that have had more money and now demand more hundred thousand pounds â—hen all Scotland is worth if it were to be sold that they stood for the King to come to London and to be disposed of by their advice for nothing else but to get great offices about him and places at Court that they seek nothing but to encroach upon the rights and liberties of this Nation in severall of their demands and therefore what true English man can beare it They have given out of their Armies that they exercise strange cruelties robberies plunderings in the Countries notwithstanding all their great pay and yet they have done nothing for it what have they done almost this two last yeeres say the Sectaries nay some Sectaries have given out we owe them nothing they have had more then their pay comes to Presently after the newes came of the Kings going to the Scottish Army there were many jealousies raised and reports given out by the Independent party that all the forces of the Kings out of Newark were joyned to the Scots and gone along with them that Letters were intercepted going from the King to Oxford to wish them to holdout so many dayes and they should have releife that two thousand Irish were come to joyne with the Scots for the King against the Parliament that the Scots had broken the Covenant in detaining the King and in not delivering up Ashburnham with divers such fables and since all along we have by that party some fine stories or other told of the Scots as of so many thousands out of France to joyne with them and so many thousand fresh men come out of Scotland into England and Informations and Examinations printed of strange things the Scats will do and the King hath spoken of since he went to them reports of stories of Robin Hood and little John of Cocks and Bulls plots that would be discovered of the Scots and some great Noble men Now for proof of the Sectaries being guilty in these particulars I referre the Reader to divers of the Sectaries libellous Pamphlets against the Scots as Master Burtons Conformities Deformity A black cloud in the North a late Declaration by way of Letters c. to divers of the Weekly newes Books of late and particularly to the Imperfect Diurnall Immoderate Intelligencer Vnperfect Occurrences three sworne servants of the Independents and to his owne remembrance and observation of things For conclusion of this there are none so hated in this Kingdom by the Sectaries as our Brethren of Scotland not the Papists not the Prelates not the Malignants they exceed the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Doctor Wren c. who never spake with that bitternesse against the Generall Assembly and Church-government as some Sectaries have done for instaâ—ce let Master Burtons Conformities Deformity be perused in what he writes against the Generall Assembly and Church-government of Scotland and it would be thought rather to be Canterbury redivivus then Master Burton for whom the Ministers of Scotland and other godly Christians there put up so many prayers but their hatred and malice against the Church and Kingdom of Scotland God will in due time remember and visit And their extreme malignity against our Brethren of Scotland appeares principally in four things 1. Though some of that party have given great testimony to them of their faithfulnesse and worth yet without any cause of theirs or change in them the Scots coâ—tinuing constant and firme to their first principles and I challenge all the Sectaries to give but one instance to the contrary they have turned Jewes against them and spoken evill of them all they could 2. If any one Sectary take the Scots part as seeing their faithfulnesse to the publick and so declare it though yet at the same time be speaks against the Scots Church-government Covenant c. and come to be in question and trouble upon some things though we see Sectaries strangely brought off of all troubles notwithstanding all misdemeanors he is deserted by his party may lie and perish in prison and the reason is given in print to all the world if we may beleeve it for his complying with the Scots to drive on some wicked designe of theirs and combining with them whereas the same party declares in print the honesty and justice of the Scots for the redresse of the great greivances of his Countrey and though strangers to him yet upon the goodnesse of the Cause furthering it with all their power to bring it to the hearing of the House of Commons and he professes he neither knows nor can suppose the Scots to intend any other wicked desigâ— but the setling of the Presbyterian Government among us 3. In the many bloudy speeches divers of the Sectarian party have spoken against the Scots viz. that they would as willingly fight against the Scots draw their swords against them as ever against 〈◊〉 Cavaliers that if they had an Order from the Commons to go against the Scots they would go as willingly as ever against the Cavaliers that it would never be well with us till we had beaten the Scots out of the Kingdom that if they would not go out now we had conquered the Kings party we would go lead them out with divers such speeches 4. In making it their great busines to corrupt and poyson mens minds with false notions and apprehensions about the Scots as if they were the most perâ—idious people that ever were many stories in this kind might be told but I will content my self with relating one which is most certaine as having it from the mouth of a godly minister upon whom the experiment was made There was a great Gentleman of the Independent party I will not say he was a Member of the House of Commons who laboured to possesse a godly Minister of some note in his Countrey against the Scots and walked alone with him two houres to represent to him the state of things oâ—â—â—ring him confidently and that he should finde that the Kingâ—ad â—ad poysoned the Scots and made them all for him he had corrupted the Army the Scots Commissi 〈…〉 the Convention of Estates yea the generall Assembly it selfe and they would be all 〈…〉 s much for him as ever the Cavaliers were with severall other things he laboured to pos 〈…〉 e him with of the City of London the Army c. but the best was the Minister wanted faith to beleeve him and laughed secretly that this Gentleman should think to catch old birds with chaffe Ni 〈…〉 ly the Sectaries and Independents have spoken and carried themselves unworthily to the bleeding condition of the Kingdome of Ireland and the Protestâ—â—ts there some of them have justified the Irish Rebellion that they did it for the liberty of their consciences and for their Country and what had the English to doe in their Kingdome the Irish did no more then what we would have done ourselves if it had been 〈◊〉 case and that they
that the godly Mi A Relation of a Letter sent from Newcastle by an Independent testifying the faithfulnesse of the Scots to the King p. 88. â—isters of Newcastle are abused and discouraged by reason of the â—ndependents and other great Sectaries come in their roomes p. 89. A Relation of a story concerning M. Erburies venting of divers Errours at a meeting p. 89. 90. Animadversions by way of confutation of the Errors vented by M. Erbury p. 90 91 92. A Relation of one Sir Worts who would have had a place in Norfolk but being hindred he turned Independent p. 95. A Relation of an old Anabaptist who would oft be drunk and then bewaile the blindnesse of the Church of England p. 95. A Relation of a story concerning a souldier in the Army who went up into the Pulpit against the Minister his will and being brought before the Justice carried himselfe disrespectively for which he was committed to prison and how released p. 95 96. A Relation of some words spoken by one against the Armies going into Ireland p. 96. A relation of one Potter a Smith now turned Preacher who hath drawn many away to separated meetings on the Lords day p. 96. A Relation of some souldiers that infected many where they quartered and of their undecent carriage p. 96. A Relation of one John Durance and of his speaking strangely concerning the King and that there would be no peace in England till there was a generall liberty of conscience p. 96. 97. A Relation of one M. Larking a fierce Independent p. 97. A Relation of a great Sectary who vented many erroneous things and doth a great deale of hurt in Kent p. 97. A Relation of one Brabson a great Sectary who preaches much against Tithes p. 97 98. A Relation of one Cornwell a desperate Sectary who hath put forth divers Pamphlets p. 98. A Relation of M. Blackwood an Anabaptist who printed a Book called the storming of Antichrist p. 98. A Relation of what one M. Nicholas Davison who came from New-England being required by the Independents to go to Guild-hall said to them what hurt they did and how divers Priests turn'd Independents p. 98. 99. A Relation of a young man a Preacher who lived in Holland concerning the carriage of some English Sectaries there and how some of them gave thanks at their meetings for soleration which as they heard had passed the House of Commons and of their justifying M. Archers Book that makes God the author of sin saving they could shew the copies of that p. 99. 100. A Relation of a story concerning a Captain who said the â—oules of the righteous go not to heaven and his exposition on that place Luke 24. this day thou shalt be with me in Paradice p. 100 101. Animadversions on the said exposition of the Captaine p. 101 102. A Relation concerning Mr. Batcheler Licenser Generall of all the Sectaries books pleading for all manner of damnable Errours p. 102 103 104 105. A Relation of the names of some notorious Sectaries p. 105. A Relation concerning one Carter a Sectarie p. 105. A Relation concerning divers Sectaries M. Peters converts and one M. Bunniard who will not keepe Fast-daies but his folkes work on the Fasts p. 105. A Relation concerning one Oats a a Weaver who was arraigned upon his life for dipping one who dyed within 14. daies and one reasoning with him saying that Rebaptization was the way to destroy the creature and the answer made by one p. 105 106. A Relation concerning a Captaine who speake desperately against the City Remonstrance p. 106. A Relation concerning some of the Sectaries that said they would not tolerate the Presbyterians p. 106. A Relation concerning a Captain who preacheth on the Lords daies and puts the Minister by though a godly man p. 107. A Relation concerning a Sectary who said Christs righteousnesse was a beggerly righteousnesse p. 107. A Relation concerning a Sectary who affirmed Adultery and Drunkennesse to be no sin and maintained divers other errours p. 107. A Relation concerning divers Troopers in the Army that hold very desperate and divellish opinions p. 107. A Relation concerning M. Burroughs who spoke against the City for their unthankfulnesse to the Army and spoke strange passages against the City Remonstrance p. 107 108. A Relation concerning M. Symonds of Sandwich who said they should be damned that had opportunity to come into their Church-way and would not and of his foule speech towards a godly Minister p. 108 109. A Relation concerning some Sectaries in the Army who said what had they fought for all this while if the Presbyteriall Government be setled c. p. 110. A Relation concerning one Crab a dipper who spoke very disdainfully of the King p. 110. A Relation concerning a Lievtenant a great Sectarie who holds himselfe able to dispute with the whole Assembly he hath often preached in his scarlet Cloake with silver lace p. 111. A Relation concerning one Webb who preached blasphemy p. 111. A Relation of a Manuscript made by some of the Magistrates of New-England as it was thought for an arbitrary Government in the Common-wealth p. 111 112. A Relation of a Sectary who married a woman and went away from her and will not live with her and how the Church whereof hee is maintains him in it p. 112 113. A Relation concerning M. Saltmarsh preaching and of strange things delivered by him and how he said John Baptists Doctrine was a Leatherne Doctrine p. 113 114. A Relation concerning Cretensis and his Errors with some briefe Animadversions on his 38. Quaeries and Opinions p. 114 115 116 117 118 119 120. A Relation concerning M. Peters relating many of his speeches and passages in his Sermons together with an answer to a Pamphlet of M. Peters entituled M. Peters last Report of the English Wars from page 120. to p. 147. A Relation of M. Treake and of opinions that he holds and of some Articles put up against him p. 147 148. A Relation concerning Richard Overton who hath printed many scandalous things against the House of Peers and many desperate Pamphlets scoffing and scorning of them and his behaviour to the House of Commons and his ill speech of the Ministery p. 148. 149 150 151 152. A Relation concerning John Lilburn an Arch-Sectarie who hath printed divers desperate Pamphlets abusing the House of Lords and divers others p. 153 154 155 156. 157 158 159 160. A Relation concerning John Price M. Goodwins Disciple and of some of his opinions p. 160 161 162. A Relation of Mr. Cradock and of some things he hath preached p. 162. Animadversions on something preached by M. Sympson at Black-Fryers p. 164. The Relation of a story of the beating of a march of a Drum heard in the Chappell of Duckingfield by the Independents at a meeting there with Animadversions on that story p. 164 165. A Relation of a Petition on foot by some Sectaries for a Toleration p. 166 167. A Relation of a story
Heresies and Sects that they which are approved may be made manifest among us The good Lord in due time purge his Church and now his Fanne is in his hand let us pray that he may thoroughly purge his floore nothing but pure Wheat shall be in the Lords Barne Lord thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven so commending your holy labours both in Pulpit and Presse to the blessing of God I rest Your lover in the Truth and for his sake who is ipsa veritas Nichol. North. From Dover July 13. 1646. Sir Last day repeating to my people here in Saint James Parish the summe of these Errors that they might avoid the like Captaine Temple a great stickler in this Town for the maintenance of all Sects as I hear sent me this letter after Sermon being as it seems displeased that I should forewarn my people of Heresies and Errors I pray consider of it and make the best use of it you can The man is a stranger to me and I an to him I never saw him to my knowledge and he did not hear me preach that day he wrote to me though in his Letter he sayes he is my observer Mr. North DOubtlesse you may get into your peoples affections with enveighing against any pretenders to Religion as if all such did hold such points as your story wherewith you filled up your hour But I pray Sir be so honest as to tell them this afternoon that it was very likely that Tiltboat â—ent your companion to London was an Atheist one of your Church of England For such swearers drunkards blasphemers do use to go in your Tilt-boat and there talk of Religion according to your story But all wise men know your objects of spleen called Independents Anabaptists c. hold fundamentalls in Religion and can maintain it by Scripture better then your self Your observer Miles Temple Dover the 12. July 1646. This is a true Copie to a tittle of Master Temples Letter sent to Master North on the Lords day July the 12. 1646. Attested by Nicholas North John Dyâ—us Ministers A Copie of a Letter from a worthy Minister in the West of England Worthy Sir I Had not the happinesse either to see or heare of the second part of Gangraena till within these very few dayes The first part did so much good in weakning the reputation of the Sectaries and marring their market wheresoever it came that it is not unlikely there may be meanes used by some agents in London to hinder the spreading of this How it comes to passe I know not but if any corrupting Books come forth making for Independency or any of the Sects we are sure to here of them soon enough and finde them in too many hands I am glad you have made good your ground so well against Cretensis whose bitter arrogant unministeriall stile and passages will be enough to lay open to the world the temper of the mans spirit though you should be silent In that which concernes Master Burroughs I thought verely you had been mis-informed He utterly denyed the truth of that relation to a good Presbyteriall friend of his and mine who alwaies hath had him in good esteem for piety sure it will amaze his friend and many others when they shall see this largenesse of conscience in Master Burroughs You cannot immagine how I was struck at the reading of it If Saints of the first magnitude in the Independent way the greatest pretenders to conscience can do this what credit can we give to the rest such Presbyterians as they will scarce owne to be Saints have not that latitude of conscience to tell 〈…〉 willingly much lesse write it print it and give it under their hâ—â—ds to all the world This is too too bad As concerning that Collier whom you spake of in your Book I could give you a large relation as how he was banished out of Garnesey he and many more of his followers whom hee had seduced for their heresies and turbulent behaviour afterwards imprisoned at Po 〈…〉 th 〈◊〉 was the â—irst that sowed the seeds of Anabaptism Anti-sabbatariâ—â—ism and some Arminianisme among the rest in these parts hee hath had the boldnesse to publish two or three pamphlets full stuffed with erroneous principles and â—avouring of an illitterate Carter or an Husbandman for so he is by his calling I heare though now by usurpation a Preacher The first time he preached amongst us which was in time of publike exercise some that heard him said afterwards if that were true which Master Collier had taught them they would never heare any of our Minâ—â—ters more You may guesse his doctrine by the use was made of it doubtlesse 〈◊〉 was stronge poison he gave them that wrought so strongly at first Sir if I were not in great haste I should writ more at large I should be glad to heare from you in a word oâ— two how things are likely to goe for which I shall rest June 1646. Your thankfull friend A Copie of a Letter sent from some of the Committee of the City of Exeter to some of that City here in London GEntlemen we referre you to our former Letter sent you by post wherein we gave you information of the imprisoning of our honest Citizeâ—s by the Deputy Governour and Officers of that Garrison they yet continue in custody The Committee was refused to have the knowledg of the cause of their imprisonment Our Constables are opposed in doing their duties in a word they do openly contemne and violently incroach upon the civill power contrary to former ordem sent them Yesterday they demanded more monies of us for the Garrison We do what in us lyeth to oppose them in their undue courses But the insolencie of this day is such that we thought it our duty to make this present dispatch to you doubting what a day may bring forth The cause is thus we taking notice of the frequent preaching of Captaines at the Castle Guild-Hall and in private housés and of their drawing away of the people thought it necessary with the advice of Ministers to have the Ordinance of Parliament of the twentie sixth of Aprill 1645. to be published which prohibits all such to preach as were not ordained Ministers c. which accordingly was read at the Cathedrall before the morning Sermon this day The Deputy Governour hearing it commands it to be read the second and third time the Officers jeering and scoffing all the time of the publishing of it in contempt both of the Ordinance and of the Committee After the Sermon was ended the Deputy Governour most presumptuously stands up in the Bishops seat and takes upon him publikely to give the meaning of the Ordinance and saith aloud that it did not forbid their meetings and that in the after-noones they would have their exercise in the Custle which accordingly they had and that he had the command of the City and of all that were in it with many words
present you with these rude lines It doth not a little rejoyce me that providence hath so disposed of it as to bring you down into this dark corner of the Kingdome It is my desire for you to the Throne of Grace that God would cure that weaknesse of body under which your spirit hath so long travelled and that he would give you such strength and utterance of spirit whereby you may be able to declare unto the world the glory and the â—iâ—hes of the good newes of Jesus Christ which he hath manifested to your soule John saith That which wee have seen with our eyes and our eares have â—eard and our hands have handled even the word of life that declare we unto you Such kinde of preaching and declarations of Christ from experience of it in the heart the Friests of England but especially of these Westerne parts are unacquanted withall I should account it a happinesse if God would so dispose of it as to open such a way that I might have relation to you as formerly That small remnant of the Saints in this Town will be very joyfull to see you here and so shall he that desires to be Your servant in any office of love Robert Carye Dartmouth June 12. 1646. THere is one Sims of Hampton a Shoomaker as appeares by the following Examination and a Letter presently following who goes about as an Emisâ—ary all the West over from place to plâ—â—e to infect the people who at Bridgwater in Summersetshire being apprehended by some in authority was examined and divers Letters found about him written by severall Sectaries to the Saints as they call them in Taunton and elsewhere this examination and Letters were sent up to a person of worth then in London and that Gentleman gâ—ve the 〈…〉 me so that I have the Originall Letters by me The Examination of John Sims Shoomaker SOnday the last of May preached in the Parish Church of Middlâ—sâ—y took his Text out of the 3. Col. 1. One Master Mercer and Master Esquier Ministers with a hundred more persons and being desired to know how he durst presâ—â—e to â—â—ach so publikely being not called and an Ordinance of Parliament to the contrary Answered if Peter was called so was he 2. Being desiâ—ed to know what he teached contrary to the law of God and the lawes of the Land answ 〈…〉 why are they suffered to teach in London so neer the Parliament House and that he would allow of the Parliament is for forth as they goâ— with his Doctrine 3. Being desired to know whether he allowed of our Baptisme answered no that for his part he was baptized a year since by one Master Sickmoore and his manner of Baptisings was that the aforesaid Sickmoore went first into the water and he after him so that he for his part would not allow of our Baptisme The Letters taken about him To the Saints in the Order and fellowship of the Gospel in Taunton Your deare Brother Thomas Collier desireth the increase of grace and peace from God the Father and from out Lord Jesus Christ Deare Brethren and Sisters I have not had an opportunity of writing unto you untill now although my spirit hath been up to the Lord for your continually The Lord hath manifested his presence with me exceedingly in my journy I desire the Lord to raise up your heart in thankfullnesse he hath gathered Saints in Poole by me 14. took up the Ordinance at once there is like to be a great work and confirmed the Churches in other places I am not yet got so far as London but I shall I expect to morrow Dearely beloved my desire and prayer to our Father on your behalf is that your soules may be satisfied with his fullnesse that you may live above and then your soules shall not want comfort And my exhortation to you is to wait upon the Lord in his own way and not to look forth into the world there is bread enough in your Fathers hâ—use There he hath promised his presence though you seem to want gifts yet you shall not want the presence of your Father your Jesus if you wait upon him There are two Brethren I suppose will visit you from Hampton Brother Sims and Brother Row whom desire you to receive as from the Lord. The 〈…〉 ted power of the Plesbyterians is denyed them of which you shall heare more shortly I desire to be remembred to all my kind friends with you and at present rest Gilford April 20. 1646. Your deare Brother in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel Thomas Collier I shall see you as speedily as possible I may To the Saints in the order and fellowship of the Gospel MY deare ones in the Lord Jesus I salute you desireing him who is our head and husband our life and liberty our all and in all to gather up our soules more abundantly into the glorious unity and fellowship of the Son of God that you may not live upon these lower things which are but instruments to conveigh light â—nd love unto us I meane even Ordinances or the like which indeed are but as a shell without the kernell further then wee enjoy Christ in it My deare ones you are in my heart continually and my desire is to be with you as soon as posible I can to impart some spirituall gifts unto you and to enjoy fellowship with Jesus Christ in you but what is this your are upon the heart of Christ nay ingraven upon his hand and shall be had in everlasting remembrance before him I am much in haste at present the Post being coming forth of Town only I have sent you these few lines and two Books here inclosed as a remembrance of my love I desire to be remembred to all my deare friends with you and at present rest and remaine Your deare Brother in the faith and fellowship of the Gospell Tho. Collier London May 2. 1646. To his Friend William Heynton Buttler in the Castle at Taunton these DEare Brother in the Lord Jesus Christ with the rest of our deare friends with you my kind love remembrd my desire to you is that you will receive this bearer Master Reeves as a deare friend for he is a Member in the order and fellowship of the Gospel with the Saints in Taunton I need not tell you of the oppositions here in Taunton our Brother will tell you the particular passages our Governour does labour to beat us down and doth say that any meeting in private is meerly to crosse the publike meetings and that it is not out of tendernesse of conscience but damnable pride that we do but this doth not any way cause us to draw back or sadden our spirits for our spirits are carried above the feare of men All our friends are in good health so I remaine Your deare Brother William Hayward May 16. 1646. MOst kind and loving Brethren and Sisters in the Lord Jesus my indeared love remembred unto all the Saints unto
doe as a gifted Brother but as a Minister and is an act of power and office not of love and charity onely the Independents greatest and onely Argument to speak of used in the Assembly in their Sermons and some printed Books against a Presbyteriall Church and Ministers ruling in common over more then their particular Congregation is fully answered for if they may of themselves without the consent of the Minister of that Congregation baptize who are not of their Church then certainly they may with consent of the Ministers and Officers of such Churches joyn in the ruling and governing of them who are not of their Congregations and by this the ruling power of Ministers does not extend further then their power of feeding by the word and Sacraments and therefore till I give Master Burroughs a particular Answer to this Reason of his Wee would have the ruling power of Ministers not to extend further c. pag. 29. of his Vindication against Master Edwards and such a like passage in his Irenioum I referre him to Master Goodwin to be satisfied what reasons hee hath to baptize those over whom he hath not a Pastorall charge and the same will be found to hold stronglier for a power of governing those who are not of a Ministers particular Congregation and yet Master Burroughs if hee were pleased to take notice might find this very Argument answered in the Antapologia being brought by the Apologists in their Apologeticall Narration and in the Assemblies Answer to the Reasons of the Dissenting Brethren given in against Presbyteriall Government which Answers were never yet taken away by the Apologists or any of them and Cretensis in his late pretended Reply to my Antapologie takes no notice of them as he does not to the rest of the Arguments against their Non-communion c. but is so wise as after taking two yeares and upward for Answer yet to crave further day for payment filling up many sheets with mending the Printers and Correctors faults and making many faults where there are none letâ—ing passe all the materiall thingâ— both in matters of fact and Arguments till a Second Part which the Reader may expect ad Graeâ—as Kalendas And of this learned Reply to the Antapologie a worthy Divine writes to me Septemb. 12 as followes I have lighted upon the frothy Answer to the Antapologie of which lay aside pedanticall jeers unchristian misconstruction Rhetoricall flashes and Jesuiticall equivocations there will be scarce so much of a solid Answer remaining as would fill one sheet of those 38. that swells its puffe-paste bulk There is one Master Hugh Peters who came over from New-England about five yeares agoe a great Agent for the Sectaries who hath many wayes by preaching writing conference and discourse and above all by acting in severall kinds promoted the Independent way The Reader shall find him spoken of in the First and Second Parts of Gangraena Pag. 40 41. of the third Edition in some of Master * Pryâ—s Books in a Book called The Sectaries Anatomized pag. 3. Now I will give the Reader an account of him in relating some of his passages in Sermons Books and Discourses In Sermons hee hath preached as followes In the first yeare the Scots came into England hee hath in the Pulpit spoken well of them as in a Sermon at Covent Garden commending their Army hee said there was in one Regiment of the Scots fifteen hundred or seventeen hundred Bibles but since that time of the new Modell of the Army hee hath preached against them as at Lewis in Sussex where also hee spake against the Presbyterians because they will not live voluntarily upon the good will of the people but will stand upon such a meanes whereas the Independents will preach freely asking nothing So at Master Gatakers Church at Redriffe on the monethly Fast-day May 27. 1646. hee preached against the Scots by name that these Scots now in the Land were a new Generation not those Scots that came in at first to our help but these were other Scots come from Sweathland Germany and he knew not whence that to his knowledge they had sent away whole bushels full or â—uns full of money at that time also hee preached concerning the monethly Fasts that they were Canonicall set Fasts and hee wished they were suspended for a time and Fasts taken up occasionally And on May 17. at Cruciat Friars he preached concerning the Scots and of our Army what a holy religious Army it was and that they would have no warre with the Scots unlesse it should appeare out of the word of God they ought to have and if it should prove so yet they would goe to fight with their Brethren of Scotland with tears in their eyes On the last of May 1646. preaching at the Three Cranes in the Evening he spoke against the * Common Councell for medling with that they had nothing to do with going beyond their Commission saying Let them look into their Charter and see if there be any such thing mentioned He found fault with the City Remonstrance saying We now fall upon Remonstrating and Petitioning one against another instead of giving God thanks for his late deliverances and mercies vouchsafed unto us In this Sermon he spake slightly of the Covenant and of those who made such a stirre about it in pressing the people to be carefull in sticking to it as if they would have them to make an Idoll of the Covenant In this Sermon also hee spake about the King to this purpose what a stirre here was about a King as if we could not live without one and how fond we were to hug and embrace him who struck us a box on the eaâ—e the other day and all because he now stroakes us on the cheeks In this â—ermon also he spake that wee were now grown to a refined Malignancy so that he saw no more difference between these times and the first times of the troubles then between a half crown piece and two shillings and six pence by his discourse in the Pulpit it was carried in such a way as under the Malignant striking at the Presbyterian party who opposed Sectaries In this Sermon he spake also of the Army to this effect that when hee thought of the Army and the carriage of men towards them hee thought of Jesus Christ how like they were to him that as he went about doing good and working miracles and at length the people crucified him so will men do with this Army This Sermon was so offensive that I was told of it by divers and some Citizens went to speak with him about it and the conference that passed between him and them I shall acquaint the Reader with under the head of Master Peters discourses Master Peters in the Army in Hedington Fort hath preached against the City of London incensing the Army against the City of which the Reader may read more if he turn backward to page 24. Since the taking of
trouble you the Danes and Saxons never mastered this â—and by power but by our home-bred distempers To prevent those fears let English-men keep to their proper Interests and Scots to theire and I know not why we might not marâ—ch into Bavaria and Lorain before they come to us and make them pay all old Arreares I must confesse I am divided between Ireland and the Palatinate only I quiet my self in this that we may doe both And againe pag. 9. And if our back-doore were well shut at home how might Euphrates be 〈…〉 yed up I meane the West Indies and the East too offer themselves to our devotion And not only Master Peters but divers other Sectaries do in a sort deifie this Army I beleeve never was there an Army or rather one sort of men in the Army viz. Independents and Sectaries so cryed up in Pulpits Pamphlets Speeches and that to their faces as this is I might relate passages out of Sermons printed Pamphlets of the Saints in the Army the Independents calling them the strength preservers deliverers of the Presbyterians the instruments under God by which we enjoy all c. But I must abreviate and conclude this with a speech lately related to me of a great man of Master Peters his Religion that a discourse arising about the great Turk seasing on some of our Merchants goods in Turkis upon occasion of the difference between King and Parliament the Ambassador there being on the Kings side and what course there might be to help it he answered to this effect we had an Army that the terror of it was such that we needed not to feare the great Turke but it might go to the gates of Constantinople and demaud right 8. Master Peters designe is to plead for the keeping this Army on foot still and that in England for this Winter at least and to possesse men of the need of it and to perswade against the disbanding of it by any meanes and to work this the more he runnes into praises of the Army and Commanders of which the Reader may find such passages as these page 6. Your demand about the disposing the Army is not so proper for a private pen to engage in yet this I may say that other Nations in our condition would think if they look round about them and within them the disbâ—nding an Army if trusty ought not to be a work of haste When the seas are down in England I think the passage into Ireland will be easier and if we can maintain a defensive Warre this Winter I trust the spring will invite many over thither in the meane if these faithfull Commanders were in Garrisons without any designe be it spoken you have alwayes an Army ready the private souldier will still runne to his honest and well known Commander c. Briefly I say this to your question that this Army was hardly gotten and I wish it may be as hardly disbanded and so page 10. speaking of preserving the conquests hee writes thus By the same meanes the mercy is gained it may be preserved if men yea good men were instrumentall in the one they must be in the other And of their praises that they may not bee disbanded see page 5. I find our Souldiers generally in the old forme rather wondering then boasting admired by the enemy for their gallantry and Conduct And page 6. Feare not that Army whose Commanders like Samuel can ask any County or Town where they have been whose Oxe or Asse have they taken 9. Master Peters closely but shrewdly strickes at that neer conjunction and union joynt interest of both Nations as one by vertue of the Covenant in a uniformity of Religion in Doctrine Government and Discipline and labours to divide between them by hinting passages to look upon them not as one but as two Kingdomes having different interests for proof of which the Reader may take notice of these following passages page 7. Let us remember England as it was never conquered but by faction so it can never be ruled but by love the same Last will not fit an English and a Scottish foot they came not suddenly to what they enjoy and therefore should give England a little breathing over what is propounded it will be their mercy to keep what they have and ours to be growing up to what we desire So page 10. To prevent those feares let English men keep to their proper interests and Scots to theirâ— I would as soon credit a Garrison to a known honest godly English man differing from me in his opinion c. And pray Master Peters why not a known honest godly Scotch-man differing from you in his opinion implying a Scotch-man though a known honest godly man differing in opinion you would not trust 10. Master Peters strickes at the City of London and their Remonstrance page 11. in these passages speaking of our late enemies saith Their highest designe now is to make it Royall you may remember how willing I was once to have made a match my weaknesse was such that I did not study whether both parties were well agreed and my simplicity kept me from thinking of a Corrivall and let London know that if they think a Parliament sits the quieter by being so near them so 〈◊〉 think when the Parliament doores are shut up at Westminster their shops will hardly stand open at London Iâ— the clashing of swords cannot be heard yet death climbing up their windowes by the increase of the plague calls for something And in the same page again Had the Citizens Remonstrated more about their debts due and lesse about their wille they might have had more thanks and it may be by this time some might have kept Orphanes from their doores that â—ry for the money lent to supply the States use 11. Mr Peters designe in his Answer to seven Queres is to represent and render himself all along as some great Statesman and knowing man a great Traveller and of great experience a man beloved of godly men and respected at home and abroad a man of great interest in the most Learned and godly men of other Nations as Master Forbs the Scotchman Doctor Ames a man so active as if he did all and so wise as to give Answer to Queres and Counsell and Resolution to Parliament men as by some passages in these Answers it should seem this friend was in the hardest matters both of Church and Sâ—ate a man that could not be missed by the Parliment or the Army not spared out of England and such hints have bâ—â—n given out both in Sermons and in Speeches Now the whole frame of the Queres and Answers shewes this to be his â—â—me but more particularly these passages page 4. Master Richard Sâ—â—wâ—y a Member of the House who was of our Counsell in this work I preached at Worcester at our coming in and did observe a doore open to the Gospel Master Peters was of the Counsell belike for taking of Worcester
which they would have and occasion shall prove their ruine the means to overthrow all their Conventicles separated Meetings they are greedy of a warre to establish them but as now the beating of â—his Drum drove them out of the Chappell broke up their Meeting so shall the warre which they have sought overthrow all their Opinions Meetings and cast them out of England for ever as the Bishops and their faction were greedy for a warre against the Scots to support their greatnesse and Ceremonies and have been active to promote this second warre which hath proved their ruine so the Independents plotting and driving on for warre shall break their necks and break up their Conventicles and cause the Kingdoms to cast them out as an abominable branch and the issue of all the warres and bloud they thirst after shall be that some of their Heads shall be served by the Presbyterians viz. put into that bloud which themselves have caused perish by it and that most justly as King Cyrus was by Tomyris that Scythian Queen putting his head into a tub of bloud and saying Satia te sanguine quem sitisti nam insatiabilis fuisti and therefore let the Independents and Sectaries take heed of a new warre and make use of this warning given them at one of their Meetings Some Passages taken out of a Letter sent from a godly Minister in Northamptonshire to a Friend of his in London Good Cousin I Pray read seal and at your best leasure deliver the inclosed wherein I have related some particulars very soul though there be many more and more blasphemous It s a wonder amongst us that other Souldiers cannot be found but such as fight against the soul doing more hurt that way then they can do good any other way If the Parliament take not a course with them they shall certainly become our future rods or God himself will overthrow them in our sight take a note of the particulars and keep them for I have not time Septemb. 24. 1646. Some Passages extracted out of two Letters sent from a godly Christian in Lancashire to Friends in London LOving Friend God hath safely returned our Friends in health whatever our Petition produceth yet we have this comfort that we have done our duty The Sectaries here have got a Petition on foot for a Toleration and hope they shall not wait so long at the Commons door for an Answer as ours hath done Sir SInce our Petition was received into the House of Commons where it produced an Ordinance for the setling of the Presbyterian Government in this County the Sectaries have promoted an Anti-Petition here and in Câ—eshire they stile it The Petition of the peaceable and wel-affected that desire liberty of conscience as was promised by the House of Commons in their Declaration they ordered formerly to be read in Churches They have inserted some other plausible things into it the better to draw on hands promote it with great secrecy shew it to none but to such as before-hand they have some assurance will sign it It was framed and set on foot by the Members of the Church of Duckingfeild but I am confident they admit to sign it Seekers Soul-sleepers Anabaptists Rigid Brownists c. We hear of one Minister in our County who hath signed it that is a common Drunkard and two or three young Scholars who have begun to preach without Ordination one of which affirmed to me and some others that hee would defend Independency with his bloud Master Taylor and Master Eaton are wonderfull active both in Cheshire and Lancashire they much improve who is become agreat zealot for them hath threatned some of the godly Ministers that live near him to make their places too hot for them for denying their Pulpits to Master Eaton We have through the mercy of God a learned and active Clergy in our County sound and Orthodox who I hope will be assisted with many able and active men in their work of Government but Cheshire is miserably become a prey to the Sectaries they have set up already there two or three Independent Churches and are setting up two or three more hath so farre incouraged them discouraged and born down the Orthodox wel affected Gentlemen and Ministers that they could never to this day get any thing done against them We are as sensible I beleeve as any County in England and fear the carriage of things is such as will make the Kingdom weary Men speak here freely and say that now men may safelier blaspheme all the Persons in the Trinity then speak many things that are true of some Members of Parliament The suffering the Church of God to be rent and torn in peeces by Heresies Seismes and Divisions the retarding the releif for poor bleeding Ireland the greiving and sadding the hearts of our Brethren of Scotland with many other things makes us fear that the Lord hath a further controversie with us Octob. 10. 1646. A Minister told me lately hee having a Living given him or faire for it some Sectaries Independents and Antinomians desiring to bring in a Sectary and an Antinomian thereupon procured to petition the Patron for the Sectary and against this honest Minister and to effect their businesse the more probably they set down to the Petition the names of some Inhabitants who were for the Orthodox Minister in the behalfe of this Sectary when as they were against his coming in and never knew or once imagined their names were subscribed A Copie of a Letter written from a godly Minister in Holland to some Reverend and godly Ministers here in London Reverend Brethren I Have been sparing in writing unto you albeit I here have great need of correspondence in respect I am as it were alone among so many of different dispositions and nations I acknowledge the blame in my selfe who have not sought it of you of whose willingnesse I am confident Now a particular occasion hath forced to break off wherein I desire your resolution The Currents that are brought over hither these last two weeks make mention that the Assembly of Divines are about the penning of the Articles of Faith and that when the Article concerning the Trinity was presented unto the Parliament they would not admit of the word Person because it is a word not used in the first three hundred yeers and was the cause of great division and troubles in the Christian Churches This seemeth very strange unto many here seeing the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 1. 3. was never nor is otherwise translated in the Latin French Dutch nor our language neither have any excepted against it but Antitrinitarians Arrians and Socinians and others of that sort I have spoken with the Dutch Ministers concerning this and they admire that the Parliament seemeth to have such respect unto those damned Hereticks and the more that the Orthodox in Poland in their late Declaration would not grant the name of Brethren in Christianity to
24. A godly and understanding young man told me that a Quarter-Master belonging to a Regiment of horse coming up into a Pulpit to preach prepared the Country people for his Sermon by saying they should not wonder to see a man in such a habit to preach for he had a command from the Spirit to preach and he was under the command of the Spirit and must do accordingly and told them though they might say he was no Scholar yet that was no matter for the Spirit without learning could enable a man to the work A Gentleman of good understanding told me lately before other company that he meeting with a Captaine of horse belonging to Cromwells Regiment as 't is commonly calld with whom he rid some miles and dined also at the Sheafe in Daintry the last of August this Captain told him that the Parliament and Scots were agreed that was the newes of delivering up the King to Colonell Poyns who was with his forces to convay him as farre as Trent or thereabouts and then Cromwells Regiment was to bring him up to London to see him safe convayed to the Parliament and if he would not signe the Propositions then he said the Parliament would decoll him and thus they will decoll him acting with his hand in putting it to his own neck in away of cutting off and this Captain added further that he thought it would never be well with this Kingdome till the King was served so This man in his discourse speaking of Presbyteriall Government said it was a hundred times worse then Episcopall This Captaine when he came to Daintry enquiring for his Company where it quartred and not hearing suddenly where they were quartered was much troubled miting his hand on his breast that at such a time as this of going to fetch up the King hee should be away and hee took care for fresh horses for his journey Northward to fetch up the King This last August I was informed from a good hand viz. one who came out of Northamptonshire that some of that Regiment calld Cromwells Regiment quartering in Northamptonshire would not suffer the Ministers to preach quietly but affronted them among others one Master H. a godly Minister going to his Cure one S. a Trooper who quartered in that Town pleaded that Jesuites should have their liberty of Conscience as well as other men and in the afternoon when this Minister had done preaching stood up in the open Church speaking to the people pretending as to question some things delivered but indeed fell upon venting to the people the doctrine of Universall Grace that no man was condemned for any thing but unbeleef whereupon Master H. spake to him why do you not speak to somewhat which I preached as you pretended upon that this Trooper said I accept against that you preached for saying we might not question God but where he hath given us a word for such a thing we must beleeve it without questioning him to whom Master H. replyed if you will question God you may well question me I was told at the same time by one who came out of Northamtonshire that one of the Sectarian souldiers laid his hand on his sword and said this sword should never be laid down nor many thousands more whilst there was a Priest left in England I have been told it by severall that in Northamptonshire some of the Sectarian souldiers being in company with a young Scholar a godly Ministers sonne in Northamptonshire one Master Smith and venting some of their opinions he reasoning against them and belike putting them to non-plus they wounded him terribly so that it was thought he could not live yea it was feared hee was dead already A worthy Member of the House of Commons told me at the latter end of August last that Letters were written out of Hampshire from some persons in place there to Members of the House of Commons complaining that the souldiers who billited there carried themselves so ill as that if they continued there they could not serve them but must leave the Country for they infuse such poysonous opinions against all Government and persons of Authority as that none of us shall be regarded August the 12. I was certainly informed from eare witnesses that a few dayes before two very godly and understanding men well known had discourse with a Captaine belonging to Colonell Hammonds Regiment who positively maintained and affirmed these things to them speaking them often as his opinion and the rest of the Army of his way That the House of Commons was the Parliament of England and not only a part of it That if this House of Commons should give any Order for them to go fight with the Scots they would go That if the House of Commons should give order to come against the City of London they would do it and he spake of the City of London with much detestation saying hee was perswaded the City of London hated that Army with other words to that effect This Captaine asked them if they heard not of the plot to destroy the Army to send part of them into Ireland to be there cut off so the sending of forces into Ireland was interpreted This Captaine to another honest man either the same day or within a few dayes maintained the same things in substance so that one of them telling a Colonell belonging to the Army what this Captaine had said that upon an order of the House of Commons they would as willingly fight against the City of London and Scots as ever they did against the Cavaleers the Colonell answered readily it was no such wonder for he beleeved it was the sense of a great many in the Army A person of worth who was at the Bath this Summer told me that he had heard Master Saltmarsh and Master Del preach there before the Generall but never heard them pray for forgivnesse of sinnes and said he was glad he had heard them that he might know what manner of men they were It hath been told me by two or three of the Town of Wantwich in Barkshire that at a Town neer Wantwich and in Wantwich a great Market Town a Sectary belonging to the Army preached in the Parish Churches one of the Texts upon which he preached was out of the Revelation where he spake much of Antichrist and that all those were Antichristian who were for childrens Baptisme and that none could be saved unlesse they were rebaptized The man when he had done preaching at Wantwich spoke to the people and desired them to object what they could against his Sermon and he would answer them he did not bid them come to his chamber to be satisfied as many would but he was publikly ready to answer any objections made against what he had preached There is a very honest man of Master Whitakers Parish in Bermondseystreet told me that one Marshall of that Parish a great Sectary refusing to pay his Tyths according to the Ordinance of
Commons the Knights and Burgesses assembled in Parliament by the voluntary choyce and free election of the people thereof with whom and in whose just defence I le live and die maugre the malice of the House of Lords and in page 18. he in way of deâ—ision calls the Lords House the Superlative House and speaking of the Lords laughing at his answers he saith of that House such carriage such a Court For indeed Comedies Tragedies Masks and Playes are more fit for such idle kind of men And above all other Demonstrations of the outragious insolencies of the Sectaries against the House of Peeres let the Reader peruse that Pamphlet entituled An Anatomy of the Lords tyranny and injustice exercised upon Lieutenant Colonel Lilburne which is throughout insolent both for matter and manner particularly page 12 13. Lilburne writes that he being in the painted Chamber desired Master Brisco one of his Keepers to go and tell the Lords from him that seeing they had the impudencie and boldnesse to tread the Lawes and Liberties of England under their feet and did so contemne and undervalue the authority of the Honorable House of Commons to whom he had appealed as yet to go on in their illegall courses with him with whom by Law they had nothing to doe that he must be forced in the highest nature he could to contemne and despise their proceedings and therefore was resolved not to come to their Bar without a forcible compulsion and to come in with his hat on his head and to stop his eares when they read his charge in detestation and bearing witnesse against their usurpations and injustice page 14 15. Lilburne writes he thus spake to the Lords And my Lords I tell you to your faces that by right the House of Commons are your Judges as well as mine in this case and I doe not doubt but to live to see the day that they will make you to know whether you will or no that they are so and of their justice and protection I doe not in the least doubt And therefore my Lords seeing you have dealt so illegally and tyrannically with me as you have done I now bid defiance to your power and malice to doe the worst you can And therefore my Lords I protest here before the God of Heaven and earth if you shall be so unworthy as to persevere in endeavouring the destruction of the fundamentall Lawes and Liberties of England as at present you doe I will venture my life and bloud against you to oppose you with as much zeale and courage as ever I did any of the Kings party that you set us together by the eares with page 21. Lilburne saith all his catriage and expressions before the House of Lords in the case now betwixt them to be as justifiable by the Law of this Kingdome and in the eyes of all understanding men as for a true and just man to draw his sword and cut the theif or rogue that sets upon him upon the high-way on purpose to rob him of his life and goods and in page 23. hee earnestly beseeches the Honorable Committee to remember the Commoners and improve all their interest to punish or at least effectually to curb the Lords House Thus the Sectaries in their Petitions and all their Pamphlets printed speaking of the Lords House and of their proceedings they give such kind of termes as these Barbarous Tyrannicall Arbitrary Illegall unjust dealings worse then the unjust Stat-chamber it selfe Insolent unheard of usurpations intrusions and many such like And in divers Pamphlets now of late the Parliament being spoken of is understood only the Commons of England they call'd the Parliament by way of exclusion of and opposition to the H. of Peers and Books written on purpose and dispersed given freely to stir up the people to adhere to the Comons as considered apart and distinct in interest power from the Lords with unworthy reflections upon the Lords as The last warning to all the Inhabitants of London p. 7. Mind your own good and cleave fast to the House of Commons let no sorcery or sophistry divide you from them the Lords are not to go before the Commons in determining what concerns the Nations their large answer to your last City Petition for Church-government and suppression of Conventicles insinuates they would allure you from the Commons therefore observe them watchfully and trust them accordingly So A word in season to all sorts of well-minded people in this distracted Nation with Answers to the City Remonstrance and divers other Pamphlets 4. The Sectaries have been guilty of and daily are of abusing contemning and taking away the power of the House of Commons given it by the Lawes Constitutions and Customes of this Kingdome and though in many Pamphlets especially this last yeere they cry up the House of Commons and seeme to give them not only their owne power but the power of the King and House of Lords making both them meere ciphers yet it will be found by many of their principles laid downe they have destroyed the House of Commons and doe break their Priviledges speak their pleasure of them both by words and writing as often as they please Many Pamphlets and whole Books have beene written by Sectaries against the House of Commons it selfe and not only against Committees or particular Members charging the House with tyranny injustice oppression horrible pride seeking of particular interests Arbitrary Governm 〈…〉 breaking of Magna Charta and going against the Liberties of the subject resembling them to the Star-chamber High Commission Court to Strafford and Canterbury refusing to answer any questions upon the command of the House scorning to Petition the Commons either to sue for their favour or to acknowledge their justice and after such favour shown as to release without petitioning yet taxing them with dishonesty and demanding reparations for imprisonment for the abundant proofe of which I referre the Reader to many Pamphlets written by Sectaries as Englands Birthright The Copie of a Letter from Lieutenant Colonel Lilburne to a friend Lilburnes Innocency and truth justified Englands lamentable slavery with other Letters printed about that time Another word to the wise written by M. John Musgrave A Pamphlet entituled An exact collection of the Parliaments Remonstrances Declarations c. A Remonstrance of many thousand Citizens and other free borne people of England to their owne House of Commons out of which I shall faithfully transcribe some passages that the insolencies of the Sectaries against the House of Commons may be observed Lilburn in his Letter to his freind writes thus page 1 2. That Master Corbit being in the chaire and telling him he was commanded by the House to demand a question of him Lilburn instead of answering him desired to know the cause of his commitment and M. Corbit replying the House was not bound to declare unto him the cause of his commitment thereupon Lilburne answered Then I have beene a long