other Commanders and souldiers June 7. 1646. being Sabbath day in the forenoon used these or the like words in effect viz. 1. There are no more of the Church of God in a Kingdome then there be such as have the spirit of God in that Kingdome 2. Neither Old nor New Testament do hold forth a whole Nation to be a Church 3. Whatsoever a State an Assembly or Councell shall say ought not to binde the Saints further thenthe judgements of those Saints shall lead them 4. The Saints are those that are now stiled Anabaptists Familists Antinomians Independents Sectaries c. 5. The power is in you the people keep it part not with it 6. The first party that rose against you namely the prophane ones of the Land are already fallen under you and now there is another party Formalists and carnall Gospellers rising up against you and I am confident they shall fall under you 7. They are willing to become subjects to make the Saints slaves nay they are willing to become slaves themselves that they may tread upon the necks of the Saints 8. His Sermon or exposition for the greatest part of it tended meerly to division and sedition 9. Being spoken with after his Sermon by some of his hearers toâ—ching these and such like passages he said to this effect his intentions were not according to his expressions and hee thought he had preached only to souldiers Peter Mills John Haine Nichoas Widmergole Henry Potter Theophilus Smith There were Copies of these Positions given into the hands of some Members of both Houses and some Citizens with these names subscribed And when Master Del did put forth his Sermon with an Episte before it wherein some passages were inserted to cleare himself from these matters laid against him the Citizens above named put forth a Book entituled a Vindication of certaine Citizens that lately went to the Leaguer then before Oxford weherin they attest the seven former Positions against Mr Del page 9. And of this Mr Del the Reader may read more of him in a foregoing Letter written by a Learned and godly Minister out of the Army Some passages taken out of a Letter written lately by a godly Minister in Cheshire to a worthy friend of his in London George Young Lieutenant Colonell Ger. souldier on Sabbath was sevennight I being absent brake to peeces the railes which for these foure years have been transformed into seates very commodiously for the parish refused to stay his hand at the instance of divers who told him I would amend it if any thing were amisse telling them I would sooner set up such things then pull them downe and that he would do it if I were present and that the Church should down within a yeare and reported in the Towne that I was drunk with the blood of the Whore of Rome wisheth his tongue had cleaved to the roofe of his mouth when hee had taken the Covenant And it 's much feared that spirit works mightily in Ger. Company and others Five Independents are determined for the five Captaines of foot for this Country judge you what 's intended Great striving hath been to get me out of my Lecture here that an Independent might come in but I have undertaken the Lecture if need be gratis rather then any evill fall out by my removall Some passages taken out of a Letter written from a Reverend and Learned Minister in the Northerne parts to a worthy freind of his in London AN eminent Parliament man of our Country came downe lately with whom I had some conference about Master Edwards and about the Schismes and Blasphemies that are broaâ—hed and connived at amongst you He said he thought that Master Edwards was a very wicked man and did as much as was in him to embroyle the Kingdome in a new Warre and deserved c. In all his discourse he savored of the new leaven which I feare many of the higher powers are too much tainted with I complained that Schismes and Schismaticks were to much suffered by them He answered that truth was victorious and will be triumphant of it self and as when many thick mists gather about the Sunne in the morning the Sunne by his own light and heate dissipates them by degrees so would truth do all contrary Errors of it self in time and therefore it was but reason that men should first bee convinced of their Errors and satisfied in their consciences by reasons and arguments and not be compelled by force to constraine their consciences to mens wills I objected Bests case to him he said that Best shewed himself amoderate man and willing to be satisfied by reason and to lay down his opinions if he might be convinced of them and his conscience satisfied I also spake of Lilburne to him he said he was a very good and deserving man and thought that he might say and do and justifie all that was yet laid to his charge He said that Anabaptists were not Hereticks but only Schismaticks at the worst and that he thought the baptizing of Children could not be proved out of the word of God I laboured to prove it by Scripture and reason the testimonies of the most Orthodox Fathers and the constant practise of the first best and purest times of the Primitive Church but he slighted my proofs and said that my Scripture and reasons were not expresse and demonstrative and for the Fathers and practise of former times we were not to be ruled by them ex ungue leonem He is learned and wittie active quick and ni 〈…〉 ble and magisteriall I feare he hath many abettors which are ejusdem farinae Yet I think that he is no broacher of these opinions much lesse perswader of any to them but only by way of discourse accidentally as thus with me June 22. 1646. An Extract of a Letter written to me out of Lancashire SIR THere is imployed in this County by the House of Commons as t is commonly taken one Mathewes a man active and of strong parts he boldly and confidently denies the Scriptures to be the word of God and pretends to Revelation we have heretofore signified to some Members of the House what a scandall t is that such men should be imployed by them but cannot yet learn that they have put him out I have here inclosed sent you two papers that were given me by one of our Sectaries here being divers more and some that are active of his opinion August 8. 1646. A Copy of the two Papers inclosed GOod Christian Brethren forasmuch as the immortality of the Soule is maintained to be a truth whereof I am doubtfull I desire you who are able by sound Doctrine to convince the gainsayers to make it good by Scripture that the Soul is immortall and that it may so appear I desire you will be pleased in a rational way to proceed by giving in writing a definition of the subject whence it is and what it is and where it
of the Sectaries in their writings against the Presbyterians the Assembly godly Ministers the Scots and particular persons by name have done it in the most scornfull prophane blasphemous and abusive way even to the abusing of the Scriptures the Spirit of God Proaching Prayer and other Ordinances as ever was heard of in any age witnesse The Arraignment of Persecution Martins Eccho Cretensis and divers others but in my Discoveries of the Errors Heresies Practises of the Sectaries I have shunned all such wayes setting my selfe plainly to discover the Errors and abominable Practises confuting them with Scriptures and Reason and in a serious sad manner applying the danger of those evils to the consciences of all both Presbyterians and Sectaries and thus much for removing that stone of offence out of the way taken from the manner and way of writing 2. For the matter of this Booke that there 's a Truth in the Opinions Stories Practices related in it notwithstanding the clamours and speeches of the Sectaries that they are lyes all lyes I desire the Reader to observe and remember these following particulars 1. That the Sectaries of our time are so shamelesse in this kind as to say all things written against them are lyes thus they have said the stories of the old Anabaptists in Germany written by Sleydan Bullinger Lambertus Hortens 〈…〉 s other worthy men were lyes and they would not beleeve them so Master Saltmarsh in one of his Pamphlets against Master Ley denies the truth of those stories and other Sectaries in Pamphlets before him have said the same affirming if the King had over-come the Parliament stories would have made them as bad as the Anabaptists and the Princes of Germany prevailing against them set men on work to set them out so but all was false Now if our Sectaries will speak and write thus of all the relations of the old Anabaptists how can it be expected but that they will cry all downe for false written of themselves So our Sectaries will not beleive the stories of the Antinomians Anabaptists Familists in New England of Mistris Huchinson and the rest but say all is false all lyes and some of them have cryed out of Master Wells his Booke of the Antinomians of New England as much as of mine 2. The truth of the maine substance and matter of this Booke both for opinions and matters of fact is in the Booke it selfe by quoting Books knowne to hundreds by naming of persons knowne for witnesses by relating of things common in the times and these set by the Errors in the Margents or joyned to the matter so manifest that he that runs may read it and rationally there can be no more question made of them then whether the Scots tooke New-Castle the Parliaments Forces had a Victory at Nazeby Feild there be such a man as M. Hugh Peters or John Lilburn 3. That the Sectaries have used devices and found out inventions on purpose to possesse people that relations of things in my Books are false when most true as for instance some Sectaries that have been of the same name of those Sectaries that I have related stories of though they could not but know by many circumstances and particulars in the stories they were not the men but others have said Ther 's a story related of me I am the man he speaks of and t is all false for I was at such a place then and could not do so thus one Webb an Officer in the Army did telling the people in the West where he found Gangraena that the story of Webb was of him I am that Webb in Gangraena and 〈◊〉 all false I never preached such things nor was ever questioned about such things or did such things related This a godly Minister in the â—â—st of England told me he heard one Webb an Officer in the Army speak thus to the people to possesse them against Gangraena Now I writ not of that Webb but another Webb a younger man here in London not one of the Army who put out a Booke for the vindication of himselfe where he confesses most of the things and this other Webb could not but by many passages related as of the age as of being a Schoole-Master as of the Christian name and divers others but know well enough I meant him not and yet by this did he labour to blast my Book Again some who having beene mentioned in Letters written up to friends and printed by me have come to my house denying peremptorily those things spoken of them in the Letters desiring to know who writ them that they might have â—eparations I having told them their names withall writing to those Ministers to know more fully their grounds of such relations they have returned 〈…〉 e Answers that those things were most true and they would make them good when ever they should question them in which kind I could give divers notable instances but the nature of a Preface not admitting many I will relate only one namely of Master Mascall of Dover spoken of in a Letter sent from Dover subscribed by five hands to a Member of the Assembly printed in the Second Part of Gangraena in p. 135. of the Second Edition who presently after the coming forth of that Book coming to my house with a friend of his and mine formerly denyed positively and peremptorily what was written of him in the Letter declaring he was of another judgement then to speak so of our Ministers and Synods as is expressed in that Letter holding our godly Ministers to have a lawfull calling and Synods to be needfull wherupon I writing to one of the Ministers all passages that passed betweene us and desiring to know what he said to it he sent me this Answer Worthy Sir I received your Letter dated June the 18. but could not conveniently Answer it till now because I would see the carriages of the Independents on last wednesday when we chose our Elders What we wrote of Master Mascall we can cleare and will maintaine and much more and according to your advice you shall not faile of sufficient testimony if that Letter be crossed whereas he saith that he holds our godly Ministers to have a lawfull calling he will not say it in Dover till he have distinguished the word godly into a shadow For his saying they never kept Church-meetings in time of the publicke exercises it s a very false untruth and for his seeming to accord with us in our account of Synods he knows that we hold it a duty to combine Churches and to have a combination rule the Elders and Pastor of a Congregation which we know they will never allow Thus much in breife for Master Mascall who I dare say will not challenge any man in Dover for that that is done against him or if he doth will find as ready an Answer as ever man received by man Your loving friend and Brother MICH. PORTER June 29. 1646. And thus much for
the First generall head concerning the manner and matter of this Book For the Second the commending some directions and taking off some misconstructions and cavils for the better understanding of the subject matter and manner of this Booke let the Reader observe and consider these following 1. That the Sectaries run such around of all opinions as that they are come to hold many Popish and Prelaticall opinions and to go upon the Papists grounds and mediums for many of their Tenets which in the Errors Positions and Practises reckoned up in this Booke the Reader may observe as the 5 6 7 36 Errors nay there 's almost no Popish or Prelaticall principle and Error but many Sectaries are fallen into it and in the practise of it as being against the Perfection Sufficiency Perspicuity of the Scriptures being for Pope Toleration and a Dispensation for want of an Infallible Judge as the Papists are for the Pope upon that ground denying preaching to be the word of God and the service of God as much or more then ever any of the Prelates did being for Musick Organs Hymns in the publick Assemblies holding anointing the sick with Oyle maintaining Perfection in this life with some Popish Friers besides divers other Popish Errors hence divers Popish Bookes written by Preists and Friers have beene Translated and lately set forth by some Sectaries sold openly and I suppose Licensed because the Stationers names for whom printed and Printers names expressed 2. The Reader shall find in this Booke the Sectaries Designe and Practise not to be only corrupting Religion running out into extravagancies and strange conceits that way but to be against Magistracy and Civill Government their designe of opposing setled Government and bringing an Anarchy and Confusion into Church and State being here so fully laid open that they who run may read it T is in this Book unvailed and the wâ—â—king of this spirit in all sorts of Sectaries and places clearly manifested they have in Terminis in divers Pamphlets and some Sermons declared against Monarchie and Aristoâ—acie and for Democracie they have expressed themselves in such a manner concerning that that they make it noe other then an Anarchie making all alike confounding of all rancks and orders reducing all to Adams time and condition and devolving all power upon the state Vniversall and promiscuos multitude whom they make the Creator and Destroyer of Kings Parliaments and all Magistrates at there meere pleasure without tying them to any rule or bounding them by any lawes 3. I doe more punctually and particularly give the proofes of the Errors and Heresies named in this Third Part then in the two â—ormer with Animadversions by way of Confutation or Observation upon more of the Errors and Practises then I did before as having beene desired by some so to do and being that which I judge will make the work more profitable and the Reader shall finde the proofs of the Errors set in the Margents just by them and the Animadversions under every particular Error or else of divers of them put in one where the Errors are more of a kind and the Reader will finde I have in all Books quoted all along to prove the things I charge the Sectaries with dealt very punctually and faithfully and I challenge them to name any one thing quoted false or wrested among so many and for other Relations I have them from such knowne godly Ministers and Christians being eare and eye witnesses of them that I cannot easily be deceived t is possible some circumstances of order time place number may in some stories be mistaken and yet the maine storie true as we see in Histories of battles and other humane things they often are though I know nâ—ne such and have beene in all circumstances as well as substance as faithfull and carefull as a man can well be and I can say it that of all the particulars in this kind that I have related in these three Books besides many matters of fact in Antapologia which in all amount to some thousands I do not know of any one particular related by me excepting one that I have reason to suspect was not true and yet that was written me in a Letter by a Reverend and godly Minister and was the voice of the Country and all I did was only printing that Letter no otherwise affirming it which particular when the untruth of it shalâ— be made apparent to me from the man himselfe or his freinds I shall be ready and have offered it to some who have spoken of it to right him publickly in print 4. Whereas some Letters written to my selfe or some other Ministers are printed in this Booke which have some passages in them casting honor and praise upon me resembling me to some Worthies in their times as Luther c. for which I may be censured as being the hand instrument of publishing my own praises and counted vain-glorious I do by way of taking off this exception desire the Reader to consider these things First that I have left out of Letters many passages which reflect honour on my selfe constantly passing by such Titles Epithites and other expressions that are matters of praise in all particulars excepting the justifying of my work in writing thus against the Sectaries Now my Books for the manner and way of writing having beene so cried out of by all the Sectaries and many weak Christians by their meanes having beene also offended I thought it necessary to print some passages of Letters from godly Ministers giving testimony to my Books and approving me in the way of my writing them justifying me by the practise of Morney Plesseus against the Papists and of Luther and the judicious Reader shall find if he observe I print no other passages that may so much as reflect any kind of praise upon my selfe but only those that justifie my undertaking in this kind against the Sectaries and which the Lord knowes I print not so much for my selfe or my owne praise but for the sakes of others that they may be satisfied of my Books against all the calumnios cast upon them and profit by the reading of them Secondly T is not unknowne how the Sectaries by writing and speaking have set themselves to disparage me and to cast scornes of all kinds upon me such as hardly ever were upon any man in any age and all to weaken my esteeme credit and authority with the people that being looked upon as a man so weak that a woman can answer my writings and that I know not how to put the Nominative Case and Verb together c. all I do against the Sectaries might be slighted as not worthy to be looked upon Now it being apparent this is the designe of the Sectaries and their master peice and God by his providence without my seeking in the least stirring up many learned men to bear witness to my works in Letters to their Freinds which have beene brought to me and in
Letters writ to my selfe I suppose I may in such a case without the censure of vain-glory print such testimonies to counterballance the despisings and scornings of the Sectaries yea if I had gone further and printed not only passages justifying my work but what they had expressed of me in other kinds considering how the Sectaries vilifie me I might have beene excused Saint Paul a humble and modest man yet when by false Teachers he was in his person presence and speech among the people presented weak and contemptible to the end his ministery might be made ineffectuall he would not beare it but takes off all those things enters into a commendation of himselfe showing he was equall with the very cheifest Apostles and speaks of his owne knowledge and gifts and speaks that in this case he was compelled to glory 2 Cor. 10. 10 11 12. 2 Cor. 11. 5. 6. 16. 2 Cor. 12. 11 12. And in such a case as this if Casuists be consulted with as Amesius c. they conclude that credit and a good report may not only be maintained but sought for viz. for the glory of God and that we may by our work and example profit others the more by that means 5. Whereas in my Book there are many Relations of Sectaries in the Army some passages in Letters speaking of the Army and some things spoken by my selfe that some may take to reflect upon the whole Army I desire the Reader to understand aright that nothing related by me though written by others or spoken by my selfe is meant of the whole Army or the greater part of it but only of that part of the Army viz. the Sectaries in the Army I acknowlege the New Modell under Sir Thomas Fairfax hath done gallant service against the enemy and did the greatest and best services when it had not so many Sectaries as it hath now and my intent is not in the least to cast dirt upon the Army but only to relate Errors and insolencies of a part of the Army The Sectaries who though but a part and much the lesser may be somtimes in discourse or writing call'd the Army viz. in that sense as the Independents crying up the Army in Pamphlets and Sermons use the word Army saying here 's an Army the army hath done thus when they mean by the Army and expresse so much in other words the Independents and Saints in the army so do I when I speak in any place of the hurt the Army doth or the Errors there I understand not the Army but the Sectares in it 6. Whereas in this Book there are many passages that Sectaries may be likely enough to interpret a striking at the Parliament a casting reproach upon them and more particularly upon the Honorable House of Commons I do here declare and professe against any such misconstructions or consequences it being not my intent to reflect either upon both Houses as conjunct or upon each as considered distinct or upon the Committees of either House the most that can be drawne is that some passages in Letters or Relations show there are some particular Members that are or favor Sectaries which in writing so much of the Sectaries as I do for the good of the Parliament and the Kingdome cannot possibly be avoided though I forbear the naming of or deciphering any of them and that there are some such crept into the Parliament all the Kingdome knowes and speaks of it and therefore I meddle not to speake against the Houses in all my Discourse neither do I insinuate any thing in the least to bring the people out of love with Parliaments or this Parliament I formally declare least any should mistake t is the peoples great interest and blessing to have the power and Priviledges of Parliament maintained and they must take heed they be not so discontented with miscarriages of any particular Members or Committees that may fall out as to set loose in their hearts from Parliaments and desert them Parliaments are the strong Boundaries of the exorbitancies of Princes and their Ministers they have by the constitution of the Kingdome and the Lowes power more then sufficient to restraine the Tyranny of Princes and to correct their greatest Favourits and Officers of State let the people once lose Parliaments and be out of love with them and then farewell all Liberty Property and slavery will come in like an armed man and that nothing in my Book can be against the Honorable Houses however someparticular Members may be guilty of some things I speak of and that party wresting my words to such a sense to make the Parliament offended with me yet that there can be no such thing I desire these things may be considered 1. I do de Industria and at large discover and write against the Sectaries for speaking and writing against the Parliament against the House of Lords and Commons and do plead and contend for the power of both Houses both in matters of Religion and civill things against the Sectaries and therefore I cannot be thought to do any thing against them but for them 2. That in speaking sometimes of the House of Commons I speake not positively that they do so or use such words of them as mine or bring such Arguments as if I owned them but speak the Sectaries words and show what followes upon their grounds against the power of the House of Commons 3. For any passages in Letters or Relations that may seem to have any reference to one or both Houses of Parliament aâ— speaking against any under them imployed in Military or Civill affaires or any other matter I meddle not with those passages at all as to justifie or assert them but do only barely relate and print them and for no other end but that the body of both Houses may know that which may be they have not heard of viz. such a dangerâ—us man imployed in their service such insolencies committed by men vnder their pay and may know the Countries sense of such and such things how ill t is taken such wicked men should bee implied and may prevent in time the mischeifs and evils which may grow out of such things and the discontents that may be occasioned thereby Fourthly I doe with salmission conceive that for a Minister a known friend and servant of the Parliaments in a respective way not in a reproaching reviling way to make known to the Parliament what the best affected say and write to â—riends of such and such particulars as the suffering yea preferring of all sort of Sectaries as the not settling Religion in so long a time as the letting freinds waite long before they can have their Petitions received as about the Elections of some new Members as about the carriage of many Sectaries in the Army c. is so farre from speaking against the Parliament or becomming their enemy that t is one of the greatest and faithfullest services can be done them and whatever passages I
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
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
to the like effect After stands up Captaine Leivtenant Vernum and openly saies that in despight of men they would have their exercise adding at last with submission to Authority Presently after Master Parsons who published the Ordinance was sent for and although he shewed the order of the Committee yet he was sent to prison by the Deputy Governour the whole Church was in an uproare and the City is in disorder what the consequence may be we know not we have been and still are affronted by the Garrison and the civill power is in a manner trampled under foot We conceive the publike presumption to interpret an Ordinance of Parliament and to commit to prison the publisher of it is such an act as cannot be paralled in the whole Kingdome We have written to Master Prideaux very earnestly about it and have desired him to impart it to the Committee of the West the like request is made to you that so some speedy course may be taken herein and an answer returned to Exon. 2. August 1646. Your affectioned friends and servants Samuel Clark Richard Saunders Richard Crossingâ— This is a Coppie of a former sent last night by a Post at nine of the clock under Mr Prideaux cover the packet was superscribed for the Parliaments service which packet going out of East-gate was stopt by the Officers of the Garrison and was broken open the Post-boy wasstopt about three houres between East-gate and the draw-Bridge and then a packet was returned and put into his hands againe and he willed to depart the boy being unwilling had twelve pence given him and so went away We are in great haste and have sent this bearer expresse unto whose relation we refer your for more particulars He that commanded the guard gives us certain information that the packet was stopt as above and broken open and he promises to bring three or foure more to testifie it Exon. 3. of August 1646. One of the clock Since upon examinations we â—inde the stoping and opening the Letters to be true UPon Sunday being the second of August 1646. about nine or ten of the clock in the night the aforesaid Committee had dispacht away a packet and Post directed to the Honourable Edward Prideaux a Member of the Honourable House of Commons and at the foot of it superscription for the Parliaments service which packet was cleared out of the Gates by two Constables of the said Citie who said to the Postillian goe hasten on thy way to which some of the guard said and the plague goe with them but Captaine Vernon and some others laid in waite between the Port and the out-work to intercept the Post and took from the Postillion the said packet which immediatly was opened by them and reading the same they laughed and jeered thereat afterwards they commanded some Musketeers to guard the Postilion that he may carrie the packet to the Deputy Governour which they did and after three houres time the said Captaine Vernon and some others returned with a Paâ—ket directed to Colonell Hamman or in his absence to Colonell or in his absence to When the packet was delivered the Postillion replyed this is not my packet I will not goe with this but returne to my Master to acquaint him thereof whereupon some of the Captaines said Sirah get you gone and withall gave him a shilling Copies of Letters and extracts of Letter s written from the Army Garison Townes and other parts of the Countries unto Friends in London and Westminster concerning some Officers Souldiers and Preachers who are Sectaries Gentlemen NOtwithstanding all orders they persist in incroatching on the civill Authority Yesterday in the Market they set Sir Francis Fulfetts sonne a Minister in the stocks under the gallowes before the Guild-hall for being drunk refusing to accept of five shillings tendered by him for the poore he deserved punishment but it was out of their cognizance and their jeers and scoffs did plainly manifest they aimed and envied more at the function then at the fault We have since the departing of the expresse had full testimony of the intercepting breaking open and reading of our Letters by Captain Leivtenant Vernum and some other of the Captaines and sending another directed packet to Governour Hamond instead thereof And this returne they set a guard on the Post-house and had we not been very vigilant and dilligent we should have missed out Letters They soare very high and if their wings be not clipt 't will be very dangerous but if the proverbe be verified pride must have a fall Exon. August 8. 1646. Your truly affectionate Friends Samuel Clark Richard Saunders Adam Bennet Richard Crossing James Gould Gentlemen The Martialists begin againe to shew themselves in their former colours and reassume their late usurpation They have of late rescued a prisoner from the Sergiants Arrest The last Fast day one of the Captaines affronted the Constables in their office in observance of the Ordinance for the Fast not permitting them to question such as ridde and travelled on that day Exon. August 18. 1646. Your friends and servants Samuel Clark Richard Saunders James Gould Richard Crossings A Copie of a Letter written from a godly Minister then in the Army Our Army is lazy they feare that they shal bee disbanded before our deare Brethren depart the Kingdome They raile against the City and Assembly because of the Remonstrance The House of Lords are much vilâ—â—ied by them and our Noble Scots constantly abused In their Sermons Master Del and Saltmarsh preach free grace and say Christ judges not by the eye or eare he regards not mens prayers or duties if they have Christ in their heart though they do not read and pray and trade in duties Christ judges them according to their heart Secondly We have no use of secular power and they that would borrowe the Magistrats power to make a Reformation in the Kingdome of Christ are Anti-christian it is an evident signe that they have not the word nor spirit to speak for them Alas what can the Magistrate convert soules with the civâ—ll sword the wicked are to be slaine only with the breath of Christs lips Isa 11. 4. That was Master Dels Text before the Generall I told them that if this doctrine were true they might disband the Army Thirdly They pressed hard to have the law of Love and Liberty observed that there may be an equality that is their phrase and the Anabaptists Fourthly They are most offended with that passage of the Remonstrance about places of publike trust Fifthly There is no need of Universities for if men be annointed with the spirit and accepted amongst the Saints they are sufficiently qualified for the Ministery Sixthly Paul Hobson the Taylor and Leivtenant Colonell Hewson the one-eyed Shoomaker as Master Peters calls him are the most renouned preachers but Hobson hath saluted the Army with a farwell Sermon and is sent as an Emissary to Exeter to raise a party there Seventhly
and what you hear from above as-concerning that way either pro or con I have sent you inclosed a copy of the Articles of their Covenant according to promise thus with my kindest respects remembred to your self and to Mr. Holinworth I take leave and rest Sir Your affectionate friend being much obliged Feb. 9. 1645. Some passages Extracted out of the Original Letter written from a man of worth in the Army to a person of worth here in London which Letter was writ presently after the taking of Oxford BEcause a man is a Presbyterian he shall be turned out of his command and to compasse it they have sent as far as Pendennis for an Accuser to London for another and Bristow for a third and all they can say against our Adjutant General Gray who is an honest godly Scoâ—shman is that three quarters of a year since he was met as they think drunk because as they remmember he faultred in his speech and all because he is Major Generals Officer Mr. Peters said That was not all he had made a Faction in the Army by seducing many to the Presbyterian party so it seems its counted a Faction with them to hold what the Parliament allowes A moneth since they have laboured all they can to get hands for to be Governour of Oxford and he being here on set purpose the Petitioners are instructed to repair to the Generals at such a set time and the Tragical cornical actor out of the tyring room of his own contriving comes and tels the General what a providence t is that God hath stirred up those good men to such good intentions in such a juncture of time when it happened that was there whereas he and they were sent for Sermons are daily preached to this effect That God will rather honour himself with a few then with many witnesse this Army which they hope will be an instrument to subdue all that oppose them whether under the most specious show of righteousnesse and profession of an old ragged religion A Coppy of some Letters and some Extracts of Letters written out of the North concerning our Brethren of Scotland and their Armies which I have thought fit to print because of Letters and many Libels that have been printed against them Some Passages taken out of a Letter the Original whereof I have by me written by one of the Committee in York to a friend of his in London THe lamentable complaints spread abroad concerning the Scotish Taxing the Country so much are occasioned from want of money for they have no meanes from any part of England to subsist but by Assessing that corner of England where they now quarter If consideration be had by the Parliament that they are neglected in wanting what was promised it will cleer them in that matter As for their misdemeanors they go not unpunished with them for there was the other day at Richmond one suffered vivi comburium for committing uncleannesse against nature a week since they have disbanded Vandrusks regiment which were men of the worst carriages in all the Armies As for the businesse at Tickhill which so troubled all men after full examination of the abuses it is found that the English Irish and Dutch were the authors of the outrages no Scot was guilty thereof and two of them have been shot to death therefore My couzen was last week at the Court and is much satisfied concerning the behaviour of our Brethren both toward King and Parliament He told me it was wise fair and honest June 12. 1646. An Extract of a Letter written from a Citizen in York to a Common Councell man here in London I Am sorry that when we expected an end it s feared a worse contention begins we hear by some Letters this week from London one came from Saltmarsh Minister that a Petition from the Brethren is since put up to both Houses with 20000. hands for which they had thanks returned though the Common Councell of the City were high in their expressions that if the Petition were delivered they should be accounted Incendiaries or such like Colonel N. writes also of this Petition About 10. or 14. daies since one Butterfield a malignant that did live at Middleham and other four writ to the General of the Scots That if he would send a Regiment to quarter there he would ensure them to enjoy Midhelam Castle they sent a Regiment thither and the Colonel sent the Letters with the mens hands to the Captain of the Castle and bid him take care of it and proceed against Butterfield and the other four as he saw cause The like was promised of Boulton Castle but their treachery both revealed by the Scots themselves Some passages taken out of a letter written from a godly Christian who was sent from London into Scotland about some speciall businesse Mr. F. I Pray remember me to Mr. Bolton and let him know that in Scotland there is a precious people a learned and godly Clergy who are resolved in their low condition not to rest upon strength of Armies nor confederacies with Nations for deliverance from their Armies without Reformation but in a lively Faith in God and performance of the Covenant There is a Sermon every morning before the Parliament in the Parliament House where the power of God is so eminently seem that I am not able to expresse it St. Andrewes Decemb. 20. 1645. A Letter from a godly Minister out of the North concerning the Scots My Dear friend YOurs was not a little welcome to me nor am I put to it to send you a requitall The Newes here is so good that I can hardly hold my pen for joy the Kings coming to the Scotish Army in all probability will prove one of our greatest mercies since these Wars began And never did I hear of any Christians carrying themselves so boldly and faithfully in reprooving their Prince so humbly before their God so innocently towards their brethren so desirously of a settled and wel-grounded Peace as the Scots now do they labour with much earnestnesse the Kings conversion tell him plainly of his blood-guiltinesse have sent for out of Scotland the ablest Ministers to converse with him have banisht all Malignants six miles from his Person by Proclamation refused to entertain him with any token of joy told him he was a great sinner before God and that he must give satisfaction to both Kingdoms The malignants droop who were gathering towards him out of both Kingdomes The French Agent who was active in making a Breach is much discountenanced The Nobles and Ministers professe their earnest longing after a happy Union the setling the government of Christ in his Church which being done they will presently return in peace The Independents themselves stand amazed at their wisdom resolution and fidelity Zeal doth accompany all their actions with humility The malignant party which was much feared is born down the mouths that were so wide both of Independents and malignants are sowen
up they have not a word to say And see how the Lord blesses them all their enemies in Scotland are routed and brought to nothing The King refuses to proclaime Montrosse and his adherents Rebels But the King of kings hath taken the quarrell into his own hand and utterly dispersed them I have not time to write the particulars only to let you know I am Your assured friend R. Balsom May 21. 1646. A Passage Extracted out of a Letter written from a godly Minister in Suffolk to a speciall Friend of his in London HEre in the Country Malignants and Sectaries do generally murmure against the Scots and would be glad to hear that the Armies should go against them which I pray God prevent I pray that this Nation do not so requite their labour of love and faithfulnesse unto us May 19. 1646. A Copy of a Letter written to me from a friend out of Kent Worthy Sir SInce you are so pleased as both in your former and latter Letters to take notice of me in your kinde salutes give me leave to take notice of your kindnesse and re-salute you and both in my own name and in the name of a friend of yours to let you know we have not only run over but read your Second part of Gangraena â—nd therein observe your willingnesse if it be possible to cure that evill by sucking out the corrupt blood which is the method of the most careful Chyrurgions that are not so dainty as desirious of their Patients recovery Nimius amor et admiratio personâ—rum hath hitherto been a great inlet to all Heresies whence they say Cyprian unice admirans Tertullianum et antonomastice often calling him his Master sucked in that errour of his concerning the nullitie of Baptism administred by Hereticks yea so did Nestorius through his admiration of Anastasius find fault with some expressions So subject are most men jurare in verba magistri which Plutarch also well observes in his Book de Auditione And therefore we do freely professe we cannot dislike your practise in lessning their credit that are corrupters Christ Jesus himself and all his Apostles heretofore endeavoured no lesse Yea and if Mr. Saltmarsh why may not you as warrantably distinguish and say as he doth concerning the old Non-conformists That it is the old man of your adversaries you write against and not their new or themselves so far as they are men so far as they are lovers of themselves and have only a form of godlinesse c. Surely the man would be hardly put to it â—o undertaâ—e to maintain his own and yet take away your distinction who will easily we doubt not answer not only him but all others in whom we see but little wisdome though perhaps some wit in inventing as Apothecaries are wont for their Boxes such specious titles for their Books as those whereof Jacobus Acontius complains in an Epistle of his to Johannes Wolphius Nullam ad rem ingeniosi sunt praeterquam ad speciosos titulos excogitandum quibus ex hominum manibus bonos libros extorqueant ac suos eorum loco obâ—â—udant et tam stolidum est vulgus ut quos expuere debuisset suspiciat nonnunquam celebret c. Certainly Mr. Saltmarsh doth not only want a grain but a whole bushell of salt to season his unsavory mouth opened not only against you but the reverend learned and judicious Mr. Gataker together with the whole City and all the Orthodox Ministery who might ask him more then ever he would be able to Answer if they should but chatechize him concerning his Baptisme whether it be of the first or second or third or fourth sort what think you is he not a Sebaptist a Seeker We are sure if all be true I lately heard from a good friend of yours in these parts that he the said Mr. Saltmarsh at a meeting of sundry Ministers of this County at Maidstone publikely professed in presence of them all his endeavour was to forget whatsoever formerly he had known and seemed to wish they might be all of his mind untill one Minister who was then and there present â—old him merrily He was but a young man and such as himself might happily wish with Themistocles that they had the art of Oblition but as for his own part he had too many gray hairs to desire to forget whatsoever he had learned least he might not have time to learn so much again The Committee of Kent intended by their late order the suppression of sundry Petitions of dangerous consequence that were handed up and down by our Sectaries and towards the promoting whereof the new Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Mr. Hugh Peters was as I am informed come down to Maidstone to visit this his Diocesse as he usually calls it The most and best of our Ministers hereabouts for all I can learn are willing if they must die to be buried as valiant Ensign bearers in their colours There is a merry story told by a Baron of the Ports or Jurate of the town of Sandwich concerning Mr. Symonds the Independent who hath a living there One coming to him to be Catechized he sent him to a Mechanick of that Town to Catechize him for him and when his Father in law Mr. H. another Jurate of the same Town expostulated the case with him and asked him the reason why he would do so his Answer as Mr. F. related it was that one Goose might best teach another to eate So merry are our most demure Independents Among whom if there be a Stoick he is the most in shew who hath lately as t is reported got an addition of meanes to the Benefice he yet holds though it were formerly valued at above 100. pounds and he himself be absolutely in show against all tithes himself therfore will not but lets his wife receive them who whether he were not ab origine as well as Mr. Saltmarsh a comick your self may best find out or we will if you please but to get us a writ Ad melius inquirendam till then we may perhaps the rather think them to have been such being so still men that personate abundance of austerity but are c. June 22. 1646. Some passages taken out of two Letters written from a godly Minister out of the country to a reverend and godly Minister in London who shewed me the Letters I Have read Mr. Edwards Book thorough and as a friend to deal freely I professe Morney in my opinion never gave a greater blow to Papists then he hath given to the Sectaries and that which is yet more soberly sadly As for the whole businesse of Webb of Milton taken before Colonel K. a Minister thereabouts hath promised to send M. Edwards an eâ—act narration The working I see of some humours makes me hope the summer is past and it is neer the autume of schism which had its spring before c. Only let us all be doing Hugh Peters as I hear was lately at
Maidstone and had a mind to have promoted a Petition among our Sectaries June 15. 1646. OUr common friend M. Edwards his last Book Gangraena of the Second Edition I received this last post together with his Letter I pray let him understand as much and withall let him know I shall my self God willing thank him for both at better leisure and when I have read his Book thorough Surely he spake Prophetically that usually cald him in Cambridge young Luther Faxit Deus that the Sectaries may never be able to deal with him as I doubt not many of them desire whose words would willingly be turned into swords both against him and us all An Extract of a letter written from a godly Minister to me YOur Books I can assure you I find gain savour with all but the common adversary who much increaseth and multiplyeth in these parts where I heard last week at an open ordinary in presence of two of our Deputy Lieutenants that since Kiffen and Lamb have been here re-baptizing now there 's a third man come that contradicts them both and re-baptizeth again So that the poor people begin to stare and stand amazed to think what their deluded disciples will do in the end Many of the Brownists fall to them however their doctor Turner keeps his ground who dispited as some say with Kiffen and drowned him in the red sea till at last they fell both from reasoning to down right railing Poor people I pitty them as also those others then and there spoken of also as one a very honest man otherwise that affirmed lately he thought the Apostles themselves never had more excellent gifts then a company of tradesmen that now preach in private at Sandwich Another it was said there was at Aâ—ch neer Sandwich who was said to say he was Christ but being questioned Answered no he was only Christs mouth and could feed such as were hungry c. though as some say he can hardly feed himself Surely I often now think on Matt. 24 Except in the Wildernesse or in Chambers where is Christ as they think We should gladly see you here I remember it was one of Don Perdroes devices about his first coming into this Country to bring down with him some Ministers out of your City to preach up the Parliament and why should not you to preach down Heresie Schisme Prophanesse that the Country may know of what Religion the City is Certainly I am for such a change of courses as they call it Propheta in patria c. Thus in haste I heartily rest Yours July 6. 1646. A Copy of a Letter from a godly minister in Yorkshire to a friend of his in Lancashire SIR I Returned from York June 3d. Our meeting proved very successesse one of the prime York ministers being the main Remora to our desires which were to write to the Assembly that we would joyn with them in the Presbyterian way according to Gods word to the utmost of our power and to declare against the Erastian principles when it was put to the vote he desired to stay till he had further light I know not whether he meant from the word or from the State There 's so much policy now in the world that it hath eate out if not much of conscience yet very much of our care and zeale in promoting the work of Reformation according to our Covenant nay so far are we degenerated now as I am informed from a good â—and that to be forward and zealous in the Covenant is the sole character of malignancy and only badge of disaffection but I hope it will prevaile in despight of those who having formerly been takers are now the only tramplers upon it We have appointed another meeting at Pomfret on munday seven-night M. R. hath promised to meet the West riding ministers there Some passages taken out of a Letter written from a learned and godly minister in Devonshire to a friend in London I Am resolved to disgest all abuses and contempts and insultations of Sectaries and frustration of hopes so I may honour Christ You will easily see by the inclosed what work is here The Sectaries are grown so confident and insolent that we may say of them as Rivet of Mountague Iâ— quo desideramus hominem for they seem so farre from Religion that they put off humanity A Relation of some stories and other remarkable passages concerning the Sectaries THe 16. of June 1646. It was related to me by a Justice of Peace who was an eare and eye witnesse and by a godly Minister in Northamptonshire that there is one Kendall who in the Bishops times was a great creature of Sir John Lams a bower at the Altar and for all the Innovations but since these times of Sectarisme is turned a great Sectary having renounced his Ministery This man is now a Captaine in Whitlesey the Isle of Ely that Iland of Errors and Sectaries and a great Preacher who comes sometimes to visit Northamptonshire where formerly he was a Curate Now the last Trinity Munday as the day is commonly called on a Faire day in that Country where a great resort of people was Master Basely a godly Minister in those parts being spoken unto to preach and being provided for it this Kendall stept up into the Pulpit before him and preached on that text Rom. 8. For 〈◊〉 yee live after the flesh yee shall dye on which words he preached against humane learning as being flesh and that the Universities were of the Devill Secondly that Adams righteousnesse in Innocencie was but flesh and opposed to the spirit Master Basely in the afternoone preaching confuted his Doctrines this Kendall would have stood up in the Church and have opposed him but was hindred by a Justice of Peace who was present The 10th of June 1646. A godly Minister living in Lincolnshire told me and another City Minister that he hath in his Parish many Manifestarians Disciples and followers of one Thomas Moore spoken of in my First and Second Part of Gangraena who upon his knowledge will keep no dayes of Fast nor none of the dayes of Thanksgiving because they will not give thanks to God for one man killing of another He told me that some of the Manifestarians hold and he hath heard some of them say they had seen Christ and seen the Devill to This Minister related to us that there was a young maiden in his Parish about 16 yeares of age one who preaches to many young men and maidens he named her name and I well remember it but forbeare naming her because being so young happily she may be reclaimed This Thomas Moore comes often into this part of Lincolnshire and divers times to this Towne where he preaches in houses but the last time he was there he preached not and the reason some of the Sectaries give out was because this godly Minister is a persecutor others say because he could not have the use of a great house in that
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-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
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
Commission and Councel board might not doe Yee now frequently commit mens persons to prison without showing cause Ye examine men upon interrogatories and questions against themselves and imprison them for refusing to answer Yee have entertained to be your Committees servants those very prowling Vaâ—leâ—s that were employed by those un just Courts who took pleasure to torment honest conscionable people yea vexe and molest honest men for matters of Religion and differences with you and your Synod in judgement and take upon you to determine of Doctrine and Discipline approving this and rep 〈…〉 thing that just like unto former ignorant politick and superstitious Parliaments and 〈…〉 cations So page 17. Truly t is a sad thing but too true a plaine quiet minded man in any place in England is just like a harmlesse sheep in a thickeâ— can hardly move or stiâ— but he shall be stretched and lose his wooll such Committees have ye made in all Cities and Countries and none are so ill used as honest godly men Yeâ— have now â—are full 5. yeers which is 4. yeers longer then we intended for we could chuse you but for at most one yeer and now we wish ye would publish to all the world the good that you have done for us the liberty you have brought us unto c. And if yâ— beleeve there is a God ye must beleeve it and if ye do beleeve it consider the way 〈…〉 ye have 〈…〉 d and truly repent show it by w 〈…〉 ing contrary to what ye have done or purposed to do and let us quickly and speedily 〈◊〉 thereof for God is a God that taketh vâ—nge 〈…〉 and will not suffer you to go on to your rui 〈…〉 And 〈◊〉 in these and 〈◊〉 other printed passages the Sectories 〈◊〉 their in sol 〈…〉 against the House of Commons so they declare their insol 〈…〉 in severall other particulars as First in going with a high hand against Votes passed in that House for instance when a passage in a Letter sent 〈◊〉 the House of Commons after Nazâ—by fight about liberty of conscience was upon debate Voted and Ordered by the House to be left out and was not in the Copies printed by co 〈…〉 d of the House the Sectaries presently printed that passage and besides bare printing it did it with a blaming of them who lest it out in the Letters printed and being printed it was set up upon Church doores to make it more publick viz. the Churches of greatest resort of people as at Stepny at the time of Master Burroughs preaching and printed in a sheet with some motives to the Presbyterians for liberty of conscience at the end of it as a passage in such a Letter written by such a man whose name I forbeare printing Secondly in scoffing at and writing against the priviledges of Members of the House of Commons and declaring themselves against those provisoes of exemptions made of Members in the House of Commons upon any Ordinances as that of Accounts c. declaring they are as free as any Members of that House and that they ought not to be in bondage to any Law oâ— Ordinance that they will not stand to declaring against theirs and their servants freedome from arests suits c. divers scoffing passages to which purpose the Reader may â—inde in Lilburâ—s innocency and truth justified and other Pamphlets above named Thirdly in taking notice of publickly and publishing in priâ—t matters in the House under debate and deliberation there before agreed on and resolved yea and speaking their pleasure of such things and branding the Members who have brought in or spoken to such things of which there are many instances as in the Ordinance for the preventing of the growing and spreading of Heresies Blasphemies brought into the House of Commons they printed it they made Observations Animadversions Queres Invectives against it spoke against those worthy Members by name who presented it and all when it was but newly under debate for proofe of all which particulars let the Reader look upon these following Pamphlets S 〈…〉 e moâ—â—sâ— and â—umble Queres concerning a printed paper entituled An Ordinance presented to the Honorable House of Commons for the preventing of the growing of Heresies A D 〈…〉 to the Bill for preventing the growth and spreading of Heresies Some breif Observations upon the foregoing Ordinance Master Burtons Conformities Deformity Pag. 17. Overtons Arrow against all Tyrants pag. 12. 13 14. of which Ordinance yet but under debate in that House this Overton writes That by the powerfull agitation of Master Taet and Master Bacon two Members of the House a most Romish Inquisition Ordinance had obtained admission into the House there to be twice read and to be referr'd to a Committee which is of such a nature if it should be but confirmed enacted and established as would draw all the innocent bloud of the Saints from righteous Abel unto this present upon this Nation and fill the Land with more Martyrdoms Tyrannies Cruelties and Oppressio 〈…〉 then ever was in the bloudy dayes of Queen Mary yea or ever before or since For I may boldly say that the people of this Nation never heard of such a diabolicall murthering devouring Ordinance Order Edict oâ— Law in their Land as is that So when the Assemblies last Petition about Church-Government was in the House under debate Master Salt 〈…〉 arish takes notice of it prints is writes against it Fourthly In a contemptuous carriage to the commands of the House of Commons in refusing to answer any questions propounded and instead of answering charging the House of Commons with injustice c. as is to be seen in a Letter of Lilburnes to his friend and divers other Pamphlets Yea Lilburne in a Book lately printed even since his Appeale from the Lords House was accepted by the Commons as himselfe saith and he so favourably and patiently heard by the Committee of the House of Commons to consider of the priviledges of the Commoners of England as appeares by a wicked Pamphlet intituled An Anatomy of the Lordâ— Tyranâ—y and unjustice exercisâ—d upon Lieutenans Colonel Lilburne brands the House of Commons with injustice ingratitude saying page 20. of Londons liberty in chains discovered that he could never in his life enjoy justice from the House of Commons although saith he I have waâ—ted upon them therefore this sixe yeers and followed them as close as any man I think in England and I have beene as serviceable to the Common-wealth of England in my place and condition as any one man whatsoever that site in that House though I have beene ungratefully dealt with by them as ever man in England was Fifthly In opposing the power of the House of Commons in medling with matters of Religion making any Lawes Ordinances or Orders in reference to matters of Church-Government Master John Goodwin first preached against their power in this kind because they were chosen by the common people of the Land worldlings
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