offence of the Comunalty and that by false reports brought to his Highnesse against them who unwittingly and without his fault is therby ill thought of in all places as if he where a patron of such vile persons which we must notwithstanding judge to be far from his princelike disposition But tell me what is there more fallen out in the Parliament E. Continual Requests of the inhabitants ful of complaints against the Kings Courtiers concerning the great oppression which they have used over the people in Monopolies and unjust impositions whereby they have drawn millions from the comunalty part for the King but most for themselves wherof many that sate in the Parliament are found guilty which were presently put out of their commissions and places as well in the Higher as the Lower house whereby the Parliament was more and more refined which being disanulled and declared to be unlawfull to the great content of the common alty who thereby have gotten more affection to the Parliament and given them the more incouragement to proceed in the Reformation so that they themselves have caused the Earl of Strafford to be apprehended made his proces and proved that he had brought the King to many bad enterprises made him break his covenant with the Scots tyrannized over the Irish as was daily confirmed by a thousand abominable instances out of Ireland held the Dominion for himself compelled the Parliament of Ireland to graunt great summes of money and men to imploy against the Scots and other criminall causes more for which they have with an enforced consent from the king who would willingly have saved him beheaded him and so made him an example whereupon yet more that were also guilty are fled N. This was a great resolution of the Parliament and I wonder exceedingly how they could bring the King to consent unto that seeing I have alwaies understood that he was one of the principallest instruments by whom the King hath brought out his designes having promised to maintein him E. The King hath done much for him taking all his guiltinesses upon himself by practises hath sought to get him out of the Tower but the stream was too great against him as wel of the ParliameÌ„t who manifested unto the King by many learned lawyers that he was worthy of death as also of the people that by force would have him out of the way so that the King must although exceedingly constrained consent thereunto but he did not subscribe the sentence himself but caused it to be done by others N. There cometh to my minde the Marriage of the young Prince tel me once how it went about that for he was in England when the Deputy of Ireland was executed I think I have heard some say that it was thought that the young Prince would have made intercession for him to the Parliament but I understood that he did it not least he should thereby gain the hatred of the people which should be discommodious for him E. Concerning the Marriage of your Prince it was first set on foot by the Queen Mary being in the Hague to make her acceptable but many judged that she meant it not for being in England it was opposed by her faction as also by the Bishops and most of the Courtiers and great ones which are yet by the King but the Parliament did exceedingly presse it forward to hinder her that she should not go to Spain from whence she was solicited by many Ambassadours one after an other but to marry with a Reformed Lord who presently coming into England was gracious and welcome to the inhabitants so that in the end that Marriage was solemnised made sure to the great content of the good inhabitants in England who have judged that it would be a faster bond to maintain rhe true Religion resist the Popish faction and binde the king faster to the Parliament but I hear that many amongst you have bin much troubled about that Match N. I know nothing of that all have accounted it also a good Marriage for our state thereby to make yet a neerer friendship with England which is of one faith with us Onely some are troubled least by this Marriage all the corruption pride vanity and ungodlinesse of the English Court coming over with her should break in upon us seeing that our nation at this time is exceedingly inclined to pompe and novelties to the ruine of many E. No that is not it which I have heard but I have understood that some were jealous of this great Marriage because they thought it might be an alurement to the young Prince to affect the Sovereignty of the Provinces whereunto his Father in law and his Uncle the King of France should help him N. Those are but evill aspersions like those wherwith Prince Maurice was accused by the Arminians for therewith our Prince should win nothing but loose much for he hath now more to say than any Duke of Gelderland or Earle of Holland or Zeeland ever had disposing of all places and offices in the state and Camp by which meanes every one reverenceth him and seeketh to doe him all manner of service without having any burthen of warr to beare or to have his head troubled from whence the money should come to manteyne the warr he lets the States take care for that so that it is not to be thought that there is one hair on the Princes head that thinks therupon Besides his Prince like Excellency hath been brought up in this land and knoweth the nature of our Netherlanders who should not be brought under any Soveraigne every one would rather adventure his life and goods as they have done now these sixty or seventy years than that they should let go their liberty or stand under the absolute goverment of one Sovereigne Should that be ever attempted it would prove the ruine of the land therefore it is not to be thought that the King of France or England would lend any assistance thereunto although the Prince should desire it How dangerous it is to entertain Soveraingty hath bin well to be seen in the King of Bohemia the English nation hath yet too great a feeling thereof than that they should attempt the like again in any of theirs and therefore entertein not such callumnies let us leave this and return again to the English affaires What more hath since that passed there E. After that both the English and Scots leager was cashiered the King went into Scotland where he disburthened the Scots and pronounced them free from rebellion confirmed all the Acts of the Parliament and the resolution of the Synod and declared that they were falsly accused by him whereupon there was made a new covenant betwixt the King and them as also with England to the great joy of both the Nations who therupon have performed solemne thanksgiving in both the Kiâ—gdoms that GOD the LORD hath brought to shame the evill counsillers about the King who alwayes incensed him thereby
in rest E. Our fear is not without reason for now of late souldiers and officers which are and remain in the service of the Land and hold their gages here with much ammunition out of the Magazines of the land have bin sent to the King at the request of the Queen with knowledge of those from where the man is now lost What is this els but to give the knife to cut our own throats yours for which we have cause to protest before God and the world and call for vengeance thereupon This exceedingly distracted our Nation that they have not so much favour shewed them as the Scots with whom they have not so handled N. If it be so you have reason to be distracted we have also as great cause for in so doing we disfurnish our selves of amunition and men that we might be the more easily fallen upon To do so is the head and if the commons should know it it would not go wel with them I cannot receave it that the governours would trouble themselves herewith for though there were many slaves among the Lords yet there be many good cities that would take it upon them E. You judge well for they of Holland take it exceedingly on them have well received the messengers of the Parliament at their intreaty have arrested divers ships with amunition that would go to the King notwithstanding the deep protestations of the Queen against it they also will that those shall be sought for that have sent away the former amunition without their knowledge yea they presse this point so far that they have sent a message to them of Zealand to be one with them in this point and other points tending to the maintainance of the freedom of the Land which is there also exceedingly wel taken up and concluded to the contenâ—ment of those of Holland although it were there stoutly strugled against God graunt that the Provinces may understand it so likewise N. Sir whence heard you all this you must have listned with a curious ear you tell me here choice tydings God must be praised for the zeal of the honorable States of Holland this is a token that there must be yet many good Lords there God make their nomber tenfold more and so incourage them that neither by promises nor deceipts they may be won to desist from this good begun work their reward shall be with God and all good inhabitants shal carry them upon their hands and with them adventure all for the freedom E. We doubt not of the affection of the Commons but they know not many times that their safety dependeth upon ours and that this doing is not for us alone but for them also But the Governours see this well and therefore we hope that they shall be for us as for themselves as it is also very needfull for the Queen doth not cease to be on his Highnes ear to ingage himself and assist her with men and mony for the Marriage sake yea she regardeth not to write to the King that the Prince hath afforded her all help in this thing already which must be receaved with discretion for she can write that to animate the King although there be nothing of it such practises go through the world she pawneth still daily the Iewels of the Kingdom knoweth how to send officers privately with amunition to the King which by little and little through the wonderfull providence of GOD falleth into the Parliaments hand by which all her designes are discovered like as GOD from time to time hath brought to light all enterprises against the Parliament GOD graunt it may be alwayes so N. All good men are with his Highnes exceedingly perplexed who by this Marriage is in a great streyt on the one side he would willingly give content to the Queen and the King being so neer bound unto them by aliance in regard of his son on the other side the best governours and body of the inhabitants incline to the Parliament whose good wil doth most concern his Highnes for therwith he must keep house God give his Highnes wisdom that he sail not against the stream to ingage himself farther with them that no farther diseases or unquietnes come upon us and England But tell me how it goeth forward with the Kings matters E. I have gotten even now a Letter from England that the Earle of Essex with the Leager is marched towards the King first to desire his Majesty by request to be pleased to joyn himself to his Parliament and in case of refusall to see if he can free his Majesty from his bad counsillers with so little blood shed as he can N. But I hear that the King hath also a mighty leager besides that he gets the Papists dayly to his assistance yea that he himself hath called them to aide him Tell me once what there is concerning that for that should manifestly oppugne all his former deep protestations wherein he hath many times cal'd God to witnesse and thereby should before GOD and the whole world make himself a perjured person justifie the Parliament in their proceedings and let every one see that they intend nothing but the suppression of the freedoms of the kingdom and the Religion E. That is certain that the papists who were disarmed by order from the Parliament have at their request received expresse order from his Majesty to arme themselves for his and their own defence N. But we wonder that the Parliament hath so long delayed they might long before this time have more easily beset the King when he had but 2. or 300. men with him now it will cost much blood spoil England E. The Parliament have taken the mildest way and alwayes hoped by humble messages supplications and high presentations to the King to mollifie him open his eies and bring him again unto them Now they can manifest to all the common people and before the whole World that they are brought by the greatest necessity to the last remedy of open war against their King and are free from all the innocent blood N. The Parliament sheweth themselves to be right fathers of their country that seek to content their inhabitants so much as they can GOD give them wisdom and courage to do all things according to justice and right in sincerity before GOD for his holy truth to the rooting out of papacy and then they need not fear but GOD will further his own cause E. This the Parliament Lords of both Houses have professed with high and deep oaths and all their actions also manifest the same But they about the King shew that they have sworn the destruction of the whole Kingdome for they do nothing but pilledge and steal and especially from the best inhabitants and such as are known and commended for their godlinesse whom they have upon a roll not to passe by their houses before that like a company of ungodly persons they have turned all things upside down
love and all things from their subjects who with great affection are taken up with all those lords which shew themselves good Patriots E. Yea have you also flatterers amongst you I thought that all Netherlanders were free born that the blood of their forefathers was in their veins who did not fear the mighty king of Spain but adventured their lives and estates for their liberty and would not be slaves to these or any Whom hath any man need to fear amongst you you have no Soverreign the cities themselves make the sovereignity amongst you every Lord amongst you is a member of the assembly and each can have in himself great attention and power if they be but wise enough to imploy it N. You speak with understanding concerning our goverment and no man needeth to be a slave if every one were content with his own and were not too ambitious but there are many who for an office or to remain on the Cushion fear not much to damme their souls and to ruine their countrie to give away all to some great ones to make the cities Amen-sayers and the provinces slaves that by their means they may effect that which the time all too soon as is to be feared shal manifest but we digresse from our purpose tell me then how had the Parliament its beginning and how all things went there E. The Parliament by Gods wonderfull direction against the wil of all the great ones are come together after that the Scots had shewen the end of their falling into England that it was not out of any covetous desire either of the goods or bloods of the English nation but only out of an upright desire and love to their own freedom and the freedoms of their loving and affectionate Brethren in the Kingdome of England then have they presently more exactly understood one an other and the Parliament began more narrowly to consider the disorders of their own state N. So was there then presently concluded a brother hood between the English and the Scots O wonderfull work of God! that knew how so suddainly to remove that dispersed jealousie and to use so small a nation but full of courage and religion to open the eyes of the mighty Kingdome of England to affect their own freedomes But how did the Parliament then farther proceede E. That would be too much to relate but we will only point at some principall things They have first inquired what were the inormities of the Kingdom and who were the causes thereof and they found such a masse of corruption that in the whole Kingdom either in the church or common weal there was scarce any thing sound and all occasioned principally by the Bishops and some Espaniolized English about the king as it was manifested to the Parliament daily by an overflood of requests and greevances of the inhabitants out of all quarters of the Kingdom with the subscriptions of many thousands of men exhorting them to remove the evill and Authors thereof N. We may see that the boil was ripe for the launce no sooner came neer it but presently the matter issued out But what were those matters which they found out E. Concerning the church matters and the exorbitances thereof I have noted them before there was a generall crye against them all calling for the deposing of the Bishops and the rooting out of their Hierarchie whereupon presently there arose a great adoe and opposition of the whole Episcopall faction especially in the Higher-house where they about fower and twenty or more are members and also all the Papish lords of the Vpper-house which were also 24. or more which constantly held with the Bishops whence men may easily judge what correspondence the Bishops have had with the Papists who ought by the form of their office to have been so far seperated from them as light and darknesse Christ and Belial so that whatsoever was concluded against them or their popely institutions in the Lower-house was presently opposed in the Vpper-house so that there could be no proceeding till by degrees divers matters were discovered whereby now these Bishops are in the Tower and at last the Arch-Bishop also for divers heavy accusations which the Scots brought in against him by whose absence the good Lords of the Parliament procured now one and then anoâ—her good resolution to the hinderance of many sorts of newly appointed institutions N. These are great beginnings of Reformation it is wonder that the Bishops have not as it began to be thought of them incited the king with whom they are at all times conversant to dissolve the Parliament as other Nimrods have done in the like case E. That was prevented for the Parliament being desired to graunt the King certain subsidies have graunted the same upon this condition that the King should passe an Act that he should not dissolve them but by consent of both houses which he hath subscribed beside there were many thousands of apprentices stood up in London to defend the Parliament desiring that the Arch-Bishop and other bad instruments might be punished so that the Parliament could not be dissolved especially seeing the Parliament men had bound themselves to each other by oath not to depart till all things were redressed N. Therein hath the King yet manifested an inclination to reformation in that he hath graunted the Parliament such an act E. The King perceived well in what hatred all his servants that were about him were by reason wherof many through an evill conscience fled to France or the Netherlands so that the King without the Parliament could not have quieted the people and therefore he was necessitated to agree to it hoping through his authority those persons which he had in the houses to bring all yet to his own minde but the King was too great a Patron of all the malignants which he sought to save that made the members more and more to strengthen themselves against the King to resist him therein whereupon the King put on the foxes skin dissembling and abandoning many persons yea did passe an Act that the Bishops should sit no more in the Higher house which gave great content and had the king left all his bad servanrs and joyned himself with the Parliament there had never bin a more mighty king in England then this N. I am also of that opinion but do we not see ordinarily that the servants of Kings and Princes abuse their masters with calumnies and lyes against the best to displace them and then alone to abuse the ear of Princes to their own ends not careing whither their masters be beloved or hated if they can but be great with them and by their power work but their own passions against others It goeth alwayes so amongst us also that the servants that are most about our Prince in all places where they have authority bring in drunkards and novices thrusting out the antient honorable beloved grave gentlemen to the great distast and
to cause war between the two Kingdomes that so by the help of the papists and the force without as they perswaded themselves they might be master of the King and the two Kingdomes to root out the true Religion and bring in popery but GOD be thanked that hath made the King to see how shamefully they have possessed him against Scotland that he himself before the whold world must callin and nullifie all his poclamations against the Scots as having unjustly proceeded against them N. So knoweth GOD how to bring the Counsils of the wicked to shame GOD preserve the King that he may no more hearken to those bad instruments that he come into no greater danger which I exceedingly fear for I have heard that most of his bad Counsillers are yet with him those that are fled for their misdeeds do yet hold correspondence with the King and especially with the Queen who is a papist and hath many Jesuits about her who together will never rest but alwayes stir to bring in the popish Religion and to incense the King thereunto who is kind and hearkeneth much to the Queen what think you thereof E This troubleth many amongst us also exceedingly so much the more because it hath appeared to the Parliament that the Queen by an Act in her name subscribed by the Secretary which is fled to France hath ordained a fasting-day amongst the Papists to pray to the Saints that the great designe which was in hand for the favour of the Catholikes might prosper from whence may be easily gathered that she hath knowledge of all those bad designes N. Yea is it so Then shall you quickly see though so long as the king is among the Scots who open his eyes it now goeth well with him that he shall be soon otherwise led when he shall return into England to the Queen and his bad counsellers for if they knew how to make the king unfaithful and to break his kingly word in that first agreement made between him the Scots wherupon the Scots layed down their Arms and surrendered the Castels and Forts in Scotland to the king they wil know how to do it yet once more as is to be feared But tell me have I not heard that there are now and then many treasons discovered E. You must not have so bad a conceipt of our king but that there are divers treasons discovered is true both before the kings goeing into Scotland in the time of his being there and also since his return thence unto London and especially there is discovered by some intercepted letters written out of Scotland to London a treason against the principallest Lords of Scotland by some great ones in Scotland as also against the eminentest gentlemen of the English Parliament whereupon the papists in all quarters should instantly have stood up mastered the Tower of London and in all parts over run the strong holds and then have massacred those of the Religion according to the example of the murther in Parice N. O horrible designe if it were so but were these not counterfeit letters by that means to make the communalty more inraged and to stick closer to the Parliament E. Oh that it had been so that they were but shadows flourishes yet many things that followed therupon do demonstrate that it was but all too surely intended for there are many great ones before this apprehended in Scotland which had intended to have massachred some of the greatest as was discovered by some who themselves should have had a hand in it for whom the King did intercede before his departure out of the Scots Parliament which did also pardon them where of they shall in time feele the smart In England a french Cooke hath confessed that he had undertaken to poyson all the meate at a certaine feast where all the principallest gentlemen of the English Parliament should have been by that meanes to have murdered them N. O wonder full worke of God that discovereth such hellish designes these come no other wise than out of the bosomes of the Iesuits who after the example of their father the devill are murderers of men Trulie out of these instances it sufficiently appeareth that the traitors were in the knot but should there be any thing of that that the papists if this murder had succeeded should have betaken themselves to Armes E. There is nothing more sure for so soone as the treason in Scotland was discovered then did the Papists of Scotland stir up the English to proceede nevertheles with the designe as also the Ireish did revolt at the same time who as is probable had no certaine intelligence of the ill successe which the designe in England and Scotland had and therfore went they forward with the concluded work as also certain of the chief in this rebellion being taken prisoners have confessed that there was intelligence concerning this point between the papists in Ireland England and Scotlaed that with the knowledge of the Queen whose leager they have openly professed themselves to be so that the effects have shewed that while the King was busie in England and Scotland with deep protestations declarations and remonstrances to manifest his zeal for the reformed Religion against the Papists whom he hath caused to depart from his court and from about London with giving out sharp Proclamations against them to make all the world believe that he meant it In the mean time not withstanding that the Queen and the Minions and counsillers of the king were busie to raise up strengthen and arm the papists against the Religion Parliament and good inhabitants of England which made many to fear that such a thing is not come to passe without the kings knowledge though it be not to be believed that a king should play so with his fidelity certainly God would not suffer such things unpunished N. A crafty country clown would judge if that the king had no hand therin he would not retein such servāts by him as were found guilty of such mischiefs but punish them as traytors to justifie himself but is there nothing come to pass whence we may wel perceive that the king is no longer in the Scottish aire but hath forgotten all his fair conclusion in Scotland E. There are sure enough heavy things come to pass wherinto the king hath suffered himself to be led which give great suspition that the king is yet ruled by the malignants for the king hath suffered himself to be so far carried away by his bad counsill that he went with armed men to the Parliament and that as his servants themselves have confessed to fall upon the Parliament Lords whereby the king did put himself in the greatest danger to cause a common massachre had not GOD himself wonderfully prevented it for which the king hath yet thanked GOD afterward for through but one unadvised word from the King those blood-hounds should have fallen on as they alreadie began to justle and strike
shall be maintained the Inhabitants defended and brought into their former rest the lawes and priviledges established reformation in Church and common wealth shall powerfully proceede to the adorning of the State Our common weal shall be by that means secured and the malignants restrained Let no man then contribute to the suppressing of the Parliament especially let not us Netherlanders for the foundation of their warre and ours is all one they have maintained us therein with their goods and blouds we must not helpe to suppresse them els God shall suppresse us the inhabitants would protest against us before God and the world and God would see and search it Let us not imploy those soldiers which are in our service to help the papists there to suppresse both them and us Let us not transport the armes of the land and leave our selves naked for that is our Capitall Let no Inhabitant to satisfie his covetousnes further or assist them for shall we not then put a knife into their handes to cut our owne throats But be well informed concerning the drift of the King and Parliament and then you shall quickly see whose side you must take that you shall finde in this Brittish Lightning which sheweth the unexpected and suddaine tumults of the Kingdomes with the causes thereof Read with consideration and judge right The Brittish Lightning or suddaine tumults in England Scotland and Ireland for a warning to the United Provinces Englishman Netherlander N. WElcome Sir when came you from England E. I came thence but just now as you see I have my travelling clothes yet on N. I am glad I have met you here I have a long time expected your coming that I might once heare how all things go E. How should it goe bad enough there is no Kingdome more miserable than ours it stands all in confusion N. How can that be for 't is but a little while since that all your Kingdomes were alone at peace when the whole world was at wars I have also heard that you have had the negotiation of all kingdomes states in your havens whereby everie one among you became rich and wealthy E. 'T is so we sate as it were in Abrahams bosome dwelling among our owne people had good things under our fig tree we ate the fat we dranke the sweete knew of no evill yea we feared no mischance not knowing from whence it should come upon us seing that we dwell in Ilands that have the sea the sand the rockes our ships Saylers for our defence whereby we became a carelesse people N. I have also alwayes heard the same therfore I wond'red so much when you told me that your kingdome was the most miserable of all kingdomes when notwithstanding all Kingdomes in Germanie France and elsewhere are in exceeding bloody warres to the ruine of many thousand soules E. You are in the right that Christendome is in a lamentable condition where the blood of men is spilt like water so that many countries cities and towns are wasted burnt and destroyed yet their warre is not to be compared with this of ours N. How have you warres from whence is it come upon you you are alwayes provided in peace with all Kingdomes I have heard of no breach and how can any man come with soldiers into your land seing you are so mighty within both in men and ships This is very strange newes to me E. Well! but how can that be that you have not heard of our warres when the flame thereof is gone up into heaven and the sound thereof to all parts of the earth have you no better intelligence yes we are at wars but not against our enemies without but within it is a civill warre that scourgeth us which is the most miserable for 't is neere us the one Kingdome against the other the father against the son one citizen against the other N. What doe I heare mine heart trembleth Are you come into our place where we were once when here in our land the one city stood up against the other the one province against the other each using soldiers and guards against the other so that our land our church our liberty hung on a silken thred yea we should have consumed one an other had not Gods blessing and the wise and couragious counsell of Prince Maurice prevented it Oh! I bemoane with weeping eyes those that are in such a condition E. Yea our flourishing Kingdom is now in the highest disunion 't is Ephraim against Manasseh Manasseh against Ephraim we heare of nothing but warres and rumours of warres All trading traffique and prosperity stands still Citizens are turned soldiers in all places you may see the houses provided with armes every one standing as it were sentinel not knowing from whence they should expect their enemies for the one brother the one Citizen doth not trust the other N. But how freind Come you with such tydings my heart bleeds to heare it who should ever have thought it how speedily can the Lord GOD raise an adder out of our owne bosomes that shall eate us up Why doe men then gape after present friends strength rivers aliance mighty people for men may have all these and yet notwithstanding fall into the greatest calamities E. You say well for but three yeares agoe there was not the least appearance of any unquietnesse When the servants of God forewarned us of the plagues that hung over our heads every one asked from whence they should come Such preachers as spake of heavie tydings of great punishments that should come upon the Kingdome were accounted for raylers loggerheads melancholly persons puritans whose words the land was not able to beare N. Oh friend it goes just so also amongst us When our teachers warn us and foretel us as they many times doe that our quietnes shall be turned into unquietnes our mirth into sadnes our riches into poverty our blessing into a curse that there are heavy plagues hanging over our heads that we shall not escape the tempest of Gods wrath but as is to be feared we not taking example by the punishments of others shall drinke out the dregs of the cup of Gods indignation then they make a jest of it no man believes it accounts it an impossible thing as long as we have so many valiant soldiers both by sea land stand in such alliance have such a Generall But as you told us concerning England so maie they well lay it to heart for it was a great deale more unlikely to come on you than upon us but tell me I pray how came you into this warre how began it first who and what were the causes thereof E. That can not so Suddainly be related but if you please to accompanie me to my lodging where I may shift and refresh my self a little I shall willingly spend an houre with you for I perceive you have compassion on our estate therfore I will presently lay open all
right for it hath bin long observed muttered and in the end come to light by a certaine Iesuit Tho Abernen a Scottish gentle-man who being by God wonder fully converted hath discovered how that there was great correspondence held betweene the Arch bishop and the Iesuits in England and Scotland yea betwixt him and the Pope writeing letters to and againe to each other on this subject what might be the best way to make England Papists In which busines himself was imployed so that he can speake by experience N. You have made me suffitiently vnder stand and believe that the most Bishops and their adherents intended to make England papists but that would have cost hot water for the commonaltie of England as I have heard are exceeding zealous in Gods service and well instructed in Religion and therfore they could not by that meanes have gotten the masterie E. 'T is verie true that in England by Gods mercy there have beene and are many Godly honest well disposed preachers and members who would have stood for the truth unto bloud but these Bishops have had divelish practizes by little and little to falsifie the doctrine and root out godlynes wher by they doubted not but that they should have attained their purpose N. I pray lett me once heare what they were E. They have had divers besides their bringing in of the outward forme of papistrie in all places that so all might be acquainted with it as I have tolde you before They have also strip't all the assemblies of their faithfullest preachers which they have degraded imprisoned banished or so persecuted that they were faine to forsake the land and flye into New-England or other lands and in stead of Godly zealous learned desired preachers have thrust in to their places unruly ignorant doboisht infected persons which were either Arminians or partly papists that so they might bring the people to ignorance and ungodlie life and that so they might be able to frame them to what doctrine they listed N. Well those were lamentable workes to silence lawfull Preachers without cause that is to touch the Lords anoynted the apple of his eye that is openly to advance the kingdome of the divell they must surely have had some pretence for I cannot imagine that they have done such things without orderly proceeding E. It ought indeed so to bee but their will was a law and they have taken for a pretence their dissobedience against their popish canons because they would not subscribe to and observe all those fore mentioned things therfore they have thrust them out In former times they made sale of subscription and wincked at many honest and learned preachers but some yeares sithence they would excuse noe man and when any honest and distressed preachers not knowing what was best to do whither to forsake their church for the institutions or to condiscend therunto that they might remaine by their churches and preserve them from the clawes of ungodly preachers then were they not content with the ordinarie subscription to the olde Caeremonies but have so long burthened them with new till that they could not in conscienc yeeld thereunto then have they entered their action and justled them out not here and there one butifie and sixtie yea some hondreds in a short time without mercie or hope of restauratiō not withstanding the earnest solicitation of their assemblies the requests they put up the guifts they presented as being famous learned preachers that had great audience were beloved of their congregation and had wrought great edification in their places for such there was no hearing yea though whole shires came upon their knees with teares in their eyes in so much that sometimes they have wrung tears from the King himself to heare their grievous lamentations for the want of their faithfull servants begging for the glory of God and the safetie of their soules that their preachers migt be given them againe yet they could not prevaile the King sent them to the Bishops and that was to knock at a deaf mans door and the stones should sooner be moved than they N. You make me weepe for the pittifull condition of such churches how could God be so long suffering as not to hear such teares O what a curse have such Bishops pulled on their own heades God hath seene it and will regenge it how could the devill have dealt worse but have they used this crueltie against the Preachers onely E. O no for after they had destroyed the Sheepherds then like ravening wolves they have also destroyed and dispersed the sheep for they have daily cited to their spirituall Courts the honestest godliest men and women married unmarried accused them that they would not follow their Ceremonies that they went to hear here there out of their Parishes where they knew was a good preacher held fast dayes by themselves and came together to repeat the sermon to read or sing and pray These were causes sufficient to imprison the people by heapes and to let them sit there and consume to seize upon their goods to draw them to themselves so ruinating many housholds wherby many thousands were compelled to forsake the land and to wander into strange countries N. O the miserable condition of the honest inhabitants of England they have been there as bad as under the Inquisition yea worse for this is exercised against them by those that say they are of the same Religion with them and the Curats for their soules O what reason have we to thank God that we dwell in such a freeland where no man is compelled or troubled for his conscience we know of no such persecution thanks be to God and God keep us from it for our nation should never endure it but stand up and quickly hunt such instruments out of doors as they did that troop of Shavelings that dealt so with the inhabitants in the beginning of the Reformation It was lately seen in the Hague how the inhabitants could ill endure that any man should be over burthened each drew it to himself and then appeared first the lovelinesse of liberty and the sidelity of the Netherlanders to each other that alwaies take compassion on the oppressed and venture their goods and bloods therfore E. It is a commendable thing to relieve the oppressed and resist the oppressors so it be orderlie performed But alass what could we do the Bishops were too mightie and our nation is also exceeding slavish under those that are mightier than they there was great murmuring at it the will was good to resist such tyrans but they could not see where it should begin neverthelesse they thought that it would break out into a bad issue one time or other N. Vndoubtedly God will from some place or other give a good issue as he did in the beginning of our persecution God wants no means either to punish a Nation or to deliver them out of their distresse yea when the danger is at the highest and the
and all manner of Seminaries that have so done their indeavor to turn England from their Religion that they have heartened or won many thousands to the papish religion to the unspeakable weakening of our state trouble of the reformed that were where they were mightie oppressed by them yea must suffer great distresse without being heard therin when they came to complaine of it to the clergie where the favour not withstanding was continually on the papists side N. There hath been then a great fall in England for I have allwayes heard that every man was compelled to come to church and attend upon Gods service so that none were excused no not the greatest and that there were very strict orders against the Papists made in divers Parliaments so that I heare wel that it hath gone amongst you as it doth amongst us for the more is the pittie there were many times strict Proclamations read against the breaking in of papistrie but notwithstanding papistrie is openly set up in the middest of us for they have their formall churches with stooles benches Altars ovals quiers Candelsticks cupps in sundrie cities as also in the countrie and they say service at the sound of our bels going openly thereunto the Priests are knowne amongst us preaching against this goverment that it is unlawful exhorting the people to helpe the King to his land will absolve no man in shrift but such as hold the king for the lawfull Lord of the land goe publike processions with an hundred at a time place crucifixes in the church-yards at the graves of the dead come to torment the people of our religion upon their death-beds with their Idol and oyle Yea they have their whole church-goverment amongst us and have divided the whole land amongst Bishops Arch-Bishops Deacons Arch-deacons every one knowing his Iurisdiction they have also given all the civill offices unto certaine persons and when they dye then they confer them upon others againe upon hope that though now they be but titular yet â—hat once they shall have the reall possession therof So that if any change through any stir or other waies should come which God prevent each should know his place and office both in Ecclesiastical and civil affairs that so they might at once over rule the land E. You wondered that it went so in England but I wonder exceedingly that it should go so amongst you for while you give such liberty to the papists you put the souls of the inhabitants yea the whole church and land in a scale and suffer your sworn enemies that are bound by oath to the King of Spain and the Pope to set up a goverment in your goverment Who if it should go ill but in the least or that there were any likely hood to make the King of Spain master would strait fall off so that you foster an Adder in your bosoms N. You are in the right and all good Patriots understand it so it hath also sundry times appeared to be so when the land was in any trouble as when the enemie was in the valle all papists prickt up their ears spake exceeding bouldly said openly out now shortly it shall be our time and the further the enemy brake into the land the boulder they were as also when we lost Schenk-Scans and that the enemie meant thereby to come in the countenances of the papists were then cheerfull and yet when there cometh any bad newes you may easylie perceive with which fide they hold although peradventure they should be no more the better for it than wee as it appeares in manie places yet their hate is so great that they would willinglie wish to perrish them selves so that we might but perrish with them yea they are yet so bould in some places that when any godly preachers are somthing zealous to bridle their insolencies they dare send word to such persons that they should consider how it now goes in Ireland yet not withstanding these deadly enemies of our state are winked at because they blinde the eies of the Officers and great ones with great guifts and yearlie pensions as they them selves do say that they are beholding to no man for their freedome but their monie by which means they cannot be effectuallie proceeded against notwithstanding those Remonstaunces given against them by the church so that the Synods were necessitated to leave it to God and protest before all the world that they would be free of the sowles by this meanes lost having done according to their places what they could as also from that distruction which shall certainlie come upon the land therby if not speedily prevented Whereunto I pray God the Lord to stirr up all Corporations and their particuler members to take the redresse of these thinges into their hands and not to let it hang upon the officers or a few persons as it is here and thereunto the great advantage of this cause E. Yea I heare then that thinges go ill not onely in England but that in this matter it stands ill enough amongst you also although you have no Bishops to let such mischiefs break in but hold this for certaine that the whole heap of papists if they can master us and it hit right shall be quicklie a tip toe against you for I have latelie seen a letter out of the Netherlands to one of our papists which earnestlie stirreth ours up to use all meanes possible to become masters and to advance poperie assuring them that they with the helpe of England should be here strong enough to make them selves masters both of land and Religion therfore their breaking in groweth and increase of such is not to be slightlie esteemed for they can all wayes at a start be seconded by your neighbor enemies if they but make them selves masters of one passe or other so as they can not do with us because they must fetch all assistance from beyond Sea N. You say right and I know not how our goverment is so besotted that they do not better consider it for every one knoweth that there cannot be a more hurtfull nor dangerous enemy than that within especially if it be one with a powerfull enemy without and therefore God open all eyes to see it You have now told me much concerning the designs of the Bishops and the means they used to bring in papistry but tel me now once wherin the malignant Courtiers and other infected statesmen were the cause of the stirs in England E. You well remembred what I told you in the beginning that the Bishops and the malignant Politiks besides the papists have occasioned all our heavinesse for it is certain that the Bishops have spoiled all in the church and together with the Politiks have turned all things up side down in the common weal also N. How understand you that together with the Politikes I think not that the Bishops had also the care of worldly matters E. How have you not known that O yes the Bishops