was not easie for an ordinary hearer to discover them though to a judicious ear they were discernable enough his language was smooth and taking especially with carnall auditors that delight more in Play-books then in the Book of God What St Augustine writes of Faustus the Maniche Confes l. 5. c. 3. sec 1. I have often thought with my self might justly be applied unto him That he was magnus laqueus diaboli multi implicabantur in eo per illecebram suaviloquentiae i.e. a great snare of the devil and many were intangled in him through the allurement of his sweet language Now about Midsummer last this Jo. Salmon on what account I know not whether because his stock was spent for it was observed he fell from preaching twice to preach only once a Sabbath and some of his admirers began to complain they had the same Crambes on severall texts or because he feared the negative Oath which some suspected though I think and partly know he feared no Oath or because his Proselytes did not answer his expectation in their contributions to his maintenance or on what other account I know not but he leaving Rochester and betaking himself to the Sea not long after one Richard Coppin was brought down from London by Hils the Searcher which Hils with Robert Cosens and John Phinehas Carpenters had been principall fautors and followers of Salmon This Coppin presently takes upon him to preach twice every Lords day in the Cathedrall where Salmon was wont to preach before him and being exactly of the same principles with his brother in evil that preceded him he began to play his game and to express himself for the substance in his strain venting the same errours but more openly and with less Artifice of words than the other had done indeed Salmon told him at his going away as I am informed by a Salmonist which heard it that after he was gone he would be so open that he would be laid hold of which accordingly by Gods providence is come to pass Coppins doctrines were so gross from Sabbath to Sabbath that they were in the mouthes of many that heard him Whereupon hearing what a Preacher was come amongst us and perceiving what a resort of Auditors there was to him one Sabbath day about the later end of September or beginning of October as I remember I went to hear him his Text he then treated on was Job 19.25 26 27. his whole Sermon was a cursed gloss that corrupted the Text he had scarce one sound passage from the beginning to the end of his Discourse he then affirmed That Christ the Redeemer was a sinner in respect of his humane nature that all mankinde was the body of Christ redeemed and to be saved by him That neither Job in that place nor St Paul 1 Cor. 15. did speak of the resurrection of the body with many more pestilent errours I confess my spirit was much stirred at the hearing of him and I took occasion to manifest my detestation of his errours and blasphemies to one that stood by me resolving in due time to witness against them both publickly and privately as I had occasion His Discourse being ended I immediatly went out not thinking it fit at that time in that Auditory to object any thing against him though in the close of his Discourse he invited any man to do it that was not satisfied in what he had delivered but very shortly after preaching in Rochester Parish Church I took occasion to witness against what I had heard in the Cathedrall warning the people to take heed of such Doctrines and the broachers of them whereupon as I was inform'd Coppin renews his challenges every Sermon he preacht That if any were offended with what then or at any other time he had delivered they should object and he would answer for himself complaining of those that would speak and preach against him behinde his back but never object any thing to his face Hereupon that we might countermine this underminer of Religion and vindicate the truth of Christ in that place where it had been so much contradicted and blasphemed Mr Sandbrooke Mr Acworth Mr Peglar and my self agreed to preach a Lecture every Tuesday in Rochester Cathedrall for the benefit of the Souldiers especially and such others of the City or Country as should come to hear Captain Smith readily complying with us to bring his Souldiers the Maior of the City likewise approving of the work Mr Sandbrooke began the Lecture October 9th and so we continued it from week to week every Lecture we preacht more or less declaring our selves against some of Coppins errours he likewise continued his Sabbath daies Discourses with a very great resort of all sorts to hear him with open mouth he railed against the Priests that told people of their sins and would make them beleeve that God was angry with any of them for their sinnes he continued his challenges of any that would to object against his Doctrine and November 4. being the Lords day he gave notice that next day being the 5th of November he would give his Auditory a Sermon and be ready after his Sermon to answer whatsoever should be objected against his Doctrine either then or formerly delivered accordingly next day he preacht or rather prated according to his manner and when he had done he cal'd upon his opponents if any were there to speak what they had to say against him when yet he could not but know that my Brethren and I who had declared our abhorrency of his heresies and blasphemies were not then at leasure for him nor had he any reason to expect us After when I heard of those dog-tricks Tuesday November the 27th preaching Mr Peglars turn who had been sick and was not yet recovered after my Sermon on Jobs Creed with the Preface to it and the use his unkinde friends should have made of it Job 17.23 24 25 26 27 28. I took notice of Coppins challenges and of his tricks to delude the people giving the present Auditory to understand that on the Tuesday following I would be ready in that place to object against him and in case he did not appear to answer for himself or give a reasonable account for his non-appearance it should be interpreted for a tergiversation and confession of the badness of his cause To leave him without all excuse I promised to intimate thus much in a few lines to him under my hand accordingly that afternoon I drew up a few lines to him which were left at his lodging by a sure hand but he was gone to London and came not home till Saturday night next day being the Lords day I received three or four lines from him wherein he signified his receipt of mine at his coming home and withall that since he was not at home to meet me on Thursday he would next morning which was Moonday the 3d of December not fail to meet me at nine of the clock
in the place appointed proclaiming amongst his Auditors that day his undertaking for the next day that he might have as considerable a party of his own proselytes at the meeting as was possible The next morning by nine of the clock was a great concourse of people in the Cathedrall and Coppin before either the Maior or Capt. Smith were come possest himself of the Pulpit where ad populum faciendum he took upon him to make a prayer introductory to what was to follow as if he had been a very consciencious devout man in prayer when God knows and those that know him know him to be a man that takes himself to be such a high Attainer as hath gotten above prayer which he looks upon as a needless and low form to the use whereof he doth rather condescend for the infirmity of others then conform out of any necessity of his own His prayer being ended and Mr Maior Mr Robinson and Capt. Smith with a very great assembly being present after a short prayer that God would appear for the vindication of his truth and detection of errours I propounded this Proposition to Coppin He that perswades the people to beleeve that Jesus Christ was a sinner and that the humane nature of Jesus Christ was polluted with sin he is a perverter of Scripture a blasphemer of Jesus Christ and a venter of damnable heresie Having laid down this Proposition before I proceeded to the Assumption I thought fit to require his judgement of the Proposition which he needed not have stuck at had his judgement been sound but being conscious how heavy it would fall upon him if granted yet not daring to deny it he spent many words to no purpose neither granting nor denying it till at length being weary of pressing him to give his answer in that particular when the Assumption was on my tongues end it pleased God that in stead of granting or denying my Proposition he gave me a clear and full proof of my Assumption before I could bring it forth declaring it to be his judgement that Jesus Christ in his humane nature was a sinner and that the humane nature of Jesus Christ was polluted with sin Whereupon acknowledging and admiring the good hand of Gods providence I added my Assumption to the former Proposition That Rich. Coppin was a perswader of the people to beleeve that Jesus Christ was a sinner and that his humane nature was polluted with sin and so inferr'd the Conclusion That he was a perverter of Scripture a blasphemer of Jesus Christ and a venter of damnable heresie but then being pincht with the Syllogism he denied what he had spoken in the hearing of so many witnesses which not only Mr Head did witness to his face but many more were ready to witness and are ready to testifie upon Oath if called to it yet in effect he did afterwards avouch the same blasphemy though in other terms and more covertly Being charged with the Doctrine of universall salvation he at large avouched it adding that all the good works that men did should do them no good and all the evil works which men did should do them no hurt Being charged with blasphemy for asserting That Christ was a cursed Goat for the Geats at the left hand he made a long discourse to justifie that assertion by Scripture wherein how miserably he did abuse Scripture is to be seen in part by what himself hath printed Severall other errours at this meeting he openly asserted which were so gross that I am very confident all that feared God and heard them could not but have their spirits mov'd with just indignation against them and the broacher of them I shall not now trouble the world by giving any further account of what further pass't between Coppin and my self at this meeting only thus much I must needs say and 't is well known to many I speak but the truth in it Coppins printed relation represents neither the title nor for the most part the truth of what I spake there is no man of any judgement that knows me and reads his Pamphlet but will conceive so by what he hath printed for his own speeches he mis-reports them to leaving out and putting in what he pleaseth he uses those terms of Art and distinctions in print which neither I nor any man else that heard him heard from his mouth at that time nor did he seem to have any knowledge of them what tale soever he now tels for himself which yet is bad enough In the conclusion of that meeting it was some content to my spirit that God had made me instrumentail to unkennell such a Fox and make him so to stink that all the sheep of Christ which heard him or heard of him would thenceforth take heed how they came near him or had to do with him one thing by the way I may not omit to mention When I had ended this daies contest with Coppin Mr Gammon came to me and thank't me telling me I never did better service for Christ in all my life to which I answered I should have a time for him to and so left him The next day being Tuesday Mr Sandbrooke having preacht his Lecture propounded two Queries which he was resolved to maintain against Coppin the Thursday seven night after and that Coppin might have notice of them they were fixed upon the Church-door but before Thursday came about by Mr Robinsons means it was agreed that Coppin and I should have another bout and Coppin having choice of his day pitcht on Tuesday December 11. Sabbath day December 9. Mr French came to the Cathedrall and had some Discourse with Coppin whereof Coppin himself gives such an account as doth abundantly discover that he then betraied many of his damnable errours concerning Heaven the ascension oâ— Christ into heaven and his second coming to judgement though I make no question but he was more gross in his expressions 〈◊〉 that time than his Printed Pamphlet makes shew of which is gross enough and clearly discovers his Fanaticall Familisticall spirit When Tuesday was come there was again a very great concourse of people in the Cathedrall and Coppin by ten of the Clock or before possest himself of the Pulpit again as before he had done though at that time I should have had the Pulpit to preach mine own turn in the Lecture having preacht that day fortnight anothers turn that was not well yet I was content to pass that by without taking notice of it having a design so to mannage my Arguments against Coppin as in my Propositions to lay down the Doctrine of the Scripture contradicted by Coppin and then to addeâ— pregnanâ— Scripture-proofs withâ—â—â— vindication of those Scriptures which were wrested by Coppin before I added my Assumption as a charge upon Coppin and this I did the other desire to do because at the former meeting I saw that Coppin would not be held to a Dispute but was resolv'd to word it out
damned he might suspect himself to be that man 5. That all the good works that men do can do them no good 6. That all the evil works men do can do them no harm 7. That the Scripture speaks only of a spirituall resurrection and there shall be no resurrection of the bodies of men 8. That Jesus Christ is all the three Persons in the Trinity the Father Son and holy Ghost and that all the three Persons are but so many manifestations of God 9. That the everlasting Torments of hell shall have an end 10. That hell is within men before they beleeve and that there is no such hell as is commonly beleeved to be a place of torment to any after this life 11. That the doctrine which affirms no redemption out of hell is false That there is redemption out of hell 12. That there is no eternall judgement to come wherein Jesus Christ appearing in a visible way shall judge the world 13. That the Doctrine of Vniversall Salvation is the most effectuall Doctrine to promote sanctification These devillish doctrines which yet were not one half of what he had vented being read in his hearing he did not could not deny one of them but spent many words to justifie the third and the last of them adding severall more at this time this among the rest That Jesus Christ himself was that one Leper of ten who being made whole returned to give God thanks quoting many Scriptures but allegorizing and wresting all against the truth insomuch that I could not but declare my judgement that if St Paul were present he would bespeak him as once he did Elymas Act. 13.10 11. and that with like success causing him to grope his way out of the Church and because I knew we had a very ingenuous Gentleman living near who had been stumbled by Jesuites not to acquiess in the sufficiency of Scripture to determine all Controversies of Religion supposing this Gentleman might be present and that the horrible wresting of Scripture by this wretch might be no small offence both to him and others furnishing the Jesuites with some advantages to insinuate the necessity of some other Judge besides the holy Ghost speaking in sacred Scripture to decide Controversies in Religion therefore I desired any Jesuites whatsoever that might be present or their friends to take notice that there were hundreds of godly learned Ministers in England whose Books I was not worthy to bear after them and yet I should not doubt in the strength of Christ to encounter any Jesuite of them all in maintaining that great point of Doctrine That the holy Ghost speaking in Scripture is the supream Judge to determine all Controversies of Religion adding other things to the same effect taking notice of the wiles of Jesuites who being beaten out of the field themselves by their Learned Antagonists did now seek to baffle us out of our Religion by a company of ignorant impudent praters that take upon them to be Preachers of the Word of God and whereas Coppin had again and again suggested that we Ministers did envy the knowledge of the people desiring to keep them in ignorance I profest I heartily wisht that all men knew as much of God in Christ as my self provided I knew no less then I did and if I knew any way more effectuall then other to improve the knowledge of others I should readily take it In fine I desired those that had given any countenance to this blasphemer to be humbled for what they had done and do so no more promising both by Preaching and Catechizing to endeavour that all sorts even children might be Antidoted against his errours and Coppin having pretended that the right hand of God signified the Gospel and favour of God under which all mankinde should at last be brought I alledged and paraphrased on that place Psal 21.8 9. with speciall reflection on Coppin and his errours but Coppin was resolved let me say what I could of him or his opinions he would say something after me though nothing to the purpose but only that like the Authour of the golden Legend he might shew himself to be a man Plumbei cordis ferrei oris I might adde aeneae Frontis When I had ended and was resolved to speak no more Coppin declaring himself against all water Baptism since the death of John Baptist as having neither precept nor example in Scripture Gammon he stands up and would fain have been saying something but Mr Robinson I well remember told him he was a very fit man to incounter Coppin for he had good lungs and his tongue was well hanged but now the time was spent and they could stay no longer When I saw Coppin would never end I took my leave of the Assembly with that of St Paul Grace be with all that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity Eph. 6.24 and so I went out What Gammon said afterwards I know not I easily beleeve what Coppin prints of him may be the truth of what he spake for being a great dipper I know him to be dipt over head and ears in many dangerous errours and therefore no wonder if his bolt be so suddenly shot against those earnall Priests as he cals them whose weapons are too spirituall for him with his carnall opinions and practices as will appear I doubt not in due time These severall publique Discourses with Coppin being over and he having now openly discovered himself before multitudes of sufficient witnesses to be such a notorious blasphemer and monstrous imposter notice being given to Major Generall Kelsey of him he was pleased to direct his Warrant to Captain Smith December 19. requiring him to take Coppin into his custody c whereupon Captain Smith December 22 apprehended him and accepted security for his true imprisonment but the next day being Lords day he set a Guard of Souldiers in the Cathedrall with Order to hinder Coppin from preaching there in case he should attempt it though he and his security were engaged to the contrary yet so eager was this prater to be still spitting forth and spreading his poysonous opinions and so confident he should have found a party of Souldiers and others that would have tumulted and mutined for him rather then suffer an interruption of his deluding Sermons that when he saw he could not be permitted to preach in the Cathedrall which he endeavoured he then attempted a publique prating first on a Tombstone in the Church-yard and after that on a joyn'd stool in the Common where he wanted not for Auditors to flock about him but Captain Smith in pursuance of his Order soon silenc't him in both places and dispers't his followers confining him to his quarters causing him to keep himself private there and to be forth coming when he should be called before the Major Generall the next day being Moonday Decemb. 24. Generall Kelsey came to the Crown in Rochester accompanied with two or three Justices of the Peace where upon