and settled their correspondence among the neighbours abroad and at home and established the way of supply for money and other occasions the Collectors Treasurers Registers and all other Officers and having disposed the several Brethren to their respective charges of confirming confuting and comforting throughout the Churches they broke up and adjourn'd until the twenty five of December which is appointed to be a day of fasting and humiliation and of seeking the Lord in the behalf of his distressed Cause and Servants and particularly for that there is not the same spirit among us now that was in the beginning of these times Where are our Vines our Hists our Marshals our Strongs our Bowles our Loves our Jeanes our Prophets where are they our Fathers do they live for ever It being ordered beforehand that Mr. Needham Mr. Ascham Mr. Canne Mr. Walker have their liberty to invent and publish such things as may amuse the people as to the right state of things and improve our Cause and Interest and that they watch all publick transaction that if any thing fall out amiss they may make the best of it to the good people to keep up their hearts these desponding times however that fears and jealousies be continued and decay of Trade for as a Brother held forth out of my Lord of St. Albanes So many overthrown estates so many votes for troubles and if poverty and a broken estate in the better sort be joyned with a want and necessity in the mean people the danger is great and eminent and they may work a secret contempt of the Government which may leaven the whole masse of the people to undermine it privately while providence denyeth the meanes of overthrowing it publickly but let all this be done with that privacy that may tempt the Magistrates to security to which purpose there may be report of other matters published to divert their care from the main danger And withall let there be some disputes and excuses upon mandates and directions as an essay how far we may presume but this must be done only by men of interest and power with the honourable and the well-affected To this purpose it was well advised that they who are to observe things take notice of the ambitious the covetous the discontented the needy and the obnoxious and that they secure their dangers gratifie their passions and promise a relief to their necessities by an hope of alteration to wit they may be desired to contribute to whom may be joyned the credulous and the weak And withall it was offered that a solemn Vow be taken to quicken them in their undertakings and unite them in the Cause and to keep the Covenant warm on their hearts which should be promoted by Correspondents in Scotland and Ireland and the people must be dealt with as if the last appeal and Supreme Authority were in them and if there falls out any thing for the best that the Honourable make use of it to export some favour and indulgence from the Supreme Power as they call it In the mean time let scandals be improved and disorders occasioned and grievances agravated let Messages be intercepted Letters counterfeited Designs be discovered and it will go hard if we cannot fish out something in these troubled waters These were only the offers of a close Committee whereof Ludlow was Chair-man the Assembly it was thought knew nothing of it at last after they had dispatched some Letters to the Exiles at Geneva they rose and disposed of themselves to their several Provinces particularly Mr. Crofton is to take care that the Presbyterian Arguments against the Bishops be such as may not be of force for the Factious against the Presbyterians Mr. Baxter is to go and think of more Arguments and Disputations against Church-government Mr. Case is to say long Graces and to weep bitterly for the Daughter of my people Mr. Caryl is to enlarge upon Job in these times of patience and persecution Mr. Bates Mr. Manton and Mr. Jacombe are to wait upon the Honourable that are well affected Mr. Calamy is once a quarter to appear in Aldermanbury Desk and there shake his head at the times and tremble for fear of the Ark and to satisfie young men how far they may conform for the service of the Cause Mr. Watson is â—o enlarge his Discourse of Comforts in persecution as Mr. Brooks his Good Wine till last and Mr. Watson is to publish his Sermons against Popery Neast Cave Raworth and Lewis are to Lecture it Lye Wilkinson Venning are to bring up youth in the way wherein they should walk and they will not depart from it in their age The ninth day of the ninth moneth A Welch Curate or a Son of the Church of England that goeth in Welch-frize and a russet Cloak ycliped Lewis a soul-saving-searching-awakening Usurer Broker Briber and Monopolist of Livings and Lectures a Servant of Jesus Christ in the work of the Gospel holding forth at the Meeting-place of Allhallowes in the Wall and Pastor of a Church there was called before the Reverend the Committee of ejected Ministers where Mr. Calamy being in the Chair told him of several misdemeanours whereby he was a scandal to their Cause Particularly that under pretence of the promise made to them to reserve his Pulpit for any well-affected Brethren not conforming who would take pains to confirm the Disciples and to establish them in the faith he had admitted Fifth-monarchy men Anabaptists and others to his Pulpit to the great disparagement of the holy Cause which may be thought to countenance those Factions and wayes Whereunto the Anabaptist Independent-Presbyterian Son of the Church replyed That 1. he desired to become all things to all men 2. That though the Brethren of the baptized way differed from us in some points yet they heartily agree in the main viz. zealous opposition of the tyranny superstition and prophaness of these times which he understood to be the present Interest 3. That because no body would hear him before these times he must now please every body to gain a Congregation Mr. Calamy urged against him further that he being appointed to look out all opportunities of employment and so bring in his destituted brethren to his Church allowing them what he gained abroad only reserving two shillling in ten for his own pains he snatched up all that was to be got in Town and employed his brethren but allowed them little or nothing He replied that he knew not how soon he should be out of all for the High Priest of London threatned him every day and he desired to be excused if he lay in something against an evil day Another of the Committee urged against him the forty pounds it cost him in the Maids business where he was caught in Shoreditch To which he replied that the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak his heart was right he intended to propagate the Gospel When they told him he should marry and not burn he answered I suppose that it is good for the present distress I say it is good so to be After complaint of several misdemeanours the Curate tells them that if they would anger him any more he would be Episcopal for saith he I was an Anabaptist and they being too busie with me I turned Independent the Independent troubled me in Wales I came to London and was Presbyterian and if you will not let me alone I will even turn and be a Son of the Church Whereupon Mr. Manton said we should not narrow our Interest nor offend the brethren besides Mr. Lewis is the most thorow-paced Nonconformist in Town And if it please you said Lewis I shall offer you twelve things for the propagation of the good old Caus which I do 1. I read little or no Common-prayer 2. I not use the Surplice 3. I preach Mr. Jenkins Mr. Watsons Mr. Gurnal Mr. Manton and others Works so that while I preach they are not silenced 4. I am in the morning at a Church and in the afternoon at a Meeting 5. At a Lecture I pray an hour and preach two houres wherein I hint many things effectually for the good old Cause 6. Where I do one office at Church according to the Common-prayer I do five at home by the Directory especially in visiting the sick and baptizing the faithful children 7. Upon the 30. January and May 29. I hold a private Fast and have no Sermon at Church unless it be a Sermon at night for preparation to the Sacrament or so for I observe that custome still 8. I watch every vacancy in Town by sickness absence and I bring in either my self or some well-affected brother to that place whereby as the Scripture saith we take no small advantage 9. I keep two Registers one for children baptized according to the Directory which I have at home and the other for children baptized according to the Common-prayer that I have at Church one for people I marry without licence whereof I have married many of our dear Brethren and Sisters the other for one or two in a year I marry with a licence which licence I keep to shew for any body that is married 10. I bring in all the Intelligence that is stirring among the Episcopal Divines as they call them who take me for one of themselves and accordingly admit me to their Lectures and Meetings 11. I have a convenient Chamber for private Meetings and affairs at Sion Colledge where I can do no little service 12. I receive to my Church all such tender Consciences as cannot keep their own Churches being enjoyned reverence and order and decency as they call it and I let them do what they will for I tell them if the heart be right all is well if they will keep on their hats they may if they will receive the Communion fitting they may which is a great ease to good men 13. Whereas there is nothing but bitterness abroad and railing and reflecting upon the late times I offer now and then a word of comfort in that particular intimating the good of the late Cause the holiness of the people engaged in it with a word of being faithful to the Covenant Upon this the Committee dismissed him and wished him to walk circumspectly and be wise as a Serpent God save the King FINIS Vid. Lye Sermon Vid. Jenkins farewell Serm. The character of a Lecturer
CABALA OR AN Impartial Account OF THE NON-CONFORMISTS Private Designs Actings and Wayes From August 24. 1662. to December 25. in the same Year LONDON Printed in the Year MDCLXIII THE CABBULA OR AN HISTORY OF THE NON-CONFORMISTS From Aug. 24. 1662. to this present May 1663. April 6. 1663. At a Close-Committee of the well-affected and ejected Ministers It was Ordered THat whereas Baronius hath written Martirologies for the Christians under the first ten Persecutions and whereas Bonsarchius hath written a Catalogue of such faithful Witnesses as suffered for the Testimony of Jesus as hath Illyricus c. Whereas the persecuted Waldenses Bohemians and other faithful ones have their history And whereas Mr. Fox that good man hath written the sufferings of such as held the Word of God patiently under that great Tryal in Queen Maries daies and worthy Mr. Clark hath added to that a famous Martirology of those such as suffered since in France Ireland and England especially of sundry eminent men that suffered under the late Bishops as we do now and that eminent Patriot Mr. Prynne hath taken great pains to publish his own and his Brethrens sufferings in those elaborate pieces whereof the one is called the Tyranny of Lordly Prelacy and the other is called Canterburies Doom for the promotion of the Holy Cause the advancement of the Gospel the strengthening of the hand of those that are weak the convincing of gain-sayers Mr. Clark Mr. Vicars and Mr. P. be desired to exercise their gift of History in a faithful relation of what hath happened among them that are faithful from the 24 day of August 1662. to this present time G. Griffith Ph. Nie Jo. Goodwyn Ri. Venning in the name of the whole Committee An additional Order April 6. in the afternoon by the same Committee Whereas Josephus hath given several rules for a true Historian as that he should conceal no truth out of fear nor utter no falshood out of favour It is ordered 1. That our Historians be wholly guided by Mr. Poole Mr. Addersley Mr. Brooks and the rest of the Committee for that purpose appointed and that they vary nothing from the sense of the Brethren 2. That an officious Lye may be allowable for the advancement of the Holy Cause 3. That the infirmities of some weak Brethren under this great Tryal may be passed by with that charity that covereth a multitude 4. That the Books of Wonders the antipathy of Lordly Prelacy the holy Martyrs the century of scandalous Ministers Wilsous History bloud crying under the Altar and all those godly books that carried on the cause twenty years ago be consulted by the Historians 5. That when there is an holy Cheat to be expressed let it be told in Scripture phrase let the Cause of God be expressed in the Word of God 6. That Mr. Clark be sent to the Baudy Courts to search Records and see what Brethren and Sisters have done penance this last year of persecution 7. That the heathenish names of moneths days c be reformed throughout the History T. Goodwyn Jo. Brice W. Bridges Ed. North. The twentieth of the sixth moneth commonly called August it was ordered That there should be Letters sent to the Churches and the several Pastors thereof to incourage them to be stedfast and unmoveable that they be not soon shaken in mind or troubled neither by word nor by letter and that Mr. Mantou Mr. Jacomb Mr. Poole and Mr. Lye draw that Letter The 21 of the sixth moneth commonly called August the foresaid Letter was read by Adoniram Bifield to this effect Brethren and Beloved in the Lord IT was much upon our spirit to have setled a Communion between us and the Churches of Christ through out the Land especially against the time of Persecution that is now approaching and as an earnest of that Communion we unanimously agreed upon these Letters whereby you are given to understand that our good L. H. C. our Lord A. R. S. H. M. at Court whom we waited upon with your great sense of their favour to and care of the Holy Cause and the twenty thousand pound you presented them with and our good Brother the E. N. together with our good friends the Catholiques have perswaded us that it was our interest to give way to the Act of Vniformity in Parliament where our opposition did but exasperate our Adversaries to a greater severity then they were inclined to and stand against it every man of us in our places that we and the world may know our strength and power not doubting but that our considerable number and interest which will appear by the publick and general dissent to that Vniformity enjoyned may gain us an indulgence that will vacate and make void all former Laws and being confident of his Majesties promise from Breda for Liberty to tender Consciences and withall of that clemency and mercy which we wrought upon in his Father not forgetting that we can make it appear to his Majesty that there are not Miuisters to supply our places and in the mean time in our Petition for peace and our account of the accommodation endeavoured at the Savoy we shall satisfie the people that offered all that we can for Peace and Liberty to exercise our Ministry for the salvation of their souls and that if we be torn away from our Beloved Flocks its long of unreasonable men By these and other attempts we doubt not but to prevail with his Majesty and his Councel to dispence with the said Act and with the Parliament in the next Session of it by that time we have incensed the Gentry and Commonalty against the Bishops to grant such an Indulgence as may in effect repeal it Therefore Brethren as we pray the God of all Grace to settle strengthen and establish you so we beseech you to stand fast in the Faith and not to be moved from the hope of the Gospel to be faithful to your principles and stedfast in your Covenant Cast not away your confidence which hath great recompence of reward for ye have need of patience for yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry now the just shall live by Faith but if any man draw back our souls shall have no pleasure in him But we are not of them that draw back to Perdition Brethren farewell in the Lord. Copia Vera. Ja. Robotham Adoniram Bifield The 22 of the sixth moneth by the people called August it was ordered That Mr. Lewis Mr. Bifield Mr. Hickman Mr. Evans Mr. Eilis Mr. Conyers be sent with these Letters as Messengers to the several Churches with instructions how to settle that correspondence and communion that may maintain a good understanding during the time of persecution As 1. That there be an account taken in each County of all the faithful Ministers that can suffer rather then sin what their abilities are how useful they may be in the present exigent according to their several capacities and
have done they may be through Reformers Brother Calamy brother Ash had not we become all things to all men we had gained none In the Episcopal times we were Episcopal that we might gain the Episcopal men in the Presbyterian times we were Presbyterians that we might gain and rule over the Presbyters and in the times of Anarchy we were moderate that we might gain them that pretended to moderation You shall see saith Tho. Goodwyn the power of Godlinesse root up and swallow all Forms you shall see the Formalities and Ceremonies of the Prelatists flee and vanish before the Spirit the life and the power that is hid in a few faithful ones You know the Church is sometimes compared to an Oak whose substance is in her i. e. whose heart and pith is found though its outside may seem to fade and decay the outside of Professors may look dead formal and ceremonious by compliance in the outward Dispensatiâ—ns with the Laws of the place they live in yet the root of the matter may be in them there may be that inward spirit and life that upon opportunity may devoure all form and ceremony Verily saith Mr. Wild I think these young men may be dispensed with upon the same terms that Pope Sextus Quintus dispensed with the Catholicks here in England in the beginning of Queen Elizabeths reign mi fili da mihi cor tuum O ye young man ye may give the Prelatists your hands but give us your hearts Brethren saith Philip Nie it is necessary we leave some in the Ministry i. e. to make a division among the ministry and the people that the people may have honest men to follow under which pretence they may leave the Church of England and Ministers It were very well Mr. Meriton did conform at Martins in the Field to propagate the truth at the Court among the choicest Nobility and Gentry Mr. Venning hath done a great deal of service at Olaves which one Maggot may undo unlesse young Meriton notwithstanding he hath prayed and cried and preached against these times succeed him and hold those people in play with his short Sententia pueriles Jingles and quibbles It were well Mr. Glendon Parker Phillips c. did conform that they may go to law quarrel with and vex all the Episcopal men in England Mr. West would do well to stay in to instruct all the young men of his acquaintance that are turned out of Oxford to follow the Lord fully and to be faithful to the end Mr. Bucke my Lord Bradshaw's Chaplain and Mr. Hibbard having been faithful upon all occasions I think may be trusted with the Common-prayer But saith honest Doctor Bates how can they in conscience read the Common-prayer Alas said Mr Nie that may be done by Readers and Curates and when they are enjoyned to read it they may read it as they do Briess or some other impertinent things in the Church And it will be no mean service to our Cause to have the service-booking by the slight reading of it Mr. Lye said that in vain do we provide for one or two places when all the rest were taken up by Episcopal Divines Mr. Manton replied never fear that you know the Episcopal Divines will preach but once a day and if the good people will have an Afternoon-Lecture they must pay for it and therefore in reason they must choose and you know they will be directed by us in their choice so that the Afternoon and Weekly-Lectures shall be as effectually and powerfully performed as formerly But the wicked will call that engrossing of Lectures saith Mr. Dolittle as Pluralities Yea saith Mr. Greenhill Mr. Griffith that one man of six places and Mr. Manton that had eight places at once God seeth no iniquity in Jacob he observeth no perversenesse in Israel these are the spots of Gods children We ask only against Pluralities of Parsonages a man may have as many Lectures as they say Doctor Downes hath Lectures and Coracies and they say he hath twelve or as Mr. Hardy hath Preferments and they say he hath nine or as Doctor Pory who hath as is reported of him how truly let others answer for it sixteen places at least Verily and in good sooth say both Mr. Meritons we desire no more then three Lectures apiece with our Parsonages and a private Living in the Countrey that no body heareth of Committee Take you no further care all the Lectures in Town shall be furnished with confiding and well-affected persons 25. of the 6th moneth 1663. It was agreed upon That now his Majestie saw the inclination of the people by the late tumults he should be petitioned in the behalf of the faithful Ministers to this effect May it please your most excellent Majesty WHereas we are many and our party very considerable for their Interest with God and Men as you wou'd enjoy peace and tranquillity in your Kingdomes or any quist in your Throne we must intreat you to let us do what we please and to set no Law or Government over us for we cannot endure them and upon condition we have what we desire your Petitioners shall pray for you Ed. Calamy Laz Seaman W. Spurstow Mattth Newcomen Jo. Brice Jo. Owen Tho. Goodwyn H. Wilkinson W. Cooper The first of the seventh moneth Upon the Report of his Majesties resolved Answer it was agreed upon that the monethly Fast be revived and that at each Fast there be six appointed to carry on the work of the day whereof the first is to confesse their apostacy to the Royal Party who they knew would deceive them and their folly in trusting in the arm of flesh viz. my Lord Monke my Lord Chamberlain my Lord Chancellor c. 2. The second is to pour out Supplications to God to turn the Kings heart and to overthrow the counsels of the men of this generation 3. The third is to pray for a blessing upon the several Councels that are managed for the advancement of Religion and the good old Cause 4. The fourth is to be wail the neglect of the many opportunities put into their hands to make all sure and to intreat the Lord to trust them with the Sword once more and to unite all those that fear the Lord into one body against the common Enemy that now prevaileth 5. The fifth is to strengthen the weak against Popery 6. The sixth is to gather up all the Intelligence and thence to observe such providence as tend towards a deliverance especially that of wonders miracles apparitions and conjunctions that portend so much alteration in the Christian world At the same time it was ordered That there should not meet above twenty at a time in a meeting therefore Mr. Jacomb was very much blamed for entertaining above two hundred the other day at the Countesse of Exeters and that the number met have their table laid ready that if any surprize them they may say they only go to dinner or supper and it was thought
Rulers Wives and honourable Women administring unto them of their substance this was the way that was taken by the first Reformers in 39 and 40 of blessed memory The same day came an Express by Mr. Bagshaw from Ireland concerning their resolution there to promote a Reformation according to the Covenant and a government bottomed upon English Interest as to which great affair they did not doubt of their brethren in England and Scotland concurrence with them with their advice interest money and correspondence in all other necessary particulars particularly whether they should admit of those forreign supplies offered them for the relief of Ireland by a Letter from Rome to this effect X. X. X. Dearly beloved in one common cause IT is no little grief to us to hear how you are relapsed to your former state of slavery and bondage and that your great design of Liberty of Conscience wherein you had our prayers and best assistance failed you to the great grief of many of our and your way who are like now to feel one common persecution and we may say in one common cause viz. the power of the Magistrate in religious causes or over religious persons which we and you equally deny if you have any remainder of your former courage and noblenesse and if you entertain any honourable thoughts for your rescue and you may think we or our Allies may serve you impart the same we intreat you to Seignior Bellarini a person of ability and faithfulnesse whom we intrust with full power to treat with you in that particular X. X. Fr. d. Gomora S. S. C. Ec. S. P. R. Verily said Mr. Jackson I see so little hope of successe so few Armes so little money so few friends that I am not clear in it that they have a call from God to this work at this time and in good sooth I alwayes thought some hope of successe the only call of God Nay said Mr. Watson it is not the good successe we must look to but the good Cause However said Mr. Baxter a good cause cannot be managed successfully by ill means Do you not know that Popish assistance blasted all the late Kings undertakings what communion hath Christ with Belial Verily saith Mr. Rutherford we may make use of the wicked as the Israelites did of the Gibeonites to how wood and to draw water for the Cause Esau may serve Jacob besides that they indeed of Rome are well affected to our cause we are for Liberty of Conscience so are they we would restrain the overgreat power of Kings so would they they would have the Kings accountable for their actions so would we they are for an Irish Interest we are for an English one both is one the priviledge of the subject the interest of the People Whereupon it was left to the Irish Commissioners discretion whether they would treat with the Seignior any further or no. And it was further thought fit that the plot should be discovered and that impertinent thing my friend Bagshaw should be secured for indeed the whole design looked only like a trepan upon the holy Cause and a surprize upon the brethren September 21. This day was a full Assembly it being a day of fasting and humiliation and seeking the Lord for a right way in the present distresse and exigence Mr. Nye Dr. Goodwyn Mr. Th. Owen praying Mr. Slater Mr. Griffith and Mr. Seaman preaching Hereupon it was the day following considered where lay the treasure and trade of the Nation and a Committee to that purpose appointed having taken a view of both returned this account viz. That of thirteen millions and a half which is supposed the current stock and treasure of the Nation we are masters of seven millions and a half and above which being taken up and carried to forreign parts must stop the trade here and engage this sinful Nation in need discontent and trouble And withall it was offered by the same Committee that they that had any Interest in Ireland would repair thither or resign it to such active and publick spirits as were qualified for the management of a common Interest And withall it was offered that there might be at least a present accommodation of all the persecuted Interests and that all differences apart all be owned as brethren that are spirited for an English and a Christian Liberty The same Committee offered that an Envoy be dispatched to Mounsieur Coirt to expedite the bargain of Dunkirk and in case the Christian King should think it too dear to assure him that there are some Christian friends here that will advance 45620 li. provided they may have Liberty of Conscience there in case of persecution here and to that purpose they added That our honourable Friend should promote the said bargain at Court Not long after Dr. Manton and Dr. Jacomb reported that they had it from some very good Christian Friends that it pleased God upon the news of Liberty of Trade and Religion allowed by the most Christian King of France to move the Kings heart which is in Gods hand as a River of water to think of a gracious Declaration about Liberty of Religion and Trade Whereupon the thanks of the Assembly was returned to the Committee for transportion of tender Consciences to Dunkirk New England Amsterdam c. And the fifth of November was observed as a Thanksgiving-day for a door of hope opened in his Majesties gracious Inclination When Mr. Fouler enlarged upon this subject And the fear of them came upon all the people And Dr. Goodwyn upon this And be reproved Kings for their sakes saying Touch not mine anointed ones i. e. as he well opened it my people And Dr. Owen on this Stand fast in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free Dr. Jacomb scrupled that the fifth of November should be a Thanksgiving-day for toleration of Popery and all other Religions You are very dark saith Dr. Owen as to the language of the present Dispensation which seems to speak nothinglesse then a most absolute deliverance from Antichristian slavery Yes said Mr. Brooks Old things are passed away and all things are become new It may be saith Mr. Caryl this was done that we may say no more the Lord liveth which delivered us from the usurpation of Rome but the Lord liveth which hath delivered us from tyranny and oppression of our own Laws Really said Mr. Bates we have great respects and kindness from my Lord Digly and as we are beholding to him for that passage of his against this Church which we quoted from his Letter to Sir K. Digby in the latter end of our jus divinum ministerii so we are obliged to him for the excellent Reasons for Christian Liberty he hath offered in our behalf and our brethren the Catholicks not long ago in a very solemn Assembly A while after it was judged convenient that some persons of integrity that attend at Court should look into the bottom of that affair and see whether
how all good people that have an interest therein should be affected therewith it being the great interest of the good people to keep the thoughts of the departure of the Gospel warm upon the spirits and consciences of believers conscience being the strongest tie upon reasonable souls in the world It was withall agreed that two active persons should observe all the failings of State and report them to a Committee appointed to improve and agravate them as might most conduce to the good old Cause especially by engaging the people in conscience against the government and in passion against the Governours and in contempt against both and keep this worm upon their hearts that the cause is Gods The fourth of the eighth moneth It being represented that there was some miscarriage in Mr. Carly's meeting so that the persecutors had them before Governour and imprisoned them It was agreed 1. Hereafter that there should be no private meeting of the brethren upon any time of publick meetings 2. That not above twelve should meet together 3. That their meetings should be in Dining-rooms where the Tables should be set so that if any body came they were only there refreshing themselves with the good creature 4. That the meetings should be as often as may be in some Officers house who by his place may not be suspected and if discovered may lay it upon his Wife 5. That at most meetings there may be a Sacrament which may be an obligation to secrecy and faithfulness 6. That the meeting consist of these exercises 1. That there be an account of all transactions since the last meeting 2. That there be a prayer poured forth suitable to the dispensation 3. That a Scripture may be opened that may speak to the present providence 4. That every brother may open his doubt and scruple to be resolved by the brethren if it be possible if not to be reserved for the great Congregation 5. That after due refreshment of our selves we forget not the afflictions of Joseph but send portions to the poor distressed Ministers and people for it was very well observed by Mr. Seaman that the King and Church have lost most of their friends by neglecting to make a competent provision for them for it is Interest saith he that governeth the world the greatest prop to our Cause was our care of disposing places and Delinquents Lands to the well affected where by a hundred thousand families were engaged to live and die with us October 17. A bill was brought in of some well-affected persons that would go through all the Qualifications to be prescribed by King or Parliament to promote the honest Interest in their several capacities as Common-councel men and other Officers of the City provided alwayes that upon any scruple they repair to Father Calamy and father Clarke to be resolved and the bill was brought to be registred to father Clarke that in his next Volume of Martyrology he may record them as the great Patriots of their Country friends to the holy Cause and restorers of paths to dwell in But said Deputy Ash What if all Officers for the ensuing year must renounce the Covenant Alas saith Mr. Nye have not we all renounced it long ago have not we all taken the Engagement and was not the Engagement a renunciation of the Covenant Beloved did not the long Parliament the famous long Parliament that were I am sure at the making of the Covenant and knew sure as well as anybody how far it did bind us lay it aside as an Almanack out of date an beloved said he you must do more for the Cause then renounce a Covenant that hath been this many a day out of date October 17. It was moved by some well affected Citizens that did lye lyable to the Bishops that some confiding Lawyers were consulted about their power whether in all cases they might not escape them by appealing to the Common Law where the whole Cause will fall to the ground for want of prosecutors and how far Church wardens might act without the necessity of taking an Oath and what power they had in Vestries and other Parish matters without their Minister that they might understand what advantages they have in their places for promoting the discountenanced Interest of the Lord and his servants and whore a man might get in with some Officers under whose wings they may safely serve their Friends and the good old Cause The same day Mr. Baxter offered seventeen Considerations touching the conveniency of More-fields Islington Hackney c. for habitations to the ejected Ministers and withall produced the history of Philip Nerius father of the Oratorians among whom it was agreed that the zealous Christians should meet a-dayes in St. Jeromes Oratory and there a religious meeting should be held after this manner first silence being made they began with Prayer and one of the brothers read some pious Lessons at the reading of which the Father used to interpose upon occasion explaining more fully enlarging and vehemently inculcating on the minds of the Auditors the things read continuing his discourse sometimes a whole hour to the great satisfaction of the hearers dialogue-wise asking some of the company their opinions of such a thing afterward by his appointment one of them went up into the Desk raised upon steps and made an Oration without flourish or varnish of Language composed out of the approved and choice lives of Saints sacred Writ and sentences of holy Fathers he that succeeded him discoursed after the same manner but on a differing matter then followed the third who related some part of the Church story in the order of its several ages every of these had his half hour allotted to him and performed all with marvellous delight and approbation then singing some Hymne and going to prayers again the company broke up Which way together with some additions of his own sutable to the present occasion he offered to their consideration The eighteenth of the eighth moneth A confiding Lawyer brought word that notwithstanding the Act for Uniformity there was Liberty left yet for the suffering brethren to undertake the most advantageous employment to them and their Cause viz. teaching of School which said he may be done thus an inconsiderate person that hath conformed may be hired to take care of a School in a brothers house and the brother under the notion of boarding may instruct them himself in all parts of learning and godliness All applanded this motion not only as a present provision for their persons but a likely advantage to their Cause Which if we cannot said Mr. Nie promote in our time yet by this meanes it may be restored in the next generation they that are Masters of the children in this age may be Masters of the men in the next Having given order for translating the Farewell-Sermons into Dutch for the propagation of the Gospel among the reformed Churches and the keeping up of the dying cause in the world