Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	bishop_n	particular_a	unite_v	2,692	5	10.4857	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62103	A vindication of King Charles: or, A loyal subjects duty Manifested in vindicating his soveraigne from those aspersions cast upon him by certaine persons, in a scandalous libel, entituled, The Kings cabinet opened: and published (as they say) by authority of Parliament. Whereunto is added, a true parallel betwixt the sufferings of our Saviour and our soveraign, in divers particulars, &c. By Edw: Symmons, a minister, not of the late confused new, but of the ancient, orderly, and true Church of England.	Symmons, Edward.; Symmons, Edward. True parallel betwixt the sufferings of our Saviour and our Soveraign, in divers particulars.	1648 (1648)	Wing S6350A; ESTC R204509	281,464	363

Chaos First down with a well governed Church then with a wel ordered State and then a Butcherly confusion follows presently not onely in one but in all places But I shall take the boldness to make a few queres about the particulars SECT XIII 1. Of their Propositions at Uxbridge Foure Pretences for their Abolition of Episcopacy 2. Four true Reasons of that their sinfull request 1. WHy the Abolition of Episcopacy Was not their pretence and promise at first to make the Church Glorious and according to the Pattern of Primitive times and was not the Church then Governed by Bishops Was not the Doctrine and Discipline of this particular Church settled here in King Edwards dayes by Bishops who sealed the same afterward with their bloud and hath ever any particular Nationall Church so flourished as this hath here done under that Government did the first establishers of any other Ecclesiasticall Discipline ever give so reall and substanciall a Testimony of confirmation as these did to what they had in this kind done Or was their work ever approved with a like measure of Gods blessing Hath ever any one Church since the Ascension of our Saviour brought forth in four-score years space so many learned men defenders of verity and oppugners of Antichristianity So many able Preachers and expounders of holy Writ so many knowing Christians and well gifted people of all sorts as the Church of England hath done under the Government of Episcopacy And must it now be abolished in all haste For what causes I pray Pretences they have which we will first consider on and their true reasons afterward 1. They say because t is Impious Unlawfull and Antichristian Were then those Martyr Bishops Cranmer Ridly Hooper Latimer Farrer all Antichristian Were Jewell Downam Andrews Abbot King and many others of that Order that writ against Antichrist all themselves Antichristian Must Gods Wisdome now receive a check for suffering his Church to flourish thus long under a Government Antichristian Will this new Generation undertake to teach the Almighty also to rule his Flock and Family better then He hath hitherto done by their Abolition of Episcopacy Indeed some of them have taught that Hierarchie it self was Antichrist though Scripture speaking of Antichrist calls him a man of sin not a sinful Order if Hierarchy were any such thing but no marvail that those who think they can teach God himself do take upon them to contradict the Scripture O but say they the Romish Religion is Antichristian and the Government of that Church is by Episcopacy And yet this Government is more Ancient then that Religion as now professed and therefore that Religion cannot make it Antichristian Nor is that Church Antichristian because of that Government but rather because the precepts of men there like our Ordinances of Parliament here are preferred before the Word of God The Bishops there are called Antichristian because like our men of Westminster they are such abrogators of and such dispensers with Gods Lawes and such tyrannous exactors and importuners of their owne Because like them they are or have been at least some of them so treacherous in their pretences so barbarous in their executions so contrary in their doings to the meek and milde Doctrine of Christs Gospell breathing forth cruelty fire and sword against those that are not of their own opinion though no otherwise offending them then in their desiring to amend them Because they are in their conditions so like unto those that would from amongst us abolish Episcopacy therefore are the Bishops in the Romish Church called Antichristian and for no other reason Their Second Argument or pretence why Episcopacy must be Abolished is because say they all other Reformed Churches have abolished Bishops and till we have abolished them too Reformation will not be perfect in this Nation This Reason is false Or were it true yet the conclusion from it is most untrue The Churches in Denmark Swevia and Poland do retaine Episcopacy after the manner of the Greek and Russian Churches and those of Africk and the Easterne Countries And for those particular Churches that have abolished that Government it is first to be enquired before there be a conformity to their practice whether therein they have done well or no and whether since that time they have thrived better without it then we have done that have enjoyed it If it be remembred what is recorded to be said at the meeting at Dort to our English Divines by some of them that were sent thither from those other reformed Churches concerning their own unhappiness in respect of the want of such an Episcopal Government as ours was and concerning our Churches felicity in its enjoyment therof perhaps it would be concluded that this similitude aymed at with other Churches is only in misery and imperfections and that those other so admired Churches come short of ours in perfection of Reformation and not ours of them and of this opinion doubtless were those wise and learned Divines of the Religion as they are called in France who petitioned the Cardinal Richlieu as I have heard credibly reported that they might be permitted to have Bishops over their Congregations But he answered No for then you would have at least the face of a Church among you That learned Gentleman Sir Edwin Sands tels us in his Europae Speculum that the Papists are more awed with the Reformation of Religion in England then with that in any other Country and have bin says he more busie in their attempts against our Church as conceiving it to be most perfect of any other in regard of that peaceable and orderly alteration introduced therein which was not says he in a tumultuous headlong way as was that in other Churches but by the general consent of the Prince and Realm representatively assembled in solemn Parliament as also in regard of the continuation of the Government by Bishops and vocation of Ministers which the inconsiderate weakness of other Churches did not retain or rather the violent wickedness of profane men coveting the Churches possessions would not suffer Thus he But now we have amongst our selves some above-board who it seemes are resolved though with the destruction of Church and Kingdome to free the Papists from their Ancient dread they will have all things here as they are and have been in other Churches that former orderly Reformation which did so awe the Adversary shall be over-done and made perfect by an heady tumultuous innovation our Government by Bishops shall be quite abolished even root and branch and all the Churches Revenues shall be imployed to prophane uses that so we may be fully conformable to other Reformed Churches this is the issue of their second Argument Their 3. Pretence to the same purpose is this Bishops must be abolished because they have been specially of late such enemies unto and Persecutors of Gods People viz. those of their Faction For as if they were all Kings of China they

the Scripture which these Dreamers have alleadged out of S. Jude it being the sole and onely one produced for their own Justification in these their Commentaries upon the Kings letters we must give them their due praise and yeeld it was very sutable for the purpose They goe on and tell us of something to be seen also saying They may see here in these his private letters what Affection the King beares to his people what Language and Titles he bestowes upon his great Councell SECT III. 1. The Kings great and true affection to his people Evidenced 2. How far divers of them that call themselves His Great Councell are from proving themselves his good Councellors The ten Rules or Precepts whereby they have proceeded 3. Of the Language and Titles which they complain of and how truly the name Rebell belongs unto them 4. The true cause of that great grief and sorrow so often mentioned An impudent Charge against the King propounded by the Libellers THe unlearned saith S. Peter do pervert many things in S. Pauls Epistles to their own destruction through the ignorance that is in them and if so then much rather may the malicious make perverse constructions upon the Kings Letters to the hurt of others through the bitterness that is in them Truly we do imagine that our subtile and suspected Brethren have even so done and malum being sui diffusivum they would fain season us with the same liquor which infecteth them to which end they would have us look with such Eyes as they doe and to judge with such hearts for thereby in time we may perhaps be brought to speak with such tongues and to act with such hands too And peradventure if we cannot read with their Spectacles or relish their interpretations they wil conclude us to be stark blinde and strongly Seduced But if they do we are of S. Pauls minde and passe not much to be judged by them our Judge is Christ whose Gospell hath taught us to interpret better These Letters we acknowledge have been read and as proceeding from their hands too together with their corrupt glosse upon them and we wish from our soules we had seen no more disloyalty in the one then we doe disaffection in the other no worse language in their notes against the best of Kings then we doe in his letters against the worst of Subjects we see his tender care to preserve in being his Protestant people in the Kingdome of Ireland he being made unable at the present to restore them to their former wel-being Pap. 16 and 17. we see also how desirous he is to settle a peace among his unkinde and unnaturall people of this Kingdome though with the diminution of his own undoubted rights and the lending away to his own great losse and prejudice his most just Prerogative Pap. 25. we see moreover how his spirit is grieved in him at the Stubbornnesse and perversnesse of the English Rebells that they hindred his hopes of an Accomodation by way of Treaty Pap. 6. which in the judgement of all that love their Country would be the best for the people of this land as the case now standeth we see in his Letters what resolution he hath to adhere to his Clergy the Messengers and Servants of the great God who were wont to be reckoned among the better sort of his people though now with these new and vile Reformers they are the most contemptible Pap. 1. Indeed his private directions for his Commissioners at Uxbridge do alone speake sufficiently his fatherly and Pious Affection to his people His words as his very Enemies record them are these Paper 25. I cannot yeeld to the change of the Government by Bishops not onely as I fully concur with the most Generall opinion of Christians in all Ages as being the best But likewise I hold my self particularly bound by the Oath I took at my Coronation not to alter the Government of this Church from what I found it And as for the Churches Patirmony I cannot suffer any diminution or alienation of it being without peradventure Sacriledge and likewise contrary to my Coronation Oath But whatever shall be offered for rectifying of abuses if any have crept in or for the ease of tender Consciences so as it endamage not the foundation I am content to heare and will be content to give a gratious answer thereunto Had any of the Kings Predecessours but offered thus much half thus much to the strictest non-Conformists in former times they would have cryed it up for a token of the greatest affection that ever King did shew unto his people But the men of our times unlesse their Soveraigne will commit perjury and break his Oath to God as they have done theirs both to God and him to please their Humours unless he will commit Sacriledge as they do destroy his own Conscience and damne his own soul to satisfie their lusts they are resolved to raile upon him for one that beares no Affections to his people But in these his Instructions to the same Commissioners we may and do observe more of his Affection yet to his own dammage and wrong unto his people his words are these by the testimony also of his own deadly enemies The Militia is certainly the fittest subject for a Kings quarrell for without it the Kingly power is but a shadow who can deny this and therefore upon no meanes to be acquitted but maintained according to the Ancient known lawes of the Land no otherwise doth the King desire to have it defended and upheld Yet because to attain to this so much wished peace by all good men it is in a manner necessary Scil. in regard of the guilty Consciences of the Rebells that a sufficient and reall security be given even to them to take away if possible their suspition for the performance of what shall be agreed upon I permit you either by leaving strong Towns or other Military forces in the Rebells possession untill Articles be performed to give such assurance for performance of conditions as you shall judge necessary to conclude a firm Peace Provided alwayes that you take as great a care by sufficient security that Conditions be performed to me good reason and to make sure that the peace once settled all things shall return to their ancient Channell Now behold and wonder O all ye Nations of the word and judge I beseech you betwixt this King and his Accusers Could any Christian deny himself more Did ever Prince deny himselfe so much Can the desires of any man be more equal and just then these are Doe you perceive in these his secret instructions that he covets any more power or Prerogative then is allowed or approved by the Ancient and known Lawes of the Land Can any innocent disposition upon the earth possibly give more satisfaction to a perverse froward and guilty Enemy then is here offered to these men by a most Gracious and Honest King onely to procure

ingrosse to themselves the title of Filios Coeli Gods Children Heires of Heaven with exclusion of all that be not of their opinions I pray God they may prove so at last but as yet sure we are their actions proclaim them to be Filios inferni rather The Bishops in regard of their office and place in the Church were bound in Conscience as they would answer it to God and the King to suppresse Schisme to keep down Faction and Rebellion and to punish those that were Seditious and they apprehending from some strange positions vented in Pulpits and from the refractorinesse which they found in some spirits unto the Government established that some great mischief was in hatching did endeavour to hinder the sowing of that seed which hath brought forth these bitter fruits which now alas this whole Nation feeds upon and weepes under Now because they would not sleep and suffer those envious ones to scatter their tares into peoples Hearts so quietly as some desired therefore they open the mouth against them as against the Enemies and Persecutors of Gods People Perhaps as was said before every particular of the Bishops might not be so wary and considerate in the management of what they did as had they known the event of things they would have been and perhaps too they imployed some persons of too course or base an Alloy to act in the businesse who pulled up Wheat and Tares together or peradventure sometime and in some places the Wheat alone and not the Tares at all and so the Bishops good intendments became scandalous by the ilnesse of their instruments But I beleeve now experience hath taught it to all sober men that it will be confessed the Bishops were not such great persecutors of Gods People or Hunters of Christs Flocke as was so loudly voyced but rather good Shepheards that endeavoured to keep under those ravenous wolves who now so much destroy it Ask but the Country Farmer and even he will now tell you that since the Abolition of Episcopacy hath been in hand Christs Sheep and his have had but unsafe and unquiet pasturage in compare with that which they enjoyed formerly and thus have we seen the strength of their 3. Pretence or Argument A 4. followes and t is this Episcopacy must be abolished because it hinders the punishment of sinne in that brotherly way which suits with Christs rule in the Gospell which sayes if thy brother offend first tell him of it in private between him and thee if he doe not reform then carry two or three with thee and admonish him the second time if he will not yet hear then Dic Ecclesiae tell it to the Church and make a publike manifestation of his wickedness But by the abolition of Episcopacy this discipline of Christ shall be set up mens reputation may be saved and their monies too which is needlesly spent in Bishops Courts and people may be kept in good awe without charges So they say And the Warre they have raised to punish Delinquents doth sufficiently discover their brotherly way but not to insist upon that let us consider how well they have begun to put their discipline in execution with particulars First in the publication of their so much studyed and unmannerly Remonstrance against the King they begun their discipline at the wrong end even at Dic Ecclesiae or at Dic Mundo rather before they so much as touched upon a first or second Admonition Yea and though His Majesty before-hand by his suppressing offensive Courts and establishing a ●rienniall Parliament had largely testified His resolution of rectifying what was amiss had the things been true which they Charged upon him And 2. how Ecclesiastically have they dealt with him now also in their divulging these his Letters whereby they have done their worst to make him accounted an Heathen and a Publican without ever so much as the least hint or brotherly Admonition before hand But perhaps they 'l say the King is a singular person and considering the state of opposition wherein at this present he stands with them or they with him he is not worthy or capable of any such respect at their hands Let us consider therefore how fairly they have proceeded with others and how according unto Discipline And to this purpose let us but remember one particular which was before mentioned viz. how at their first meeting when they took from the Bishops power of punishing sinne they made a kinde of a publick O yes to the whole Kingdome and put the same in print that none might plead ignorance of it and sent it into all parts and corners of the Land whereby they invited all the Raskality of the Nation to bring up to Westminster all the complaints they would or could against the Ministers of Jesus which were there received with all alacrity and cheerfulness though never so false or so malitious and in their open Committees the man in the Chaire would give the Title of Sir and Master at every word to the basest beggerliest villaine that had but the fore-head to come before them and act the Devills part against his Minister and sometimes also on the other side he would rattle up and be Sirrah the Messenger of the Lord before the rabble and all this before any first or second Admonition yea perhaps before they knew upon proof whether he were guilty of any fault or no onely they saw somewhat written against him in a paper And then further yet lest the negligent world should chance to forget in after-Ages this remarkable Act of Zeal and Discipline in them concerning the Reformation of the Clergy One John White then a choice Member of the Lower House though now gone to his proper place did make a Book and Authorized it his own self wherein the said presentments though never proved were transmitted to posterity and this was his Dic Ecclesiae And to the end that forreigne Nations also as well as the Children yet unborne might the more fully note and know the Christianity of these Abolishers of Episcopacy they Authorized in like manner one William Prin a dear friend we may be sure of the Bishops to write an History in two volumes beside his Commentary upon the Ar●●-Bishops Note-Booke wherein all the obliquities of the Bishops that were whispered or could possibly be invented were at large recorded which was a Dic Ecclesiae to the purpose If Prin had made good use of that great Reading which he would the world should thinke him guilty of he might have remembred that the Ancient Councells when they deprived any Bishop never recorded the off●●ce but buried it in perpetuall silence Or had reason bore any sway in him though things ●lameworthy had been in the Bishops yet to ascend from their persons unto their calling and to draw that into question he would have judged it high Injustice but for those his Books I leave him to the torture of his owne Conscience when he writ

them he was surely in that his Tartarean Extasie which his brother John Goodwin affirmes him to be sometimes in and then sayes he he speaks the Dialect of Dragons And by the way that the world may the better know him let but the Testimony be remembred which the said learned brother of his gives publickly of him Since the mountains saith he were brought forth and setled it may probably be thought that there was never any son of Adam whose pen made a broader digression from that Christian brotherly way which himself speaks of then his own for look as low as the earth is beneath the Heavens so far is Mr. Prins way of dealing with his friends beneath that which is Christian and brotherly and if so we cannot suppose him to deale better with those whom he accounteth his enemies He can spie Beares and Tigres Lyons and Dragons where other men can see nothing but Doves and Sheep and hath eyes given him to condemn all the world beside of blindnesse this is the very Testimony which John Goodwin one of the Parliament Ministers giveth to the world of William Prin and He professeth solemnly withall that himself can hardly refrain from taking a solemn Vow and protestation in the sight of God Angels and men to have no more to doe with him either in word or deed untill He turnes Christian But as I said before I leave him to the torture of his own Conscience as well as to John Goodwins censure and return to my proper business I remember the fore-named Sir Edwin Sands in his fore-mentioned discourse tells us that when he writ the said book which is above 50. years ago the Papists in their hatred against the Church of England did give out that they had a Booke in hand of the lives of the Ministers of England viz. of defamation against them if that Booke be not yet out as for ought I know it is not for want of matter perhaps to make up or strength to bring forth they may now spare themselves the labour for John White and William Prin by strong Authority have done the work for them and with as perfect spight and vilenesse as the worst of them could possibly have done it I wish with my soule that dissolute and corrupt Ministers upon sufficient testimony of their guilt had in a d●e and orderly way received exemplary punishment to expiate the scandall and reproach which by their meanes hath been cast upon our Holy Office and function but undoubtedly the course which Prin and White have taken and which these Abolishers of Bishops have countenanced them in is most base and beggerly and altogether unworthy ingenuous and true Noble spirits Sure had their delights been to have soared on high in the pure and candid paths of verity they would have disdained in that sort to have raked in the puddles of obscenity but in that to their basenesse of discoveryes they have added Injustice too and suffered Malice to prefer Spight to increase and Slander to taint all that was done in this nature they have deservedly purchased to themselves a place with the grand Calumniatour himself whose title is The ●●cuser of the Brethren And thus we have seen what their grand pretences are for their Abolition of Episcopacy now we shall note their true reasons which are these some say 1. Because Episcopall Government confines people as Gods word doth to the Bonds of Wedlock and punisheth those that vitiate themselves in forbidden pathes by ordering them to stand in a White sheet or to pay a good sum of money for a Commutation Yea some persons of place and note in the world who think it no shame to commit folly but to be reproved for it are liable to suffer rebuke and so disgrace as they take it for their wantonnesse if Bishops continue still Honourable and in esteem amongst us for the outward dignity of the reprover adds much vigour to the reproof with some men Wherefore that people might be free and enjoy their Liberty without check or Controule the Persons of Bishops must be vili●ied their Estates and revenews taken away from them and their Jurisdiction from henceforth quite abolished Indeed it makes all modest men blush to hear what Harlottry and filthiness is voiced to be practiced and countenanced even by them that would be esteemed the Reformers of our Church and Nation since the Courts which punished that sin have been suppressed notwithstanding Gods heavy judgements upon the Nation ever since nor must men now speak their minds freely for feare of being accounted disaffected persons Enemies to the State and to the Priviledges of Parliament But as Saint Paul said in his time to the Corinthians so I must say for I am Gods Minister to those above board in these dayes I hear there is such f●●nication committed and such filthyness suffered to goe unpunished amongst you as is not to be named among Saints much less to be connived at by them that would be esteemed members of the High and Supreame Court of Justice It was not thus when Episcopacy was in force nor when Bishops had their place in Parliament O might there but come forth an Ordinance to warrant and encourage all men to bring in Complaints against Bawds Panders and Harlots with their abetters and maintainers as there was once to invite all that would to bring in accusations against Gods Ministers the world might haply see or heare some new Centuryes of ill livers yea and proofs too into the bargain Yea perhaps they might hear how some unworthy Members have attempted to ravish and defloure Ladies of Honour and no punishment inflicted for the same How some others neglected their own wives have kept divers lewd women yea and allow yearely pensions to filthy Bawds to furnish them with such Commodities for the satisfying their brutish lusts and base appetites How some have defloured young Virgins whose Parents in respect of their abused Children are unwilling to publish their dishonour to the world How some having committed this vile wickedness with young Gentle-women have used or advised to meanes to hinder conception yea and to destroy the fruit in the wombe when conceived which I beleeve in the sight of God is no lesse then rank murder How some having undone Gentlemen of good quality by taking away their estates have taken advantage of the poverty of their Children and allured their daughters personable and proper women unto their own basenesse to the losse of their Honours and precicious Soules for ever and to continue in these courses without controule is thought by many to be one of the chief designes which divers of these new reformers ayme at I say these and many such like things might haply be evinenced to some mens shame if they have any left in them might but as free leave and Countenance be granted to impeach such persons as was once to accuse Gods Ministers Well some men imagine this to be one

some others beside themselves as for example in a certain Dragon Rev. 12. 15. who when he had persecuted a woman there mentioned whom some interpret to be the Church of Christ and driven her into a wilderness i. e. into a low and desperate condition his patience provoked him to cast out of his mouth after her waters as a flood which as Expositors say were multitudes of slanders reproachful speeches scandalous reports and lies hoping therby to drown her honour and reputation for ever for they would be more easily believed of her in her affliction and to carry her away so far that she should never appear in any credible or comfortable condition more Nor did his patience end here but the Text tels us vers 17. that he went farther in the heat therof to make war with the remnant of her seed that keep the Commandment of God and have the testimony of Jesus We are sure this was such a patience which these men are seasoned withal and which they have shewn since their discovery of these Papers and do stil exercise towards their Soveraign and all that remain faithful and loyal to him Nay and farther too we must tel these men that this humour which they call patience in themselves though the name which they give it be somthing new yet for the nature of it 't is no whit strange or singular for many men before these times have bin infected with it Cain was when he kill'd his brother because his own works were evil and his brothers good and so was Nimrod that mighty Hunter before the Lord and oppressour of his neighbours Saul in the Old Testament was ful of this patience when the Evil Spirit was upon him and made him throw his Javelin against David at one time and against Jonathan at another and so was that Saul in the new Testament too at such time as he went panting up and down like a bloud-hound breathing forth threatnings against the People of God Shimei also was brim-ful to the very mouth of it when with his revilings and execrations he saluted David in the depth of his affliction and Achitophel did overflow therwith when in all haste he would have pursued his Soveraign while he was faint and weary This Patience was in Haman too when to be revenged for Mordecai's stifness he endevoured the ruine of the whole Jewish Nation it was in Nebuchadnez●ar also and made the form of his visage change against Sedrach Mesach and Abednego when in scruple of Conscience they refused to submit to an Ordinance of his almost as damnable as the Parliament Covenant And in the Scribes and Pharisees it was most plentifully abounding as appears by all their dealings with Christ and his Apostles Thus I say this condition which these men commend in themselves for the matter of it is not so new and strange though I confess the Name by which they call it seems so to be for it was wont to be tearmed Rage Cruelty Wrath and Fury and not Patience Yet I remember Master Fox tels us that Bishop Bonner and those of his bloudy Consistory in Queen Maries days who having with as much rage and passion as can be imagined handled and oppressed the Martyrs when they came to read the definitive sentence and to give them up to the secular power to be put to death were wont to make proclamation as these men here do to the whole world of their great meeknesse and strange Patience which they had used towards those obstinate Hereticks as they called them So that we see this Patience here mentioned is not only by Bishop Bonners Authority a strange Patience but also such a Patience as Master Fox himself doth make mention of in the Book of Martyrs But the poor Church of Christ hath felt enough and too much of this their Patience therefore at this time I wil speak no more of it onely I conclude in the words of the Prophet Micha The best of them is as a Bryer the most upright of them is sharper then the thorne Hedge The next thing they mention wherein they Triumph indeed and glory is their late extraordinary success in the field some perhaps may wonder how these three can accord together great sufferings strange Patience and extraordinary good success and all of late but they must remember that their Sufferings and Patience being of that kind as was shewed before may wel stand with extraordinary good success yea in such men as they are such sufferings and such patience are the natural fruits and dependants of prosperity and Extraordinary good Successe But by the way take notice of their end in yoaking these three together Prosperity and good successe which of old went currant onely among the Papists for a Note of the true Church is now admitted also by these men to be a speciall marke of the goodnesse of their cause but in regard our Religion hath hitherto taught that sufferings and patience were rather the marks of Christs true flock then extraordinary successe in the world therefore Euphoniae gratia for sound sake the name of sufferings and patience are still retained and joyned together here with extraordinary good successe Alteratio non fit in instanti if the Change from one extreame unto another should not be by degrees it would be too grosse and palpable but by that time the three Propositions be granted to them Extraordinary good successe will be able to stan alone and to go currant among all their Proselites for an unquestionable note of the true Church or cause it will not need the countenance of these two names of Suffering and Patience which shall from thenceforth be rejected and wholly disclaimed as infallible marks of Loyalty and Malignancy Indeed successe is the best Argument they have to win and hold people to themselves and to their Cause wherefore t is requisite that for further discovery I shew the invalidity and weaknesse of this their Argument But first for our better progresse therein we shall consider what this extraordinary successe is which they so brag and boast of and what are the true grounds and causes of it Their Successe I confesse to narrow Capacities and low braines may seeme as they call it extraordinary but to those that consider the causes of things together with the meanes and manner of their proceedings it appeareth nothing so T is well known how by fraud and policy they seized at unawares upon the Kings Militia and Navy How they ingrossed into their hands most of his Townes Castles Rents Revenues and all he had leaving him nothing of his owne to subsist on How they rooked to themselves all the Plate and Money of the Kingdome and how by the service of false Teachers they poysoned the hearts of his Subjects drew them from their Allegeance and armed them against him And having done all this they were able to get a Victory against him at Nazeby-field after they had taken

of these things I beseech you Nay consider O all yee people of all sorts whether you think in Conscience these your new Rulers with their crew be the very meek Ones of the Earth as they account themselves to whom the intire right and possession of all earthly blessings and inheritances doe appertaine whether it be a true position which since the Militia hath been in their hands they have been bold to maintain viz. that right by Conquest is the best Title else Gods providence would not permit them to be successefull and whether if that Tenent be maintained any one of you all can promise to your selves the use and comfort of any thing that is either left unto you or purchased by you let this also be thought upon 9. Consider whether in any thing these men have performed what at first they promised whether Religion be better setled the Church better reformed and united the Common-wealth more flourishing the Subjects more happy then when they took these matters into their hands you were told by them as you well know when they first inticed you to engage your selves with them in this Warre that the same would be quickly over and oft-times since when they came to borrow more money of you have they not pretended continually that the worke was almost done if you would but come off well and afford another good pluck it would be quite ended they promised also when they moved unto the warre that they would exact nothing against your wills from you no God forbid that they should use any violence they desired that men should do freely and without constraint only what themselves pleased they were all for the freedome of the Subject but have they proved as true of their words as you did of your Assistance have they used no enforcements to get your money since that time or are your miseries concluded and your expences yet at an end Are the Scots paid all their Arrears Is Ireland reduced to obedience or as quiet as at their first meeting Is the King setled in his proper Rights and Dignitie as was pretended and the Subjects in their Liberties Is Judgement and Justice executed in our Gates and oppression driven from our Streets and every thing removed that may provoke Gods further displeasure Nay doth not the late prevailing of these men speak rather a neernesse of Gods more heavie Curse upon us and a beginning rather then a finishing of your sorrowes Is it not probable that God will take the matter into his owne hand by Plague or Famine and call both them and you to a reckoning for that Christian bloud that is spilt by you without lawfull Authoritie Or are not all the Nations of the world Gods Instruments and cannot he employ some of them to punish you for your punishing others without a warrant from his Vicegerent or cannot he send a spirit of division amongst your selves as once between Abimilech and the men of Sichem after that by conspiring together they had prevailed against the House and Family of Gideon sure bloud and oppression are crying sinnes in Gods eares and the Judge of all the world will doe Justice and 't is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of God when he is angry consider in your hearts of these things 10. Consider the conditions of your chief Leaders in speciall and of their Faction in generall whereunto you have adhered whether they be such as becomes the Gospel of Jesus Christ or rather whether in your observation they be not such as the Apostles Paul and Peter prophesied should be in the worst men of the last and worst times Have they not shown themselves a covetous self-seeking Generation did they not at the first seek and sue with all their strength and policie for the dignity to be chosen Parliament-men and have they not since placed themselves in the best Offices of the Kingdome are not many of them that were leane and bare before grown plump and fat and shining are they not in the mannagement of their prosperity and successe boasters proud supercilious and scornfull persons have they not often blasphemed Gods Word by perverting the same to their owne purpose have they not shew'd themselves disobedient ingratefull without naturall affection to their Countrey and friends are they not manifest promise Oath and Protestation Breakers doe they not daily approve themselves to be false accusers of others fierce-spirited in persecuting their unjust and mischievous accusations also to be Traytors heady high-minded having only pretences to Godlinesse without any true power thereof And further are they not despisers of Government presumptuous in their wayes selfe-willed not fearing to speake evill of dignities doe they not run the black course of reproaching their betters as well as the red of cruelty against their brethren Now the Apostles tell us that all such conditioned men are reprobates concerning the true faith and made to be destroyed and doe you thinke that there is safety in being of their society Againe are they not of that number whom Esay the Prophet mentions whose hands are defiled with bloud and whose fingers with iniquitie whose lips have spoken lies and whose tongues have uttered perverse things is not wasting and destruction in all their wayes have they not refused to know and to own the way of peace And now if they be such consider whether you are like to gaine any thing by adhering to them seeing that their egges are Cockatrice egges whereof whosoever eateth dyeth and their webs are spiders webs which shall never become Garments to cover themselves much lesse others Be serious I beseech you deare Christians in thinking of these things and let not their Religious pretences their many fastings and thankesgivingdayes make you think ever a whit the better of them for Satans Ministers have come in the shape of Angels of light before now it hath been the old custome of Hypocrites to deale thus with God Almightie by fastings and thanksgivings to uphold their reputation for their Fastings read Esay 58. chapter and for their Thankesgivings see Jer. 7. where 't is said of them that they could steale or plunder murder and shed bloud speak falsly and commit adultery yea and worship Baal as some do now the Militia or God of forces and yet sayes the Lord they come and stand before me in my House and say we are delivered to do all these abhominations they acknowledge Gods deliverance and perhaps his assistance of them but so as if the same had been vouchsafed on purpose that they might be and continue to be the Actors of those villanies so in Esay ●6 there is mention made of others that were frequent in their oblations to God and as appears vers 5. had just as these men doe hated their Brethren and in a pretence of zeale to Gods name had cast them out of their possessions though they were such as truly feared the Lord and

you by the conditions of those persons that are above-board with you and imployed by you as also by that progresse which Religion hath had since you have domineered for the goodnesse or badnesse of Rulers hath alwayes been concluded upon from the growth or decay of Religion in their dayes But truly Sirs not to flatter you we observe your Piety to be nec una nec vera nec bona and therefore conceive it to be in very deed nulla I must be plaine 't is my profession and my resolution and therefore you must beare with me First 'T is not una for you are divided in Religion the very best among you I shall minde you to this purpose of some passages in Print between your two so much extolled Professors nay Martyrs so intitled so honoured William Prynne and Henry Burton whom at the beginning of your meeting you sent for and reeeived with more affectionate and generall applause then ever since was shewn unto your Soveraign these two however conjoyned in that ridiculous and admired Triumph which your selves with the City of London was pleased to make them even these very two have been at daggers drawing almost ever since about their Religion and each of them have even amongst your very selves Followers and Disciples great plenty they are indeed the two grandest Champions of the two grandest Factions of those 52 which as reports goes doe swarm among you Prynne is as appears for the Presbyterians and Burton for the Independents And their controversie is about no lesse then a maine part of the Gospel for of that nature is Church-Government in Burtons present judgement and Prynne was apprehended of the very same opinion all the while he held up Satans banner against the Bishops though now it seemes as many others of his Sect are he is fallen from it for he holds now as Prela●s did before that there be Nationall Churches and that each hath a Liberty to chuse and settle such a Form of Church Government as is most sutable to the Lawes Customes and manners of the people yea and further that there is no direct precept or pattern in Sacred Writ for particulars in Discipline and Ceremony but they are left to humane prudence And to prove this against his Brother Burtons Faction he doth use those very Arguments which were wont to be used against himselfe and his Sect and are to be found originally in Mr. Hookers Ecclesiasticall Policy But Burton spits at him for this and affirms plainely that to shape Religion in point of Church-Government to humane Policy is to shape a Coat for the Moone humano capiti cervicem jungere equinam populo ut placeret fabulas facere to coyne tales to please people Wherefore he taxeth his Brother Prynne of high presumption in thus attempting to mingle Earth and Heaven together they are his owne words for I 'le not vary a syllable from his own expressions what sayes he cannot your Law and our Gospel cotten together unlesse our Gospel weares your Lawes Liverie and be tyred in a Gown like one of your Sergeants made up of two severall colours Prynne is peremptory that Church-Government and Power of making Ecclesiasticall Lawes to binde was ever in the Civill Magistrate the Priests or Clergie never had any thing to do in that worke by right and now sayes he the power is in the Parliament that place Math. 18. 15 16 17. If thy brother offend c. He will have to be meant not of Excommunication but of the Civill Court of Justice And he sayes further that in the Assembly or Evangelicall Synod Act 15. the Apostles did not passe their Votes as they were Apostles guided infallibly by the Holy Ghost but rather as they were in their ordinary capacity as Elders and chiefe members of it and this he concludes to be an undeniable Scripture Authority for the lawfull use of Parliaments and Synods under the Gospell upon like necessary occasions and for their power to determine Controversies of Religion to make Canons maugre all evasions and exceptions of Independents to elude it all which with much more such stuffe to the same purpose as it seems Prynne hath against his Adversaries and proves it as Burton notes with an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but sayes he that shall not serve the turne for he denies every bit of it with another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as good as his he is very positive that we should have a very mad world of it if Civill States or Parliaments should have liberty to frame Church-Governments or set up Discipline He allows a State to pull down an old Church-Government indeed but by no meanes to set up any for that he saith is another thing And he tells Prynne plainely that he is out of his proper orbe in talking thus and 't is out of his jealousie that Church Censures should trench upon his pleadings at the Barre of Justice and for his part he is confident that the place Mat. 18. belongeth not to Civill Courts but to the Church as all Presbyterians heretofore did expound it and for the Decrees made at the Synod Act. 15. He is of opinion because they were binding that they were made by the Apostles as they were Apostles and that the Parliament now hath no power to make the like And he is directly of opinion that that Assembly or Church-meeting was no Parliament scil no such Parliament as Prynne would have it and therefore he adviseth him thus Good Brother be not so peremptory but take in your top-saile 't is too high to bear up against so stiffe a gale of Scripture and reason Prynne affirms before-hand that whosoever submits not to that Church-Government which the Parliament shall set up is guilty of arrogancy schism contumacy and liable to such penalties as are due to those offences Burton cryes out Good Brother be not so legall what if they set up such a one as godly people cannot submit unto must they either violate their consciences or suffer in their good names for arrogant contumacious schismaticks and be liable to I wot not what penalties beside why good Brother if we should go and live under the Turkish Government and could not in Conscience turne Turks in the Religion there established yet there is a way of exemption for it namely to become Tributaries to the State as many Christians do Good Brother let 's not have any of Draco's Lawes executed upon innocents shall we now turne worse persecutors of the Saints then the Prelats Surely Henry Burton being so wise and so good a man in your esteems you cannot imagine but he sees some reasons for his thus speaking Againe Prynne in another place requires absolute obedience to the generall consent of the Assembly and Parliament which Burton holds utterly unlawfull and alledgeth to prove it so that generality of Votes whereby the Jewes State did carry it away to crucifie their King inferring thereby that he thinkes it possible that this