of this time As also a Particular Narration of divers Stories speciall Passages Letters an Extract of some Letters all concerning the present SECTS Together with some COROLLARIES from all the fore-named premisses A REPLY to the most materiall exceptions made by Mr Saltmarsh Mr. Walwyn and Cretensis against Mr. Edwards late Book entituled GANGRAENA As also brief Animadversions upon some late Pamphlets one of Mr. Bacons another of Thomas Webs a third of a Picture made in disgrace of the PRESBYTERIANS A Relation of a Monster lately born at Colchester of Parents who are Sectaries The Copie of an HYMNE sung by some Sectaries in stead of DAVIDS Psalms By THOMAS EDVVARDS Minister of the Gospel Beware of false Prophets which come to you in Sheeps clothing but inwardly they are ravening Wolves ye shall know them by their fruits Matth. 7. v. 15 16. But shun prophane and vain bablings for they will increase to more ungodlinesse And their word will eat as doth a Gangrene of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus 2 Tim. 1.16 17 But evill men and seducers shall waxe worse and worse deceiving and being deceived 2 Tim. 3.13 LONDON Printed by T. R. and E. M. for Ralph Smith at the sign of the Bible in Cornhill near the Royall Exchange 1646. Reader THou art presented with the Second Part of Gangraena declaring some other not infirmities of the Saints as some men speak but abominations of men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the Faith and a vindication of those few particulars of the former Treatise which were excepted against The Author hath proceeded in this Labour not to please himself what pleasure can it be to rake in a Dunghill but to preserve thee The discovery of Errours is by the blessing of God the prevention of them in which regard the Labours of Epiphanius Augustine Philastrius Theodoret of old of Calvin Danus and others of late published for this end have been and are of great esteem in the Church of God And I make no question but these Labours of this Author as they now find acceptance with judicious and godly Christians so also in future times will out-live the calumnies by Sectaries cast upon them and our posterity will admire what is by us undervalued Let not clamours of men who call light darknesse and darknesse light discourage thee from reading it doth not mee from approving that this Treatise be imprinted Imprimatur JAMES CRANFORD TO THE CHRISTIAN READER Good Reader T Is my lot so divine Providence is pleased to order it that in my conflicts for Truth and against Error I should not enter the field and fight single combats but encounter with many My Antapologia was an Answer unto five men esteemed Gyants by many of these times who though they were five to one yet by the good hand of God that was with mee in that work I keep the field till this day neither they nor any for them notwithstanding all the great threats given out having yet engaged against mee in that cause Now in this present booke consisting partly of a Reply I have to do with Three a three-headed Cerberus the three-bodied monster Geryon The Apologists were fair smooth men in comparison of these their voice was the voice of Jacob but these are hairy rough wilde red men especially Cretensis These are grown higher are gone farther and are more daring then the former and yet I doubt not but hee that then brought me off with safety and honour too will also now stand by mee and having delivered mee from the lion and the bear these uncircumcised Philistims especially Goliah Goodwin shall be as one of them Whilest I was making this Reply had even finished it striking off this three-headed Cerberus new heads of that monstrous Hydra of Sectarism sprung up which the Reader shall also find have their deaths wound too in this present Book and yet after all these heads cut off I expect a great red Dragon having seven heads and seven horne and seven crowns upon his heads but let as many Sectaries come forth as will I shall sing with David Psal. 27.3 Though an Host should encamp against me my heart shall not fear And besides my Reply to the Answers made against my Book entituled Gangraena the Reader shall find in this Book more work for the Sectaries the Second Part of Gangraena a Discovery of more Errours Heresies Blasphemies and Proceedings of the Sectaries wherein I have not only laid down many Errours Heresies and Proceedings of the Sectaries not touched before but some greater stranger higher Heresies and Blasphemies and some that are more against the second Table and destructive to the civill Lawes and peace of Kingdoms which Sectaries in their pleading for Tolerations seem to exempt out of the number of Errours to be tolerated yea I desire the Reader to take notice there are some things spoken of in this present Book some Blasphemies c. done by Sectaries that the like or worse are not to he found in any age since the coming of Christ nay I think not since the Creation of the world as that Blasphemy of one John Boggis Now that the Reader may the more profit by this work and not stumble in the Entrance I shall premise three things whereby to remove a few prejudices that may be in the minds of some men both against the matter and manner of this Book 1 T is objected The bringing upon the stage matters of fact and the practices of some men against a way is not a right course to convince a way to be naught nor the followers of it of their errours Arguments and Reasons are the way to satisfie men Answ. I have spoken to this objection in the first part of Gangraena pag. 76. and the Reader may find more said to it in this second part pag. 79 80. And therefore that which I shall say here is this Such discoveries as these are a more sensible practicall way of confutation of the Sectaries to the body of the people of the Kingdome then so many syllogismes and arguments they can understand these when they cannot perceive an argument and Christ himselfe in speaking against false prophets saith By their fruits you shall know them Doe men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles c. And the Apostles in their speaking against the Hereticks and heresies of their times confuted them thus by their practices and wayes Whosoeverdoes but observe the passages in the Epistles of Peter Jude Paul shall finde this true And whereas t is said by some of them if they would do so by the Presbyterians they could show as many Errours held by some Presbyterians and as bad practises c. and so recriminate I answer suppose they could 1. Yet there 's not the same reason in divers respects but I will only give one instance namely this difference The Anabaptists Independents c. have their Church way and government up they
he will be another David George Francken Socinus and be canonized for a Saint amongst those of Munster Raeâ—conia c. Quest. But it may be demanded by some What 's the matter and what are the causes that such venomour ranâ—â—rous Books as Mr. Goodwins Cretensis c. are printed and so many hard speeches in City and Countrey daily uttered against Master Edwards and his late Book intituled Gangraena is it not a Book full of Lyes nothing but Lyes is it not a Book full of venom and malice against the Saints and faithful Servants of God calling for fire and sword against the Saints Ans. 'T is a Book full of truth as will appear in the Replyes I give to the particular exceptions made against it and have in part cleared already and a Book of so much truth that I believe no Book written this hundred years having so much variety and particularity in it will be found to have more and for the proof of the truth and reality of the Errors c. contained in it I have expressed my self at large as foreseeing the Sectaries would call it a Book of Lyes in my Gangraena pag. 5 6 7 8. and as 't is not a Book of Lyes so neither of bitternesse nor of speaking evil of the Saints but a Book free from railing evil speaking against the Saints and Servants of God which at large in twelve several particulars in my full Reply coming after this Book I shew But no judicious Christian need wonder at it that the Sectaries generally give out so for they have nothing else left to say for themselves and to help their desperate cause so much discovered and wounded as 't is by Gangraena and what do they do in this case but as the Jesuits and Papists did by Mr. Foxes Book of Martyrs give out it was a Book of Lyes and writ Books to disprove some matters of fact taking advantage from some mistakes in circumstances about names places and such like to cry it down and yet all the Protestants know it was full of truths and is of precious esteem in the Church of God Just so do the Sectaries now by my Book and many of them that they might possesse the people the more against it and make that imputation That 't is full of Lyes gain credit with the people have invented many Lyes and Stories which they formally tell up and down the City and Countrey for certain and I can produce several witnesses to prove this namely Ministers and others who have come to me and to others to know the truth of them as that some of the Independent Ministers have been with me Mr. G. Mr. B. and have convinced me of some Lyes in my Book as that same of the Souldiers out of the Army have been with me about the story of Mr. Andrews and proved it false to me as that one whom I name in my Book and speak of as having some relation from the mans own mouth coming to me about it I confessed I knew him not nor never saw him before with some other such all which are meer lyes and fictions of the Sectaries so wicked and cunning are they in their generation to uphold their tottering Babel to prejudice Christians from reading and considering my Book But good Reader however falshood and slandering of men is pretended the great cause of speaking so against me and my Book the true cause of all the hatred is because there is so much truth in it Many men who answer nothing to it and others who have appeared in writing to disprove the truth know themselves and others too guilty and that in other passages where they are not named and know that I know and can prove it and that vexes them to the heart but were it indeed as many of them against their consciences give out a Book of Lyes they would not be so mad at it but I should before this time a day by some of my good Friends the Sectaries have heard of them after another manner and iâ— another place then yet I have done But in a word I apprehend these three following Reasons as principal causes both in Cretensis and others of their appearing against me in so much wrath fury and rage 1. A Vial is poured out upon the Sun the glory of their prime men is darkned both by the Antapology and Gangraena they who made themselves as the Sun in the Firmament of the Church are found by these Books not only to be as the Moon full of spots subject to like weaknesse as other men but to be in the Ecclipse fuller of blots then others yea their Sun is turned into darknesse and their Moon inâ—o blood and they who would have been thought to have been the only Saints nay Angels dropt from Heaven with new Gospel new Light and new Revelations do evidently appear by what I have written to all men who have not sacrificed the principles of their ingenuity upon the gainful service of the Independent Faction to be strange kinde of Saints if Saints The best of them appear to be spots in the profession of Religion but for many among them who yet are cried up to the Heavens they have corrupted themselves their spot is not the spot of his children they are a perverse and crooked generation Now they being men proud high-minded impatient of any check and contradiction in their way who thought alone to have had the repute among the people for sanctity holinesse and to have been Idolized by them and the contrary being so clearly demonstrated by many particular instances and proofs given in my Books no wonder that they are so mad and rage against me and finding their Kingdom full of darknesse that they gnaw their tongues for pain 2. By my Books especially Gangraena many Sectaries being so discovered by name and places of abode laid open in several of their opinions and ways will not be able for the future to do so much hurt and mischief among the people their Sheeps skins are by this pull'd over the Wolves ears and many will now shun and be afraid of them who before knew them not and this disappointment of infecting and corrupting others vexes and mads them to the heart 3. Their way and design must needs suffer much by this last Book in the esteem of all the Churches and all the godly persons who are unprejudiced yea and of all fair ingenuous men who before many at least not knowing the depths of Satan might think well of them whereas now many of them upon reading my Book have lifted up their hands and blest themselves to think what kinde of Creatures these Sectaries are saying If Independents and Anabaptists be such kinde of men do such things as this Book shews God keep us from being such we had some good opinion of their way but if they be such Merchants and have such tricks and wayes as Mr. Edwards layes down we will be none of them
Schismes earnestly praying to God that none of the things which You and we have cause to fear may come upon You and the Kingdom but that God would mercyfully pardon that too great suffering countenancing spreading and prevailing of Errours Heresies and Schismes which hath been in this Kingdom these four last years and would fil you with such a love and zeal to his truth and house that you might throrowly purge out all things that offend and cause the false Prophets and the unclean spirits to passe out of the land speedily and effectually lay the top-stone upon the building the foundation whereof you have laid long ago fully settle this Church and the Government of it Whereby we may be brought into one and become terrible as an Army with banners and like a strong and fenced City both against schismes that may arise from within and the assaults of enemies without Your Honours humble and most devoted servant THOMAS EDVVARDS The Preface IN the last week of Iune or the first of Iuly 1644 in one of those two weeks I am certaine came forth my Answer entituled Antapologia to the Apologâ—ticall Narration Ever since which time I have forborne the Presse out of an expectation of a Reply which was with great confidence by many of the Independent party at severall times given out I should have with much patience passing by the many reproachfull scornfull speeches and railings both in publike Sermons and printed Pamphlets and many other waies cast upon me and my Antapologie I was not willing to be provoked or to trouble my self at the barking of every dogge who according to kinde did bark at the Moon that 's all but not hurt it could scoffe and jeer at the Antapologie but knew not which way to go about to answer it but rather resolved to reserve my time and strength for some learned and solid Reply from the Apologists or any other for them to which I might have given a Rejoynder But now eighteen Moneths being almost expired since the Antapologie came abroad into the world time sufficient for five such eminent persons or some other to have retuâ—ned an Answer in if ever they intended it and now being without all hopes of any Reply from them there being none in the Presse as I can learn but rather 't is given out by the Apologists themselves and their neerest friends that for peace â—ake they forbeare it which let them beleeve it that will I do not I shall waite no longer but am reâ—olved to appear again in publike against the errours of the time and to set forth Tractares and Discourses upon such Subjects and Points as I conceive may make most for the glory of God the peace of this Church and be most seasonable for the present necessity be opus dies in die suo I have all this while out of choise and upon serious deliberation declined the setting forth any Tractate of the Controversies of the time although I have been by Learned men oft call'd upon yea earnestly follicited thereunto left the Apologists or some other for them should have taken occasion by answering that to have some cloak and excuse for not replying to my Aâ—tapologie but having given all this time and finding by experience all their great words and threats of an Answer both in print by Mr Iohn Goodwin yea the Apologists themselves in the Assembly and many of their disciples to be but meer flourishes and great swelling words of vanity on purpose to feed their deluded Proselytes for the present who called upon them for an Answer I shall now finde them more work and adde many other Treatises to the former And however upon the Reason before specified I have been thus long silent and discontinued the Presse yet for hereafter I do give it under my hand that I will make amends and redeem the time because the dayes are evill promising the grace of God enabling me and sparing me life health and liberty that for this next year or longer as the troubles of the Church may continue to be often setting forth one Tractate or other I aime at and shall endeavour to be like that tree spoken of in the Revelation to yeeld fruit every moneth and that the leaves of the tree may be for the healing of these Nations Now to give some account to the Reader of the nature of this following Discourse and of my scope therein This present Treatise is not so much against any one errour and sect as against all I have heard of a Discovery of and Directions against that many headed monstrous Hydra of sectarisme sprung up in these times in Eâ—gland a worke and undertaking which I well know and expect will cause me all the hatred envy and danger which the cunning malice power or blinde zeal of all the sectaries in England can procure Paul speaks in his Epistles to the Corinthians among other troubles of his fighting with beasts at Ephesus after the manner of mâ—n 1. Cor. 15.32 and of a messenger of Satan sent to buffet him 2. Cor. cap. 12. which were none of the least dangers and sufferings he met withall as will appear both by looking into the texts themselves and consulting some learned Divines upon those Scriptures Now in this present work and some other following Tractates something like to these I have to conflict with namely wilde beasts grievous wolves as the Scripture calls hereticks and false Prophets Mat. 7.15 Acts 20.29 and with messengers of Satan false Apostles transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ 2. Cor. 12.13 and 't is never the lesse hazardous nor difficult that they are wolves in sheeps cloathing and Satan transformed into an Angell of light Now for me a poor weak sinfull man who have no armes of flesh to back me none of those relations to the great Noble and mighty of the times which many have in an age and time when truth is fallen but heresie and errour prevails in all places cried up as new light and as new truth yeâ— sectarisme is set up in places of honour and profit and sectaries are delivered to appear in open field against and to contend with them is a hard and dangerous service But I know whom I serve and he who is with me is stronger then they who are against me and in this cause of God his truth and all the reformed Churches I fear not what man can do unto me I well understand that I put my hand into a Hornets nest and shall raise up against me all the spirit of separation schisme and errour thorowout the Kingdome from the highest Seeker to the lowest Independent but I value it not jacta est alea as Luther spake upon a like occasion I can comfort my selfe with that of David Psal. 118.12 They compassed not about like Bees they are quenched as the fire of thorns but in the Name of the Lord I will cut them off That God which delivered Paul from
abroad vehemently opposed and yet for all these he went on in his work like another Paul and Athanasius with undaunted resolutions and pains upon occasion he spake thus of his hard usage and ill requitall Certainly if I had served men I had made a bad bargain but 't is well that I have served him who alwayes payes his servants that which he once promised them And 't is enough that I live and die to Christ who is gain to his in life and death Calvin was so hatefull that some named their dogs Calvin others changed Calvin into Cain many out of hatred of him did professe they kept away from the Lords Supper Now for the first of these namely reproaches scorns c. I do certainly expect and prepare for the disciple is not above his Master nor the servant above his Lord it is enough for the disciple that hee be as his Master Matth. 10.24 25. And what am I better then those learned Fathers Augustine Athanasius and those first Reformers Luther Zuinglius Calvin 'T is honour enough for me to be somewhat like to them in sufferings I have had some experience of the Sectaries malice hatred rage upon my former Books and Sermons that I have preached and therefore know that this and other Tractates will inflame them I am in my conscience fully perswaded that this Tractate is at this time both seasonable and usefull in many respects ' yea necessary and that for all sorts of men Magistrates Ministers people both those that stand and those that are fallen yea the very Sectaries themselves and in justice and all reason I might expect thanks and kind acceptance of my labour and pains But I look that the Sectaries of all sorts will storm and cast out of their mouthes floads of calumnies reproaches both against my selfe and book besides all other wayes doe mee all the mischiefe they can and dare yea I fear that too many Brethren partly through their relations to many Sectaries and through that lukewarm tempeâ— in reference to errours of minde that hath long possessed them who think every one too-hot that appears against the Sects will not so cordially approve this work I can truely say that in my former Books and Lectures I have been too much deserted and not received those incouragements which many have done from Brethren upon like occasions but none of these things move mee not the losse of good name not the unkind deserting of friends neither count I my life dear to my self so I may finish my course and the ministry which I have received to testifie the Gospel and the truth of God against the errours of the time And as I know persecutions and afflictions abide mee in this way so it shall be my prayer and endeavour to follow the example of Christ and those servants of his before named and had I not long since set down and counted my cost giving up my name to God to take care of it and my face to the smiters I should not have thus appeared in writing and preaching but I have through the grace of Christ learned to account it an honour to suffer for truth and opposing errours as well from Sectaries as from Popish spirits in this matter of opposing the present errours I slight all the power malice and policie of all the Sectaries in the Kingdome And I am resolved by the grace of Christ which hath enabled mee hitherto to go on in a constant cheerfull opposing and writing against the errours I have determined with my selfe to fear nothing in this cause but to contemn all things yea the higher the errours arise and the more mighty they grow the more to rise up against them I value not my name nor my life if compared to the truth of Christ but shall take pleasure in reproaches necessities sufferings in such a time as this when few are valiant for the truth no gold shall bribe me nor preferments take me off no lack of supplies shall dishearten me I shall maintain this warfare at mine owne charges and this good cause cannot be starved for want of fees And whatever can happen to mee in this cause I shall rejoyce yea and will rejoyce as remembring those speeches of Christ Ioh. 18. To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world that I should bear witnesse to the truth Matth. 5.12 Rejoyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven A Catalogue of many of the ERROURS BLASPHEMIES and PRACTISES of the SECTARIES of the time with some OBSERVATIONS upon them NOw for this Treatise I refer it to three heads 1. I shall premise some particulars for the better understanding of the subject matter of this Book and right apprehending of what follows 2. I shall lay down a Catalogue of the Errours Blasphemies Practises of the Sectaries together with a particular Narration of sundry remarkable passages and some Letters concerning them 3. Give some Observations upon and draw some Corallaries from the whole matter In the first head I shall do two things First Lay down eight particulars for better satisfaction and direction about the errours c. Secondly Answer two Objections which may be as stones to stumble at in the entrance to the matter and cause a prejudice against the work The first thing I premise which I would have the Reader to take notice of is that this Catalogue of Errours Blasphemies Practises Letters is not of old Errours Opinions Practises of a former age dead and buried many yeers ago and now revived by this Discourse but a Catalogue of Errours now in being alive in these present times all of them vented and broached within these four yeers last past yea most of them within these two last yeers and lesse It should have been long enough before I would have raked up old Errours from the dead and hell I had much rather send them back from whence they came and that is my intent in their Discovery I approve well of that rule of Discipline in the French Churches that the Ministers should not in Sermons meddle with confuting of old Errours and of that of Amesius to Ministers That all Errour is not every where to be refuted For old Heresies that are buried are not to be digged up that they may be refuted but seeing these walk up and down in City and Country I may give warning of them Secondly This following Discovery is not only of present Errours which maybe now in 〈…〉 â—hen I would not have troubled the 〈…〉 in this Kingdom as will appear more fully in this Discourse Thirdly More specially in these places of England as London and the Counties adjacent in the Parliaments Quarters in their Armies and Garrison Towns not maintained by persons at Oxford c. for then it had not been so much to us but as the Prophet Ezekiel speaks of Ierusalem Exik 22.7.9 10 11 In thee in thee in thee oft repeated are
creature that doth much hurt by keeping under ground but it once above ground then 't is contemptible and easily taken Some of the Sectaries have been provoked enough to set down what they would have both by earnest intreaties from beyond seas and at home by commands in a kind by upbraidings for not doing it and yet to this day they cannot be brought to it and I judge 't is for these Reasons 1. Because they cannot well agree among themselves of any system or body 2. Because they know not how long they shall be of this mind nor how much further yet they may go 3. Because what they set downe may offend manie of their owne party and loosen all the rest of the sects from them 4. Because some Grandees and Persons of note who are gone further will not be well pleased at it 5 Because when once given under their hands and that after so long expectation it will be judged by all rationall men their utmost strength which if it should have answer upon answer as no doubt it will and the weaknesse of it discovered and laid bare they are lost among manie and will suffer exceedingly in the esteem of all intelligent unprejudiced men whereas now by being silent they bare the world in hand as if they had some great matter of strength manie before they speake and utter themselves are thought to bee wise and to have much in them who when they have once spoken are easily seene thorow 7. In their quoting Authours for them who are acknowledged for the main to be professedly against them and in their quoting pieces of Authours and not the whole leaving the latter part which would explain their meaning thus the Donatists did Cyprian and yet he was much against them as he professes and so Augustine complains of the Donatists integrus non allegarunt Scripturas thus the Author of Sions Prerogative Royall quotes many Presbyrians for severall things who professedly were of another way and one Mr. E. as the Reader may observe in an Extract of one of the printed Letters quotes the Churches of France Scotland c. for the Independent way who are knowne to be professedly against it and so the Author of The bounds of libertie of Consc. quotes the Leydenses Profess for him who professedly speak against it and in one sentence hee leaves out some three times words all of them belonging to one sentence which would shew the sense of those learned men to be against him as notorious a falsification as I think is to be found in any Papist and so Mr. Iohn Goodwin in his point of Justification quotes Calvin Bucer and others who are knowne ex professo to be of another judgement and hee quotes my Antapologie with other Authors to justifie his opinion when as I have professedly at large spoken against what he maintains and among other places which he peâ—verts I shall name one where he cites the former part of the sentenâ—e leaving out the latter which had hee but nameâ— would have been an evident conâ—uâ—ation oâ— him 〈◊〉 just with me as the Devill did by Christ Psal. 916. leaving out the last part to keep thee in all thy wayes 2 â—he Sectaries and the Jesuites agree in many things 1 As the Jesuites are ramous for sending out Emâ—â—laries into severall Countries to corrupt not contenâ—ing themselves to do mischiefe at home â—o do our Sectaries send forth their members into all Counties and places of this Kingdome they lay hand upon them and send them as a Church act to preach such and such errours to rebaptize c. 2 The Jesuites have their piae â—â—â—udes holy deceits for the propagating of their cause fictions made things to deceive the people so have our Sectaries many for the spreading of their partie 3 â—he Jesuites insinuating themselves get into 〈…〉 houses and acquaintance into gâ—eat Ladies and Geâ—â—lewomens and into Princes Courts and Houses and follow State matters meet to contrive and consult not preacâ—ing too much nor following their studies too hard so do many of our Sectaries gâ—t into acquaintance and favour with great Noblemen Parliament-men â—ellâ—cite follow them work by the great Ladies and Gentlewomen consult and deâ—ate of matters Civill c. 4 The Jesuites are full of equivocations 〈◊〉 reservations say one thing but meane another speak things in a sense of their own dâ—fferent from what it is in the common accepâ—ion so are our Sâ—ctaries 5 The Jesuites have alwayes one plot or other never give out are working active men if crossed in one then are trying in another and have many 〈◊〉 in the fire at once that if one do not take another may nothing discourages them but on they go so it is with the Sectaries of our tiâ—e active nimble men restlesse spirits never without plots and â—iâ—e designes with 〈◊〉 of many at once that if some mis-carrie yet others may bring forth 6 Thâ— Jesuites will work and act where they are not thought to be by others aâ—d by instruments unsuspected not appearing themselves but bringing about their ends in such a manner as a man would never dream of so our Sectaries will not appear themselves in many things when yet the hand of Ioab is all along but get their work done by others who also draw others to them 7 The Jesuits make all things give place to their designes to advance the Catholike cause and so they may compasse them they are not mannerly to stand upon tearms but will take any person out of the way who stands to hinder them use severall indirect means to effect what they have plotted run great ventures and hazards but they wilâ— go thorow so the Sâ—ctaries of our times are daring men will attempt tâ—Iâ—gs a wisâ— man would think they should be afrâ—id of will try to break any man or work him out that stands between them and home and do things though otherwise against their principles The Sectâ—ies and the Netherland Arminians agree 1 The Arminians at first flatterâ—d the Mâ—gâ—stâ—ateâ— declyning Synods and Ecclesiasticall Assâ—mblies all they could and still appealing to the Civill Magistrate crying up the power of the Civill Magistrate in Ecclesiasticalls ascribing to the Magistrate the ultimate and highest Jurisdiction and power of giving judgement in matters purely Ecclesiâ—â—ticall reasoning that to the Magistrate alone immediately under Christ did belong the judgement where controvâ—rsies of faith did arise in the Church and they aspensed the Orthodox Ministers for not giving so much of this the Reader may finde enough in Voetius and Vedelius so do our Sectaries all of them are against Synods declyning them manie of them say they will in all matters of Religion give account to the Parliament or so any Committee appointed by them and say they give more to the Magistrate then the Presbyterians and in that kinde have odious insinuations to reflect upon Presbyterians 2. The Arminians at first broached but
tenth part of the Discovery of the Errors Heresies Practises c. beside some things in the Letters are of another nature and to one of the Letters is annexed a Confutation of the matter contained in it consisting of two whole leaves of those few sheets within a few lines 2. As for that of jugling and forgery which Cretensis would put upon me the man measures me by himself and his party because that he and some of his party are used to juggle and possibly forge Letters and News invent and give our many things which never were have with the Jesuits their piae fraudes to advance their Catholike cause therefore he thinks so of me but I blesse God I am a plain man hating equivocations mental reservations plots underminings of men playing under-board carrying things in the clouds I count honesty the best policy and faithful plain dealing the greatest wisdom and the Independents will finde it so in the end however for a while they prosper by their shufling tricks devices policies as Strafford Canterbury and others did before them 3. To come to the main charge of concealing the names of those who writ me Letters and all the inferences drawn from thence I answer I have already given some Reasons for it and do adde these unto them most of the men who writ the Letters writ them not for that end to be printed knew not of nor imagined no such matter neither did I acquaint them with it and for me without their leave obtained to print their Names to the world I could not do it keeping unviolated the rules of friendship besides I well understood that were a way to cut off correspondency and Intelligence for the future if I should print mens Names publikely to the world writing in a private way to me Of all the Letters written to me there were two only which I expressed to the Authors I would print them and acquainted them with my purpose whose Names notwithstanding excepting the two first Letters subscribed I concealed with the rest for company But now that I may overthrow Cretensis Proposition and his Inferences his Foundation and his Superstructures I shall name most of them who writ the Letters to me and others as also from whose hands I received those Letters which were printed by me though not written to me The first Letter was written me from Mr. Strong a Member of the Assembly of Divines who after he had told me by word of mouth the contents of this Letter promised to send it me in a Letter and I acquainted him then what use it was for and he said he would justifie what he writ and named others in whose presence Master Denne maintained these Points The second Letter was written from Master Simon Ford to a Member of the Assembly Master Gowerâ—s from whose hands I received it and told Mr. Gowers I should print it to which he was willing and since Gangraena was printed the Author writes to me about his Letter That he will enlarge and confirm the particulars in that Letter and send it to me The third Letter was one Master Josiab Ricrasts who owns it and hath been with me since Cretensis came forth and to my knowledge is drawing up an Answer to Cretensis for so much as concerns that Letter The fourth Letter was written by a Weaver in Somersetshire one Crab if I mistake not the name and I received it from M. Rosewal a City Minister well known who will own it and make it good 't is such a mans And thus I have given an account of the Copies of all the whole Letters printed by me Now for the Extract of certain Letters written to me some other Ministers for seven of them which are the greatest part of those Extracted Letters namely all those which concern Colchester and Mr. Ellis or some others there of which Letters Mr. Ellis himself writes thus to a friend in London The aspersions cast on me and some others here by Mr. Edwards are as false as foul which because they are a great part of his Book and strength those who are here concerned in it will if God please shortly make Reply Cretensis p. 44. he who writ them is not afraid of his name neither was his name concealed for fear of an Examination of the truth of the Letters as Cretensis by reading this Letter lately sent to me from him may understand which I here print to a tittle To my Reverend and worthy Friend Mr. Thomas Edwards Minister of the Word of God Reverend Sir THere is a passage in Mr. Iohn Goodwins Book charging you with abusing Mr. Ellis of Colchester and the Saints in those parts and that he will shortly make Reply to your false and foul aspersions These are therefore to certifie you that concerning those Letters I writ unto you from Colchester I have them attested under the hands of many sufficient witnesses each particular that is material being ayerred by three witnesses at least and those of piety and judgement which attestations I shall keep by me to produce them upon fit occasions to iustifie those Letters to the world Yet it is possible he will Reply to those things as false and foul or come off with distinctions and mental reservations but these things are so evident in this Town and much more then I writ unto you as his Preaching for the pulling down of our Churches and other things that I can prove that his Pamphlet will do him no good in this place For it will not be the first time that he hath said unsaid the same things here denying and dissembling his opinions for advantage as will be testified by many witnesses by some of the Honorable Members of the House of Commons Ministers and others godly and judicious Christians This I thought good to signifie for the present recommending you to the grace of God I rest Your affectionate friend and fellow labour in the Gospel Rob. Harmar April 1646. Now by all this the Reader may see what to judge of Cretensis and his false glosses and commentaries upon the Letters Printed in Gangraena and had I Cretensis railing scoffing Rhetorick which he makes use of in this section and in many other places of his Book I might spin out whole leaves in aggravation and scoring up of lyes evil surmisings bitter words scoff and jeers expressed by Cretensis upon occasion of the Printed Letters but I forbear to contend with him in this kind truth needs not such colors though errors does to set it off The hare relation of these things is a sufficient confutation of Cretonsis and if the printed Letters of which Cretensis Master Ellis yea and Master Saltmarsâ— make such a cry of forgerie falsitie dare abide the light and their Authors are ready to justifie them the judicious Reader by this may both judge of the truth of other things contained in Gangraena and of the folly and vanity of the rest of Cretensis allegations against my Book
Answer to the Antapologie shall be with me ere long and that he may abuse me he abuses the Scripture playing upon that of Amos 5.18 resembling his Answer to my Antapologie to the day of the Lord the judgement of the 70. yeers captivity me to the sons of Belial his foretelling long ago of an Answer as to the Prophets predictions of judgement that the Answer to M. Edwards Antapol will not be for his honor c. Reply Belike I shall have a terrible thundring Answer from Cretensis when as it shall be to me as the day of the sore judgement of the 70. years captivity to the sons of Belial who derided the predictions of the Prophets a day of darknesse and not of light I know not well what the man means by this whether he intend not concluding by that time his Answer comes abroad to my Antapologie the Cavaliers will be quite subdued to try by his interest if he cannot procure some part of the Army call'd by Cretensis and his Disciples the Saints the honest men c. to carry me into captivity and to imprison me all my time in a Dungeon where I shall not see the Son nor be able to make no Replies nor never write against the Sectaries any more this I confesse were like to prove as bad to me as the 70. yeers captivity to the Jews to be a day of darknesse indeed but as for any paper writing an Answer by Reasons and words to be so to me like the 70. yeers captivity and a day of darknesse I cannot imagine I had thought Cretensis Answers would have been rather a day of new light to the world and to me then a day of darknesse especially considering what Cretensis faith pag. 16. of light and truth I am somewhat doubtful and suspitious of Cretensis threatnings because of the ill usage of some Ministers by some Souldiers and of many words given out daily by too many of Cretensis Saints in our Armies against the Presbyterian Orthodox Ministers I cannot well tell what other construction to make of Cretensis words they are very doubtful and dangereous words What an Answer to be as the sore judgement of the 70. yeers captivity against the sons of Belial and to be darknesse and not light I have read heard of such Answers in matters of difference between great men who instead of an Answer in writing or with an Answer in writing have sent an Army of ten or twenty thousand men and I must tell the Reader what increases my fears I cannot well tell how it first came into my head but I have had a strong opinion this 18. moneths and expressed it to divers that my Antapologie would never be answered till the Independents had got that power one way or other as to cast me into prison to seiz on all my papers and writings by which I should make good my proof and then they would bring forth an Answer to my Antapologie Now considering how far and how high in many things the Independents have proceeded and Cretensis threating me with such a kind of Answer I am apt to interpret him thus and truly were it not that there is a Noble General and the greatest part of the Army by farre as I have expressed often free from Cretens way and that I live in a good strong City neer the High Court of Parliament and by the Honourable Court of Common-Counsel I should expect and be afraid that his threating might be fulfilled before ever his Reply to Antapologia would be ready to come abroad But whereas Cretensis saith that he verily beleeves his Answer to my Antapologie will not be for my honour in which respect I have no great ground to be so restlesse and importunate in calling for it I Reply the Antapology I am sure was for the honour of the cause I undertook and turned to my honor both at home and abroad and made not for the honor of the Apologists and Independent party neither do I believe Cretensis Reply to my Antapology will make more for his honor then this brief Answer of his to Gangraena And however for the present Cretensis Reply when it comes first forth by his railings revilings scoffs and lyes put upon me may not make for my honor yet by that time my Rejoynder can be made and printed it shall appear to all the world that the whole businesse both Apologetical Narration Antapology Cretensis Reply and my Rejoynder will make for the honor of the Presbyterian cause and of my self as a poor Instrument pleading for it against the Zanzumins of the time and to the dishonour both of the Apologists and their great Champion Cretensis Cretensis in this 15 page makes an Apology and gives his Reasons why Mr. Edwards Antapology is not answered in so long a time as 18. Moneths namely That the Independents are not men who have little or nothing to do like Presbyterians having the priviledge of ease to Preach to bare walls and pews in their meeting places nor that shamelesnesse of forehead to make the subject matter of their Sermons little else but loose lying and frivolous reports and stories or virulent invectives against the Saints as the Presbyterians neither was the way free and open to bring light into the world but hedged up with Clergy Classique Councels as with thorns against them And besides Mr. Edwards took not much lesse then 18. Moneths time for his Antapology and therefore no Wonder if the Independents be not men of more expedition Reply Cretensis plays the Sophister here making use of that fallacy non causa pro causa giving the false cause of not Replying and concealing the true and that all these are false is evident 1. Because Cretensis hath had leasure to have attended the motions of my pen and hath since the 18 moneths given an account to the world more then once twice thrice and had leasure now the priviledge of ease to make an Answer to Gangraena and could he not with the labour of all these have Replyed to Antapology It should seem for all the weaknesse contradictions and such like which Cretensis speaks of Antapology 't is a hard piece that Cretensis can write and print five several Books have time enough from his constant and standing labors with those who have committed themselves to him in the Lord before he finde time to Reply to Antapology Besides Cretensis had five great Champions the Apologists to assist him in it some of which will be found to have or to take more priviledge of ease and seldom Preaching then the Presbyterians use to take and some of them have had leasure to Print other things since wherein not so much concerned as also Cretensis hath a priviledge of ease and idlenesse when he pleases to help himself which none of the Presbyterians have viz. to appoint some of his Prophets in his Church to Preach for him which he frequently practises upon all occasions as I can prove and hath
Cretensis knows not how his minde may change again and what New Light he may yet have and so he will stay till he dyes that we may have it altogether and without any more change Cretensis Sect 15. pag. 17.18 19. with a great many of flourishing words and a bold face labors to possesse the Reader That in my Antapology and Gangraena I have done nothing else almost but labored with might and main to call for fire from Hell to destroy the Saints to inflame the powers of this world with hatred and bloodinesse of spirit against the Sons and Daughters of God and to importure the Civil Magistrate to pour out themselves in wrath and indignation against them charging me with a bloody Negotiation in writing Gangraena inveteracenesse and Dragon-likenesse of spirit and how diametrally opposite in the cause and courses I take against Sectaries I am to Christ Paul Austin Calvin and Luther Reply Cretensis goes upon a false foundation supposing all those to be Saints the Sons and Daughters of God whom I speak against in Gangraena which is stark false and of which I shall give in my large Reply a satisfactory account to the world of that mistake for however they are Cretensis Saints they are none of Gods Saints and the man erres not knowing the Scriptures they may well go for Saints in Cretensis Kalender but never in my Creed neither go they for Saints in Mr. Thomas Goodwins late Sermon before the House of Commons but are there blotted out by him 2. What ever I speak in both my Books upon this point to the Civil Magistrate is no other but what the Scripture clearly holds out and though I have done it with affection and zeal yet not with bitternesse nor bloodinesse and I am confident that Cretensis nor all his compeers cannot in all their râ—ading shew me two Books of any Divine who proves so much and so foul things as I do in my Antapology and Gangraena written with more moderation fairnesse and with lesse bitternesse and â—et Cretensis in his 〈◊〉 Book instance in any bloody bitter passages alwayes provided he wrest not words nor leave out no part of sentences 3. The Sectaries themselves and Cretensis too will one day confesse Master Edwards in opposing Errors Heresies discoveriâ—g them and stirring up the Magâ—strates to their duty was their good Friend a merciful man one who both with fear and compassion would have saved them out of the fire and I would ask Cretensis whether are they more merciful tender that will not let little Children sick persons mad men do what they will go where they please eat what they list or they who use all good means to hinder them and provide wholsome food and medicines for them yea I am of the minde before a yeer comes about the Magistrates and Kingdom will say Master Edwards and those men who either by Writing or Preaching spoke most against the Errors Heresies Schisms of the times and Toleration and stirred us up to hinder and suppresse their growth were most merciful both to the souls and bodies of men and to the Kindoms and far from bloodinesse bitternesse or inveteratenesse 4. Whosoever doth but well read the Scriptures and observe what quick sharp passages are there recorded to have come from the mouth of Christ and his Apostles against Errors Heresies and false Teachers yea sharper and more spoken against false Doctrines and false Teachers then against bad manners as for instance Matthew 7.15 Galatians 1.8 9. and 5.10 12.2 Peter 2.1 2 3.2 Iohn 9.10 11. the whole Epistle of Iude Revelation 2.14 15 20 22 23. with a hundred other such will never blame me for bitternesse bloodinesse inveteratenesse c. furiousnesse and over eagernesse in my opposing Errors and false Teachers who according to my poor measure have endeavoured in opposing Errors to follow the Example of Christ and his Apostles though I have fallen far short of my duty in this kinde not improving my time and â—alents but wanting in that Zeal Courage Diligence requisite to this work And however Cretensis and his Compeers think I have over-done yet I have great cause to be deeply humbled for doing no more and to hie me into my Study and cry misirere mei Domine But to draw to a conclusion I shall in this case Answer Cretensis and all the Sectaries who accuse me and cry out of my eagernesse and over-doing as Luther did Erasmus charging him for too much vehemency But that I have dealt in this cause more vehemently I confesse it a fault if it be a fault yea I do wonderfully rejoyce this testimony to be given to me in the world in the cause of God And O that God himself would confirm this testimony in the last day who then should be happier then Luther who is commended by such a testimony of the age he lived in that he did not handle the cause of truth slothfully and deceitfully but vehemently enough or rather too much Then should I happily escape that of Jerem. Cursed be he that doth the work c. 5. The bitternes bloodines c. with which Cretens labours to load me will be found in Cretensis and the Sectaries and as they grow in power and number will be discovered every day more and more can any man think that Cretensis who hath so much rage and malice in his heart and so much gall in his pen as he discovers in this Book against all Presbyterians would not if he had power do as much with his handâ— and be another Bonner or another Iohn of Leyden God keep the Presbyterians out of the hands of the Independents and Sectaries when they come to have power and think they are strong enough to Master them doth not Cretensis discover his bloody mindednesse against me in the three last lines of this 15. Section inviting as it were some of his Sectaries to fall upon me preaching that doctrine to them That whatsoever I shall suffer by any Sectary for writing against them I shall suffer but as a Malefactor and an evil doer Now for proof of the bloody mindednesse persecution and liberty of Conscience which the Sectaries will give the Orthodox when they come to be stronger and of all the means they use and wayes they take to give the Presbytery liberty of Conscience I shall in my full Reply to Cretensis speak at large only for present thus much they labour to get all the power of Arms they possibly can into their hands and the command of all the great Towns and Ciâ—ies and by one way or other to turn out of place keep out obstruct blast all cordial zealous Presbyterians all which no doubt are done to give the Presbyterians liberty of conscience and now they give the Presbyterians good words viz. that they will send them packing to Rome that it were a good deed they were hanged and knocked on the head their guts goared out that they are Antichristian Priests cursed Priests
evil in Presbyterians as Cretensis doth all kind of horrid Blasphemies and Heresies in his Sectaries however Cretensis is never the lesse in fault because of company and indeed Cretensis being a Minister should have given them being private Christians better example besides who knows but Cretensis example drew these Presbyterians to it and further 't is likely these Presbyterians had been in the afternoon at some Presbyterian Church offered up to God both a morning and evening sacrifice of thanksgiving came from home later then Cretensis and his Brethren neither doth Cretensis say the Presbyterians came forth with him but as he tels his own tale he relates that after his walking about a quarter of a mile which might be a mile as well as his half hours bowling two hours and after his coming into the Garden and sitting about half an hour in an Arbour which we may well reckon for an hour to came in some of Master Edwards judgement of Church-Government all which being considered makes the matter not so bad in the Prebyterians as in Cretensis but supposing all this yet I will not excuse them Thirdly as for that story of one of the Assembly with three more of his com or sub Presbyters rather four Ministers in all expressed by Cretensis all a long in a scoffing yea in a prophane manner bringing in heaven and Gods providence to make up his jefts and jeers spending a whole afternoon upon a day of Thanksgiving in fishing I greatly blame them and if there was any such thing they have cause to be ashamed of it as well as you for your bowling and it had been fitter for them four Ministers to have been fishing for the souls of men preaching somewhere in the afternoon then a catching of Roaches and thus you see Cretensis I am impartial not like the Independents excusing all things in Presbyterians as they in Sectaries though never so vilde and therefore your Proverb of Presbyterians having a priviledge to steal Horses holds not as you see for I am against a Toleration of them to look on Fourthly As for your threats of discovering Presbyterian mistakes in the night and to leave the world to judge whether they be not worse then Independents bowling on dayes c. and of the story of a Presbyterian Angel which you will clap to my mouth and stop it for ever I answer do your worst discover what Presbyterian mistakes in the night you can and tell what stories you please of a Presbyterian Angel I fear you not it will not stop my month I blesse God he who keepeth the feet of his Saints hath so preserved me that I care not what all the Sectaries under Heaven can say against me I blesse God I have whereof to rejoyce and glory before men though before God I know my manifold weaknesses and transgressions and have nothing to glory in but the free mercy of God and the righteousnesse of Jesus Christ and therefore Cretensis iâ— you mean me by mistakes in the night and by Presbyterian Angel as your words seem to infinuate speaking unto me and the Reader may be apt to take your meaning so speak out do your worst I defie you and all your company to prove any such things or but the suspition of them for I must tell you Cretensis I have ever since I came to be a Preacher of the Gospel walked by that rule of the Apostle Providing honest things not only in sight of the Lord but in the sight of men And as for other Presbyterian Ministers if any of them have walked loosely and scandalously let them look to it I will be no Patron for them neither will I have my mouth stopped from opening the Errors Heresies Practises of the Sectaries or laying open by name Impostors and Seducers to gratifie the concealment of somthing soul in a Presbyterian let them bear the shame of it for all me and give God glory in confessing only I would desire Cretensis and the Reader to observe the difference between my Discourse of Errors Heresies and Practises in Sectaries and Cretensis discovery threatned 1. Cretensis Discovery will be out of revenge malice because the Errors of the Sectaries are laid open and which otherwise he implies should not have been discovered and if I would cease laying open the Errors of the times those stories should never have come to light but now my Catalogue was and is purely out of conscience not out of ill-will to any man but to preserve many from falling and to recover others before they are gone too far 2. The Errors Practises wayes which I lay down throughout my Book are the very principles and wayes of the Sectaries as such Sectaries either being their Opinions or flowing necessarily from them or are means made use of by them to increase their way compasse their designs whereas any personal miscarriages of the Presbyterians are far from falling under any such considerations but the fruits of the flesh and Satan taking advantage upon them of which things they have no fruit but are ashamed and have repented 3. These Errors and Practises in the Sectaries are now found in them cleaving to them since and not before they turn'd Sectaries whereas these miscarriages of the Presbyterians are not now upon them nor never since they were Presbyterians but may be many years before when Episcopal and foolish 4. The Independents and Sectaries cry up themselves and their way as a purer holier way then other mens making themselves the only Saints the Paradise of God the tender conscienced men thereupon separating from our Churches and accounting the Presbyterians as a dunghil which kinde of notions among the people crying the Saints the Saints tender consciences hath gained them more then all their Arguments and therefore to take off this Argument 't is necessary to shew they are not holier then others neither have tenderer consciences but are looser and larger conscienced men And I ask Cretensis when as Bellarmine and other Papists bring against Protestants holinâ—sse of life as a note of the Church of Rome and boast of the great holinesse that is in their Church above what is in the Protestants whether do not the Protestants justly and properly to disprove them give instances and stories of the wicked lives and ways of many Papists besides of the Doctrines in the Church of Rome and if the Protestants do it and are blamelesse how can it be a fault in the Presbyterians to do the same when they are to answer the Sectaries but now the Presbyterians do not separate from the Independents out of pretences of greater holinesse nor cry up themselves in Sermons and Books as the only Saints and therefore the Independents cannot so justly bring these things against the Presbyterians as the Presbyterians against them 5. As for that Manuscript which came to Cretensis above a year since concerning Mr. Edwards which discourseth his jugling and indirect walking between the two Towns of Godalming in Survey
give more full satisfaction in some particulars to the Reader then yet I am able to doe For the manner of Cretensis Answer how unlike it is to a Minister of the Gospel and how like to one brought up in an Alehouse or in a Bowling-alley not onely on a day of publick Thanksgiving but every day in the week having their terms of art at his fingers ends Score up Tallie on and such foul-mouthd language 'T is a lie You lie A loud lie every impartiall Reader cannot but take notice and many speak openly of it and that which makes Cretensis folly and insolencie the greater and more to be blamed by every indifferent Reader is this that he gives me the lie so often in such a disgracefull scornfull way making the relation all over forgery and that there are so many lies well nigh as words in the story speaking also most confidently though falsly against the worthy Minister who told me this storie That hee Works stoutly at the forge and feeds both himself and the world with all manner of scandals and falshoods against the Independents without fear and in the close vapouring and triumphing at an excessive rate with inferences drawn from his own confutations as if all hee had said in answer to me had been Gospel when as all this high and great building is laid and raised solely upon the weak sandy foundation of Cosens his own relation Cretensis disproving the truth of my relation and sealing the truth of his own Answer in seven particulars by no other way but The man professeth that is Cosens that hee knowes no such man and this counter information I had from the mouth of the said Cosens himselfe and have the particulars under his hand Now I appeal to all the world whether any wise man would ever have made such adoe as Cretensis doth here giving the lye so oft triumphing so confidently in a businesse meerly upon the information of a man in his own case and whether this be not worse then to ask my fellow whether I be a thief Cret p. 11. namely to ask a mans selfe and upon a mans owne testimony to call an honest man a thief and to declare a thiefe an honest man especially considering besides Cosens being a party and in his owne cause hee is a man against whom there are many depositions and complaints against him for other miscarriages and misdemeanours a Copie whereof I am promised from a good hand and shall insert in my large Reply But supposing all that Cretensis saith Cosens told him should prove upon further inquiry to be true and not false the contrary whereunto I shall presently make apparent yet no wise man can excuse Cretensis of a great deal of weaknesse and folly to put so much weight as hee doth upon such a testimony and to declare so much to all the world Certainly great Cretensis is the greatest Manifestarian that I have ever met with and there is no man hath manifested that weaknesse of judgement besides strength of malice against the Presbyterian Ministers and Saints which hee hath done both in this and in many other passages of his Book as to make an Answer to a Book and professe truely he never read one quarter of the Book c. and in my opinion these acts manifest greater weaknesse of judgement farre more injudiciousnesse then the not knowing how to range parts of speech in a sentence nor to put the Nominative case and Verb together regularly in English c. And for a conclusion of what I have to reply against the manner of Cretensis confutation of this story I referre it to the judicious Readers consideration whether Master Edwards for relating a story as a Relation upon the information of a reverend godly Minister well known living also upon the place who could upon no reason be judged to do it out of partiality or for sinister ends be to be accounted a liar and to have the lye often given him or M. Goodwin for denying the whole story and affirming the contrary upon the bare word and relation of a stranger a great Sectary and a party in the cause who according to all reason cannot be thought but he will speak favourably for himself especially being such a one as a man may without breach of charity presume he will speak any thing for himselfe in his own cause when as hee did to mee in the presence and hearing of three godly Citizens alledge in his owne behalfe to cleer himself from all fault in this matter that one of the witnesses who deposed said he was hired to swear against him and had five shillings given him by one of the Justices or some about him and had three or foure cups of sack given him before he swore and was drunk when he took his oath unto whom some of the Citizens then present with me replied he had best take heed what he said to accuse the Justices of Peace that they should make any witnesse drunck or have any hand to give 5. s. to one to sweare against him and that this was noâ— likely nor to be beleeved by any wise man and I suppose if I should reply never a word more to what Cretensis hath objected against this story of Cosens I had said enough to satisfie rationall men by declaring I had my information from a person of worth and by Cretensis nothing is here brought to infringe it but only the parties own testimony who is a man also otherwayes obnoxious as I have already declared Now from the manner I shall come to the matter and for the Relation which I have set down of Cosens in the last leaf of my Book save one I received it from a Reverend Minister who is Preacher at Rochester the place where Cosens lives and a Member of the Assembly who told it me and a Common Counsell man of this City and I writ it from this Ministers mouth that I might neither forget nor mistake it and read it to him after I had done and upon reading he approved it as his sense and that which he had related But now supposing there should be any mistakes in the first relation made to this godly and learned Minister yet I reporting it just as I had it from his mouth he being a man to be beleeved and as an information only not as a thing of my own knowledge I conceive I cannot be taxed for a lyar not according to any acception or definition of a lye and if I be in this kinde to be blamed for lying I desire to know of Master Goodwin by the next in case hee have reported from Cosens a Sectary a loose person a man speaking in his own cause any thing that is untrue which that he hath done I shall infallibly prove how he will free himself from the same crime and not more justly incurre the title of great Master Cretensis then I the brand of lying which he so liberally bestowes upon
a great Sectarie upon the fifth or sixth of May last speaking against the Presbyterian Ministers and calling them Priests spake these words That we hope to have or shall have shortly the Sequestrations of the Presbyterians as well as formerly of Malignants unto whom one of the company replyed that I suppose you will get a good office or place then when the Prâ—â—â—â—terians estates shall come to be sequestred Another Sectarie a Bodies-seller in London whose name I conceale upon the entreatie of him who related it speaking of the Ministers of Sion Colledge said these words Many have gone to Tyburn who have lesse deserved hanging than those of Sion Colledge and hee further spoke these words that the Ministers were the cause of all our troubles stirs This relation was given me under the hand of one who was an ear-witnesse and delivered to me in the presence of two sufficient persons A third man who is for the Independents and that way came to a person of qualitie in the Citie of London and taken notice of for a man of great estate and wished him out of his respect to him to take heed how he ingaged or shewed himselfe for the Presbyterians and against the Independents for there was no way for him to keep his estate or to be secure unlesse he were of that side with other words to that purpose Here followes a Copie of some Letters with a Narration of some more remarkable Passages concerning the Sectaries A Copie of A Letter written to me from a godly and learned Minister living at Yarmouth VVorthy Sir BY your Letter coming to my hand I take notice of an Information handed to you wherein I wish there were not so much truth For your better security I have procured the Examinations out of the Office and have transcribed one of them which here I send you inclosed At our late Sessions this cause was heard Our Recorder professed that had he had power hee had a great minde to hang the man for his Blasphemies but in conclusion hee was bound over to the next Sessions Touching the person of this blasphemous wretch one Iohn Boggis hee was an Apprentice to an Apothecary in London and came downe hither with your good friend Captaine Hobson as his Chyrurgion Soone after his coming into these parts hee turned Preacher and so in a little time seducing and being seduced hee came from Antinomianisme and Anabaptisme to this desperate height of Atheisme Your great Rabbi Oats told mee before his face that M. Boggis might be his Master notwithstanding his youth and so highly extolled him as if hee had beene Adam Hamagnalah One passage more I shall acquaint you with About a yeer since or somewhat more this Boggis with Oats then of Norwich and one Lockier a Ring-leader of the Anabaptists in this town came to my house desiring some discourse with me for their pretended satisfaction Providence so ordered it that M. W. my fellow Minister and one other were with me at the present Thus three to three we fell into debate amongst other matters about the power of the Magistrate in inflicting capital punishments and taking away of life Hereupon Oats to whom the rest agreed peremptorily affirmed and stood to maintaine That there was no such power in any Christian Magistrate over anie Member of a Church unlesse first he was cast out of the Church and so delivered to the Secular power no whatever his offence was though Murther or Treason His Argument was That all Church-Members were the Temple of God and who so destroyeth the Temple of God him shall God destroy Being pressed with the Authority of that Text He that sheddeth mans blood by man shall his blood be shed hee and the rest cryed out what had they to do with Moses They were Christs Disciples not Moses Disciples Being minded of the antiquity of this Law before Moses his time they replyed it was all one being part of the Old Testament Withall Oats added that that Law was fulfilled demanding of him how he answered in and by Christ In as much said hee as Christ shed his blood my blood is shed already for saith he Christs blood is my blood and my blood is Christs blood At the same time Boggis being pressed by my selfe in some particulars still his reply was I have the Spirit My selfe impatient of his arrogant boasting told him That certainly if he had that Spirit he pretended to hee would not so boast of it Whereunto clapping his hand upon his brest he replyed I thank God I have enough of the Spirit Hereupon I having enough of him told him that the doores were open for him and so parted with him The Lord direct and assist you in all your undertakings and make your endeavours successefull With my prayers and hearty salutations I rest Your assured Friend and Brother in the Lord. Yarmouth May 11. A copie of the Deposition made against one John Boggis for horrid and unheard of Blasphemy Great Yarmouth Ian. 24. 1645. THis Informer saith upon his oath that some few dayes since one Iohn Boggis came to the house of this Informers Master about dinner time and being requested to stay at dinner there he sate down at the Table and being also requested by his said Masters wife to give thanks hee asked to whom hee should give thanks whether to the Butcher or to the Bull or to the Cow there being then a Shoulder of rosted Veale upon the Table And the said Informers Masters wife saying That thanks should bee given to God the said Boggis replyed and said Where is your God in Heaven or in Earth aloft or below or doth hee sit in the clouds or where doth hee sit with his And further this Informer saith That at another time the said Informers Masters wife having speech with the said Boggis about the Church and concerning the Bible the said Boggis wished he had not knowne so much of the Bible which hee said was but only paper The former part of this Information to And further c. is also attested upon Oath in the same words by the said Informers Master wife A true Copy of a Letter sent from Dover to a worthy Member of the Reverend Assembly and subscribed by five hands of persons of worth Ministers and others Worthy Sir OVr true respects of you prefixed We entreat your favour to acquaint us what you think will be the result at last about the Independents if they must be tolerated it is then in vaine for us to strive against it by any humane helps and must expect to live in all confusion and disorder except it be in our Families and there we shall hardly avoid it for there are some that creep into Houses We desire you to take notice that for three yeeres last past there hath been some differences about that way in Dover but of late they are faln into a Congregationall-Church have made Members and ordained a Pastour one Mr. Davis of London
in it they conceive many plots at once to effect it they have plot upon plot and lay snare upon snare Machiavel and the Jesuits are but punies and fresh men to them I am confident they had so laid their plots cut out their way removed the rubs prepared all things so as that they had set their time by which they should effect their ends and speak out what they would have Now God delights to bring to naught plots to disappoint the devices of mens hearts to blast and blow upon tricks and under-boord workings to take the wise in their own craftinesse and wherein men deale proudly to be above them the ripening growing big of plots is commonly the fore-runner of the downfall of the plotters and the miscarriage of their plots for the further clearing of which the Reader shall doe well to consider what God speakes in Iob. 5.12 13 14. Psal. 37.12 13 Isa. 29.15.16 Isa. 30.1 2. and indeed God is such an enemy to plots devices tricks that he will crosse and disappoint his owne children in their workings devisings and contrivances even for good when they are too plotting anxious or delight and please themselves too much in them and this he does often lest they should attribute the events of things to their counsell care c. and that the worke may appeare to be of himselfe and not of men that God may be knowne to be Deiu activus non passivus as Luther expresses it upon a like occasion and that God doth not use to call Martin Luther or anie of his Saints to be his councellor but that he doth all things according to his own counsell hence we are commanded to be carefull for nothing or thoughtfull but in everie thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be made knowne to God Now if God will go quite crosse and contrary to the counsells workings of his servants for the maintaining his Church and truth and bring about all quite another way then he will much more carrie the counsells of the froward headlong and make them meet with darknesse in the day time and grope in the noone day as in the night 5. Sympt of the certaine destruction of the Sectaries is this That Independencie and Sectarisme in England is a meer Faction a partie grown to this height upon particular interests nourished and favoured all upon politike grounds and ends Independencie now is no religious conscientious businesse but a politike State Faction severing and dividing it selfe upon other private interests from the publike interests of this Church and State and the interest of both Kingdoms united by Covenant In a word 't is just such anoanother Faction as the Arminians was in the Netherlands I believe that seven or eight years ago Independencie and the Church way had somwhat of Religion and conscience in it manie then falling to it much upon those grounds though even then there were other ends in it also as I have showne in my Antapologie But now since these times of troubles and difference betwixt King and Parliament these foure years last past wherein men have seen some probabilitie and possibilitie in these times of warre and unsettlement of things to bring about and effect those things they could not hope for before it hath been and is matter of faction particular aimes and ends and not of conscience and pietie as all wise men may see and is apparent by these particulars First 't is not carried on as a way of God as a matter of Religion and Conscience in Gods way and with Gods means but carried on altogether with policie art plots trickes equivocations mentall reservations lies falsenesle doing anie thing though never so unjust and unrighteous if it will further and advantage that way and hinder its opposite viz. Presbyterie and the settlement of the Church yea declining and forsaking the profest principles that way and going contrary threunto in razing the verie fundations of Independencie and the Church way Secondly There are multitudes of persons in all places who doe not so much as know or understand anie of the principles of Independency and thé Church way yea that hate most of those principles if they were tied to live according to them that yet are great sticklers for Independencie and the Sectaries yea are the heads and patrons of it in all places and upon all occasions and this is observed by manie wise men that take those who now are friends for it and stand for it upon all occasions among them all there is not one in ten that conscientiously and in his judgement holds that way to bee of God or is an Independent which cleerly showes 't is a Faction Thirdly All other errours and opinions Sectaries of all sorts as well as Independents are encouraged nourished favoured and the worst of them though being so abominable 't is not anie policie to appeare for them yet one way or other under one notion or other are pleaded for dealt gently with either delayed and put off or brought off by one meanes or other and are freely suffered to grow and increase and no way taken to suppresse or discourage them which cleerly showes Independency is a Faction and hath other designes then that of Conscience in furthering the growth of all sorts of Sectaries holding tenets against their principles as well as ours by Licensing their Books c. and upon all occasions shelters and protects all sorts of them Fourthly that Independencie is a Faction and not matter of Conscience appeares because all these following sorts and ranks of men come in unto it 1. Needie broken decaied men who know not how to live and hope to get somthing turn Independents and sticklers for iâ— 2. Gailâ—ie suspicious and obnoxious men who have been or are in the lurcâ— and in feare and danger of being questioned or have bin questioned they turn Independents to escape questioning or if questioned that so they may come off the better Independency being a Sanctuarie and the horns of the Altar where many obnoxious persons fly and are safe and many of these guilty persons that they may merit the more prove fiercer Independents and Sectaries then manie others 3. Some who have businesses causes and matters depending strike in with the Independent Sectaries pleading for them that so they may finde Friends be sooner dispatcht fare better in their causes c. 4. Ambitious proud covetous men who have a mind to Offices places of profit about the Army Excise c. turn about to the Independents and are great zealots for them 5. Libertines and loose persons who have a desire to live in pleasures and enjoy their lusts and to be under no government they are fierce and earnest for Independents and against Presbytery 6. All wanton-witted unstable erroneous spirits of all sorts all Hereticks and Sectaries strike in with Independency and plead they are Independents 7. Such who have no minde to peace nor to the settlement of
Authors preparation and expectation of all kind of reproaches and oppositions from the Sectaries in this work 8 His firm resolution by the grace of God not to feare nor be discouraged in this work but having such a cloud of witnesses to follow their example and to goe on with the more earnestnesse activity and courage the more he is opposed In the Book itself in the first Division pag. 1. are premised some particulars from the better understanding of this Book The Catalogue of Errours c. is not of old Errors opinions of a former age but of Errours now in being in these present times pag. 1 2. Though 't is not a full catalogue and perfect enumeration of all erroneous opinions c. of these times yet 't is the fullest that hath yet been made p. 2. The intent of this work not a formal confutation of errours and opinions but a discovery of them p. 3. Errors and strange opinions scattered up and down and vented in many Bookes Manuscripts Sermons Conferences drawne into one Table and disposed under certain heads p. 3.4 The errours and opinions contained in this book are laid down in terminis in their own words and phrases as neare as possible can bee pag. 4. The way laid downe of the proofe of the truth and reality of the errours blasphemies c. contained in this Tractate and that by a sevenfold way p. 4 5 â— All the errours and opinions mentioned in one and the same Catalogue not all alike p. 7. The Reader is fore-warned not to be hindred from beleeving the truth of things contained in this Book by all the clamours and reproaches cast upon it p. 8. Three Answers given to the first objection thâ—t may be against this Book as that it is not seasonable nor convenient to discover our nakednesse and weaknesse so far to the common enemy pag. 8.9 10. Foure Answrs to a second objection made against this book that it may cause distractions and divisions among our selves and may offend many good persons that are not Sectaries p. 1â— 12 The errours heresies c. of the times refered to sixteen heads or sorts of Sectaries p. 13. Among all these sorts of Sects there is hardly to bee found any Sect that is simple and without mixture but all the Sects are compounded p. 13. All these sorts of sects how different soever yet all agree in separating from our Church and in Indepency being all Independents and Separatists p. 14. The first Independent Ministers that we read of in Antiquitie and how they were proceeded against in a Councel held at Carthage p. 14 15. Some of the errors and opiâ—ions laid down in this Catalogue are contrary and contradictorie to others of them p. 15. The Catalogue of the Errours Heresies contained in p. 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31. The blasphemies of the Sectaries p. 32 33 34. Some passages in the Prayers of the Sectaries p. 34 35 A Parallel between our Sectaries and the Donatists agreeing in the particulars p. 37 38 39. The Sectaries and Jesuits agree in 7. things p. 4â— 41. The Sectaries and the Netherland Arminians agree in these eight particulars p. 41 42 43. A parallell between the Bishops and that Court-party heretofore and the present Sectaries in six things p. 43 44 45. The Sectaries and Malignants agree both in the generall and in three particulars p. 45 46 47 48. The Sectaries like Julian the Apostata and some other enemies of Christians in four things p. 48. 49. The difference in the carriage and behaviour these foure years last past all along of the Presbyterians both to the honourable Houses and to the Sectaries and of the Sectaries to the Parliament and to the Presbyterians 49 50 51 52 53. The Sectaries practices and wayes referred to ten heads p. 54. Some of their particular practices named to the number of 28. and laid down in pag. 54 55 56. c. unto 66. An Answer to an Objection what are practices of some men and matters of fact to a way it is arguments must convince men and not practices p. 66. A second Table showing the Contents of the second division of the first part of Gangraena Foure Letters written concerning the Sectaries from p. 1. to p. 9. Animadversions on the last Letter p. 9.10.11 An Extract of certaine Letters written by some Ministers concerning Sectaries from p. 12 to p. 18. A relation of some women preachers and of their doctrine 29 30 31 32. A relation of some stories and remarkable passages concerning the Sects from p. 17 to p. 42. An Extract of 2. Letters more 42 43. Some more remarkable passages concerning the Sectaries from p. 44 to p. 52. Sectaries annointing of the sick with oyl p. 6 44. A Love-Feast kept by some Sectaries with the laying on of hands upon their Members for receiving of the Holy Ghost p. 45. A petition drawne up by some Citizens preached against by Master Greenhill and M. Burroughs pag. 48 49 A discourse betweene Mr. Greenhill and M. Burroughs upon occasion of some wicked opinions maintained in the hearing of M. Greenhill p. 25. The great evill and mischief of a Church being long without a Government p 52 53. T is more then time to settle the Government and Discipline of the Church the many Errors Blasphemies cry aloud for a speedy setling of Church Government 53 54 55. The mischeif evill and danger of a Toleration and pretended liberty of Conscience to this Kingdome and how a Toleration is the grand designe of the Devil his master-peece chief engine 57 58 59 60. Independencie in England hath brought forth in a few years monsters of errours As Independency is the Mother and Originall of other Sects so it is the Nurse and Patronesse that nurses and safeguards them p. 61 62. M. Burton who was so zealous against Errours Arminianisme Innovations in the Bishops days can now let false Doctrines go unquestioned not writing against nor complaining to the Parliament of Sermons Books wherein all kind of false Doctrine is vented 62 63 64. The confusions and mischiefs we lye under charged upon the consciences of the Independenns as having been the great means of hindring and delaying the setling of Church-government pag 64.65 The Divell an active restlesse subtill Spirit when he can no longer doe things one way then he will try another pag. 65 66 67 68. New light and new truths a weake and deceitfull Argument to commend any way or opinion by all errours vented under this of new light p. 68. The true reason and cause of that great growth and increase of the Sectaries among us and so few falling to the Presbyterians is because the Sectaries opinions and practises are so pleasing to flesh and blood and sundry particulars are instanced in that feed the carnall hearts of men p. 69 70. An Apologie and Justification sufficient for those Ministers and people who are zealous for setling Religion and
Divorce Of Marriage and of Parents and children Of Warre and of fighting and killing These three last Errours vented in a Book called A true Vindication of the generall Redemption of the second oneâ—atte â—atte printed 1645. Book intit A Heavenly Conference for Sions Saints by Iohn Turner printed in the year 1645. Book intit The fulnesse of Gods love printed 1643 pag. 25. Fulnesse of Gods love manifested pag 39. Fulnesse of Gods love manifested pag. 58 93. Fullnesse of Gods love manifested pag 1.59 Arreignment of Persecuâ—ion pag. 93. This Best with his Manuscripts were sent up last summer and is by the Parliament committed to the Gate-house Heresiography or Descrâ—t of Heret and Sectaries An Independent Minister in a Church here in London prayed these words following * It vvas the first Position of many vvell-affected Citisens for setling the government subscribed by manie hands but not presented In Septemb. last * This praier vvas the next Lecture after Mr. Iohn Goodvvin vvas put by Coleman-street It vvas upon the great prevailing of Montrosse Practises of the Sectaries * Augâ—st lib. 1. contra Parmen l. â— de baptismo contra Donatistas lib. 2. contra Petil. * August contra Parmen contra literas Petillian * August contra Petilian * August lib. 1. contra Parmen * August contra Parmen * August contra literas Petil. Vide Lit. Guil. Apoll. Respons * Lib. 1. de Bapt. contra Donat. lib. 2. de baptist * Book intiâ— The ancient bounds or lib. of Consc. a Title page b Synopsis purior Theolog disput de Magist. 50. Sect. 59 60. a Vide M. Rob. answ to M. Good Doct. of â—ustif cleared pag. 75 p. 110. b Vide M. Prynns Truth triumphâ—ng over falshood pag. 111. The seâ—st you 〈◊〉 is M. Edvvards whâ— maintaiâ—s 〈◊〉 blaâ—â—k against you thorouâ—out 〈◊〉 Treatisse a Good Innocencies triumph Out of my Antapol 169. The tovver of the Magâ—strate by vvhich hee punisheth sin doth not subserve to the kingdome of Christ the Mediatour Hee leaues 〈◊〉 that which follows in the same sentence there being no fullpoâ—t that he may apply efficaciously to the elect 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Pâ—opheâ—icall and Priestly office of Christ hee doth not affect the invvard man and conscience vvith spirituall punishment c. Voâ—â— select disput penes quos sit potestas Ecclessiastica 1 Thes. 4 Thes. 5. Thes. Videâ—lius de Episcopat Constant. magni pag â— 4 â— 6. Vide Voet. Thes. 2. de Potest Eccles. Vedel de Episcop Const. magni Post habitam Synodum Dordraicam etiam libelli longè aliorum stilo scripti sunt quinâ— potestatem hanc non parum limitant ac contrahunt quam tamen tam liberaliter ante hac admensi erant These things I speake not of all the bishops that were nor of all men that were of that judgement there being some Orthodox learned painfull pious men that approved not those wayes but of the Faction * Lilb Innocency and Truth justified pag. 37. I conceive I may justly say without breach of their Priviledges That I have unjustly dealt with in my late imprisonment to be imprisoned so contrary to the known and declared Lawes I have been without either cause showne or a legall Triall Vide pag. 71. p. 75. But you will say the House of Commons is not at leisure by reason of the publike I answer lesse then an houres time will serve my turne in this particular and it is very strange in five yeares space so much time cannot be found from the publike to transmit my businesse sure I am they can finde time enough to settle great and rich places upon some of themselves and to enjoy them notwithstanding their own Ordinance to the contrary yea I know some of them at this day hath plurality of places I say the thing I desire of them is more justly my due then any of their great places are theirs and therefore I hope they have not had cause to be angry with me for craving justice at their hands being it was the end wherefore they were chosen and trusted and that which they are sworn to do Vide pag. 71. speaking of some passages in a Parliam Declarat not easily to be forgotten by those that made them if there be any sparks of honesty in their hearts Pag 21. which Warrant and Commitment though made by a Committee of the House of Common it as illegall at all the rest and in my apprehension against the very tenour and the true intent and meaning of the Petition of Right and expresly against the words of the Statute of the 41 of Ed. 3. Again pag. 37. But I have severall times been imprisoned both by the Committees and by the Vote of the House of Commons it selfe contrary to a knowne Law made this present Parliament by themselves against which there is at present no Ordinance published and declared by them and the Peeres for the cognizance of Ergo I say they are tied in justice according to the tenour of this Law to give me reparation against those persons that were chiefe instruments either in Committees or in the House of Commons it selfe to vote and take away my liberty from me contrary to this Law and for my own part I doe expect my reparation for my late causelesse molestations and imprisonments Pag. 69 I shall freely declare the maine reason which makes me in being true to my liberty and freedome that in point of honesty I cannot submit to that Oath in that I conceive all Lawes and Ordinances in such cases as this is ought to be universall to binde all and not so restrictive as the additionall Ordinance of Accounts is which exemptâ— Peeres Members of the House of Commons for my part I iudge my selfe as free a man though otherwise I desire not to make comparisâ—ns as any of them and I conceive I ought not to be in bondage to any Law or Ordinance that they themselves will not stand to a Theodoret. Hist. Eccles. lib. 3. cap. 7. Iulianus primum vetuit ne Galilâ—i sic enim fidei Seâ—vatoris nostri consecratos nuncapabat Poeticam Rhetoricam aut Philosophicam disceâ—ent Nam nostris ipsorum inâ—â—it penniâ— ut est in proverbio percellimaâ— siquidem nostrerâ—â— scriptorum praefidâ—â— muniti contra nos bellum suscipiunt Postea etiam aliam tulit legem qua mandavit ut omnes Galilaei id est Christiani è militia pelleâ—entur b Iulian the Apostata therefore granted a Toleratis on of the liberty of perdition as Austin callâ— it because he did hope by that meanes to destroy Christian Religion August Epist. 166. Iulianus inquit desertor Christi inimicus haereticis libeâ—tateâ— perditionis permisit et tunc Basilicaâ— haeretics â—ed sidiâ— quando templa Demoniis eo nodo â—â—tans Christianum nomen posse perite 〈…〉 veritaâ—e Ecclesiae de qua lapsâ—â—â—utâ—aâ— invide et et sacrilegas dissersiones libetas esse 〈…〉 peâ—m eteret