse there be some of Master Colliers Saints among them the Judges and all men who by the Lawes under the King and Parliament have any Civill power of rule in the Kingdome must have it taken from them and given to the Sectaries Saints Yea I conceive by Colliers words not only England but Scotland and Ireland are to be taken from the King and to be given by the Lord Jesus immediatly or by Jesus by a Parliament to the Saints which whether it be not so or no I leave the Reader to judge upon transcribing Colliers own words where giving his second word of advice to the Parliament of going on to subdue Antichristian enemies so far as they have power because there must by this or some other meanes be a desolation upon the tenth part of the City he interprets his meaning in these following words Which I think to be England and those Dominions belonging to it Scotland and Ireland I conceive this to be the time that the Kingdome is to to taken from him who shall arise and subdue three Kings that is Kingdoms speaking great words thinking to change times and Laws but the Judgement shall fit and take away this Dominion to consume it and destroy it to the end Dan. 7. 26. Therefore let not your hearts faint neither your hands draw back God will finish his work The third Word is that they would give the Kingdome to the Saints Dan. 7. 27. Who gives the Kingdome to the Saints The judgement that pulls down the power and Kingdome of the one gives to the other Whether iâ— be the Lord Jesus immediatly or Jesus by a Parliament I shall not much dispute but leave it to your considerations Only thus much take notice that by the Kingdome is not only meant an externall Kingdome for the Saints shall possesse that but the spirituall Kingdome and Government of the Church of Christ c. This Collier as it appears by his Letter before mentioned
up they have not a word to say And see how the Lord blesses them all their enemies in Scotland are routed and brought to nothing The King refuses to proclaime Montrosse and his adherents Rebels But the King of kings hath taken the quarrell into his own hand and utterly dispersed them I have not time to write the particulars only to let you know I am Your assured friend R. Balsom May 21. 1646. A Passage Extracted out of a Letter written from a godly Minister in Suffolk to a speciall Friend of his in London HEre in the Country Malignants and Sectaries do generally murmure against the Scots and would be glad to hear that the Armies should go against them which I pray God prevent I pray that this Nation do not so requite their labour of love and faithfulnesse unto us May 19. 1646. A Copy of a Letter written to me from a friend out of Kent Worthy Sir SInce you are so pleased as both in your former and latter Letters to take notice of me in your kinde salutes give me leave to take notice of your kindnesse and re-salute you and both in my own name and in the name of a friend of yours to let you know we have not only run over but read your Second part of Gangraena â—nd therein observe your willingnesse if it be possible to cure that evill by sucking out the corrupt blood which is the method of the most careful Chyrurgions that are not so dainty as desirious of their Patients recovery Nimius amor et admiratio personâ—rum hath hitherto been a great inlet to all Heresies whence they say Cyprian unice admirans Tertullianum et antonomastice often calling him his Master sucked in that errour of his concerning the nullitie of Baptism administred by Hereticks yea so did Nestorius through his admiration of Anastasius find fault with some expressions So subject are most men jurare in verba magistri which Plutarch also well observes in his Book de Auditione And therefore we do freely professe we cannot dislike your practise in lessning their credit that are corrupters Christ Jesus himself and all his Apostles heretofore endeavoured no lesse Yea and if Mr. Saltmarsh why may not you as warrantably distinguish and say as he doth concerning the old Non-conformists That it is the old man of your adversaries you write against and not their new or themselves so far as they are men so far as they are lovers of themselves and have only a form of godlinesse c. Surely the man would be hardly put to it â—o undertaâ—e to maintain his own and yet take away your distinction who will easily we doubt not answer not only him but all others in whom we see but little wisdome though perhaps some wit in inventing as Apothecaries are wont for their Boxes such specious titles for their Books as those whereof Jacobus Acontius complains in an Epistle of his to Johannes Wolphius Nullam ad rem ingeniosi sunt praeterquam ad speciosos titulos excogitandum quibus ex hominum manibus bonos libros extorqueant ac suos eorum loco obâ—â—udant et tam stolidum est vulgus ut quos expuere debuisset suspiciat nonnunquam celebret c. Certainly Mr. Saltmarsh doth not only want a grain but a whole bushell of salt to season his unsavory mouth opened not only against you but the reverend learned and judicious Mr. Gataker together with the whole City and all the Orthodox Ministery who might ask him more then ever he would be able to Answer if they should but chatechize him concerning his Baptisme whether it be of the first or second or third or fourth sort what think you is he not a Sebaptist a Seeker We are sure if all be true I lately heard from a good friend of yours in these parts that he the said Mr. Saltmarsh at a meeting of sundry Ministers of this County at Maidstone publikely professed in presence of them all his endeavour was to forget whatsoever formerly he had known and seemed to wish they might be all of his mind untill one Minister who was then and there present â—old him merrily He was but a young man and such as himself might happily wish with Themistocles that they had the art of Oblition but as for his own part he had too many gray hairs to desire to forget whatsoever he had learned least he might not have time to learn so much again The Committee of Kent intended by their late order the suppression of sundry Petitions of dangerous consequence that were handed up and down by our Sectaries and towards the promoting whereof the new Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Mr. Hugh Peters was as I am informed come down to Maidstone to visit this his Diocesse as he usually calls it The most and best of our Ministers hereabouts for all I can learn are willing if they must die to be buried as valiant Ensign bearers in their colours There is a merry story told by a Baron of the Ports or Jurate of the town of Sandwich concerning Mr. Symonds the Independent who hath a living there One coming to him to be Catechized he sent him to a Mechanick of that Town to Catechize him for him and when his Father in law Mr. H. another Jurate of the same Town expostulated the case with him and asked him the reason why he would do so his Answer as Mr. F. related it was that one Goose might best teach another to eate So merry are our most demure Independents Among whom if there be a Stoick he is the most in shew who hath lately as t is reported got an addition of meanes to the Benefice he yet holds though it were formerly valued at above 100. pounds and he himself be absolutely in show against all tithes himself therfore will not but lets his wife receive them who whether he were not ab origine as well as Mr. Saltmarsh a comick your self may best find out or we will if you please but to get us a writ Ad melius inquirendam till then we may perhaps the rather think them to have been such being so still men that personate abundance of austerity but are c. June 22. 1646. Some passages taken out of two Letters written from a godly Minister out of the country to a reverend and godly Minister in London who shewed me the Letters I Have read Mr. Edwards Book thorough and as a friend to deal freely I professe Morney in my opinion never gave a greater blow to Papists then he hath given to the Sectaries and that which is yet more soberly sadly As for the whole businesse of Webb of Milton taken before Colonel K. a Minister thereabouts hath promised to send M. Edwards an eâ—act narration The working I see of some humours makes me hope the summer is past and it is neer the autume of schism which had its spring before c. Only let us all be doing Hugh Peters as I hear was lately at
of the Armies that is a preacher there and drawes away many people and though the Minister of the place did yeeld much to give him and others content in being willing to joyn with him and others to keep away scandalâ—us persons promising to watch over one another giving â—ree leave to this Potter and others to except and object any thing against him or others admitted to the Lords Supper yet nothing would give them content but this Potter and many others whom he hath drawn away meet in Separated meetings on the Lords day will pay no Tithes A godly Minister told me August 18. that some souldiers belonging to Colonell Iretons Regiment quartering but two nights in his Parish infected many he had rather have given a great deal of mony then they should have come thither He saith they be generally Arminians and sate with their hats on in Prayer Singing of Psalmes One of these souldiers told a godly woman in his Parish that if she did not beleeve Christ died for all she should be damned There is one John Durance spoken of in the Second part of Gangrana who was apprentise to a Washball-maker at the Three Herrings in Lumbard-street who after preaching some years without being ordained Minister doth now presume without any ordination to Baptize and administer the Lords Supper against which high presumption God hath lately witnessed by making one in this kind a fearfull example in York-shire which story most true and certain with the particulars of it I intend to give the reader in a Tractate of a Catalogue of the judgements of God upon the Se-Sectaries within these four last years Now this Master Durance besides preaching at Canterbury in one of the Churches hath gathered a Church to which in one of the Prebends houses wherein he dwels he preaches and administers the Lords Supper in the evening this man at Sandwich prayed strangly concerning the King as the Reader may remember and being spoken to about it he was so farre from repenting that he added this That he hoped ere long to see the King fettered in Newgate which I hearing could hardly beleeve a man should speak so wickedly of the King and therefore write down i 〈…〉 o Kent to enquire of the truth of it of them to whom it was spoken and I had this Answer returned me in a Letter that Master G. a Jurate of Sandwich had averred no lesse then what it should seem you have heard already concerning him Besides this Durance preaching presently after the newes of the surrender of Oxford said That for all that there would be no Peace till there were a generall Liberty of Conscience in England In Kent not fâ—rre from Greenwich there is a feirce Independent one Master Larkin a man of wh 〈…〉 I have heard many things both of his preaching aod conversation concerning whom there are many Letters come from New England attested with many hands writing of his ill behaviour and the scandals that are upon him there besides many passages related of his preaching here against the Assembly Ministery and of his carriage in severall particulars but I shall speake no further of him at this time There is one Master Powell at Dartmouth in Kent a great Sectary he sometimes preached in Crooked-lane where he vented many erroneous things and â—ow does a great deal of hurt in those parts of Kent There was a neighbour Minister a godly man that being behind in paying some of his Taxes being deeply taxed one imployed to gather up monies unpaid coming to him for monies not paid he demanded 〈◊〉 shillings for his charges in coming and used these words You are one that oppose Master Powell and if the Minister would not pay whatever he demanded would straine his Cowes There is one Brabson in Middlesex about Han 〈…〉 ll a great Sectarie and Preacher he preaches much against Tithes and broaches many Errours some of the Middle 〈◊〉 Ministers have told me of such a man and I am promised a full account of the man There is one Cornwell in Kent an Anabapeist who hath put forth divers Pamphlets one against Baptizing of Children others lately printed Dedicated to particular members of the House of Commons The first pamp 〈…〉 called The vindication of the royall Commission of King Jesus set forth about three years ago was given to divers Members at the doore of the House of Commons In which Book this Cornwell brands all the Reformed Churches and the whole Christian world at this day which Baptize their children with the odious name of an Anti-christian Faction There is one Master Blackwood about the Wild of Kent an Anabaptist who hath write about a yeare and a halse ago a Book called The storming of Antichrist the subject matter being against Poedobaptisme and for Liberty of Conscience so called wherein as I remember he is for a universall Toleration except it be in Blasphemy and denying the Scriptures to be the word of God but about a year ago a godly Minister told me he speaking with him about that book and about his limitations and whether he was of that judgement still he told him he had received thanks for that book from a great Commander in the army for so far as he had gone right but wished him to re-collect his thoughts whether be was not out in those limitationâ— bounds so that said M. Blackwood I am somewhat unsatisfied in my former limitations doubting whether there ought not to be a universall Toleration without any of those bounds and in a book since printed he is against any restraint in the c 〈…〉 of Blasphemy and denying the Scriptures retracting his â—ormer distinctions There is one Master Niobâ—las Davison of New-England who came over from New-England with accounts amounting to a good s 〈…〉 e which he was to give here in London and landing in the West at that time when all the West was in the Enemies power for feare of loosing his accounts and being taken durst not venture to come up to London but lived in Barstable unknown almost three quarters of a year which being then one of the Kings Garrisons he was glad to conceale himselfe they not knowing whence be came nor what he was now being sometimes in the company of the Cavaliers and of some of their Schollars he heard them often speaking among themselves of the Independents and of the differences among us and they spake to one another not thinking he took notice that there were from severall Colledges beyond the Seas Jesuites come over they named their names and the places from whence they came to act the pitts of Independents and Sectaries to blow up the difference and contention Now when the West was open and this man got faâ—â— to London he told this to divers to a godly Citizen among â—â—hers who acquainted me with it and this Master Davison being spoken to by some Independents as being a New-England man to go to Guildhall upon some businesse when some
doe as a gifted Brother but as a Minister and is an act of power and office not of love and charity onely the Independents greatest and onely Argument to speak of used in the Assembly in their Sermons and some printed Books against a Presbyteriall Church and Ministers ruling in common over more then their particular Congregation is fully answered for if they may of themselves without the consent of the Minister of that Congregation baptize who are not of their Church then certainly they may with consent of the Ministers and Officers of such Churches joyn in the ruling and governing of them who are not of their Congregations and by this the ruling power of Ministers does not extend further then their power of feeding by the word and Sacraments and therefore till I give Master Burroughs a particular Answer to this Reason of his Wee would have the ruling power of Ministers not to extend further c. pag. 29. of his Vindication against Master Edwards and such a like passage in his Irenioum I referre him to Master Goodwin to be satisfied what reasons hee hath to baptize those over whom he hath not a Pastorall charge and the same will be found to hold stronglier for a power of governing those who are not of a Ministers particular Congregation and yet Master Burroughs if hee were pleased to take notice might find this very Argument answered in the Antapologia being brought by the Apologists in their Apologeticall Narration and in the Assemblies Answer to the Reasons of the Dissenting Brethren given in against Presbyteriall Government which Answers were never yet taken away by the Apologists or any of them and Cretensis in his late pretended Reply to my Antapologie takes no notice of them as he does not to the rest of the Arguments against their Non-communion c. but is so wise as after taking two yeares and upward for Answer yet to crave further day for payment filling up many sheets with mending the Printers and Correctors faults and making many faults where there are none letâ—ing passe all the materiall thingâ— both in matters of fact and Arguments till a Second Part which the Reader may expect ad Graeâ—as Kalendas And of this learned Reply to the Antapologie a worthy Divine writes to me Septemb. 12 as followes I have lighted upon the frothy Answer to the Antapologie of which lay aside pedanticall jeers unchristian misconstruction Rhetoricall flashes and Jesuiticall equivocations there will be scarce so much of a solid Answer remaining as would fill one sheet of those 38. that swells its puffe-paste bulk There is one Master Hugh Peters who came over from New-England about five yeares agoe a great Agent for the Sectaries who hath many wayes by preaching writing conference and discourse and above all by acting in severall kinds promoted the Independent way The Reader shall find him spoken of in the First and Second Parts of Gangraena Pag. 40 41. of the third Edition in some of Master * Pryâ—s Books in a Book called The Sectaries Anatomized pag. 3. Now I will give the Reader an account of him in relating some of his passages in Sermons Books and Discourses In Sermons hee hath preached as followes In the first yeare the Scots came into England hee hath in the Pulpit spoken well of them as in a Sermon at Covent Garden commending their Army hee said there was in one Regiment of the Scots fifteen hundred or seventeen hundred Bibles but since that time of the new Modell of the Army hee hath preached against them as at Lewis in Sussex where also hee spake against the Presbyterians because they will not live voluntarily upon the good will of the people but will stand upon such a meanes whereas the Independents will preach freely asking nothing So at Master Gatakers Church at Redriffe on the monethly Fast-day May 27. 1646. hee preached against the Scots by name that these Scots now in the Land were a new Generation not those Scots that came in at first to our help but these were other Scots come from Sweathland Germany and he knew not whence that to his knowledge they had sent away whole bushels full or â—uns full of money at that time also hee preached concerning the monethly Fasts that they were Canonicall set Fasts and hee wished they were suspended for a time and Fasts taken up occasionally And on May 17. at Cruciat Friars he preached concerning the Scots and of our Army what a holy religious Army it was and that they would have no warre with the Scots unlesse it should appeare out of the word of God they ought to have and if it should prove so yet they would goe to fight with their Brethren of Scotland with tears in their eyes On the last of May 1646. preaching at the Three Cranes in the Evening he spoke against the * Common Councell for medling with that they had nothing to do with going beyond their Commission saying Let them look into their Charter and see if there be any such thing mentioned He found fault with the City Remonstrance saying We now fall upon Remonstrating and Petitioning one against another instead of giving God thanks for his late deliverances and mercies vouchsafed unto us In this Sermon he spake slightly of the Covenant and of those who made such a stirre about it in pressing the people to be carefull in sticking to it as if they would have them to make an Idoll of the Covenant In this Sermon also hee spake about the King to this purpose what a stirre here was about a King as if we could not live without one and how fond we were to hug and embrace him who struck us a box on the eaâ—e the other day and all because he now stroakes us on the cheeks In this â—ermon also he spake that wee were now grown to a refined Malignancy so that he saw no more difference between these times and the first times of the troubles then between a half crown piece and two shillings and six pence by his discourse in the Pulpit it was carried in such a way as under the Malignant striking at the Presbyterian party who opposed Sectaries In this Sermon he spake also of the Army to this effect that when hee thought of the Army and the carriage of men towards them hee thought of Jesus Christ how like they were to him that as he went about doing good and working miracles and at length the people crucified him so will men do with this Army This Sermon was so offensive that I was told of it by divers and some Citizens went to speak with him about it and the conference that passed between him and them I shall acquaint the Reader with under the head of Master Peters discourses Master Peters in the Army in Hedington Fort hath preached against the City of London incensing the Army against the City of which the Reader may read more if he turn backward to page 24. Since the taking of
shall be content and rest In this Arrow against all Tyrants written as it seems to some Member of the House of Commons page 6. he writes thus Sir We desire your help for your own sakes as well as ours cheifly for the removall of two most insufferable evills daily encroaching and increasing upon us portending and threatning inevitable destruction and confusion of your selves of us and of all our posterity namely the encroachments and usurpâ—tions of the House of Lords over the Commons liberties and freedomes together with the barbarous inhumane blood-thirstie desires and endeavours of the Presbyterian Clergy O the desperate wickednesse of this man and some other Sectaries who have writ such like passages against the Lords and the Ministers and that for no other cause as appeares by this Pamphlet and divers others themselves being witnesses but because the Lords questioning some men for printing the most abominable sedicious cursed libells against all Royall Authority and the fundamentall â—awes and Government of this Kingdome that ever in any age were published and they in the most unparralleld manner of which I beleeve no presidents can bee shewn in any Chronicles or histories of this Kingdome carrying themselves contempruously and scornfully they committed them to prison and because an Ordinance to punish damnable Blasphemies and Heresies hath been brought into the House of Commons by two worthy Members and that by the prâ—curement of the Clergie as the Pamphlet saith Now for what the Lords have done against Lilburne Oâ—erton Larner and such fâ—llowes in labouring to suppresse â—uch â—editious Presses in punishing them as also in their speedy admitting into their House and thankfull acceptance of the Remonstrances and Petitions of the City of London County of Lancashi 〈…〉 c. And for what Master Tâ—â—t and Master Bacon have done in presenting such an Ordinance against Blasphemies and Heresies they are highly accouâ—â—ed of by all the godly and Orthodox Ministers and people in City and Country and their names will be famous in all generations when the names of Lilburne Overton c. yea and of all their great Patrons whether in the Army or out of the Army will be a by-word and a curse and canonized in the Kalenâ—â—r of such Saints as John of Leyden Thomas Muncer Kâ—ipperdollâ—â—g c. In page 10. of this poysoned Arrow Overton writes thâ—s Why therefore should you of the Representative body sit still and suffer these Lords to devoure both us and our Lawes Be awakened arise and consider their oppressions and encroachments and stop their Lordships in their ambitious career for they doe not cease only here but they soare higher and higher and now they are become Arrogators to themselves of the naturall Soveraignty the Represented have convayed and issued to their proper Representors even challenge to themselves the title of the supremest Court of Judicature in the Land as was claimed by the Lord Hounsden when I was before them which challenge of his was a most illegall Anti-Parliamentary audacious presumption c. Behold Reader this wicked Sectary labours to set the House of Commons against the House of Lords to make division between them All the hopes of these sonnes of division lie in breaches which they fâ—ment all kind of wayes and in all kind of things wherein there is union as between the Houses the Scots and â—he Parliament the Parliament and the City the Parliament and the Ministry of the Kingdom They have no hopes but in wars fishing in troubled waâ—ers keeping all things in confusion from being setled In pag. 11 12 hee speaks thus Therefore the soveraign power extending no further then from the Represented to the Representors all this kind of soveraignty challenged by any whether of King Lords or others is usurpation illegitimate and illegall and none of the kingdomes or peoples neither are the people thereto oblieged Thus Sir seeing the Soveraign or Legislative power is only from the Represented to the Representors and cannot possibly further extend the power of the King cannot be Legislative but only Executive and he can communicate no more then he hath himselfe and the Soveraign power not being inherent in him it cannot be convayed by or derived from him to any so that his meer Prerogative creatures cannot have that which their lord and creator never hath had or can have namely the Legislative power Many other strange passages there are both in his Pamphlets and Petition and Appeale made up of intolerable Arrogancy Impudency and Anarchy point blanck against the Fundamentall constitution of the Government of this Kingdom but by these the Reader may judge of the whole ex ungâ—e leonem and so I leave him to the justice of the House of Lords There is one John Lilburn an Arch Sectary the great darling of the Sectaries highly extolled and magnified by them in many Pamphlets called The Defender of the Faith A Pearle in a Dung-hill That Worthy Sufferer for his Countries Liberty this Worthy man a precious Jewell indeed of whom I had thought to have given a full Relation in this Book and to have laid him open in all his colours by following him from place to place and shewing how time after time he hath behaved himself since he came out of his Apprenticeship as by declaring what set him first on work to print Books against the Bishops how hee carried himselfe in the Fleet whilst he was Prisoner there how since this Parliament both before the warres begun and since the warres how whilst hee was Prisoner at Oxford how in the Earle of Manchestors Army how in the City at many meetings about Petitions since he left the warres how before the Committee of Examinations how the first 〈◊〉 he was in Newgate by order of the House of Commons how hee behaved himselfe before the House of Lords and how the second time of his imprisonment in Newgate and how since his last commitment to the Tower but because this Narration alone will take up some sheets there being many remarkable things to be written of him of his insolent loose ungodly practices and of his Anarchicall Principles destructive to all Civill Government whatsoever and I have already filled up that number of sheets I aâ— first intended when I resolved to write this Third Part though I have many things yet to put in this Third Part therefore I must deâ—erre it till a Fourth Part and shall then by the help of God doe it so largely and fully that I shall make his folly and wickednesse known to all men and vindicate the honour and power of the House of Peers from his and all the Sectaries wicked Libells shewinâ— the weaknesse of those Principles That all power in Government is founded upon the immediate free election of all those that are to be Governed And of a necessity that all who are to be subject and obey must be represented And that all who have power in Government must be Representers which I shall doe for the
the Socinians One of the Dutch Ministers of this Town told me when we were speaking of this purpose that a Book-seller said to him that sundry English Merchants were seeking to buy the works of Socinus Ostorodius Oniedinus Crellius and especially Socinus de servatore and when the Book-seller answered that they could not have those books in those Countries because they are discharged by Ordinance of the Generall States the Merchants said unto him Neverthelesse you may bring them from other Countries and we will give you for them what you will whereupon that Minister when he told me this said The Estate of England is lamentable for it seemeth that Socinianisme waxeth there for this practice and that excepting at the word is too great evidence thereof I heare also that Master Simons hath written unto his Congregation here very confidently that Toleration shall be granted even with these terms In spight of them who have enterprised the contrary Wherefore beloved Brethren I humbly beseech you to let me know the certainty of this matter that if possible I may give satisfaction unto wel-affected persons who think this excepting at that word to import no lesse then a condemning of or at least a departing from the Orthodox Confessions of all the Reformed Churches If in this or any other particular Occurrents it will please you to give me intelligence you may direct your Letters unto R. W. who is a Skipper and comes usually betwixt London and this Town wherein you shall do good unto many and especially unto Octob. 13. 23. 1646. Your Loving Brother There is one Andrew Wyke of the County of Suffolk a Mechanick but turned a great Preacher and Dipper who for his Preaching and Dipping being brought before the Committee of that County carried himself like Lilburne Overton and other fellow Sectaries refusing to answer the Chair-man any questions as whether he had been at the University saying I am a free man and not bound to answer to any Interrogatory I will answer to no Interrogatory either to accuse my self or any other besides he gave reproachfull words reproving the Committee as You may think to speak what you please now with such other language This Wyke or some other Sectary hath printed a Pamphlet call'd The Innocent in Prison complaining or A true Relation of the proceedings of the Committee at Ipswich the Committee at Bury St. Edmunds in the County of Suffolk against one Andrew Wyke a witnesse of Jesus in the same County who was committed to Prison June 3. 1646. In which Pamphlet the Committee and divers Members of it by name are abused resembling them to the Jewes who condemned Christ and himself to Christ and the Committee is exclaimed upon fearfully pag. 10. There is one Katherine Chidly an old Brownist and her sonne a young Brownist a pragmaticall fellow who not content with spreading their poyson in and about London goe down into the Country to gather people to them and among other places have been this Summer at Bury in Suffolke to set up and gather a Church there where as I have it from good hands they have gathered about seven persons and kept their Conventicles together who being one night very late together about their Church-affairs a mad woman breaking from her Keeper and running out of the house she was kept in happened to light upon the house where this company was and stood up in the entry of the house they being upon dissolving their meeting and going to their severall homes as they were going out there stood this woman in her smock in the entry speaking never a word which when they saw they ran over one another for fear of this white devill some one way some another almost frighted out of that little wit they had Gaffar Lanseter of Bury for so he was unlesse he hath commenced Master by preaching whom I have spoken of in the Second Part of Gangraena was a great man with Katherine Chidly and her sonne and is left Preacher to that company of Sectaries in their room and I have great reason to think by the Epistle to the Reader that Katherine Chidly and her sonne made that Book call'd Lanseters Launce because Katherine Chidly and her sons Books for the mother and the son made them together one inditing and the other writing are highly magnified and the brasen-faced audacious old woman resembled unto Jael but as for Lannâ—ters Launce for my Gangrana I shall shew it to be made not of iron or steele in no sort able or usefull to lance or enter the Gangraena but a lance of brown painted paper fit for children to play with and to assure the Reader of it I received this last week a Message to this purpose from one of the Ministers who gave intelligence about Lanseter that he was about perfecting the proofes and particulars about Lanseters businesse and I should shortly hear from him and within this two dayes a godly understanding man who was present at this meeting when Lanseter preached upon Ezra gave me an account of the businesse of the truth of the whole and hath put me in a way whereby under the hands of persons present at the meeting I may have it confirmed and so among the confutations of some other Pamphlets I shall insert this of Lanseters There is one John Hall a great Sectary who hath vented many erroneous Positions in some parts of Barkshire and thereabouts I had a copy of them from a Reverend Minister of the Assembly and in the Second Part of Gangraena in the Catalogue of Errors such Errors as he vented viz. such as were not reckoned up in the First Part of Gangraena were there inserted by me though he was not named at all in that Book but now discovering in severall Counties more Sectaries then I did formerly in the First and Second Parts I have thought good to name him among many others that the people of those parts may beware of him and shun him as a dangerous man concerning whom I received a Letter from a godly Minister in Barkshire which is as followes Sir THat I may not be wanting to the Cause of God or my promise to you I sent the last week to speak with Master F. but failed of a full answer he not being within but thus much I received that Master S. had been there and that he had taken a Copy of the Positions so that if you have any acquaintance with him he can fully inform you about this matter He is one of the Synod a Reverend and Orthodox Divine I shall send to Master F. again and when I understand more if I see just cause you shall hear further from me The Teacher of these things is one John Hall sometimes of Colebrooke but as I am informed now resident in or about Henley upon Thames Thus desiring the Lord both to direct and prosper your labours in vindicating the Truth of God and opposing Heresies I rest Yours in the Lord Christ Aâ—gust
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-government according to the word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches which Religion 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
Commons the Knights and Burgesses assembled in Parliament by the voluntary choyce and free election of the people thereof with whom and in whose just defence I le live and die maugre the malice of the House of Lords and in page 18. he in way of deâ—ision calls the Lords House the Superlative House and speaking of the Lords laughing at his answers he saith of that House such carriage such a Court For indeed Comedies Tragedies Masks and Playes are more fit for such idle kind of men And above all other Demonstrations of the outragious insolencies of the Sectaries against the House of Peeres let the Reader peruse that Pamphlet entituled An Anatomy of the Lords tyranny and injustice exercised upon Lieutenant Colonel Lilburne which is throughout insolent both for matter and manner particularly page 12 13. Lilburne writes that he being in the painted Chamber desired Master Brisco one of his Keepers to go and tell the Lords from him that seeing they had the impudencie and boldnesse to tread the Lawes and Liberties of England under their feet and did so contemne and undervalue the authority of the Honorable House of Commons to whom he had appealed as yet to go on in their illegall courses with him with whom by Law they had nothing to doe that he must be forced in the highest nature he could to contemne and despise their proceedings and therefore was resolved not to come to their Bar without a forcible compulsion and to come in with his hat on his head and to stop his eares when they read his charge in detestation and bearing witnesse against their usurpations and injustice page 14 15. Lilburne writes he thus spake to the Lords And my Lords I tell you to your faces that by right the House of Commons are your Judges as well as mine in this case and I doe not doubt but to live to see the day that they will make you to know whether you will or no that they are so and of their justice and protection I doe not in the least doubt And therefore my Lords seeing you have dealt so illegally and tyrannically with me as you have done I now bid defiance to your power and malice to doe the worst you can And therefore my Lords I protest here before the God of Heaven and earth if you shall be so unworthy as to persevere in endeavouring the destruction of the fundamentall Lawes and Liberties of England as at present you doe I will venture my life and bloud against you to oppose you with as much zeale and courage as ever I did any of the Kings party that you set us together by the eares with page 21. Lilburne saith all his catriage and expressions before the House of Lords in the case now betwixt them to be as justifiable by the Law of this Kingdome and in the eyes of all understanding men as for a true and just man to draw his sword and cut the theif or rogue that sets upon him upon the high-way on purpose to rob him of his life and goods and in page 23. hee earnestly beseeches the Honorable Committee to remember the Commoners and improve all their interest to punish or at least effectually to curb the Lords House Thus the Sectaries in their Petitions and all their Pamphlets printed speaking of the Lords House and of their proceedings they give such kind of termes as these Barbarous Tyrannicall Arbitrary Illegall unjust dealings worse then the unjust Stat-chamber it selfe Insolent unheard of usurpations intrusions and many such like And in divers Pamphlets now of late the Parliament being spoken of is understood only the Commons of England they call'd the Parliament by way of exclusion of and opposition to the H. of Peers and Books written on purpose and dispersed given freely to stir up the people to adhere to the Comons as considered apart and distinct in interest power from the Lords with unworthy reflections upon the Lords as The last warning to all the Inhabitants of London p. 7. Mind your own good and cleave fast to the House of Commons let no sorcery or sophistry divide you from them the Lords are not to go before the Commons in determining what concerns the Nations their large answer to your last City Petition for Church-government and suppression of Conventicles insinuates they would allure you from the Commons therefore observe them watchfully and trust them accordingly So A word in season to all sorts of well-minded people in this distracted Nation with Answers to the City Remonstrance and divers other Pamphlets 4. The Sectaries have been guilty of and daily are of abusing contemning and taking away the power of the House of Commons given it by the Lawes Constitutions and Customes of this Kingdome and though in many Pamphlets especially this last yeere they cry up the House of Commons and seeme to give them not only their owne power but the power of the King and House of Lords making both them meere ciphers yet it will be found by many of their principles laid downe they have destroyed the House of Commons and doe break their Priviledges speak their pleasure of them both by words and writing as often as they please Many Pamphlets and whole Books have beene written by Sectaries against the House of Commons it selfe and not only against Committees or particular Members charging the House with tyranny injustice oppression horrible pride seeking of particular interests Arbitrary Governm 〈…〉 breaking of Magna Charta and going against the Liberties of the subject resembling them to the Star-chamber High Commission Court to Strafford and Canterbury refusing to answer any questions upon the command of the House scorning to Petition the Commons either to sue for their favour or to acknowledge their justice and after such favour shown as to release without petitioning yet taxing them with dishonesty and demanding reparations for imprisonment for the abundant proofe of which I referre the Reader to many Pamphlets written by Sectaries as Englands Birthright The Copie of a Letter from Lieutenant Colonel Lilburne to a friend Lilburnes Innocency and truth justified Englands lamentable slavery with other Letters printed about that time Another word to the wise written by M. John Musgrave A Pamphlet entituled An exact collection of the Parliaments Remonstrances Declarations c. A Remonstrance of many thousand Citizens and other free borne people of England to their owne House of Commons out of which I shall faithfully transcribe some passages that the insolencies of the Sectaries against the House of Commons may be observed Lilburn in his Letter to his freind writes thus page 1 2. That Master Corbit being in the chaire and telling him he was commanded by the House to demand a question of him Lilburn instead of answering him desired to know the cause of his commitment and M. Corbit replying the House was not bound to declare unto him the cause of his commitment thereupon Lilburne answered Then I have beene a long
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-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
held it not lawfull to go fight against them others of the Sectaries have reasoned against sending releif thither as saying whom should we releive to â—e Protestants there were an unworthy people that Kingdome had cosâ— us more to keep it then ever we goâ— by it that it was 〈◊〉 to hazard that Army upon it which was so faithful and 〈◊〉 for much for us with other words to this purpose other Sectaries have laughed at the Presbyterians being so forward in preaching and praying for releif to be sent over in all hast into Ireland A Gentleman in publick place told me not long since he had heard an Independent say upon discoursing of the hazard of the losse of Ireland that it was not a three penny matter to England if Ireland and Scotland both were lost England had no need of them severall strange speeches have fallen from the Sectaries in reference to Ireland Tenthly the Independents and Sectaries have spoken written and dealt most unworthily with the City of London a whole book might be written of all the calumnies reproaches abuses that have beene offered the City of London within this last twelve months especially about that late excellent Remonstrance how hath the late Lord Major the whole Court of Common-councell and City Remonstrance been written preached spoken against by the Sectaries of the Army City and Country giving reproachfull names raising wicked lies upon them and for nothing but for petitioning the Parliament for setling the Government and declaring themselves for the Covenant against Hereticks Scismaticks and Blasphemers Cretensis that great Sectary cals the late Lord Major of London and the Common-councell Brethren in iniquity with me the Author of the Pamphlet call'd the Lord Majors farewell from his Office of Majoralty resembles the late Lord Major to wicked Ahaz saying the Saints will say of him in succeeding ages this is that Lord Major of London Thomas Adams by name Lilburne in his Pamphlet entituled Londons Liberty calls by way of scoffing the Prerogative Lord Major Adams A Sectary in the Army call'd him rascall The Common-councell and Citizens have beene commonly call'd the Sect of the Adamites and in print to in the Pamphlet The just mans justification pag. 16. The Sectaries frequently cal the Citizens Preist-riden slaves They have in Pulpits beene call'd the great mountaine that hinders the liberty of the people refined Malignants and that if ever this Kingdome was brought into slavery the City would be the cause of it some of the Sectaries have said that the King the Scots and the Common-councell did drive on one designe it were too long to reckon up al the abuses offered the City of London and the Honorable Court of Common-councell by some of the weekly Pamphleters as the Moderate Intelligencer Perfect Occurrences and by some Sectarian souldiers threatning that they would as willingly come against the City as ever against the Cavaliers The City Remonstrance hath beene branded by them one Captaine in the Army said the Remonstrance was as devilish a thing as ever was penned by man Lilburne in his Londons liberty in chains discovered page 36. speaking of the City Remonstrance calls it that most devilish wicked bloudy unchristian Papisticall Remonstrance of the Prerogative men of London c. Other Sectaries have call'd it that monster with many heads the â—ifteene headed monster a base railing Remonstrance M. Peters hath spoken his pleasure of it in the Pulpit and the Moderate Reply to the City Remonst with the City Remonstrance remonstrated have many naughty passages against the Common-councell and City Remonstrance as that it was the disturber of the quiet and peace of the Church and State c. but I shall passe them by and transcribe only one passage out of M. Burtons Conform Deform where in the Epist Dedicatory to the present Lord Major he writes thus Give me leave tobeseech you that you would improve the whole power of your office among other evils for the not only suppressing but utter obliterating out of all Records of memory or mention that late Remonstrance of London which like the Trojan horse is stuffed with such matter as if the importunity of some might have had its desire would unavoidably hale in ruine both to City and Country Nor doth any thing more clearly demonstrate that spirituall judgement of blindnesse and hardnesse of heart to be upon all those who have their heads and hands in that Remonstrance and wilfully persist in the prosecution of it now in cold bloud then the unnaturall hating and hunting after the destruction of those very men as our mortall enemies who have with the extrem hazard of their lives been honoured of God to be the preserâ—ers of them our City and Country c. For the spirit of that ten-horned beast is now making warre with the Lamb and this spirit warreth under new colours not red but white whose word is Reformation and this under afair colour of a Covenant by vertue wherof pretending a just title to the War he hopes by the help of the Remonsstrance and the prime Authors thereof and their adherents to erect a new bestiall Tyranny over soules bodies and estates under new names and notions Elevently the Sectaries have carried themselves towards the Assembly with the greatest scorne and reproach that ever any sort of men carried themselves towards such a company of Ministers learned and godly and called by a Parliament to advise with in matters of Religion O how many books have beene written against them within these two last yeers or thereabouts as The Arraignment of Persecution Martins Eccho and their fellowes O the railing bitter disgracefull passages in Li 〈…〉 ns Letter to Mr. Pryn Tender Conscience religiously affected and divers other Pamphlets against the Assembly calling them the black-coats in the Synod Dâ—ivines good for nothing but to be burnt having two hornes like a Lamb but a mouth like a Dragon teaching the Parliament to speak blasphemy against those Saints that dwell in heaven O how commonly by word of mouth and in writing is the Assembly call'd Antichristian Romish bloudy the plagues and pests of the Kingdome Baals Preists Diviners Southsayerâ— all manner of evill being spoken of them A Ballad hath beene made of them having a first and second part wherein they are scoffed with the title of Black-bird Divines the name of the Ballad is A Prophecy of the Sâ—ynâ—eards Destruction to the â—uâ—â— of the merry Souldier or the jovâ—â—ll Tiâ—ker this Ballad calls the Assembly Swinheards saith these Swineheards are sitting to build old Babels Tower The Assemby â—â—th beene abused all kind of wayes threatned if they give advise to the Parliament against a Toleration of Independents they shall be chastised as evill Councellors disturbers of Church and State no lesse then great Strafford or little Canterbury all kind of imputations charged on them and they made by the Sectaries the cause and ground of all evilâ— that are upon the Kingdome The lâ—st warning to
to invade Churches Pulpits to commit tumults râ—ots break the Kings peace affront Ministers Magistrates in their places and if any of them be questioned troubled they bring them off by one means and trick or other hence the more active any are in spreading Errors the greater Preachers they prove the greater Errors and stranger Opinions they hold the more they are countenanced the sooner preferred to places of profit trust honor hence the Sectaries on all occasions and in all places joyne and side with the arrantest Malignants Papists loosest and ungodliest men in a Country or Kingdome to further Errors and to hinder any means which might probably suppresse them hence they will go against their own professed avowed principles and rase their own foundations be mainly instrumentall to bind heavy burdens upon others which they account intolerable wish joy and be active in the imposition of that upon their brethren which themselves who are for the imposition of it yet count unlawfull to be submitted to as in the point of Commissioners the imperfect enumeration of scandalous sinnes in the labouring to bring in scandalous and ignorant men to be Elders and opposing able godly men in their choyce on purpose to make the Presbyteriall Government odious and that people might fall to them of which I could tell large stories as at Dover hence the Sectaries will raise and invent all kind of lies go against all kind of jâ—stice and right use all kind of dishonest wayes and meanes indeed nothing comes 〈…〉 isse to increase Errors and Heresies and to stop all meanes against them they will with Aâ—â—ziâ—h go and enquire of Bâ—â—lzebâ—â— the God of Ekron for help and lastly hence our Sectaries doe not only plead for a Toleration but plead for the things themselves have found out many wayes to extenuate lessen justifie yea to saint the grossest Errors worst practises and the vildest Hereticks It would fill a great book to reckon up all the distinctions excuses pleas pretences arguments evasions apologies found ouâ— and made use of by the Sectaries within this two or three last yeers in defence of Heresies and Errors in generall and of the greatest Errors in particular as denying the Trinity the Scriptures c. And in defence of Hereticks as being Saints holy men men of tender consciences harmelesse peaceable quiet men Whoever shall but read Cretensis Answer to my First Part of Gangraena his 38. Queres upon the Ordinance for preventing the growth of Heresies Walwyâ—â— Salt 〈…〉 arshâ—â— Master Burtons Master Bâ—tchelers Commâ—ndatory Imprimaturs with divers other 〈…〉 te Pamphlets must needs say Errors are small things and that many men go for Saints and Brethren among Independents that there are many better in Hell then they and we may as well call Dives Saint Dives as such Sectaries Saints All error now is christned and call'd Conscience tender Conscience Piety the feare of God as in these books Conformities Deformity The Parable or Consultation about Master Edwards Tender Conscience religiously affected the Reader may finde and the vildest Hereticks Schismaticks Blasphemers loose ungodly persons are cried up for Saints the godly party honest men and it is observable that among all the Independents and Sectaries who have written against my Books as Sâ—ltmarsh Gretensis Walwin Mr. Burroughs Mr. Burton with many others not one of them condemned any one Error or man that I writ against but justified all crying out upon me with great bitternesse without any distinctions at all of opinions or persons for speaking against the Saints the Saints Some say they know no Errors nor Sects at all or if there be any none so dangerous as the new sprung up Sect of Presbytery and the opinion of compulsion in matters of Religion Errors in matters of Faith as in the Doctrine of the Trinity the Divinity of Christ c. are pleaded for that they be Errors not against the light of nature but against Revelation and Faith and so more pardonable that among the Arrians there were many good men and that when Errors are according to a mans conscience and not against conscience they are not so dangerous Paul Best that â—earfull Blasphemer and his damnable Heresie against the Trinity hath been in my hearing excused extenuated and publikely also thus pleaded for by many Sectaries that he was not guilty of blasphemy that he denied only the tripersonality not the Trinity Athanasiuâ— Trinity noâ— the Scripture Trinity that he denies not the operation of the Persons but only the name of the Persons that he lent his writing about the Trinity to a freind in private and he betrayed him not that he had published his opinion The questioning of the Doctrine of the thre Persons hath been excused that the Persons were Schoole notions the word Person was not to be found in Scripture that it came not into the Church till some hundreds of yeers after Christ that so long as men granted the thing that there were three though they held them operations or vertues it was not so materiall And as Errors are thus pleaded for excused by Sectaries so all kind of sinnes and wicked practises are pleaded for to be no sinnes or else made light account of or the persons protected and the offences smothered thus some Sectaries plead for Incest to be no sinne the putting away and forsaking of husbands and wives to be lawfull and a casting off Antichristian yokes the making no conscience of the Christian Sabbath to be a part of Christian liberty the casting away of prayer and holy duties to be a comming unto perfection that nothing is sinne to the regenerate that they cannot sinne that such persons committing vild ungodly practises must not be brought to punishment nor prosecuted because they are the Saints and Christ will not take it well to have his Saints molested t is most strange to speak of the fearfull bating with hiding concealing justifying excusing the shuffling off uncleannesses drunkennesses and all kind of wickednesses among the Sectaries as by Master Jesse and his company in the case of Mary Abraham as by Lams Church in the case of one M. leaving and living from his wife as in the case of some Sectaries that have been drunk in the Army with many such so that the Sectaries of our times are in a speciall manner guilty of the patronising protecting yea and taking pleasure in all kind of Errors and wickednesse which is an aggravation of sinne and a greater evill then the holding of such Errors or committing such facts as is evident by these Scriptures Rom. 1. 32. not only do the same but have pleasure in them that doe them Matthew 5. 19. Whosoever shall breake one of these least Commandements and shall teach men so he shall be called the least in the Kingdome of beaâ—en and Prov. 28. 4. They that forsake the Law praise the wicked but such as keep the Law contend with them upon which text I wish the
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
put in a Postscript and must be reserved for the Fourth Part and I am of the minde when Lanceter shall come to reade them he will wish he had beene opening his Pack when he was writing his Pamphlet As for Drapes his â—illy Pamphlet cald A Bâ—amâ— in Master Edwards his eye Master Edwards hath the Beame in his hand and could easily so handle it as to knock Drapes and Captaine Paul Hobson on the heads and dash out their braines with it but I must not be put out of my way of writing more usefull Tractates by every little bauling currâ— As for Gangraena-chrestum writen by Master Piâ—nel and Maddocks against some passages in a Letter written by a godly Minister and printed by me in the First Part of Gangraena the Authors shall receive a full answer from some of the Ministers of those parts who having been upon the place know all particulars for proofe of which I have been written unto as followes I have lighted upon a Libell of Master Pinnels and Maddocks which however it cast scorne enough on you Master Gower and Master Ford I know you will scorn and I shall take care in what is materiall to see it Answered in a Book by it selfe which if you will let me know when the Third Part of Gangraena is likely to be ready I would put out before it that you may the better make use of it And in another Letter upon my Answer to this that I thought my Third Part would have come out much sooner then now it doth I am thus written to I am sorry in reference to my selfe that your Third Part comes out so suddenly I had thought an answer to Pools relation should have preceded it But however if you have occasion to speak any thing in reference to it you may bid the Reader expect an Answer from these parts shortly And you may your selfe take notice how our opposites Pinnel and Maddocks doe equivocate and deny not the things charged as in the point of Pinnels strange Doctrine and the Revelation woman As for Walwins Prediction of Master Edwards Conversion and the Consultation upon Master Edwards both from the same hand as I judge I would have Master Walwyn and his companions know that Mr. Edwards goes upon surer grounds in what he does against the Sectaries then to be so soone removed he hath not been so long in the Schoole of Christ had experience so many yeers of the wayes of God in trialls of many temptations divers afflictions conflicts with all sorts of wicked men and Errors both in the Prelates times and now searchings and shiftings out the truths of God in the Controversies both of the former and present times as to be taken off from the Doctrines of truth and according to godlinesse and to be turned unto fables by the foolish weake Pamphlets of the times If Mr. Walwin and his fellowes have any â—opes in this kind they are much deceived For as Luther sometimes writ in an Epistle of his to Spalatinus concerning his writing against the Papists that he should presume any thing of him praeter Palinodiam fugam so may the Sectaries imagine any thing of me rather then a Recantation and repenting of writing those Books wherein I have discovered the Errors Heresies and Blasphemies of the times As for Mr. Salmarshes Answer in few words to the Second Part of Gangraena a part of his shadowes flying away I shall reckon with him for every line in it in that Answer to other Pamphlets of his only I desire the Reader for the present to observe these things First that Master Gataker in his Reply to him hath proved him to be a shadow without substance hath taken off the shadowes and vaile he had cast on many truths of the Gospel and showed this new light with his dawnings of light to be nothing else but a shadow of death and darknesse and hath caused this great light to go out in a smoke and snuâ—â—e Secondly that he calls one leafe and lesse then a halfe an Answer to my Second Part of Gangraena consisting almost of thirty sheets and to another Book call'd An after Reckoning of about ten sheets Thirdly in that little he saith though he call it an Answer he doth not so much as offer to disprove any one particular in the Book hee saith not one word to disprove or deny the Woman Preacher which in my Second Part I had made good against his bold deniall of it in a former Pamphlet but declaimes in generall against me and my Book railing fearfully and cursing me Fourthly the great hypocrisie and dissimulation of Master Saltmarsh pretending in all his writings love peace sweetnesse among Christians and in this Pamphlet where his Answer to the Second Part of Gangraena is inserted t is call'd Reasons for Vnity Love and Peace and charging me with bitternesse uncharitablenesse want of the sweete Spirit of Christ whereas himselfe hath the bitterest uncharitablest and most railing censorious passages against me and a godly reverend Minister he joynes with me that a man shall hardly ever meet with the like in any Book in a mans life time applying those words of Christ to the Devill unto me the Lord rebuke thee even the Lord charging me with sinning aganst the holy Ghost with being in the gall of bitternesse and bond of iniquity telling me of gnawings flashings of having a burnt and withered spirit threatning they will pray me either into repentance or shame or judgement ere they have done with me and putting the other Minister and me together he stiles us Pensioners to the gâ—â—at Acouser of the Brethron bids us fill up the measure of our iniquities if we will needs perish whether he will or no and saith all the powers of hell set us on work with many such like passages So that I may justly say to Master Saltmarsh as Paul in Rom. 2. 21 22 23. Thou therefore that teachest another Teachest thou not thy selfe Thou that teachest a man should not steale dost thou steale Thou that â—aiest a man should not commit adulâ—ery dost thou commit adultery c. Or as Christ in Matthew 7. 3 4. 5. And why beholdest thou the motâ— that is in thy brothers eye but considerest not the beame that is in thine owne eye or how canâ—â— thou say to thy brother lot me pull out the motâ— out of thine eye and behold a beame in thine owne eye Th 〈…〉 hypocrite first cast out the beame out of thine owne eye and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mâ—te out of thy brothers eye Master Saltmarsh charges me with bitternesse uncharitablenesse and is ten times worse himselfe and I challenge Master Saltmarsh and all his party in all the Books that I have written put together to produce if they can so many unchristian passages as are vented by him against me in oâ—e leafe Where and in what part of my books have I charged Master Saltmarsh with sinning against the holy