from the dunghill who doe governe the Kingdom almost If so first what mean you by DUNGHILL MEN Secondly what by their governing the kingdome almost Do you mean men of base that is of mean and low bird your phrase raised up from the Dunghill doth intimate so much if it be so this is no new thing under the Sunne Was it not but as yesterday when BASE MEN intiruling themselves of the Tribe of Levi did govern the Kingdome almost and such as you Mr. Calamy did not onely subject themselves unto these base mens Injunctions ready to lick the dust at their feet by conformity thereunto but provoked the people unto a base submission unto their arbitrary Prelaticall government which plant of Rome is not so rooted up by Parliament and people Orders and Ordinances Vowes and Covenantr but a stump thereof is still remaining in Sion Colledge Lndon which like the Bramble contends for government and strives for the Crowne as if it had entred into a sacred covenant or resolution that it would reign as King and sit in the Throne though it made its way through the blood and misery of Parliament and people shaking the peace of the kingdome and removing its foundations out of their places And hence it is that like Absoloms snares of promising to doe justice to the people would they set him on the Throne thereby accusing the government of his father David we are so early solicited morning after morning with bitter invectives against Parliament and Army to withdraw the affections of the people from them and in true construction to advance basemen to governe the Kingdome almost But secondly by men from the Dunghill doe you mean men of corrupt dispositions that is men that will basely dispence with their principles of light knowledge and understanding who for fleshly ends and carnall interests doe things unworthy their own judgements and consciences what is this any more than hath been we have heard of Mr. Edmond Calamy we doe not know whether you know the man for some men doe not know themselves who in the times when the Priests did beare rule did subject to unworthy men who did govern the Kingdome almost obeying their Lawes Canons Injunctions Orders and Ceremoniâ—s we say not wearing the Surplice reading the Service book crossing in Baptisme c. which many honest and godly Ministers in those dark dayes did likewise performe but reading the second Service at the high Altar preaching in a Surplice and Tippet bowing at the name of Jesus and so zealous an observer of times and seasons that being sick and weak upon Christmas day yet with much difficulty got into the pulpit declaring himselfe there to this purpose that HE THOUGHT HIMSELF BOUND IN CONSCIENCE TO STRIVE TO PREACH UPON THAT DAY LEST THE STONES IN THE STREET SHOULD RISE UP AGAINST HIM And yet upon the wonderfull turne of the times ejection of Episcopacy and advance of Presbytery did presently and without delay not onely assert the same but instructed the people in Presbyteriall principles after such a rate of confidence and skill as if his education and condition had been some Superintendent among the Presbyterian provinces of the reformed Churches beyond-seas and not such a notorious conformitant unto and notable stickler for the Prelats fooleries in the county of Suffolke in the kingdome of England Would you not think Mr. Calamy that such a man once truly touched with the divine sence of former vanities could hardly if ever be bitter and rigid against his brethren for non-conformity to unknown Presbytery Did not many poore illiterate men reâ—use conformity to such idle vanities chusing rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God than to enjoy the benefit of such conformity with the troubles of their consciences for a season may we not thereby clearly perceive that unlearned men of low parts and cognizance in the things of the Gospel may see into some things of that nature which learned men yea Ministers themselves of no small name for eminency and greatnesse may not be able to understand which may be a continuall biâ— and bridle in the lips of those who are calling for fire from heaven and the sword of the Magistrate to suppresse and molest their conscientious brethren for their non-conformity to their judgement in Ecclesiasticall discipline For may not he that was ignorant of the will of God in the times of Episcopacie be justly suspected for weaknesse and mistakes about his most perfect will in the dayes of Presbytery especially when the most pious godly and learned men of the kingdom have engaged themselves with all their might for severall yeares together to find out the will of God herein and cannot come at it If Mr. Calamies old conformitie to Episcopall ceremonies was at that time against the light of his judgement and conscience though we will not say such an one is a Dunghill-man but Christianly allow for the manifold temptations which may surprize him in those persecuting dayes knowing our selves to bee but men not having yet attained the resurrection and therefore we consider our selves obnoxious to the like tempâ—ations And as the Moon is not to be defined by her spots gold by its drosse the Jewell by its flawes and Peter by his deniall of his Master and Mr Calamy by his former conformity yet Mr. Calamy himself if truly touch'd with the feeling of his former infirmities and graciously sensible of the mercy obtain'd would he but suffer the consideration hereof to work genuinely and naturally in him is the most competent Judge to accuse arraigne and sentence himselfe for his former vanity and not inveigh against abuse and traduce his brethren for Heretickes Sectaries Schismaticks according to the example of the Doctors of the Prelacie for non-conformity to his new Presbytery For can we beleeve that that spirit which made Peter to weep for denying his Master and Paul to judge and sentence himselfe for persecuting the Church and his old conformity to the Scribes and Pharisees will suffer Mr. Calamy to run a contrary course viz. to vex and gall his weak brethren for their present refusall to Presbyterian subjection Was Mr. Calamy a man and therefore fallible in the times of Episcopacy And is he a â—od and cannot mistake having attain'd unto the state of Presbytery Againe is it not base for men to pretend one thing and practice the contrary to deale with the Parliament or Army as Ehud did with Eglon in words to pretend a salute and yet to stab them at the heart aâ— the same time or as Judas did with Christ to pretend a kisse and to betray them into the rage malice contempt and scorn of the people at the same time But secondly what meane you by governing the Kingdome almost Is it in plain English thus The Army governes the Parliament almost the Parliament governes the Kingdome therefore the Army men raised up from the Dunghill doe governe the Kingdome almost If it should be so
appeares in the contrary wee shall still conceive so and the truth is that branch yeelds such 〈◊〉 as if it did still grow upon that old stock and was not removed thence their words and wayes being as like the Bishops as one egg is like another did the Prelates endeavour to get power into their hands to suppresse their brethren so doe the Sion Colledge-men did the Prelateâ— debase abuse and vilifie those that would not stoop unto their humours so doe these did the Prelates raile against their Non-conformists calling them heretickes schismatickes separatists sectaries so doe these did the Prelates make divisions disturbances and distractions in the Common-wealth so doe these did the Prelates vex and gâ—â—d even Lords Knights Esquires Justiceâ— Gentlemen that did not humour them subject themselves unto them help up their glory so doe these even the Parliament Army people all that will not submit unto them so that as the maid said unto Peter Surely thou wert with him speaking of Christ thy very speech bewraieth thee so may wee guesse shrewdly of these mens relation unto Prelacy their very speech wayes practises bewrayeâ— them and wee beleeve so ingeniously of them that they dare not curse and swear the contrary as not depending on that Hierarchy as for our endeavours to root out superstition heresie schisme and prophanenesse we can expect little successe from the methods and wayes of these men to that purpose if they root out SUPERSTITION upon supposition that they are a branch of Episâ—opacy they must root out themselves as for HERESIE they talke much of it but never informs us what it is except it be what they please to call so and most confident wee are that the truth it selfe as Christ crucified among theeves is branded with error and heresie and many of themselves disagreeing among themselves as they did about the crucifying of Christ some saying Wee see no reason or cause at all why such an opinion should be numbred and dealt withall as an error or heresie others intimating that these might have escaped had they not appeal'd unto the judgement and learning of such and such anti-highPresbyterians for their vindication but the truth is most of them like the common people without debate examination and consideration cry out Away with them away with them and subscribes presently for the suppression with club-law as the Jews dealt with Christ of many of the truths of God under the notion of errors and heresies as for SCHISME most confident we are that they make more Schismaticks and SCHISMES rents and divisions in Church and Common-wealth than any others whatsoever driving men from them as not being able alwayes to beare bitter clamorous invectives instead of the sweet and precious Word of life for PROPHANENESSE and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound doctrine and the power of godlinesse some of these men rather support than suppresse the same is it not PROPHANENESSE contrary to sound doctrine and the power of godlinesse to revile the onely visible authority of the Kingdome the Parliament as Covenant breakers as Mr. Cawton and that Mr. Jenkins and others What can men say to such expressions as these and that in prayer which dictates more plainly the true frame of heart than at another time Lord we have a Parliament such an one as it is we doe not know whether it be a Parliament or no if it be a Parliament Lord deliver us by a Parliament if it be not a Parliament Lord deliver us from a Parliament A man would think that such a piece of non-sensicall invectives could not be found in the lips of a man of learning and goodnesse but it is an intolerable and unsufferable CASE not to be indured by ingenious men Againe is it not PROPHANENESSE to abuse the Army who have made themselves walls and bulwarks unto them ready upon all occasions to interpose between them and ruine and destruction by whose courage valour and faithfulnesse these men live and enjoy themselves calling them a rebellious Army a viperous brood a generation of vipers as that Rhetoricall Mr. Cawton An Army of Rebells as that conceited Mr. Jenkins An Oppressing Army as Mr. Ash did if this be not contrary to found doctrine and the power of godlinesse with Sion Colledge-men most confident we are it is so reputed amongst others that never pretended to such exactnesse as they doe and how the Lord can be one and his Name one in any one of the Kingdomes much lesse in the three Kingdomes while these things are practised we cannot conceive In the third Article we swear that we shall with the same sincerity reality and constancy in our severall vocations endeavour with our estates and lives mutually to preserve the rights and priviledges of the Parliament and the liberties of the Kingdomes and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties personâ— and authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and liberties of the Kingdomes c. As for this Article of the Covenant if to vilifie the Parliament in the face of the people if to charge them with Covenant-breaking as Mr. Cawton and Mr. Jenkins have done if to lay our evils miseries errors schismes heresies blasphemies of the times at the Parliaments dores as Mr. Witham did if to gird and fling and fly out against them from day to day at Mr. Case doth if to represent the Parliaments proceedings against Delinquents as punishing men for keeping Covenant as many of them doe if these things are to preserve the rights and priviledges of Parliament c. then doe these keep their Covenant yea at a higher rate of excellency than other men doe but if to doe these is absolutely to break the Covenant then are these as palpable Covenant-breakers as any are in the Kingdome In the fourth Article of the Covenant we swear to endeavour the discovery of incondiaries malignants evill instruments by hindering reformation of Religion dividing the King from his people or one of his Kingdomes from another or making any faction or parties among the people contrary to his League and Covenant that they may be brought to publick tryall and receive condigne punishment as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve c. Whether any of these Sion Colledge-men were so far from discovering incendiaries malignants and 〈◊〉 instruments as that some of them did encourage that rebellious force upon the Houses of Parliament is not onely knowne unto their own Consciences but unto some others and most notorious it is how carefull some of them have been to disâ—â— incendiaries malignants and evill instruments by their animating and stirring up a partie against the Army when they came to the Citie by their daily invectives against Parliament and Army by their kinâ—ling and eâ—flaming mens spirits each against others declaiming against moderation and those Ministers and others that shall engage for Christian forbearance and meeknest towards dissenting brethâ—en if their dâ—ssenting brethren should have been found in such
by Mr. Calamy and his party what is this but what hath been Who governed the Kingdome almost when the Parliament was forced by the grand Assertors of Sion Colledge cause and their sturdy boyeâ— to doe and undoe call and recall vote and revote what Orders and Ordinances they pleased Which of you have publickly declaimed against that unparaleld and horrible rebellion either in Pulpiâ— or Presse Doe you suppose that we can be so dim-sighted or so dull-headed that we neither perceive nor remember these things Had that villanous act been committed by the men of your wrath the non-conformists to your present practice how would you have beaten the eares of your auditors with the sound thereof What was in designe when Massie Poynz and other Reformadoes those famously pious and religious zelots for a blessed Reformation were entertained courted and advanced you know where by whom and by whose influence but for the raising of a factious party to destroy the Armies order the Parliament and govern the Kingdome almost Were they not the Prophets of Sion Colledge that said unto them Go on and prosper go out to meet with that proud and blasphemous Army the Lord hath delivered them into your hands though they have prospered in many battels and enterprises as that blasphemous Army of Senacharib did yet as that Army fell and was destroyed comming against Jerusalem so shall this Army comming to this City therefore goe out and feare them not Was it not the Oracle of Sion Colledge that deceived chanted and charmed severall of our weak and simple-hearted Citizens under the deceitfull notion of keeping covenant promoting reformation establishing religion suppressing error heresie blasphemy into such destructive wayes practices and courses which had not a hand of mercy from heaven graciously interposed would have engaged us all into another unnaturall bloody and cruell warre and without the mercy candor and goodnesse of the Parliament will prove the utter ruine of them and their families who were seduced thereby it was their Leaders that caused them to erre The truth is we commend your charity more in praying for their support in and deliverance from prison than your piety in exhorting them into such actions which brought them thither We shall say no more to your uncivill termes of men raised up from the dunghill to govern the Kingdome almost onely we are apt to beleeve your greatest trouble is that men raised up from the dunghill are not permitted to govern the Kingdome almost For do we not see the center of all your motions What is our reformation but Presbytery What is our solemne league and covenant but Presbytery What is our zeale for God the government of Jesus Christ religion c. but Presbytery Who are the Sectaries and Schismatickes of the times but non embracers of Presbytery And what is Presbytery Surely when we perceive that all that the Parliament hath done by Orders Ordinances c. to establish Presbytery in such a manner as may stand with the word of God and peace of the kingdome yet will not give you content but Hâ—man-like you cry out what is all this so long as Mâ—rdâ—cai sits in the Kings Gate and a Decree cannot be procured from the Parliament for the ruine of those whose lawes of Church government are divers from yours what can you meane by such a Presbytery but the meere exalting of men raised up from the dunghill to govern the kingdome almost Mr. Calamy civility doth as well become the Pulpit as Nobility the Throne Dunghill men doe not become the Seat of Magistracy nor dunghill termes the mouth of the Ministery Divinity doth not so much appropriate basenesse to mens persons as to mens practises evill words do corrupt good manners but never confirmes divine Doctrine When we come to hear YOU we expect to be instructed in Divinity and not to be corrupted in Civility if we had a desire to learn the language of Billinsgate we should not have gone to Michaels Cornhill in London especially when Mr. Calamy was the Teacher If by your base men you intended the Parliament that these are Dunghillmen raised up from the Dunghill it is a most impudent and intolerable scandall if the Army a most daring and unsufferable slander so that the best is scandalous or slanderous if you intended the Parliament the Army may better escape the reflection thereof than the Parliament can if you intended the Army For suppose you judge the Army not the Parliament the Dunghill men that doe governe the Kingdom almost it must needs be by their governing the Parliament almost and doe not you thereby represent the Parliament to be Dunghill men in suffering themselves to be governed by men raised up from the Dunghill Sir had we a pleasure to be dabling in such filth you have afforded enough of this nature once and again but we desire you would not offend our eares any more herewith Surely the waters of the Sanctuary if genuine are more pure and it is not corrupt communication which becomes the Pulpit but onely such which tends to the use of edifying and remember Sir that the words of the pure are pleasant words Proverbs 15. 26. Mr. Cawton Minister at Bartholomew Exchange London at a morning Lecture at Woodstreet about the 17. of February 1647 preaching upon the 17 of Job v. 8. The Innocent shall stirre up himselfe against the Hypoerâ—e did most uncivilly and maliciously inveigh against the Army thus Who drave awaâ— onâ— good members from the Parliament but THAT GENERATION OF VIPERS THE ARMY Who REBELLED against the authority of Parliament and denied to disband at Chèlmsford c. but that VIPEROUS BROOD THE ARMY proposing severall queries one after another making the answer to be in expresse tearmes the viperous brood the Army the generation of vipers the Army the rebellious Army And preaching upon the same Text the next moneth in Walbrooke at a morning Lecture said thus If the Army had not REBELLED and the Parliament had KEPT THEIR COVENANT we had a blessâ—d Reformation before this time c. And in Woodstreet speaking about Independents said thus This plot was discovered five or six yeares agoe those that then did set themselves against the hypocrites did clearly discern it but then the cry was Alas they are honest men and pious godly men and usefull in the Church of God and we must use moderation and they must come up into our Pulpits forsooth but now you see what your honest and moderate men are And speaking of the Army thus You must suffer them to goe through the Citie and they would doe no hurt c. But it was the greatest dishonour that ever fell upon the Citie professing his zeale in speaking plaiâ—â—y of these things and bewailing the mealy-mouthednesse of the Ministers in mincing and not speaking out these things to the people and in his prayers earnestly pleaded the cause of those worthy Citizens that were cast into prison for their faithfulnesse to the
power and demonstration from Scripture and Reason would you look to your offending brethren of your own Societies provide for your poor watch over one another for good promote holines love and kindnes among brethren would you endeavour to unite the godly against the common enemie promote the common interest of the Kingdom Did men see your communions beautifull as Tirza comely as Jerusalem Did men see Christ walking in the midst of your golden Candlesticks Did you put on indeed beautifull garments Did men heare the joyfull sound and voyce of the Turtle in your congregations Did your lips drop as the nony comb hony and milk being under your tongues the smell of your congregations being like the smell of Lebanon Did men see that your plants or members were as an Orchard of Pomegranates with pleasant fruits Camphire and Spiknard Calamus and Cynnamon with all the trees of Frankincense Myrrhe and Aloes with all the chiefe spices Did men observe your societies as fountaines of gardens wels of living water and streames from Lebanon the Spirit of God so blowing upon them as that the Spices thereof and their sweet savour did flow out and were acceptable to God and man how would you ravish the lookers on How would they be taken in the beholding your faith and order How would you ravish the hearts of your spectators How would you drain the private meetings of Sectaries as you call them But when men in stead of beauty see nothing but baldâ—es in stead of the Spirit of Christ wch is a spirit of holinesse love genâ—lenes and goodnes men see nâ—thing but the spirit of pride of envie rigidnesse cruelty slander and mischiefe When you talk of a reformation professe indeed principles of purity in government viz. that your members must be godly prophane persons kept from the Lords Table promoting love goodnesse kindnesse c. and yet act not accordingly for want of power as you say not improving what power you have unto these things but complain of the Parliament as if they were the cause hindering all good government to make them odious in the eyes of the people yea oppose vilifie and reproach your brethren even for reformation What doe these things but harden mens hearts and steele mens spirits so against you that you may as soon unite light and darknesse Christ and Belial as drive on 〈◊〉 reformation which you thus would make the world beleeve you â—o earnestly coâ—â—nd for Are you not offended with your brethren for putting in practice your own very principles Doth it not clearly appeare that their reformation is rather your envie than the want of reformation among your selves is cause of your complaint As the Ruler of the Synagogue envied the glory which the people cast upon Christ for his great workes which he did amongst them yet hee covered his pale of envie with the red of zeale pretending to stand for the honour of the Sabbath There are six dayes said he to the people in which men ought to worke in them therefore come and be healed and not on the Sabbath day Can men be so truly and heartily zealous for a blessed reformation in matters disciplinall and Church government and yet in the meane while breake the very law of moralitie and the rules of good manners abusing Parliament Armie and all that will not bow down their backes and subject their neckes to your yoke it makes men think that your zeale for reformation is your zeale to make your selves great in the world especially when they see you seek the suppression of those that act your own verie principles of reformation Is it not like Herod to pretend to seek Christ to worship him with a true intent to kill him to pretend reformation and to set up principles leading that way and where ever you finde them put in practice to persecute molest and suppresse them that do put them in practice Some of you were great conformitants in the dayes of Episcopacie have you indeed a minde to return again Doe your soules long after the Summer fruits of Poperie Organs and Altars cringings and crouching Tapers and Wafers Copes and Rochets Tippets and Surplices Caps and Hoods Crucifixes and Crosses Pilgrimages and pictures with all the accoutrements and the whole prophane glory of the Romish Synagogue Doe you long indeed to have Lucifer put again into Heaven and the Angels of God thrown down into hell in stead of him viz. Popish and Prelaticall Priests restored to their former thrones and dignities and faithfull Ministers of the Gospel the great troublers of the Israel of the Devill troden and trampled on like clay and mire under their feet Is it the great desire of your soules that prophanenesse and ungodlinesse lightnesse and loosnesse oppression and tyranny drunkennesse uncleannesse and all sorts of wickednesse may fit in the throne and that holinesse and righteousnesse piety and purity religion and liberty should be thrown upon the dunghill If these be not the venison and savoury meat that your soules thirst after why doe you hunt so diligently after it do not you see that all the Malignants the Papists and Atheists the prelaticall and prophane party of the Kingdome joyns with you in your present proceedings are not your present wayes unto them as the resurrection from the dead Some of you have been very zealous against Conformity in the dayes of Prelacy bearing the reproaches of hereticks separatiste schismaticks from your clamorous adversaries had you the glory of God in designe or somewhat else wee have observed in former dayes that some have set out Jehu-like against the superstition pride and oppression of the Clergie over-running even a civill behaviour in some houses where they have come tearing and defacing any devotionall pictures scarce enduring a crosse in a Gentlemans Coat of Armes and yet afterwards a favourable Prebend-winde or Chancellour-ship Deanery or Bishoprick did so cool them that they grew the greatest factors for superstitious innovatione and fiercest persecutors of the contrary minded as once Harding Bishop Jewells adversary who one while was a thundering Preacher wishing he could cry out against Poperie as lowd as the bells of Osney yet afterwards proved a bitter adversary to the truth if such things as those are in your eyes viz. to be some body in poynt of power honour and greatnesse under the forme of Presbyterie as others have been under the shamefull glory of Prelacy What doe you all this while but sow the winde and what shall you reape but the very whirlewinde labour after vanitie and may expect nothing but vexation of spirit digge unto your selves Cisternes but broken Cisternes that will hold no water if this be the first-borne of your desires viz. that you might be honoured before the people as was Souls request unto Samuel 1 Sam. 15. 30. the Lord will rend your kingdome from you as he did the kingdome of Israel from Saul and it may be give it unto others better than you but if this
conâ—ideration shall here conclude with the briefe tender of some few Queries First whether you did ever perceive such a spirit of profanenesse lewdnesse and wickednesse such contempt scorn and reproach cast upon Authoritie and all Civill Government in Citie and Kingdom such a spirit of life power and vigor among the troops of malignants since the beginning of this Parliament as you doe now And whether this kind of preaching and praying as bath been here declared doe not beget these things every malignant rejoycing in it Secondly whether you think in your consciences that this spirit that is thus raised can be so soon allayed or no and if not what will be the issue of it in the latter end Thirdly whether you have observed since such kind of preaching and praying hath been practised among you that the spirit of Faith and Repentance of conversion unto God and confirmation in Jesus Christ such a spirit of knowledge of love and holinesse hath accompanied your Ministery and the observation thereof hath comforted your hearts Fourthly whether you are not perswaded in your own hearts and consciences that you have a great influence both in City and Countrey upon the hearts and spirits of the Inhabitants of the Kingdome so farre to prevaile as to encourage or discourage to engage the inhabitants of the Kingdome one way or another by pressing vpon them the solemne League and Covenant and whether your endeavours have not been improved to stirre up the people against that party which God hath blessed in the subjection of the common enemy of the Kingdome and whether you can suppose that if the enemy prevaile the consideration of your own endeavours in pulling downe mischiefes upon your own heads and upon the heads of all the godly party in the Land will not be as gall and wormwood as a fire from beneath in your very bowels as darts of the Almighty sticking in your sides and as a sword that will pierce your very soules Fifthly whether you doe not think in your consciences that the main end of the Covenant so farre as it was religious was the uâ—iting of all the godly party against the common enemies of the kingdome of Jesus Christ the prophane rabble of the world and so farre as the end of the Covenant was Civill the uniting of all the well-affected against the common enemies of the peace interest and liberties of the Kingdome the Covenant binding us absolutely to the Parliament and their priviledges the Kingdome and its liberties and to the King but relatively and in subordination and subserviencie unto these and whether that now the Covenant be not made through the interpretation put upon it the great engine to divide the godly party and to unite the prophane party against them and to engage and stirre up mens spirits against the Parliament and well-affected party and to stand for the King absolutely without any relation or respect to the Parliament and their priviledges the Kingdome and their liberties Sixthly whether the Army of England be not the great obstacle and Remora of the Malignants the Papists the Cavaliers the Prelaticall and disaffected party of the Kingdome and whether any thing appeares in reason to hinder the King and his party that have engaged themselves in such bloody warres in the two Kingdomes the Prelats to return to their glory power and greatnesse the Papists to return into nay to advance their interest in this kingdome and not onely the reducing of this Kingdome unto all its former sinfull vanities wickednesses miseries and oppressions but also the bringing of it up or rather down unto that state of Popery and slavery that was in prosecution before this Parliament began whether we say any thing hinders these things at this time but the Army or at least so hinders as could hinder was it not for the Army and whether any party hath cast such scorne shame and contempt upon the Army as your selves have done Seventhly whether it would not be more for the glory of God the peace of the Kingdome the healing our divisions the setling of reformation to throw by your froward preaching and to use no more perversnesse in prayer but to promote faith and love amongst the the Saints and the reuniting them aagainst that flood of ungodlinesse malignity and wickednesse that is now ready to swallow them up Eighthly and lastly whether it would not be the best vindication of your holinesse and goodnesse the most effectuall answer that you can make to the charges that are laid against you in this booke to behave your selves so for future especially in Pulpit that others and not your selves may hereafter plead your integrety and reformation we expect to have little from you in preaching and praying at least a good while but a justification of your selves and lifting up of your selves and pleading your own innocency c. but whether it be not better so to order your wayes that others and they not your own engaged party but moderate pious learned and godly Ministers and others may praise you and not your own lips If you do judge a just and righteous judgement in these Queries we are confident of common good but if not we shall conclude with that of Hosea 9. 7. The Prophet is a foole and the Spirituall man is mad FINIS Exod. 15. â— Sam. 5. 1. Gen. 49. 5. Joh. 7. 20. Mr Peter Witham at Albans Woodstreet Mr Edmond Calamy of Aldermanbury London Auri sacra fames Mr. Cawton Minister at Baâ—tholomew Exchange London Mr Wall of Michaels Cornhill Mr Taylor of Colemanstreeâ— Mr Case of Milkstreet Mr Crauford of Christophers neere the Exchange Mr Cawton Mr Jenkin Mr Ash March 29. 1648. Mr Cauton Mr. Case Mr Caâ—ton March 30. 1648. ☞ Hâ—b 2. 12 13. Titus 1. 13. Mat. 10. 34. 1648. ☜
deâ—â—uctâ—ve â—wayes against Mâ—gistracy and Authority if any of that partie and their servants had been found in one insurrection after another with their swordâ— pistols and other Armâ— in profest opposition to the Parliament and Mâ—gistracy of the Kingdomâ— and Citie as these have been how would Sion Colledge-men have beaten the earâ— of their hearers with it how would they have cryed out in their Pulpits This is a second Muâ—sier these are your sectaâ—ies your Anabaptists yâ—â—ur Independents these are they that wee often forewarned you of and told you how they despâ—sed Magistracy and Government the noise of Munster Munster Munster would have so filled the pulpitâ— and presses that we should have heard little else from them but we hopâ— their mouths are for ever stopt from their Munster clamâ—rs againe howsoever they have furnished men with a sufficient reply to them for time to come about that businesse In the fifth Article of the Covenant wee swear that each one of us according to our place and interest endeavour that England and Scotland may remain conjoyned in a firme peace and union to all pâ—steritie c Whether these men observe this Article we leave to the judgement of those that observe the many expressions that fall from their lips from day to day asserting that the presbyterie will never be setled in this Kingdome untill the Scots come to settle it here especially those passages from Mr. Jenkins spoken at that very time as hath been said when jealousies and feares were raised in mens hearts of a breach between the two Nations Lord wee thank thee for any hopes thou hast given to make-them speaking of the Scots further instrumantall for the advance of thy truth amongst us LORD BLOW VP THOSE SPARKS INTO A FLAME if this be not an Incendiary in the very latter we know not who is or can be an Incendiary and so Mr. Cawton praying for the Scots Lord give them a heart said he to settle a reformation amongst them and also amongst us and QVASH ALL THOSE THAT SHAL RISE VP AGAINST THEM TO HINDER THEM Whether this be a keeping this Article of the Covenant all things considered let indifferent men judge In the sixth and last Article we engage to defend all those that entered into this League and Covenant in the maintenance and pursuance thereof not suffering our selves by any means to be divided or withdrawn from this blessed union or conjuction but that we shall all the dayes of our lives zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition c. And what we are not able our selves to suppresse or overcome we shall reveale and make known that it may be timely prevented or remâ—ved All which we shall doe as in the sight of God Whether that these men can say as in the sight of God that they have kept this Article that they have zealously and constantly continued in the observatiâ—n of this Covenant and the main and principall ends thereof viz. the promotion of the glory of God by the pâ—opagation of faith and love among brethren the uniting all the well-affected party of both kingdomes against the commâ—n enemies the power and interest of the supreme Juâ—icatories of both Kingdomes especially the Parliament of England let the generall strain and daily course of their publick prayers and Sermons declare and let heaven and earth judge who they are that are Covenant-breakers the Parliament of England or Sion Colledge we scarce ever heare them mention the Parliament of England in pâ—ayer or Sermon but with some disparaging reflection upon them as covenant-breakers men that build their own houses but suffering Gods House that is Sion Colledge to lye waste that they have slighted the affaires of Jesus Christ and reformation and thâ—refore the Kingdome slight and scorn them not regarding their Orders and Ordinances when the truth is these Ministers have put principles into the people leading them into such contempt of the authority of Parliament It cannot be denied but the characters of flesh and blood we mean failings and weaknesse have been seen upon them but it is the property of a Cham to detect his Fathers nakednesse in the face of his brethren and among their failings we know none greater than a permission of such daily affronts from the pulpits in the face of the people as these men offer them without controule It is a very poore and unthankfull requitall of all that the Parliament hath done for them hath not the Parliament freed them from the yoke of Episcopacy Ceremonies high Câ—mmission court cast out others from their places in the Citie for scandall and malignity and put them in their roome given them all just encouragements to preach the Word suffering nothing to disturb them onely hindering them from disturbing their brethren as holy harmlesse usefull faithfull as themselves and yet as Haman in the like case they cry out All this is nothing so long as Mordecâ—i sits in the gate and will not dare not cannot in conscience bow unto them submit unto their yoke and bondage And hence it is that they are thus complaining of that people whose lawes are contrary unto them seeming to resolve to shake the very foundations of the Kingdome but they will roâ—t them up It is true they charge them with many grievous and bitter things but their proofs are like those that charged Christ alledging many things but able to prove nothing against them and yet represent them so unworthy as if the very permission of such to live was the great sinne of the Parliament and that for which God wil reckon with them even in blood these are the Heretickes Schismatickes Sectaries the non-suppression whereof they cry up to be the cause of the judgements of God upon this land but did they search the Scriptures with a single eye they might finde other matters to be an indication of Gods wrath upon a land namely the sinnes of their Prophets and their Priests their Shepheards their Watchmen their Pastors and their Teachers that bite with their teeth because men put not into their mouthes and he that putteth not into their mouthes they even prepare warre against him Mich. 3. 6. It is not unknown unto themselves that of all sorts of people in a land and nation the holy Scriptures declare the sinnes of that sort of men to have constanâ—ly as chiefe a hand in pulling down judgements upon the whole people as any other sort whatsoever and it is known unto us that of late the men of that Order viz. the Prophets and Priests c. have venomously bittâ—n the Parliament and Army with their teeth and tongues togeâ—her in respect of their repute and good name more than any other sort of malignants whaâ—soever have publickly done they frequently complain that we are without government the case being with us as it was with Israel at that time when there was no King in Israel every man doing that which was right in his own eyes
Suppose it be thus who is it of all sorts of men that take such advantage thereof as these men do who is it that hath rendered the present government of the Kingdom more contemptible than these men have done making their government as no government and then complaine that we live without government what party hath taken more advantage from the want of a severe and strict government than these men and their party have done insurrections rebellions treasons murthers and robberies committed by those who have profest themselves abettors of the Presbyterian cause as in the tumult and riot at Westminster whâ—n the force was committed upon the two Houses of Parliament and so the late insurrection when the Lord Major himselfe the chiefe Governour of the City was in danger of his life men beiâ—g killed and wounded that came to preserve him Who is it that have cast dirt reproach and contempt upon the Parliament the onâ—ly present visible government but these very Sion Colledge men A Parliament that hath broken their covenant saith Mr. Cawton and Mr. Jenkins A Parliament at whose doores may be laid all our evils errors heresies blasphemies saith Mr. Witham A Parliament such an one as it is saith another scornfully and scandalously we know not whether it be a Parliament or no as if he had been Chaplin to the Lord Inchequeen not a Citie preacher much lesse an Assembly man and one that hath received favour and respects from the Parliament If we have no government is it not pitie but that we should have a govâ—rnment to suppresse such lawlesse and ungovern'd tongues as these are It is true they doe indeed sometimes talk of a Parliament and call them by the name of our Governours but with such phrases terms and expressions with such stings and hips and lashes at them such derogatory diminitive and debasing Ephithits that they seeme to doe by them as the Jewes by Christ put indâ—ed a crowne up â—n their heads but it is a â—ownâ— of thornâ—s inteâ—ded more to prick and scratch them than to hoâ—our thâ—m they seem to put indeed a scepter in their hands but it is aâ—eed rather than a Scepter of Gold they in one breath seem to cry out unto them Hail Masters and in another to spit in heâ—r faces For let but indifferent men observe their prayers and still they shall finde that as the Apostle Paul complaines of some intending his misery and to adde affliction unto his bonds that they did indeed preach Christ but it was out of envy and not out of love so these men pray for the Parliament and Army sometimes though but seldome for the Army yet they manage their prayers so as that it easily appears to be rather out of envie to the Parliament and Army than out of love adding thereby to the disparagement and dishonour of the Parliament and Army Hence it is that when the Parliament is named we have a remembrance of their covenant breaking of their declining from and losing their first love of their building their owne houses of neglecting the House of God of their toleration of errors heresies blasphemy c. And when we heare any mention of the Army we heare oâ— their oppressions rebellions heresies blasphemies as if indeed the Parliament and Army had done us hurt and no good all their dayes the truth is we finde the generall scope designe and drift of their preaching and praying so farre as it relates unto the Parliament and Army and their â—issenting brethren is to have this threefold rendâ—ncy therein The dissâ—lution of the Parliament the diâ—banding of the Army and the utter suppression and â—xtirpation of all those that will not conform unto their government If it be not thus what meanes such bitter invectives against the Parliament but to fill mens spirits with distaste against their government what meanes such passages as these A Covenant-breaking Parliament a Back sâ—iding Parliament â— Parliament such an one as it is an heresies and blasphemies tolerating Parliament a selfe-seeking Parliament c. but to make men weary of them and their government And hence it is that we have such a crying out for the King aâ—ain upon any termes As for the disbanding of the Army and the utter extirpation of their dissenting brethâ—en they are plâ—ased in expresse termes to declare themselves herein But may we desire these men to suspend their peevish â—â—oward and distemperâ—d spirits and conjure their quietnesse and silence and then seriously like thâ—mselves and men of judgement â—eason and observation to weigh the consequences of these things were they accompâ—ished as they seem to desire Suppâ—se the Parliament was dissolved what can be expected but the most sad and liâ—mall conâ—quences to these very men especially so mâ—ny of them as havâ— indâ—â—d tender consciences as would make their eares to tinglâ— and their heâ—ds to hâ—ng down and their knees to wâ—x feeble and theiâ— hearts to wither like grasse within them how would heir oppressing â—yants the Prelats and others rise up as young Lions out of their â—â—hickets who have long been witout their prey tearing them and treading them like mire under their feet untill they had made an utter end of them how would they meet them as Bears robbed of their whelps how would they be avenged for that bloud contempt and devastations which have been made upon them Besides the miserable havock that would in all likelihood be made of Religion and religious men throughout the Kingdome How would Superstition Idolatry Ceremonies Altars Copes Rochets Hoods Surplicâ—s Service-Book Crosses and other old fooleries rise up like armed men upon us without resistance How would the bondage slavery oppression and misery of our poore Countrey fill the eare of all Kingdomes round about us how would a rod of Iron and whip of Scorpions be ever held over our naked backs what Armies would be raised up maintained by us to keep us under in everlasting bondage and slavery our selves and posterity being in a worse condition than in Turkish slavery How many of our Worthies that did interpose between us and death in the dayes of our feare and trouble would loose their lives for their faithfulnesse to us how would the Kingdome be fill'd with fatherlesse and widdows through the executions of the well-affected of the Kingdome for their former adhering to the Parliament How would prophanenesse open blasphemy oaths drunkennesse and all kindes of wickednesse abound in the midst of us Can these men with the least shaddow or shew of reason suppose the contrary we want indeed the parts and abilities of these men to set out the woefull intolerable consequences of such a time then would they curse the day of our divisions and perversenesse towards one another then would they bewail their bitternesse and srowardnesse one towards another how would our Task-masters insult over us and our oppressions be multiplied how would wee say of THAT DAY as Job of the day of his Birth Let that