likewise performed on the Scots side but not in the least on his Majesties behalf N. This was yet a happy issue but wherin did the king hold his word E. He did exceeding slowly cashiere his souldiers insured the Castels contrary to agreement 't is true he consented to the Synode but many waies abridged their freedom by his Committers which caused great jealousies For although the king hath consented to the deposing of the Bishops called in his proclamations against the Preachers and approved their Covenant yet there was much deceipt under it for the king did in the mean time strengthen himself against that partie as well with in as without Scotland shewing all courtisies to the Bishops privily taking in and fortifying certain holds where at every one began to look about him to take up arms a new with a purpose to come into England to the king by him to be mainteyned in their freedomes which exceedingly distracted distracted the faction in England and also the King N. That 's easy to imagine for the King who is the head of the kingdome might easily conclude that a kingdome divided could not stand and therefore it must exceedingly prick him at the hart E. I may be the King did well fore see the danger but he was never himself but alwayes lead by others and therefore they made him believe what they would perswading him that the Bishops and their adherents alone could maintein him against the Scots if the King would but let them alone as he hath done whereupon they held a kind of a bastard ynode where all the institutions of the Bishops were approved to contribute out of the means of the Clergie to the maintainance of the war against the Scots which came all toolate In the mean time the Scots seeing their leagers in the land their havens blocked up their trading to fail their kingdom in danger of ruine did resolve to march into England as also they happily did and overcame New-Castel where they fortifyed themselves yet without blood excepta little in the conquest or indammaging any of the inhabitants of England to the wonder of the whole English nation N. It is also greatly to be wondred at that the Scots durst enter upon so populous a kingdome to come so far out of their own country but it is much more to be wondered at that they knew how to keep such a strict order in their leager that they should do violence to no man which is almost unheard of but how could this be cleered E Our whole nation is by this coming in of the Scots yet more confirmed that they intended not to spoil England as the Bishops had accused them but that they were led by Gods Spirit and intended nothing but their own freedome and the freedome of England and the maintainance of the purity of Religion whereby the eyes of our nation were also opened to take notice of their oppression under that insupportable yoake of the Bishops N. Were not the English exceeding jealous of this invasion and did they not indeavour by all means to drive the Scots out of the Kingdome E. In no wise but on the contrary all were glad that such a reformed leager was in England which gave some freedome to many that sate bowing under the burthen then also a great number of the gentrie went unto the king at York laying open before him the grievances of the Kingdomes and also of England in divers notorious instances desiring that the Scots and they might have satisfaction and that to this end a Parliament might be called which the king also granted whereupon the Bishops presently sent their agents through the whole kingdomes to many hundreds to procure Burgesses to their own minds by them to hinder all their former proceedings and to procure means to fall upon the Scots which they knew how to effect by the Earle of Strafford in Ireland where the Parliament had granted many men and divers subsidies against the Scots that so they might to purpose bring under the Scots and the purity of Religion N. You report strange things The Bishops faction did well perceive that it should now come to the point and therfore they took such pains to get men after their own mindes in the Parliament but did they effect it E In no wise although they made use of the king himself to desire in many places that such such might be chosen but the inhabitants would not suffer themselves to be so over reached but as the election of Parliament men is in the power of the commons so have they chosen none but such as with whom they knew religion and the liberty of the land to be in highest estimation and went with absolute power as their Deputies so that the Parliament being independent in her resolutions and having power out of her own head to make and alter lawes to appoint impositions as great and as many as it will therefore every good man was carefull to send conscionable and couragious men that could not easilie be overcome either by deceipts or promises but goe resolved to suffer all thinges rather than to yeeld to any thing that shall be to the least damage of the Inhabitants as ordinarily divers Parliament men at the dissolving of the Parliament have beene by the King set in the Tower because they durst with such libertie resist him in the Parliament to the advantage of he inhabitants N. That is a great priviledge of the inhabitants of England that all free-borne doe chuse and appoint to the highest assemblie there can be no cup prepared that can corrupt so many thousand men the commons are ordinarily good all the corruption is about the head and the great ones who to get into places and offices carry themselves a loft and they are no sooner come upon the cusheon but presently they are Politicks though they were never so good Patriots before which we have also had experience of in our popular goverment Many so long as they are citizens are lovers of Religion and Libertie But so soone as they come into the counsill house then observe they presently how the winde blowes and suffer themselves to be misse led by some great ones that beare sway in all assemblies and begin to be enemies to Religion and helpe to suppresse the cities and provinces making one or two masters who then direct all things in goverment for themselves and their fat offices yea it goes so grosse in this point that 't is to be feared that the Commons shall one time or other go to pot oh that there might be once amongst us also a general Parliament assembled for the redresse of that great declining amongst us and that the governours themselves though upon their Oath and for all those advantages which they reape by the goverment would take care to maintein our dear bought freedome and watch to the furtherance of the prosperity and welfare of their citizens then should the lords have honour
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-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
water at the brim then God takes most pleasure to manifest his power But tell me I pray more particulerly what wayes the Bishops have further proceeded in to bring the papish Religion into England E. Besides that spoiling the Kingdom in all places of their faithfullest Preachers and thrusting in others according to their own humour in their places or leaving the church unprovided giving them onely a reader that read their Injunction in the church out of the service book so that great circuites of land of 30 or 40 miles in compasse had scarce two or three sermons in a whole year to the unspeakable spoil of the people who neverthelesse must bear the burden of Gods worship and pay out of their Parrishes two three or foure hundred pounds sterling per annum according to the quantity of the Parish unto such lasie and idle bellies that had the name to be their preachers Besides this wicked practise I say they have used many other meās to bannish wholy all saving knowledge of the truth out of the Kingdom that so they might the better draw the people unto poperie N. Loving friend what do I hear have they so took care for sowls as to feed them onely with humane Traditions without the preaching of the word of God the hey and grasse and yet were so shamelesse as to take such great wages of the people God will revenge it But proceed to shew me what have been their further practises E. They had a thousand tricks to blow out that zeal and practise of Godlines which had been exceedingly inflamed by so many excellent preachers for an example to the world and to set up in the place thereof an Athiestical liberty and worldlinesse to which end they have with-stood the means of salvation and set the contrarie readie for the people as when they brought into contempt the sanctifying of the Sabboth by exceeding ungodly practises for they knew so far to abuse the power of the King that they have stirred him up to give out a Proclamation in the year 1633. wherein he required that all his subjects should have libertie servants against the will of their masters and children against the will of their parents to spend the Sabbath after service in all manner of recreations and danceing men and women going to playes in running shooting bowling stool-ball and all to this porpose that they might change the repeating of sermons and other Spirituall exercises into such idle wanton sports and that by Proclamation as if men were not sufficiently of themselves inclined to profane the day of the Lord by such vanities N. Is it possible knew they so far to mislead the king as that he should give out a Commandement directly contrary to the Command of God wherein he willeth that the Sabbath should be sanctified and set a part to all such exercises which tend to the prosperity not only of the bodie but of the soul of man You must surely have given strange attention when you heard such things proclaimed for I have alwayes heard that the English make great conscience of the Sabbath yea when they went in the streets of the City they saw not the least work done or any wātonnesse vsed but that in all houses the Sermons were repeated psalms sung and profitable questions propounded So that all understanding men did judge that the sanctifying of the Sabbath was the principall reason of Gods blessing and mercie over England There is great profanation of the Sabboth in our land by working playing riding stool-ball diceing drinking wrestling and runing but God be thanked they are not done by vertue of any command of our Govervours but contrary thereunto so there be many excellent Proclamations against the prophanation of the Sabboth in many Provinces come forth ô that God would graunt they might be well mainteyned E. Yea so is it come to passe amongst us and yet the Bishops are so shamelesse that whereas they ought to have stood for Gods right and to have informed the King better they have caused all preachers to read the same Proclamation out of the pulpit to all the people and to exhort them to observe the same against the fourth Commandement those that have refused have been deposed to more then an hundred in number not with standing that the Dean which was sent by the Bishops to see this executed in all churches a little without London fell dead from his horse for a warning yet they could there by be brought to no remorse but went foreward with the busines N. O how inst are Gods judgments and how sottish are the hearts of men if God mould them not It was never heard that preachers were commanded to deliver from the pulpit that which cleerly and evidently opposeth the command of God those that have refused to do it have done like Christians But what more practices had they E. They have also forbidden to preach twise on the Sabbath under the pretence of Catechising which was then ordeined appointed and directed to instruct the children and teach them the traditions of the Pope or Bishops They have to their power forbidden the printing of all good books and contrarily suffered to be printed all Arminianish Papish vaine books of Amadis de Gaule and of Commedies to 40 thousand in a yeare They have also suffered Reliques to be solde openly yea they have been sent from the Pope to the Arch-Bishop himself who knew well how to make his profit by them N. Well! those were great wickednesses which God will seeke and finde How soever it goeth also very bad amongst us in those things for there is here in our land also great libertie to print all unfeemlie hurtfull hereticall bookes yet the honourable Magistrates of Amsterdam have exceeding worthilie caused to be burned certaine Socinian books and have hindered the players and dancers on the ropes which follow fayres and Markets from playing oh that it were in all places imitated yet 't is so that here in our land there bee some papish booke-sellers that openly sell nothing but papish bookes of Breviaries Masses Rosaries Legends and publikly hang out Idolatrous Images Crucifixes Beads Paternosters Agnus Deis c. without hinderance which is to be feared wil bring Gods judgments on us nd although by Gods blessing it is not so yet ordered amongst us that good bookes are forbidden yet there are few printed because there is so little vent while all hands are full of vain unfit uncivil venemous works that hinder thē from reading good ones But tell me what are the deceipts the Bishops have used to bring in the Popish Religion E. As it appeareth from that which hath been said that the Bishops and papists understood one the other in all things well enough so have they given them great libertie in all places not executing the Proclamations and orders against them but have connived at their assemblings Idolatrous exercises absence from sermons in all places so that England became full of Iesuits
have had not onely ecclesiasticall but Civill offices also have been also privy-counsellers Treasurers Keepers of the great Seal and I know not what therefore they have been a member of the Parliament in the upper house yea they have spent the most part of their time in politick affairs and had so far ingrossed them that scarce any man without their assistance could attaine a civill office N. I hear you but I thought that the preachers much more the Bishops had so much to do in their own offices that it well required the whole man and therefore that they had no time to trouble themselves with states matters But tell me pray how had the Bishops and Politiks contrived it to bring all goverment into their hands to finish their dessigne E. To this purpose they had conceived strange windings and first they put it in to the kings head that he ought to be an absolute Soveraigne not to be under any according to the example of France and that they would bring him thereunto by means of the Ecclesiastical persons which they had now at hand in all places and sate in the ear of the people When they had made the King to relish this to make him confirm all their design then they made him presently believe that all their doing tended thereunto N. Was the King then no absolute King so that he might do all that he would not having any man above him E. In no wise for Kings are limited by laws so that they can make no new laws nor lay any impositions on their subjects nor go to war with any without the consent of the Parliament els the inhabitants are not bound thereunto yea they are lyable to punishment if they pay any impositions or subsidies to the king upon his particuler order or will and those that counsil the King therunto or assist him therin are guilty of high treason N. What is the Parliament under which the King stands also E. It is the highest assemblie of the Kingdome which consisteth of the King Dukes Earles Barrons Bishops the Commons which is two persons out of every shire and chief citie deputed with absolute power that together they might redresse the enormities of the kingdom according to the lawes and to ordeyne new laws and impositions to the advantage of the King or kingdome without any compulsion of votes which assembly is gathered and dissolved by the King N. That is a stately and powerfull assembly if they understand themselves and of great might to redresse the greatest abuses and to assist the King with great sums of mony It were to be wished that we had sometime also such Parliaments as in former times the assemblie of the states generall used to be before that there was a Parliament companie of states generall set up thereby might great abuses amongst us also be reformed under which now 't is to be feared we shall sinck But have the great ones liked this Parliament E. That you may easilie imagine O no the Arch-Bishop and all Courtiers and those that were in favour with the King have alwayes withstood it many yeares delayed it or when it was assembled and that it began to touch the soars and to search out the bad practises of the great ones then knew they how to order the King that he from time to time hath caused the Parliament to break up and now the last time in May 1640. not withstanding that the King and state was in an exceeding great distraction by reason of great stirs that were in all places of the kingdome N. I hear it well there is much-adoe in all places it goes so with us also that they that know how to make themselves masters in the Provinces they hinder as much as they can that the states may not come together or when they are together they set one city against the other casting many things in amongst the members that so they might not understand one another and so depart a sunder without effecting any thing to the highest discommodity burthen trouble dishonour and spoil of the Provinces and unspeakable disavantage of many that it concerneth that can procure no expedition from the table which in the end if the members be not wise to understand one an other to use their own freedome without depending upon these or any will bring all into confusion as you said it was in your three kingdomes But tel me what were the stirs that were in all places of the kingdomes E. Unmeasureable great and dangerous for Scotland was in arms we had a leager in the field on the frontiers of Scotland the King was set on to fall upon the Scots and they practised daily to set the two Kingdoms together by the ears N. But tel me pray whence proceeded this disunion for the two Kingdomes have one King one Religion and have till this time lived in peace what hath brought forth this disquiet E. This disunion hath been a long time in breeding by the Bishops and Papists whose designe was not onely the changing of Religion in England but also in Scotland yea to thrust in all their superstitions into Scotland first as being the weaker nation and ftom thence into England to which end they have by little and little thrust in Bishops there against the minde of the Kingdome which they first pretended should but serve to keep good order in the Church without having such authoritie over the church and Ecclesiasticall persons as in England but growing by little and little in authoritie power so 't was that they indeavoured alwaies to have as great authoritie in Scotland as in England wherein they were heartened by the Bishop of Canterbury and through his advice by the King also and in the end set on work to thrust in the Service-book that is the Lithurgie of England into the church of Scotland augmented with many additions some openly and some covertly opposing the reformed Religion together with all those former papish Caeremonies that were before in England which first of all began to be set on work when the King was in Scotland to be crowned N. How have the Scots behaved themselves therein for they have been alwayes famoused for great Protestants and lovers of the puritie of worship ful of courage to mainteyn rhe liberties of the Kingdome against all opposers E. The Scots so soon as they were aware of these novelties and that they were propounded by the king himself in their Parliament so to thrust in some beginning thereof into Scotland then have all the gentrie and burgesses cried it down in the presence of the King and persisted therein notwithstanding that the King took it very discourteously and manifested the same by his suddain discontented departure out of the Kingdome commanding his Counsell to thrust in such church orders as he had given them in charge by authority N. Durst the Kings counsell attempt such a thing against the minde of the gentrie and Commons for they
might well fear that they were lesse able to bring such a thing to passe and now against the resolution of the Parliament which the King himself could not accomplish E. The councill was exceedingly animated by the King and specially by the Bishops as well of Scotland as of England to go forward courageously herein not to fear with promise of assistance and punishment upon all those that should refuse where upon the Councill with the advise of the Bishops of Scotland and command of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury did augment the Service-book of England and mingled it with a great deal more poison than in England which together with the five ceremonies of England they decreed to thrust into the church by publike Proclamation declaring those preachers to be fallen from their obedience that should oppose it and severely to punish all such inhabitants that would not subject themselves to these institutions N. This was a bould attempt but what was the issue E. Presently thereupon it came to passe that a great number of Comitees out of the church and state addressed themselves to the high Counsil and divers times desired that such a resolution might not go forth but that they would leave the church and church-men to their antient customs without thrusting in of novelties otherwayes the whole kingdome was prepared to come into a great uprore which exceedingly distracted the Counsil but being set on by the Bishops they went forward to the great discontent of the Comittees and their chiefs whereupon the gentrie the particular Magistrates and the Ecclesiasticks began to bethink themselves of some means to resist this evill and to this end resolved to bind themselves by oath to maintein with their estates and lives that old Covenant concerning the maintenance of Religion forme of doctrine and goverment as it hath been alwayes maintained in Scotland Which Covenant was confirmed and subscribed by all the inhabitants of Scotland except those that were papists or held with the Bishops faction N. That was a fast Bond and exceeding fearfull for by that means the strength of those that would stand for Religion against the popish institutions did presently appear But what way could the Counsill together with the Bishops take to mainteyn their resolution E. They were exceedingly distracted hereabout but their fury zeal to the popish institutions was so great that they would hold firmely this point against the whole Kingdome to this end they perswaded the King that his prerogative was ingaged that he mainteyn his purpose use all his strength therein yea though he should compell them thereunto by force of arms advising him to this end to insure all the Castels forts of Scotland which was in like manner put in practice in the mean time they in Scotland went forward to thrust in the Service-book and the five Caeremonies deposing and punishing many that were against it so that there fell out great stirs and heavy oppositions in all places which by little and little increased more and more bred great distrust against the King and so much the more when it was found that he caused arms and amunition to be secretly brought into the Castels where he had his governours N. I hear wel there was a bad fire kindled which could not so quickly be quenched but how went it at last did no man put himself upon the pikes to preveÌ„t this threatning evil to informe the King of the danger he should bring his Kingdomes into and that for a few papish Caeremonies E. O yes divers did seek to diswade the King but in vain for either they could have no hearing or els the â—â—shops knew strait so to bewitch the King that he believed no man but accounted them all for enemies to his prerogative that counsilled him to the contrary whereby the common governours of Scotland were necessitated for the mainteynance of their freedomes and defence of themselves to come into arms under Generall Lesly with such a Generall concourse of all the people that every one alike willingly offered himself therunto boâ—h with his person and also his money which in great abundance was given for to pay the souldiers N. How did the King take this for it seemeth much that a Kingdom should betake themselves to arms without consent of their King E. The King is herby induced to take up men against the Scots to beset their havens to ploclaim their ships prise and to permit the Duynkerkers to take all such as had no commission from him so that Scotland was exceedingly distressed both by Sea and Land which made them resolve to take in certain forts to free their sea coasts to bring their leagers to the frontiers of England and so to begin a formall order of war not against the King but against his bad Counsillers N. So 't is often seen that a great fire cometh of small sparks These were sad beginnings but how did the king behave himself in these dangers E. The king did also place himself in order of warre through the Counsill of the Bishops who promised to pay his leager out of the contributions of the Clergie so that an English leager was pitcht which together with the king came to the borders of Scotland In the mean time proclaiming the Scots for Rebels and suppressors of the kings prerogative so that the two kingdomes stood in direct opposition the one against the other yea so farre that the king made the greatest part of the English leager approach upon the Scots who incompassing the English took some prisoners and got their ordonance and amunition without blood shed all which they discharged and sent to the king to shew that they intended not the dammage of their brethren the English whereby the English gentry have gotten better experience of the Scots then others had informed them in reporting that the Scots began this war to enrich themselves out of the revenues of the English which then appeared to be contrary and was also otherwise conceived by the English N. You report strange things unto me I never read in any historie of such civiltie in those that were together by the eares that they should so freelie dismisse one an other here hence it also appeared that the Scots sought not the blood of their brethren but their own freedome which without doubt made the English to entertaine a good conceipt of the Scots E. Wee have all in generall so conceived it and our gentrie began to perceive that it was but the worke of the Bishops to adorne their chaire who knew how wonderouslie to lead on the King to the destruction of both his Kingdoms which hath excited the great ones to advise the king to make an agreement with Scotland which was also performed upon condition that both the armies should be cashiered the Castels restored into the hands of the king and Synode and a Parliament assembled absolutly to end all differences where upon there was great joy all the former conditions
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
ratlings of drums sound of trumpets neighing of horses the sound of an alarm groanes of the wounded and the rumour of the approaching furious cavaleers There al merchandising and trading standeth still Ther is expence without gaine there consume they that treasure in â—rouble and distresse which they were so long in gathering cities and houses are pillaged the countrie ruinated and wasted They were fore-told of this miserie but none would receave none beleeve it Now feele they the evill day which they had put so farre from them now they feele what they have brought upon them selves through their unbeliefe now those thinges presse them which for want of feeling they cast into the ayre These thinges wee see afarre of we heare this but with little observation to provoke us to behold our selves in them that so we may avoide those rocks whereon they have suffered ship-wrack Their haughtines and ambition went before their fall the pride in apparrel and dyet the state that suckt the monie had taken the upperhand and now the Kings high way-Robbers Scrabble spoile steale wast destroy burne the treasures and riches of England Shall not we then amend these things and put away these sins which are growen to such an height among us that so they may not bring the like miseries upon us wantonnesse danceing drinking swilling masking stage playing fornication adulterie hate envie have borne such sway that t' was accounted the highest crime to speake or write against them and those that have so offended have bin without mercie openly brought upon the schaffold burn-markt their eares cut off and they cast into perpetuall imprisonnent Howe farre these have broken in upon us experience teacheth us but too too well ô that as traytors to our state they were banished out of all places and heartes that by them our peace and happines be not banished from us That bad goverment in church and common wealth brought in by unfit unexperienced audatious ambitious revengefull persons hath made the land reele like a druncken man who have wrung wrested moulded the lawes priviledges liberties rights to their owne ends and passions who dispossesse affront terrifie and compell the most antient grave honest fit faithfull expert couragious governors to choose their party or els to forsake their places and live in highest indignation To what height this also is growne amongst us and daylie more and more increaseth the stones cry that confusion teacheth which begins to be acknowledged by all men that with cleare eyes doe marke the discords in religion and suppressions of those priviledges which they have with lives and goods so long maintayned which must be remedyed orels they will bring forth our most certaine ruine That I dolatrie hartening of papistrie foisting in of papisticall superstitions freedome of Jesuits and other holy unholy orders that with out feare spread themselves over the whole Kingdome to the misleading of manie thousand soules advanceing of the popelike Hierarchie suppressing of the truth and true professors of the same and that with such countenance that the King himself was become their patron and Spokesman when at any time according to the lawes of the land they were justly condemned to any punishment whereas the honest godly prudent politicke preachers could not have anie beame of favor from his Majesty when they were by the Bisshops unjustly condemned to open shame and punishment worse than death for well doeing for withstanding the sinnes of the land and overflowing of papistrie At this Cod him selfe was grieved and waxed jelous for his truth and faithfull servants and would not suffer the Scepter of the wicked to rest alwayes on the lot of the righteous least they should put forth their hand to wickednesse but hath taken the refyneing pot into his hand and put the fire of dissention under it which hath already discovered many for drosse These grievances this flood of Idolatrie this freedome of popish exercises Saying of masse bonfires on holy-dayes processions tolleration of all sortes of fryers and nuns to the misleading of the inhabitants weakening of our state incouraging of our neighbouring enemie was not many yeares sithence so increased that the wound was judged incureable the poyson too much and their power too great to be daunted destroyed or hindered by sharpe proclamations strong resolutions or power of officers Shall not this then needes make the least danger that shall befall us remedielesse by reason of the enemies within which desire our ruine no lesse than those that are without who will be ready according to the example of the papists in England and Ireland whensoever they shall have a faire advantage to contribute thereunto Shall not this then awaken us before it is too late and the time shall not permit to drive out these Canaanites and take away these high places otherwise they shall take away both us and our religion This is the case of England and these be the causes thereof The same humour is amongst us and shall not the same disease follow thereupon wee are like them in sin and shall we not be made like in punishment If wee perswade our selves otherwise we deceave our selves we are the next to be cured by the like medecine that would not hearken to those lively admonitions and warnings exhorting us to repentance Every one prepare himselfe for a storme to undergoe the plague that comes driving on In the meane time let us have compassion on our brethren in England and Ireland let us pray for them that the great ones may helpe to reconcile the King and Parliament to remove the differences that their ruine become not ours which will surely come to passe if those that are on the Kings side together with him get the upper hand Then shall they roote out the Parliament alter the goverment suppresse religion proceed in their begun revenge against the subjects restore the Bishops who as instigated persons shall rage more than ever to bring their misse carriage to a perfect issue striving to make of force their Popish Canons and againe to lord it over the consciences of the Inhabitants The Papists as being now the Kinges trustyest assistants shall then be his best beloved children then shall the best Christians be under the yoke And when England and Scotland which shall not goe free shall be subdued and made slaves then shall they enter their action against us the pretence of the North Sea shall be revived restitution must be made for that imagined dammage they have suffered in the East-Indies and here at home and transferre their plagues upon us What can we els exspect from the Kings Counsellers who now these many yeares have bin friends to Spaine and enemies to our State who shall not become better but worse by this warre But if the Parliament get the upper hand then shall the King be preserved being delivered from the slavery of his servants and remaine as free and absolute a King as ever if he will but advance the good Religion
Iesuits which you accompt one brood E. What intention should they have had to bring in papistry into England and the Inquisition over the Inhabitants N. That is lightly to be beleeved concerning the Iesuits who disperse themselves like poison over the whole world to make one childe of hell twise as bad as themselves to which end they creep into all courts sow jealousies in all places and are the cause of all the warres in the world but that the Bishops had such an intention that made profession of the reformed religion that sometimes write and preach against the papists that is not so easy to be beleeved E. You speak the truth therein that the Bishops to deceave the people and that the King should not entertain those complaints that come against them concerning that point do some times write and preach against those of the papacy yea the Arch-Bishop himselfe preaching on a time before the King did wholy proceed against popish doctrine and in the pulpit did exhort all church-men to teach write against them and that every one in his parish should have a watchfull eye over them to make them come to Church or els to complain which when some have done then hath he by indirect means persecuted imprisoned and distressed them for the same letting them secretly know that it was because others should be affrighted from doeing the like N. Then must he have bin an horrible hypocrite and have had a seired conscience so shall Gods judgement certainly follow him at the heels and his kingdome shall not stand E. Such an one he was indeed who knew how so cunningly to dissemble that the King thought him the holyest man in England he was alwayes a scoffer of the upright a freind of Iesuits a flatterer of great ones by which meanes he became so great but now truly as little and despised sitting where he can doe no more mischief N. But how is he out of favour is his game ended hath Cod brought his wheel about E. O yea God hath verified it on him that those that oppresse his shall also be oppressed for with the same measure that he hath measured to others it is measured to him again He hath thrust many out of their offices and cast them into prison and that is justly come upon himself he sits fast in the tower and is long agone condemned as a Traitor to the land and were it not for his age and that he is God-father to one of the Kings children he had bin long since executed and what shall become of him yet is uncertain N. Yea I thought that the great God of heaven and earth should yet doe right upon him which had abused his right to the greatest Injustice against his church worship But tell me I pray where hence it appears that the Bishops together with the Iesuits sought to alter the religion and bring in papistrie E. That shineth as cleer as the bright noon day you must also confesse it and the whole world when you hear what wayes they went in N. I pray now explain it a little unto me for many in our land especially amongst the great ones beleeve it not and think that they are but reproches and misse-reports of the puritanes or Brownists or some discontented great ones because they can not have choice of eare and share in the prey E. O No! they be no slaunders it appears by the particulers for all that the Iesuits could have bin able to doe suddainly to make the people papists before they were aware of it that have they done and to that end they have by little and little and by degrees set up all the outward forme of papistrie in the church of England for the apparrel which the Bishops and preachers wear in Gods service are of the same fashion with the apparrell of the Bishops and preists under the papacy N. Doe the Bishops and preachers amongst you weare other clothes then our teachets the teachers of the reformed churches in France Geneva Switserland and Germanie do weare E. O yes if you did but see the Bishops or the Bishops preachers say service in our church you could not distinguish them from the popish Clergie for they have then on a Bishops-gowne wide sleeves a fower cornered cap the tippet the surplus the Cope the hoode the cannonical clothes and all that a Priest at any time puts on N. Is that possible if our preachers here should begin to go so the children would run after them and tear such clothes off their backs throw dirt at them and esteem them for the papists apes E. Yea so doe our Episcopall-clergie carry the businesse who have a long time used our people to these clothes that it should not be accompted new when they should appear in them not as reformed but as publike servants to the seat of Rome yet this is but the least the churches also a few yeares since were made altogether like the papists churches N. What do I hear I hope that there be no Images set up there or thar Dagon is placed by the Ark there are too many excellent Authours that have written against such high places as that they should not be taken away E. O that it had bin so but we must confesse to the shame of our Nation that the Tempels of God are become slaughter-howses and right Innes for all the wares of Antichrist for the Bishops have caused to be set up in our churches Pictures Images Crucifixes Wax-candles Altars they sing their evening and morning song with Beades Organs Musick as in the popish Mattens they cause the pulpit to be hanged with the Armes and marke of the Iesuits especially in the Cathedral churches and in the Kings Chappell where they set up great Cracifixes after the manner of the papists and have also so adorned all corners with Images that many papists and other strangers coming thither knew no better but that they had been papist churches and chappels N. That is no wonder for according to your relation one egge is not so like an other as your churches and the papists But 't is wonder that the governours and specially the King have suffered such things for that is the right way to lead all the inhabitants blind fold to all Idolatrie E. It was well said concerning the governours but experience hath taught us that where the Bishops are masters the governours have not much to say yea they had such power that they have given out process to bring divers officers Majors Iustices prisoners to their spirituall Court confiscated their goods made them so affraid that they must flye the land and all because they did not dispatch to set up Altars in place of the Communion Tables no man durst lift up their heads against them and concerning the King they made him believe that the tolleration of the outward form of papistrie should bring to passe that seing there was so little difference in the outward
and that the King condescended so far unto them that they also would then be ruled by the Kings religion to give him content and hereby have they blinded the eyes of the King and brought him so far that he in stead of hindering this bringing in of papistrie hath judged it convenient and maintained it by his authority to the grief and astonishment of all the godly and joy of papists N. What! were the Bishops such lads to deale by such false practices then 't is no wonder that all the honest men in England care not for them but tell me yet again were they also papists in their forme of doctrine or was it onely in the outward ceremonies and worship E. You can easily imagine whither it be possible that any man can come so neer the popish Religion in the outward worship with such zeal for those Idolatrous institutions without beeing one with them indoctrine also It is very true that the Bishops and their adherents will not go to church with such a cloak that they should be thought papists in doctrine they have kept that a longtime hid but the oulder they grow the more their painting falls off and the more their Esaws coate is worne out So that all men by little and little begin to see what was hid under it so that they could not alwayes play behinde the curtain as also was not their intention but they have now and then begun to appear on the stage and made it apparent that their mouth was reformed but their heart papish N. You say true for he that is a true protestant he will hate even the garment spotted with the flesh she that is not a whore in her heart will not put on a whorish attire he that is a right Reformed one will not be burthened with such traditions he will not touch tast or handle them as being brought in according to the institutions and doctrines of men much lesse he will defend them himselfe appoint them be zealous for them more then for the truth it self But I pray you tell me yet wherein have the Episcopall Clergie manifested that they are one with the papists in Doctrine also E. There can plentifull proof be given of that for they have not onely caused these foresaid things to be observed as indifferent but they have with the papists placed holinesse therein as by this appeares seeing they compell the people to do reverence to those things for when the bare name of Iesus is uttered then must every one bow also no man may approach to the meanest of those Altars which they have set up and named by the name of the mercy seate the place of Gods gifâ—s without bowing three times before it and then fall upon his knees They have consecrated and hallowed their Churches Chappels pavements of the same the pulpit cups church yarde and many other places pretending that without this consecration the places are unholy and unclean and therefore no service might be performed therein till that were first done yea if by any occasion they were never so little defiled then they were pronounced unclean till they were again purified by the Bishops Who may not from hence cleerly see that their faith concerning humane traditions is all one with that of the Papists N. You are in the right for such administrations are altogether according to the faith of papists so that I hold it for certain that the Bishops and Iesuits understood one the other in their doctrine also but tell me I pray is there yet any thing els whereby we may Iudge that they were papists in the faith also E. O yes for I scarcely know any thing exercised in papistrie which may not be found amongst them They administer the L Supper upon an Altar and they must receive it kneeling they administer Baptisme out of a font with a crosse on the fore head of the childe they have had that forme of confirmation whereby the Bishops must consecrate the children they have made marriage purely Ecclesiastical as depending on the bishops who have forbidden Mariage at some certaine times and almost half rhe year and unlesse their consent be gotten either by favour or mony none must Marry yea some Clergie-men amongst them may upon no condition Marry tho it be against the mindes and allowance of their parents and friends They have caused the Holy dayes to be more precisely observed then the Saboth forbidding all work therin upon great penalties They pray over the dead They make women after childbirth to appear in the church with white consecrated garments and then they are purified and many more such like things according to the papists institution are very precisely enjoyned by order from the Bishops N. You move my heart so that I am at the Highest pitch to hear such things of the goverment of Bishops I have alwayes thought England to be the most reformed land in the world because I have seen so many excellent bookes that were penned in England against all such popish institutions for the advancing of the doctrine of salvation and the purity of worship and therefore I can not enough wonder that so many unclean things should bear such sway there E. It makes you wonder and it hath made us many times exceeding sorrowfull and to fear unlesse God speedily prevent it that we should shortly see all our land papists which we may perceive by their generall bent that way for in the universities they began openly to defend that we must pray for the dead yea it was preached in London at Pauls Cross there are bookes written of it as also that the Pope is not that Antichrist that men may very well be saved in the papish Religion as the Arch Bishop made it manifest to the Queen therefore he hath forbidden to pray for her any more that God would convert her and open her eyes as being a Papist They have publikely taught that men may be saved by their good workes and that with the approbation of the Arch bishop as from hence may appeare when he perused the Lithurgie of the Scots in the place concerning good workes it stood that they were not causa regnandi the cause of our salvation but via regni the waye to salvation which he caused to be put out and willed them to exhort the people to good works simply without such distinctions where hence we might easily perceive what he bare in his buckler as he hath also approved the foresaid bookes and by all meanes countenanced the pen men therof From all which it cleerly appeareth that they were right Papists both in faith and doctrine N. This cuts deepe and is something more than Caeremonies by such stalking we often see that the catt leaps quite out of the sack and that they were altogether Papists and would have made the whole land papists They must without doubt have had great correspondence with the papish Clergie that have so infected them E. You have read
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
things unto you that so you may the more heartilie pray unto God for us if need so require afford us all the assistance you can also stirre up others to doe the like N. I will verie willingly goe along with you give you the welcome for I love the English nation with myne heart would be angry with all such Netherlanders as should not take compassion on the heavinesse of England that had so great compassion on us when we were wrestling against the tyrannie of Spaine when they came to helpe us both with their goods and bloods were the principall instruments of our freedome No true hearted Netherlander shal forget that favour but by all meanes seeke to requite it Seing then that we are come to a good fire I pray you relate unto me in order what are the occasions of all these stirres in England also who be the causes thereof E. The causes thereof are divers the Jesuiticall papists the Bishops those politicke flatterers that are about the King at Court other malignant persons besides who have each his particuler end yet all tending to the falsifying of religion changing of government suppressing of the subjects and ruine of church and common-wealth N. You tell me strange things how could all these persons weave one webbe seeming so contrary one to another as light and darknes heat and cold the Jesuits and bishops are alwayes so farre different one from an other as truth and falsehood Christ and Antichrist the one being supporters of the popes kingdome the other heads of the reformed Religion they serve divers masters are of a divers Kingdome yea religion the one seeketh alwayes to build up what the other seeketh to pull downe How can these two walke together when they are not a greed E. We thought so too that the Papists and our Bishops were so farre from one another as the east is from the west and that they were deadly enemies the one to the other because in former times many of the Bishops have resisted the Romish kingdome even unto bloud yea many of them have been martyred by the papists beheaded burnt and in all places in the pure religion persecuted unto death But we have in our times of peace and wealth all too well observed that our Bishops have forgotten and slighted their office their promises before God and the congregation the example of their predecessors and in stead of leaders are become misleaders of defenders of the pure worship of God falsifyers and corrupters of the doctrine of salvation and extinguishers thereof N. You relate unto me such things as I should never have beleeved What! I have sometime heard as I thinke propounded by our best polititians that it were good that we had also Bishops in our land or at least super intendants that then all things would be better carried in the church for the preservation of order to breed reverence whereas now every one being master alike great confusiō by that meās is bred in the church trouble and an heavy burthen upon the goverment for when any man will now prosecute a matter in the church before church men he is so retroubled then it were no more but speaking to the head and he should give order to the rest hereby also those Synods which cost the land so much should be cut off which seemed to me not so unreasonable a proposition but if the Bishops or Superintendants should make such worke as you tell me the Lord deliver us from them E. O friend call you them good yea your best polititians that are with childe of such a pernitious conceit that were the right high-way to turne all things upside-down amongst you to disturbe the peace both of Church and common weal and to put to hazard the purity of religion which by Gods speciall blessing is established amongst you in spight of so many enemies and wicked opposers and crowned with many blessings from heaven for that your free order and Church government agreable to Gods word not without reason so highly commended among us is the hedge whereby the truly reformed religion must be preserved and maintained which our brethren the Scots well knowing have judged that they could not answer it before God and their posterity if they should suffer their old church-government and order which as I am informed differeth not much from that of yours to be changed and will rather loose their lives and goods in Gods cause than suffer the purity of religion which is the foundation of all prosperity both in church and common weale to be given over as a prey to the enemies and suffer a company of half papish Bishops to dominere over their consciences And we hope that our Lords and Burgesses of Parliament perceaving how farre we are run out in this point of Church-government worship wil labour to bring our churches into the same church order with our brethren the Scots at least that they will utterly roote out the Episcopall goverment together with all its hurtfull rootes and branches And should you have such persons amongst you that would bring in these evil plants which God hath not planted then were you utterly undone Let not therefore the ancient land-marks be removed hold that you have that no man take your crown N. You open mine eyes more and more I had not so deepe an insight into these things before and I perceave that our Churches and the land wherin we dwel as a free people can not have peace if they should remove the land marks of civill and ecclesiasticall government the whole house should by that means totter And now I thinke upon that which was written to me a while since concerning those stirs which here and there appeare in our provinces where men under pretence of a papish right which yet ought to be nullified and cashiered by the power of our reformation seeke to rob the churches of that godly right which they have receaved from Christ their King in the free election and choice of their teachers how that the pretended patrons thrust in preachers against the wils and liking of the assembly and if they refuse to receive them they shut the church doors and thrust the lawful preachers out of the pulpit so that publike worship could not be performed without danger of blood shedding quarrelling and unsupportable insolencies God preserve us that it break no further out and therfore I will pray to God that all good and godly governors of the land may maintain the authority of Synods and Church-assemblies for the redresse of such like evils and that they may not be hindered in their proceedings in those things which concern the churches then should not the assemblies many times last so long but the land be unburthened of unnecessary charges which otherwise are here very narrowly reckoned on But I am wholy inclined to hear the state of your church tell me then what might be the intention of the Bishops and