the Magistrates shall come to use a co 〈…〉 cive power in matters of Religion then this Kingdome will bee utterly destroyed I might also relate some strange passages out of speeches spoken not long since by some Independents as Master Sympson in the Assembly and elsewhere too for a Toleration but I for be are and wish the Reader to remember some passages related in foregoing pages of this Book especially that in page 175. 2. Many of the Independents and Sectaries of these times are guilty of many kinds of uncleannesses First of Incest of which out of one Country I have the names of three sent me up and attested by the hand of a godly Minister one who ma 〈…〉 ed the mother and afterwards the daughter 〈◊〉 this liberty of consciences mother marrying his owne brothers wife and the third marrying his brothers wife I have beene informed also for 〈…〉 taine by a Gentleman of quality in Kent that a great Sectary in Kent hath married his N 〈…〉 It hath been related to me also of one in London 〈◊〉 of the like 〈…〉 d but I may not enlarge having exceeded already the number of sheets I intended and having yet many things to 〈◊〉 of Secondly of wicked and ungodly matriages leaving their owne husbands and wives and taking others to live with them as Master Jenney and Mistrisse Attaway and so that New-England Captaine who was about another wife his wife being living of which the Reader may read page 94. and so others of them living wholly from their wives not coming at them denying they have been married to them or else saying they are unbeleevers and of the world of which I could give stories as of one M. and in a precedent page of this Book the Reader may finde more And for ungodly marriages some Sectaries are guilty of entising children to marry unequally in regard of yeers and without Parents consents taking advantage of sicknesse c. of which there is a remarkable story in this book of Mary Abraham a notorious Sectary page 82 83 84 85. And lately a Widow an Anabaptist about forty yeers of age intangled and inveagled a youth of about nineteene yeeres of age and married him without his father ever knowing or imagining any such thing This youths father lives in Swithins parish and Mr. Knowls the Anabaptist as t is said married them Thirdly ofâ— rapes and forcing young maidens too young for the company of men of which I could tell some sad stories of Independents in new-New-England in this kind and upon whose daughters but I forbeare out of my respect to the Parents Fourthly of adulteries and fornications and if I should here set downe all the instances in this kind that I have had from good hands and relate the stories at large I should fill some sheets There are divers of the Dippers and mecanick Preachers of the Sectaries not onely shroudly suspected for filthinesse and uncleannesses but some of them accused by women and have beene so taken as they could not well deny it There is a famous Sectarian Preacher in the Isle of Ely betweene a Cobler and a Shoemaker who is now accused by many women for tempting them and solliciting their chastity and one woman cries out of him for being naught with her and 〈◊〉 distracted upon it There is a Fidler here in London a great preacher to whom many women resore that hath beene taken in the act and hath in a manner confessed it There is one of the first Dippers in England one of the first that brought up the trade of whom I heard a modest and good woman say that had observed his filthy behaviour he resorting often to her house upon some acquaintance formerly betweene her husband and him though indeed for the wives sake as she plainly discovered and so could not endure him that it was no wonder he and many such turned Dippers to dip young maids and young women naked for it was the fittest trade to serve their turns that could be and no question but it was found out and propagated with so much industry as being fed by lust that a company of uncleane men under the pretence of Religion might have thereby faire opportunities to feed their eyes full of adultery in beholding young women naked and in handling young women naked being about them in dressing and undressing them and indeed Saint Peter speaking and prophecying of the Anabaptists 2 Epist chap. 2. verse 10 11 12. viz. those who despise Dominion and speak evill of Dignities as we see our Anabaptists do of all Kingly government and Lordly government despising both King and Lords and being presumptuous and self-willed in it as is evident by their sayings and doings tells us these men are uncleane persons walk in lusts of uncleannesse have eyes full of adultery that cannot cease from sinne and that he makes the ground of their beguiling unstable soules verse 14. T is observed there have been and are a company of lusty young men betweene twenty and and thirty yeeres of age that are Dippers and their cheif commodity they trade in is in young maidens and youdg women and that in the night oft-times and these fellowes living in idlenesse going from Country to Country being feasted and well fed and having converse so much with women in preaching to them alone and washing them what can be expected else but a great deale of filthinesse and thereupon I have beene told it from a godly Minister who came out of those parte in Essex where Oats hath beene dipping that it was spoken of by many that some young women who having beene married divers yeeres and never were with child now siâ—ce their dipping are proved with child There was a Sectaries wife with me who showed me severall Letters written from Sectaries to other mens wives Sectaries to tempt them from their husbands shee had intercepted the Letters that shee might the better discover her husbands naughtinesse shee told me the names of the women and of the men and intreated me to move some Parlia men that there might be a Committee appointed and shee would produce the Letters bring witnesses that should upon â—ath discover such uncleannesses and wickednesses among some Anabaptists and Seekers as could hardly be beleeved I moved a worthy Member of the House of Commons about it who told me the House was full of publike businesses and would hardly intend to appoint any such Committee and if the House should there would come little of it for these Sectaries would finde such freinds at a Committee as it should go hard but they would obstruct it one way or other There is a famous shee Sectary an Antinomian and an Anabaptist that living in ones house here in London was a meanes to turn the woman of the house and shee being converted did highly extall this Sectary for her rare gifts and new light to all shee conversed with but this womans husband coming out of the Army this famous Sectary was
that kind beene at few meetings of that nature and do professe I am so farre from being ambitious in that way that I should account it a great happinesse to have a call to a place only to preach and write and a yeerely Pension for the maintenance rather then Tyths Thirdly I began to write my Gangrenaes and have continued to write on since which time I have beene accused to do all out of policie worldly interest in the times of the growth and raigne of the Sectaries when they have beene in their greatest power and most formidable able to sit on the skirts and to crush those who have opposed them of which there are many instances which I well knew and to preferre and honor those who adhered to them and yet in such a time have I writ against them and more and more laid them open which certainly could be no policie worldly interest but piety and duty to appeare in so open a manner against the rising side I well knew the Sectaries strengh policie activnes and how England was a bad Aire at that time and still is for zealous Presbiterians to thrive in much might be lost by it but nothing gained I understood the faithfull witnesses had not yet put off their sackcloch had I indeed written against the Sectaries when they had beene on the declining hand and cast out as the Bishops when all men in high places had turned their hand against them this might have beene interpreted Policy wordly Interest but to do it in a time when the Sectaries had so many friends in high places such an influence upon our Armies Councels c. so many for them in City and Country I beleive no wise man who considers it will call it Selfseeking or Policy I may say in this case as Job in another Is there any taste in the white of an Egge So is there any Policy in what I have done 4. I have beene so farre from getting any thing by my open and earnest appearing against the Sects that I have suffered and lost much and am exposed to all sorts of hazards and dangers for so doing I beleeve I have suffered more in my name Estate losse of Friends c. then any Sectarie in England hath done for maintaining and spreading his Errors I could have beene the darling of the Sectaries in regard of my former Interest and acquaintance with many of them so I would but have held my peace and done them no hurt though I had not beene theirs I could have had more friends among the Presbyterian party to have beene more moderate as they call it for such a time have we fallen into of Luke warmnesse and favour of Sectaries that the being earnest against them hath made some who goe for Presbyterians not to owne me as otherwise they would for feare of being taken notice of but I have lost all them and many friends more that had some relation to Independents having been deserted of many with whom I had kept unviolable friendship a long time I have suffered by that party in some places in the City where I have beene sought unto and earnestly desired by the knowne godly party I having beene kept out by the Sectaries meanes either by joyning together with Malignants against me or taking off some friends or working one way or other I have suffered much in my name all manner of evill having beene spoken of me having beene reviled scorned every Sectaries hand turned against mee been for a signe to be spoken against O the â—ard speeches and contradictions not only of sinners but of many Saints to that I have endured I have been threatned in many kinds and there have been consultations what to do with me Lawyers have beene advised with what might be done in Law in such cases of men being named the Parliament hath beene stirred up in severall Pamphlets against me as in Gangraena playes Rex Walwyns and Saltmarsh's Pamphlets they would upon pretences make the Parliament fall upon me and have said they hoped the House of Commons would be at leisure ere long to talk with me and besides what I have suffered and doe suffer I looke upon my selfe as exposed to many dangers and sufferings running a great hazard in this undertaking I know there are some desperate men among them like the Circumcelliones among the Donatists and what may not they doe if God restrain them not I am not ignorant what a strong party they have what a proud generation they are impatient of all contradiction and being crossed to whose Sheafe they think all Sheafes should bow nor what a subtile malitious revengefull people they are I am sensible what t is at this time to lay them thus open even as much as to catch an angry Lion by the beard and to stop him in his way rearing after his prey or as to meet with a chafed Beare robbed of her whelps and therefore in stead of once dreaming of worldly interest the favour of men I have laboured to prepare my self for persecutions and troubles to forecast the worst having set God and his Truth for my helpe which are stronger then all 5. I have beene so farre from Policy Selfe-Interest in wrighting against the Sectaries that I was never guilty of these things in any way I ever appeared for I never was the man since I came to years of understanding that ever put the question which was the strongest and the rising side they never fell under my deliberation but which was the good side for God and his Truth that was enough to me I looked to that and never troubled my thoughts about rising or great things in the world as never expecting them and in my adhering to one party or side before another I have still done it but so farre as they have beene for God and his Truth freely declaring my selfe at the same time I have beene theirs against wherein they have declined from the Truth and way of God 6. Whereas the Sectaries cast Policy worldly-Interest c. upon me they themselves are most faulty in this kind and if the Independents Churches and Lectures with other their worldly Interests be compared with mine their hundreds with my scores their applause being cryed up with my being cryed downe their living in pompe and feasting almost every day with my slender diet their ease with my labours it will be found many of them fell to be Sectaries out of ambition pride profit and that they might live easily Calvin in his Instruction against Libertines showes the reason why Quintinus and his companions of Taylors became Doctors were so changed that they might live delicatly and easily and not be put to labour for their Livings They thought it better for them that as the Priests and Monks got their Livings by chanting so they by prating and so no question one great reason of many Mechanicks turning preachers and Dippers is because they may leave working and live delicatly
statesman in his Polit. tels us The same Last will not fit an English and a Scottish foot The English must be ruled more by love Now if two nations so neer in one Iland are not alike free but must be differently governed then certainly Nations remote from one another are not alike free Besides to particular persons yea bodies of people many providences accidents may fal out to make one and the same people and particular persons not so free as sometimes they have been there are some Parents who were free but having incurred the Law are tainted in bloud so their children also some are taken captivs or have sold themselves for a necessity and so their children are servants to A nation having bin saved by some Prince from ruine though before a free state may now make him and his Heirs according to such Lawes King over them nay Amesius in his Cases of Conscience saith It cannot be denied but that a people forced by necessity may sell themselves to a King to be all his servants Gen. 47. 23. 5. T is apparent that in one and the same Nation as England all the subjects have not the same priviledges and freedoms but some have more then others some are not liable to be pressed to war to bare such Offices serve in Juries c. as others are some have voices viz. Freeholders to chuse Knights of Shires others have not some Cities Towns have Charters and large priviledges in severall particulars to send Burgesses to Parliament which other Towns have not and certainly the Peerage of England have priviledges and liberties which every Jack-straw hath not 6. I demand of the Sectaries whether in their Pamphlets speaking of election and consent they meane an immediate present choyce and consent of the present men now to be governed or else an election consent in the first constitution of this Kingdom and Government by our Ancestors many hundred yeers ago Now if they mean this last how do they know but that this Government wherein the King and Lords have such a power was by consent and agreement it being consented such a man should be King and such persons Nobles who by birth should have such power and then such people according to such agreements should have power to chuse some men who together with King and Nobles should make Laws by which the Nation governed the King should have such power Nobles such priviledges and people such liberties but now if they meane the first an immediate election of the present peopl that they are to obey none but so chosen 't is most false and a principle destructive to the sundamentall government of this Kingdom and destroying the House of Commons as well as the King and Lords and for the clearing of that I would propound two things 1. That in this Common-wealth of England none have any power of Government at all either in a lower or higher Sphere either by election of the whole body of the people for all chuse not but some onely or founded upon election as the sole cause and ground for none of the people can chuse neither are men capable to be chosen till according to Lawes Writs are granted forth or Charters given by Princes and Lawes to such Corporations and yet then the peopl must go in chusing not according to their wills but to such rules agreed on by Laws and after men are chosen some conditions also and rules must be observed before the persons so chosen have power of government these chosen Commons must be returned and sworne take such oaths before they can â—it or if they do their election is ipso factâ— nul and they made uncapable ever to fit again so that t is evident that election of some part of the people not the whole is only a partiall cause not the totall and plenary cause or rather the true cause is because such a man according to Lawes and Customes of this Kingdome is now in such a place whereof one of the conditions for such a place is election so and so determined by former Lawes but now in many Officers of this Kingdome who have power of government to heare judge and do many Acts no sort of the common people have any power at all to chuse as in Justices of Peace they have been alwayes and still are made without any such election so the Judges of the Land Sheriffs with divers other Officers and therefore much more may the King and Peers who by the fundamentall Lawes of the Land have an heredâ—tary power in Parliament to which the Kingdom hath agreed and yeelded obedience so many hundred yeers exercise their power without any electon of the people 2. That certainly people are bound and tied to Lawes Rules as well as Kings and Nobles and that Covenants Compacts Oaths of Allegiance c. made on their part bind them as well as Princes oaths I ever took it for granted that Princes had not been bound and their people left at liberty and freedome to do what they pleased I alwayes thought fundamentall constitutions of Government made many hundred yeers before and ancient bounds set by Lawes with birth-right inheritance having gone through an uninterrupted succession of many Pâ—ogenitors had been a right and interest to Princes which the meer will and pleasure of common people could not have taken from them and I conceive that according to the conssitution and Lawes of this Kingdome which gives all sorts their rights though some more some lesse 't is agreed on that the Peers of this Land should have a Legislative and judiciall power and they and their heirs be in such ranck born with such and such priviledges over others 7. This Position of the Sectaries the Universal people having such a power without whose election all Government is void their Dagon and great Image which they fall down before and worship is a meer Chimâ—ra a monstrum horrendum a Babell which I could shatter and break so to peeces as not one stone should be left of it nor so much as the stump but I may not now give all my thoughts for feare of being too voluminous only I will hint a few things in this place by way of Question and referre the Reader to what I further say in page 154 155. c. 1. I Desire to know of these Sectaries what or who is this state Universall whether all the men women and children born in England men-servants maid-servants poore people and beggars together with those of the better sort and whether if all these or the greater part of these taken one equally as well as th' other be the state universall have they the like Soveraigne power over the King and Parliament 2. Whether in what this state Uuniversall will do with the King Lords and their owne House of Commons it must be carried by the most voices of this state universall so that if all the beggars poor people servants children be a
greater number then the rich wise c. it must be as they will have things in the Common-wealth and if so let it be considered what may and will be the consequence of that whether not a community yea a making the rich poor and the poor rich servants masters and masters servants and if it must not be so then how is it the state Universall 3. What if this Universall people do not or cannot agree among themselves about the government and governors but some are for one way some for another some for such men others for other men and one sort say they are the most and the other say they are the most who shall have power to judge between them and determine the differences 4. If Power of Government be founded on the consent of persons to be governed what if as great a part of the universall people within a few and may be more considerable chuse another man or men then the other greater part chose must they subject to them whom they like not consent not to or may not they set up those they chuse for the governing of them and suppose twenty such great parties chuse all different men may not each set up and obey only their onwe chosen ones according to this doctrine 5. How where and in what manner shall all the Universall people meet men women servants children poor rich beggars to declare their minds what they would have and how things should be carried and whether ever did they or can they meet to make known their minds and who shall be betrusted to take their minds and report it 6. Whether are not the Sectaries the Uuiversall state of England that pretend to have this power over King Lords Commons and whether do they not mean themselves by it in all their Pamphlets and how do they know many things which they confidently assert of the people in their Pamphlets to be the judgement and intent of any other but of their own Sectarian party 7. I desire to know how many of the persons who have writ all these late Pamphlets against the King House of Lords and of the peoples power over the House of Commons to call them to an account and that they may do nothing but what they give them power to do and they may displace them at pleasure as being chosen by them c. had any voiceâ— or power by the Lawes and Customes of this Kingdome to chuseâ—any Members for the House of Commons Let Lilburne O 〈…〉 Larner and the rest of that rable who talk so much of the House of Commons being their chosen ones and that a man ought to obey none but whom he chuses with such like name any Knight or Burgesse whom they chose or were capable to chuse for I beleeve they were of so mean estate that they had not so much free-land per annum required by the Statute for them who have voices Electio 〈…〉 of Knights of the â—â—ire and as for chusing Buâ—gesses in London where they lived they were no Livery men of any of those Companies who have voices in Election so that for ought I know when the House of Commons shall question them for their sedicious Anarchicall Pamphlets aâ— the Lords have most justly done and by these and many other Acts have endâ—ered the hearts of thousand to them they may answer the CoÌ„mons as they have done the Lords and tell them they never chose any of them nor gave them any power they were chosen not by the State Universall all the free-men of England but by a few free-holders and some ricâ— Citizens and tradesmen and therefore let them rule over them if they will and let those who chose them be subject but unlesse they will be content to 〈◊〉 down and be chosen by the Universall people they will not betray their liberty to answer any questions submit to their Authority but appeale from the 〈…〉 to the Universall people or to the Depu 〈…〉 and Trustees which shall be made by this Universall people and that they are likely to do it may be judged by Lilburns carriage to the Committee of Examinations the House of Comm 〈…〉 it self and by the many Pamphlets in the yeâ—re 1645 set out against the House of Commons and that they may say so upon as good grounds yea by the very same upon which they went in opposing the House of Lords I will undertake to make good and of it the Reader may find more about page 155 156. 8. If all power be founded thus upon Election of the persons to be governed and the Commons have all their power thus from Election and from nothing else whether may any be put by from sitting in the House who are chosen by most voices of those Townes and Counties who send them and others chosen by fewer voices by farre sit in their roomes in the Commons House and whether upon Articles clapt in before proved or complaints by the friends of those who have fewer voices may the Committee of Elections or the House it self put by one chosen by most voices and admit the other and according to this doctrine of the people Universall represented being the Lords and Masters of the Commons and the Commons their Deputies and servants how can they contradict their Lords the people to turn back whom they send and put in others 9. Whether may not according to the Doctrines laid down in the late Pamphlets the Counties add Burgesse Towns who have no Knights or Burgesses there to represent them nor have not had of a long time and can yet get no Writs to chuse for themselves answer the House of Commons when sent for as Lilburne and Overton did the House of Lords We are not bound to obey any of your Orders as having none there that represent us or whose Election we have consented to 10. Whether according to these Doctrines of the Sectaries may not such Cities Townes Counties chuse men without Writs and send them up to Parliament demanding to sit there especially after alleadging Petitions and motions made for Writs to chuse and none granted and whether in such cases whilst Towns are without any Parliament men for them may they not refuse to obey any Ordinances made by those whom they never chose nor know not yea may they not according to this doctrin say that all Ordinances whatsoever made before the time their Representors came in they will give no obedience to 11. If all power be founded thus wholly upon the Election of the people to be governed and that all Governors are their meer Deputies servants may do nothing but what they give them a power to do and by Commission from them whether may the House of Commons exercise that power the Lawes give them and go according to the Priviledges and Customes of that House though the people Represented never gave them any such things in Commission nor do not know nor understand them or must they keep only to what
them and so came away letting them do as they would At another time there being Poultrie provided by the good woman of the house for their diet which she killed with wringing their neeks about as the custome of the Country is these souldiers would not have them dressed but threw them away and fecht others cuting of their heads for they would not eate things strangled and such was the carriage of these Sectaries that though John Mathewes be a man well affected to the Parliament and well disposed yet he professed he had rather have Prince Rupert and his Company to quarter there then that Troop of Captaine P. A Copie of a Letter written lately from a Reverend godly Minister in Northamptonshire to a person of quality and worth in London Worthy SIR THough I am perswaded that you know that many Errors abound in the Army yet I cannot think but such destructive tenets as some of them have broacht amongst us when they lately quartered here are not particularly come unto your eares Therefore out of zeal to Gods glory the safty of our Church and Commonwealth Parliament and Ministry I could not but impart what I have heard from their own mouthes and by honest neighbours of them The sacred Covenant bindes me with all faithfulnesse to indeavour to discover Incendiaries hinderers of Reformation of Religion dividers of the Kingdomes c. And truly I cannot think these any other though as yeâ— God hath hindred their sparks which they cast into all the straw which they passe by from flaming into open and violent liscord I can produce both the names and I think sufficient witnesse people are affraid almost to speak against the souldiers that they have seriously spoken as being their judgements and purposes that if the souldiers knew the Countries minds as the Country might know the souldiers they would have another kind of Reformation then this Parliament is about That they have not so long sought for liberty and now to be inslaved That they could goe all England through by force of Arms if they listed That the Country might call the Parliament to account for what they had done for they were set up by them They commonly in derision call our Brethren Jack Sect and say they plot with the King against the Parliament but if there were any occasion of drawing the sword against them they would be more fierce against them then ever against the Cavaleirs They upon long dispure with me cominued in this that there is no such office as the Ministry and it 's blasphemy for any one to say that he is a Minister of Jesus Christ more then any other man such an office was but it ceased A Captaine Reformadoe said their swords shall never out of their hands as long as one Priest continued in England They scorned all our religious dayes and duties call them fools that pay Tythes and them theeves that receive them will beleeve no more Scripture then what they prove by experience to be true I might have heard more but that my heart abhors such seditious and blaspemous speeches They speake most contemptibly of Christs person and as I heare deny either the Trinity or at least the holy Ghost If it be for any publick benefit I will search after more particulars and sufficient proof Sir I am bold to impart my troubled thoughts unto you whom I have cause to judge faithfull to God your Country and your Friend Truly we fear some hurt by these in Arms if a speedy course be not taken with some of them for I find that they stick not to their principle of Liberty but only in receiving it they will not give it if they had the power of giving it unto others For ought I can observe with all their Errours they labour to poyson others where they come My mind will be much satisfied when I shall know you have read these lines concluding my duty of discovering Incendiaries c. discharged till further occasions be offered The good Lord look upon us and save us from these instruments of safety I desire your spirituall health and comfort with all temporall happinesse and successe Sept. 24. 1646. Yours to be commanded A godly young man of Summersetshire or Dorsâ—tshire at whose house a Lieutenant of a Company of Sir Thomas Fairfax Army quartered told me that this Lieutenant maintained these Opinions 1 That women might preach and would have had a gentlewomâ—n in the house this young mans sister to have exercised her gifts telling her he knew she had gifts and had been alone a meditating 2. That if a womans husband was aâ—leep or absent from her she might lye with another man and it was lawfull for sleep was a death and pressed it upon a young Gentlewoman in the house whose husband was then at London 3. That it was unlawâ—ull to kneell in prayer which was maintained by him or some others of his company and when they prayed they prayed leaning There is a godly Minister of some place more then ordinary that was in the Army about Oxford who heard a Colonell of that Army speak it in his hearing and the hearing of many that as for fighting against the Irish he was against it for they did nothing but what they might do lawfully and gave his reasons and grounds for it 1. Because they did but fight for their Religion and Liberty of conscience and for their Lands and Estates 2. That if the whole Commons and body of the people would agree and put down King and Parliament overthrow the Constitution of this Kingdom in King Lords and Commons they might do it as this was told two godly Ministers from whom I had this relation so was it communicated to some members of both Houses June 24. A godly Citizen told me he heard a great Sectary that belonged to the Army say speaking of Ireland he doubted and so did many more in the Army whether it were lawfull to go fight against the Irish and that that Country was theirs as well as England was ours Though the boldnesse and presumption of many of the Souldiers Officers and common Souldiers hath been very great both against the command of God and the Parliament to preach in the open Churches in all Countries and places where they have come putting by many godly and able Ministers from their Office and invading their Pulpits yet their open and frequent preaching in the University of Oxford doth most of all declare their impudencie that they should dare to do it in the midst of so many learned men and in a place so famous for learning and that in the publike schools in Oxford to preach daily and that against humane learning as they did for some time and after complaint of it to the Generall as a thing so scandalous and odious to all ingenuous men and his forbidding their preaching in the Schools yet the Souldiers continue still to preach in Oxford daily in a great house
the increase of Errors there and that there was a woman Preacher there who â—ents many Heresies as that the Scriptures were not the word of God that the drowning of the old World and story of Noah were not true there were no such things with other things of that nature July the eighth a godly Minister lately of this City told me in the presence and hearing of other Ministers as a certain truth this story That at a house in Red-crosse street or thereabouts there met some Sectaries where some forty persons being present one of then exercised his gifts and in his exercise preached these Doctrines 1. That Jesus Christ was not God not the Son of God 2. That the Scriptures were not the word of God and brought many arguments to prove it 3. That the souls of men dye with their bodies Now as he was delivering these points there was a woman present that wept bitterly speaking words to this effect If this Doctrine be true what shall I do I have many yeers beleeved in Jesus Christ and hoped to be saved but now what will become of me Which words this blasphemous Sectary taking notice of said good woman you need not be troubled for though Christ be not God neither any certainty of the Scripture being the word of God yet if you live honestly and modestly you shall do well enough besides this fellow said there are two Witnesses or Prophets coming shortly that will bring Scriptures with them and then you and I shall know what to do and to beleeve There is an Independent who came some yeers ago out of new-New-England and is made a Captaine here who left a wife and many children there and after he was come over never sends nor writes to his wife nor takes no care for theâ—r subsistence but as it seems by Letters written to New-England and from thence this Captaine hath been sometimes neer the marrying others here in England in so much as a Letter was written to him bâ—one whom I suppose an Elder at the desire of the Church to deale with him about it which Letter I have read as also a Letter from his wise wherein she wonders she could not hear from him and prayes him to consider in what state he left her and those children and how unable both she and they are for any inployment and for to show the truth of this Relation I shall give the Reader a true copie of the Letter sent him out of New-England which is as followes Captaine and beloved Brother HAving an opportunity I embraced it to write unto you being also desired by the Church we earnestly desiâ—ing your good in the Lord. I wonder that you would never sens a word neither to my self nor any friend of yours we knew not whether to write unto you untill this opportunity Your wife is yet a live and never received word nor penny from you And which is most sadde we are informed by two Letters that you have been sometimes ready to marry others which you know is very evill and condemned by the Law of England as well as by the Law of God we hope you will take it to heart together with your forgetfulnesse of your wife and children It showes that your heart is declined from God and we hold it our duty to recover you if we can by the blessing of God upon the meanes we shall use Good Sir take some time to consider of your wayes the time will come when you must give account for them to the great Judge of all We shall expect to hear an answer from you concerning this businesse for God calls us to purge his Church from such evils as these are Thus with my love unto you and prayers to the Lord to recover you and humble you I rest Your loving friend Richard Blinman Glocester in New-England December 4. 1645. THere is one Sir Worts who being newly Bachelor of Arts came down into Norfolke and would have had such a place in Norfolke which some of the godly Ministers thought him not fit to take the Cure of upon him being so young having so lately commenced Bachelor whereupon this young youth being angry at the Ministers for missing the place the next newes the godly Ministers heard was that he was turned Independent had gathered a Church and people running eight or ten miles after him with a great deale of violence crying him up and amongst other of his converts that turned Independents and followed this Worts a godly Minister of that Country told me one of his Parish who would lie often in blind Alehouses and be often drunk being not admitted by him to the Lords Supper but being wished by this Minister to repent and give some testimonies of it before he came upon non-admittance turned Independent presently and followed this Worts but a while after this man was struck sick on a Munday dying on the Friday or Saturday after and would not admit his Minister to come at him but sent for Worts and in his sicknesse lay all the while speaking and extolling the Church-way to all who came to see him but not doing any thing which concerned a man in that case who had been guilty of so great sinnes and so died A godly Minister told me that he knew an old man an Anabaptist that lived at Ashford in Kent or thereabouts who will bee drunken and when he is drunk then he will weep much and bewaile the blindnesse of the Church of England About May last I was told it by two or three good witnesses that a Souldier belonging to the Army and one who had been a Dipper came not long before that to a Town in Bedfordshire called Ravensdowne and got up into the â—â—lpit against the will of the Minister preaching for Universall Grace against Poedobaptisme against Tyths whereupon for preaching whether the Minister would or no one of the Town fetcht a Warrant for him against he came down from the Pulpit to bring him before a Knight a Justice of Peace of that County and when he came before him he gave him uncivill words and carried himself disrespectively telling him that if he committed him he should be fetcht forth with honour and to the Justices dishonour but the Justice binding him over to the Sessions and being brought thither desiring some exemplary justice against him for contempt of his authority a Letter came from some Commander I am not sure who for to send his Souldier to him and so as the story was told me the Justices released him and let him go An honest godly man of good understanding told me lately that one being spoken unto about sending the Army into Ireland he said there should not go six parings of the nails of Sir Thomas's Army into Ireland though it were lost ten times over better that lost then England hazarded by sending away the Army At Hampden in Buckinghamshire there is one Potter a Smith who hath been a souldier and is come out
Parliament men came downe as I take it upon one of the Cities Petitions about Church Government for say the Independents the Presbyterians will get the upper hand he refused to go and answered them who spake to him in words to this effect You little know what you do and whose work you further in opposing the Presbyterians for saith he the Independents in old-Old-England are nothing like to them of New-England no more then black to white you Independents here do that which we abhorre there I met â—ith this man with one who came from New-England and he held himself there an Apostle for which he was whipped and here hâ— is a great preacher and in great account and this he told to divers This man is accounted a godly man in New-England and went back thither this June For a further proof and confirmation of this here is a person of good account one of the Committee of Account that speaks confidently of informations he hath received of the coming over of Jesuits on purpose to mixe themselves with Independents and the Sectaries to increase that Faction for thâ—ir own ends I have been told also with much confidence that a Gentleman going through Colâ—man-street and seeing great store of People coming out of an Alley asked what the matter was some told him they were Sectaries come now from their Conveâ—â—ticles whereupon standing still to take notice what manner of People they were he sawe come out among them fome whom he had known to be Jesuits and Priests There is a young man a Schollar and a preacher who lived some years in Holland and that among some of our English Sectaries sometimes of the Church of Arâ—bâ—im who tells me they all generally and their Families were Anabaptists and that they made much of that scurrilous wicked book The Arraigment of Persecution These Sectaries not many months before they came over into England namely about the Spring last gave thanks at one of their Church meetings for a Toleration of the Sects which as they heard had passed thâ— House of Commons which the Beformed Ministers of that place hearing of were much troubled at it yet hoping it was not so that God would not leave the Parliament to be guilty of so great an evill after he had done so much for them These Sectaries would speak much against the Covenant and this Preacher hath heard some of them say they would be hanged before they would take it and had rather see one another hanged then to take that abominable Covenant One of the compapany used to preach constantly in the forenoon and then in the afternoon two or three others by turns as Master C. Master A. and when these were from home and there was no preaching then their Families staid at home and would not heare the English Reformed Ministers but some of them said If those Ministers would promise never to preach for Baptisme of Children nor against their way they would hear them Upon the newes coming over of the burning of Master Archers booke that made God the author of sinne they justified all in that book saying what was in it was his to a word and one of them said he could shew the Copy and they spake much against Assembly Parliament and that he had as high a place in heaven as any of them would have and they would make what he had written good This young man once speaking against the opinion they were very angry at him saying what had he to do they would speak against our Ministers with much indignation and scorn as if none of them had any worth A worthy Member of the House of Commons told me the last day of August that one Captaine B. told him we had beene fed by our Ministers thaâ— mens souls when they die went to heaven but now we see a New Light in that they do not go to heaven to whom this Parliament man replyed That the souls of the faithfull do for Christ told the thief Luke 24. To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise unto whom this Captain replyed That to day was to be referred to Christs saying so and not to the time when he should be in Paradise so that the meaning was Christ said unto the thief those words to day but not that to day he should be in paradise with him and so the words were to be read Verily I say unto thee to day and there the point and then after to be read thou shalt be with me in Paradise which though it should not be to the end of the world would be no impeachment of the truth of Christs speech whereupon this Parliament man answered to this purpose this were to make Christ eqivocate and deceive like as your faction does Animadversions upon this Exposition THis Sectary is not the first that hath wrested this place thus but some before him have separated to day from the words that follow and joyned it with the words going before so that the distinction should be Amen I say unto thee to day and then should follow thou shalt be with me in paradise upon which let the reader look Theophylact who handle this place largely and Jansenius Harmony on the Gospell Cap. 143. besides in the Greek Copies to day is joyned with the words thou shalt be and not with the word I say of which read Beza upon the place yea le ts looke upon the words they are an answer of Christs to the Theifs prayer that Christ would remember him when he came into his Kingdome not to remember him in this world to save him from the Crosse and temporall death now Christs answer is accordingly that he shall be partaker of his heavenly Kingdome and tells him the time to day that is thou shalt be with me without any delay and so there shall be no danger that I shall forget thee when I come into my Kingdome for behold this very day I shall take thee to my Kingdome vide Rollock in Cap. 19. Johan The theif in his prayer speaks to Christ as going presently into his Kingdome and desires to be remembred upon his coming thither as now being upon the Crosse in a cursed condition now if Christ had said to him then he should be with him but not told him the time when the theif knowing he should be dead to day but meaning it of a long time two thousand years afâ—er this would not have been so comfortable to the theif besides there was no reason nor need of adding to day to that word I say to th 〈…〉 for the theif knew they were spoken to day yea at that instant to him neither could to day be for asseveration Christ using that word word of asseveraton A 〈…〉 instead of that neither is there any paralell place in Scripture where to day is used in such an acception There is one Master John Baâ—hilâ—r Licenser-Generall of the Sectaries Books and of all sorts of wicked opinions Licenser to Master
reports of victories other mens valiant acts attributed to them and they upon all occasions pleaded for excused and fair glosses put upon the â—oulest actions of any Commanders and Souldiers of that party so that a man would wonder Master Peters should write thus but that he will say any thing if it be for the Sectaries and they who know the man and his manner what stories he hath told in Pulpits of baâ—â—ells that he hath been in and how many victories have been atchieved will never marvell at what he writes here Seventhly For that Master Peters speaks of Master Forbes and Am 〈…〉 s of that constant sweetnesse and incouragement in the one towards him and of the speeches of the other to him even to his death I much doubt of the truth of them and that upon these grounds However Master Forbes might be great with him before â—e declared himself for Independency and the Church-way yet I have been told from a godly understanding Minister who lived many years in Holland and that in the time of Master Peters being there both before he was looked upon as an Independent and 〈…〉 wards viz. all the time till he went to New England that when Master Forbes by the power of the Bishops faction was put by his place of Minister to the Merchant Adventures at Roterdam he would have received the Lords Supper at Master Peters Church Master Peters Independency or Church-way not being visible then but Master Peters offering to put upon him or requiring some of his Church-way devices spake something to Master Forbes of things in that kind which Master Forbes neceâ—ted with so much indignation and scorn knowing what love and â—espect he had shown to Master Peters and what experience Master Peters had had of him and that now besides all his sufferings in Scotland he was put by all in Holland for refusing the Ceremonies and the Bishops wayes that now being deprived both of Ministry and Sacraments and coming to Master Peters as his great friend he should offer to question him of his state of grace or propound his Independent 〈…〉 icks to him before he could be admitted that he spake very sharply to him telling him in these words or to this effect He would not come to the Lords Supper with him if he would have â—im nor have communion with a man in such a way And I beleeve there was little love or sweetnesse passed between them afterwards or little incouragement that Master Peters ever after had from that learned and godly Scotch-man And as for the story he tells of learned Amesius for no other end as I know but to gain credit to himself and the Church-way I much question that he should speak so of the Independent way and give such a charge about it as Master Peters relates as also that he left his Professorship in Frizland to live with Master Peters meeâ—ly upon that reason because of his Churches Independency and my grounds of doubt are these First Because in Doctor Amesius his Works I find Principles against the Independency of Churches as in his Book of Cases of Conscience the fourth Book cap. 29. in answer to that question Who have the power of Excommunicating Among others who have power he saith Synods and Classes when any difficulty ariseth have a power to declare and decree who they be that ought to be excommunicated 〈◊〉 in his Medullâ— Theologie 〈…〉 the first Book Chap. 39. having spoken of a particular Church he comes in with this Cantion or Proviso Notwithstanding particular Churches as their communion requires the light of nature the equity of rules and examples of Scripture teach may and also often ought to enter into a mutuall confederation and association among themselves in Classes and Synods that they may use the common consent and help as much as conveniently can be especially in all those things which are of greater moment I 〈◊〉 also in Amesius his Works many passages against other Principles of the Independent way at the use of Suspension from the Lords Supper to goe before Excommunication which is denyed by the Independents with many others Now the writings of men are more to be regarded and beleeved then the words of such a man as Master Peters especially in favour of his own cause Secondly For Doctor Ames leaving his Professorship in Frizland to live with Master Peters at Roterdam I will not deny that but I doe deny that it was because of his Churches Independency it was upon other reasons and of this I can give the Reader some good account and I must acknowledge it as a providence of God that I many years agoe by reason of my intimate acquaintance with the eminentest and godliest men of those times and with the prime of those who are now turned Independents did hear and know many things of all sorts of godly men both at home and abroad in Holland England New-England which I then little thought I should ever have had any use of but since have been and are of great use in answering Independents when they come and tell the world stories of themselves which men know not how to disprove them Doctor Ames as I have been told from grave godly Ministers for many years before he died was weary of his place in Frizland and would fain have had some place in England he moved and propounded it to some that if he could but have any living or place to preach in though in a remote Village without using the Ceremonies and being put upon subscription he would take it for he had a mind to give himself to preaching and to enjoy the society of English Christians and Ministers and was weary because of that dulnesse and different way in regard of the practicall power of godlinesse he found among those he lived with there and the godly English whom he in the former part of his life had been acquainted with and therefore divers years before there was any thought or speech of Independent Churches or this way he moved for a place in England and would faine have left his Professorship in Frizeland And I am ready to depose I have been told this by one or more godly Ministers of great note 'T is sufficiently known I was well acquainted with Doctor Preston Doctor Sibs Master Bouls Doctor Prestons Tutor Doctor Taylor Doctor Staughton c. and from some of these I had it and I remember I have been in company with Doctor Ames at Doctor Prestons lodging who after the death of King James coming to England and to Cambridge I heard him preach there and well remember the Sermon and Text Jude vers 20 21. but times in England growing worse and worse there being no hope for such a man as he here being weary of his Professorship in Frizland was willing to be Minister of an English Church in Holland since he could not obtain it in England and I make no question if Doctor Ames could have been assured
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
the Kingdome and live like Kings and Emperors and like lawlesse men none such being of Gods creation there will never be an end of this Parliament which by its everlasting continuance by the abuses of lawlesse and rotten-hearted men will become the most absolute burthen and greatest oppression that ever was upon the people when as in times by past it used to be their only remedy from their oppression and oppressors In a Pamphlet entituled Yet another word to the wise there 's a Letter directed To Master John Musgrave chosen to present the Countries greivances to the House of Commons which Letter speaks thus But the House of Commons instead of hearing and redressing your greivances have added new greivances unto those which formerly you have suffered in their owne quarrell against the common enemy they have unjustly imprisoned you these last twelve moneths protected Traytors among themselves from the Law c. Yet we shall rather with tears seek their repentance then their persisting in such courses seeing they are placed in lawfull authority and have a good Cause though they seeke too much their owne c. And as for their lamentable submission to the Bishops servants the Presbyterian Synodians in establishing that wil-worship and Popish maintenance which now themselves doe well know to be jure diabolico through these blind guides their Diviners and Southsayers inability to answer their Queres whereby to prove themselves jure divino surely if they will notwithstanding obstinatly persist in such wilfull dangerous and unwarrantable courses they will doubtlesse show themselves to be fighters against God his truth and people to their owne destruction without speedy conversion In a Pamphlet entituled Liberty against Slavery there 's a Letter written by a Sectary call'd An eâ—cellent Letter written by a prisoner to a worthy Member of the House of Commons where are these passages O where is justice may not these royall plunderers as well justifie all their Robberies and Depraedations as either our House of Commons or the House of Peeres these kinds of imprisonments and commitments Nay is it not the greatest injustice when done under the colour of justice Sir I assure you it were lesse greivous unto us to die at once then to be thus inslaved and famiâ—hed in your cruell prison houses where we are exposed to all misery contempt obloquie and scorne of the worst men and thereby the hearts of our wives and aged Parents broken with greif Sir be pleased to consider how by these and the like doings the affections of many thousands of people is estranged from you who have formerly adventured all to uphold you in your authorities and if this course be continued we shall not we cannot thinke and say lesse then that the Parliament and not the Prerogative makes us a bondage and miserable people And some already do not spare to say that the Parliament is now become the burthen of the Kingdome You were intrusted by the people for their good and not for the continuation of their thraldome let us then have justice which without showing your selves to be most unjust men you cannot any longer deny us The Pamphlet entituled Englands Birth-right page 33. speaking of the Commons in Parliament saith By which manifest abusing negligent and not true using the Lawes oppressions mischeifes greivances are no lesse if not far more increased then they were before the Parliament began and many times by the powerfull interest of a faction in the Parliament to save some one two or three of their Members undeserving credits they so violate the knowne unrepealed and declared Law of the Land yea and their owne Votes Ordinances Declarations and Protestations as if they had never made them I say all these things considered ought not the free men of England who have laboured in these destroying times both to preserve the Parliament and their owne native freedomes and birth-rights not only to chuse new Members where they are wanting once every yeer but also to renew and inquire once a yeere after the behaviour and carriage of those they have chosen Lilburne in that Pamphlet of his call'd Innocency and Truth justified page 75. speakâ— thus of the House of Commons But it may be you will say the House of Commons is not at leasure by reason of publick I answer lesse then an hours time will serve my turne in this particular and t is very strange in 5. yeers space so much time cannot be found from the publick to transmit my busines sure I am they can find time enough to settle great rich placâ— upon some of themselves and to enjoy them for al their owne Ordinances to the contrary yea and I know some of them hath plurality of places and I say the thing I desire of them is more justly my due then any of their great places are theirs and therefore I hope they have no true cause to be angry with me for craving justice at their hands And page 37. I am absolutely of this mind that neither a Committee of the House of Commons nor the whole House of Commons together can justly imprison me or any other contrary to a Law which at present there is not some Ordinance made both by them and the Peers publick at present to overthrow it But I have severall times been imprisoned by the Committees and by Vote of the House of Commons it selfe contrary to a knowne Law made this present Parliament by themselves against which there is at present no Ordinance published and declared by them and the Peeres for the Cognizance of Ergo I say they are tied in justice according to tenor of this Law to give me reparations against those persons that were cheife instruments either in Committees or in the House of Commons it selfe to Vote and take away my Liberty from me contrary to this Law and for my part I doe accordingly expect my reparations for my late causelesse molestations and imprisonments A pamphlet entituled A Remonstance to their owne House of Commons page 11. speakes thus to the Honorable Commons For we must deale plainly with you ye have long time acted more like the House of Peers then the House of Commons we can scarcely approach your doore with a request or motion though by way of Petition but ye hold long debates whether we break not your Priviledges The King or the Lords pretended Prerogatives never made a greater noise nor was made more dreadfull then the name of Priviledge of the House of Commons Your Members in all Impositions must not be taxed in the places where they live like other men Your servants have their priviledges too To accuse or prosecute any of you is become dangerous to the prosecutors â—e have imprisonments as frequently for either witnesses or prosecutors as ever the Star-chamber had and ye are furnished with new devised arguments to prove that ye only may justly doe those grosse injustices which the Star chamber High
prophane persons ignorant c. who having no knowledge in Religion and so likely to chuse such as themselves were unfit for such a work and afterwards in print being charged with it by Master Prynne as proved against him before the Committee of plundered Ministers he justifies his Preaching of which the Reader may see more in those Answers and Replyes that passed betwixt Mr. Goodwin and Mr. Pryn and particularly in Mr. Pryns Truth triumphing over falshood Epist Dedicat. and in the Book pag 106 107 108. The Author of the last warning to all the inhabitants of London pag. 5. saith That the betrusted Commons have not permitted this liberty in policie of every one worshipping God as they will but in Justice and upon mature knowledge that they neither are nor can be betrusted to make Lawes to rule men in the practice of Religion The Sectaries Remonstrance to their own House of Commons as they call the Honorable House pag. 12 13. speaking of matters that concern the worship of God denys the Commons any power at aâ— to conclude the people in such things It is not for you to assume a power to controule and force Religion or to force a way of Church-Government upon the people because former Parliaments have so done and affirms the Commons could not have such a power justly entrusted upon them by the people that trusted them And what need any further witnesse The House of Commons to their faces in the last 〈…〉 a st Sermon before them heard enough by Master Dell a famous Sectary and the Generalls Chaplaine against their power and authority to meddle in things of this kind Fifthly the Sectaries have written publikely and spoken openly against many particular Members of both Houses by name yea against the Honourable Speakers of both Houses by name and divers other prime eminent Members of note as well for their estates and ranks out of the Houses as power in the Houses calling by name some of them Traitors Achanâ— accusing them of treason and wilfull betraying of their Countries and Trusts as the Religious Earl of Manchester Sir Henry Vane Senior Master Barwis charging others by their severall names with other crimes as injustice oppression protecting of Delinquents sending many thousand pounds to the King at Oxford procuring by their publike places in the House contrary to the Self-denying Ordinances private and profitable places to themselves pride and loftinesse of carriage breach of promises giving out of the Scots that they have a wicked design tending to the prejudice of the State It would fill up many pages to relate all the passages in Lilburns Overtons Master Musgraâ—es Books Englands Birth-right and such like Pamphlets of Sectaries against some of the Peers by name as thâ—â— thrice Noble and Worthy Earl of Essexâ—â—tely â—â—tely deceased the Earl of Stamford Lord Hâ—â—sden and divers of the Commons as Sir Arthur Hazelrig Master Lilsle Master Glyn Master Blackstone Master Gorbet Master Whitaker Master Allen Master Tâ—et Master Bâ—â—on yea they fall foule upon Sir Henry Vanâ— the younger Master Sollicitor Lievâ—enant Generall Cromwell Sir Henry Mildmay Master Holland c. and would have them turned out of their places as being Nonrefidentiaries Pluralists strengthening others in those wayes by their examples telling them these other places distinct from their Memberships of Parliament prejudices greatly the Common-wealth sowes up their lips makes them they dare neither speak nor doe what they should and without which 't is hoped they would but I must not enlarge more on this head and therefore referre the Reader to the Books themselves to peruse the particulars at large Sixthly The Sectaries have spoken written publikely against contested with the Committees of Parliament the Committees of each House both of the House of Commons and Lords How Lilburne carried himself to the Committee of Examinations his pamphlet entituled The copy of a Letter from Liâ—â—t Col. Lilburne 〈◊〉 a Friend shewes at large what Master Musgraves carriage was to a Committee of the House of Commons of which Master Liâ—ts was the Chair-man himselfe relates in his pamphlet entituled Another word to the wiâ—e and in that Book he speaks against the proceedings of that Committee and in that of all the Committees of the House of Commons shewing his reasons why he declined that Committee and the answering of their Interrogatories Now his words are as followes I am blamed because I decline the Committee how should I expect any good from them when they dare not or will not suffer our cause to be publikely heard and debated but doe shut their doores against both our friends and also against strangers contrary to Law yet suffer they our adversaries whom we accuse to sit with their hats on as Judges in the cause both permitting them and they taking upon them to examine us And how can I assent unto the Committes demands to bring witnesses to be examined before such a Committee as cannot or is not authorised to administer an oath and so consequently cannot determine or give any judgement for or against the party accused for that all matters of fact and causes criminall are to be tried and determined by the verdict of twelue men upon solemne oaths and deposition of witnesses And how can I without incurring the hainous sinne of perjury submit unto the Arbitrary proceedings and determinations of any Committee being bound by solemne oath and protestation to maintaine the Lawes and just liberties of the people and that the Proceeding Orders and Results of the Committees be Arbitrary and not regulated by the Law I need no further proofe then that exorbitant and unlimiâ—ted power they take upon them and daily exercise in seazing on free mens goods and imprisoning their bodies contrary to Law for which if they should as they ought pay 500. li. a peice and trebble dommages to every party greived according to the Statute of 17. Carol. made for the abolishing of the Star-chamber I beleeve they would not adventure so boldly to transgresse Overton in his Pamphlet call'd A Deâ—â—ance against all Arbitrary usurpations either of the House of Lords or any other p 14. 13. declares his contemptâ—os insolent carriag towards a Committee of the Lords House how when he was asked by the Earle of Essex two severall times whether he were a printer or no he answered that he would not answer any questions or Interrogatories whatsoever but would stand to the rights and properties of the people of this Nation as also that he asked the Committee some questions talked sawcily to them as to know where or before whom he was What is a Committee of Lords the most supreme Court of Judicature in the Land Gentlemen if you be a Committee of Lords then I appeale from you Seventhly the Sectaries have carried themselves in word and deed insolently against the Parliament of England not only as I have fully proved abusing apart the House of Lords the House of the Commons Commit of each House and