them Sowers of Tares false Prophets Deceivers seducing Spirits men of corrupt minds vain Talkers Serpents generations of Vipers lying Spirits ravening Wolves and their corrupt doctrine they call Leaven Fables profane Bablings strong Delusions Lies bewitching Gangrens Cankers damnable Heresies and Doctrines of Divels neither do they speak any better of the effects of such Doctrine terming it no less then subversion of the faith soul shipwrack swift damnation Yet notwithstanding we sadly see these Soul Deceivers openly and with great height of Spirit more freely now â—hen ever venting themselves without any restraint which makes us more pathetical One Robert Everard a Captain lately reduced since Worcester fight crept into Newcastlle amongst our flocks endeavouring by all means and ways in publike and in private to seduce them as well as the Garison by his perilous errors A Catalogue of whose opinions and carriages are here inclosed And though the man himself be active enough to delude poor ignorant souls yet being set on born up and incouraged by Lieut. Col. Mason who commands this Garison in chief now in Col. Fairfax absence and by Capt. Pym is more enabled to act be part by Authority the Towns people are induced and the Souldiers warned by beat of Drum frequently to attend his delusions Corrupt Doctrine my Lord is of a leavening nature that takes sooner runs faster and proceeds further then the Truth can do one drachm of deadly poyson kills more then all the best medicines can cure especially such errors as this man vents that are so pleasing to the flesh Truly my Lord the deep sense hereof makes our hearts to bleed to see the precious Scriptures so abused Fundamentals destroyed and our poor peoples souls whom we have long laboured to principle in the Truth so much endangered We humbly conceive that as Popery was heretofore so Arminianisme and Socinianisme now doubtless are like to be the plagues of this poor Nation even that cursed Doctrine that so much pulls down God and sets up man comes upon us like a flood Wherefore most Noble Sir our humble desires are to your godly wisdom that as God hath made your Excellency a most happy Conqueror of our enemies and deliverer of three Nations from Tyranny and Slavery for which our souls shall daylie bless him So our most humble suits are to God and your Excellency that you may be a destroyer of our Errors a Restorer of Truth and a Restrainer not only of this Corrupter but of all such like false Teachers crept into the Army to deceive the poor Souldiery and poyson the Country and if God shall enlarge your Excellency to Endeavour further eveâ— to improve your Interest in that Honourable and high Court to prevent further mischief in this kind Your Excellency shall Act one of the most glorious works for Christ that ever yet you have done which will add much to your Accompt in the day of Christ Let the uprightness of our hearts and the love of Truth most Honoured Sir plead our excuse for this our great boldness the Lord hath set your Excellency on high and yet higher in the hearts of the Saints who knows but for such a thing as this So shall our souls and all God's people with us still bless God for you and bind us ever to remain Newcastle March the 8th 1651. My Lord Your Excellencies most humble Servants and Orators at the Throne of Grace Rob. Jenison Thom. Weld Thom. Wolfall Sam. Hamond Rich. Prideaux Cuth Sydenham Will. Durant Articles exhibited against Captain Robert Everard 1. HE maintaines and divulges many gross and destructive Opinions as the Page following shewes which are the constant and in a manner the only matter of his preaching the manner thereof being in a jeering and flouting way 2. He gloryeth that he hath gathered many Churches as he cals them of his own Opinion up and down the Land which if his eyes were opened would be his sorrow and shame 3. He is a notorious vain Boaster frequently and boldly biding defiance to all the Priests as he cals them in England to dispute with him when sorry man he wants skill to frame an Argument He brags he will dispute in Latine Greek and Hebrew and yet when he was put upon it he could not read one word in Greek or Hebrew 4. It s his frequent practise both in publick and private to scorn and cast an odium upon all the Ministers calling them Priests deluders of the People false Priests saying when he was advised to more sobriety he will Preach against them as false Priests and this he speaks against all the Ministers in England without the least exception and for all the Ministers in New-castle he saith in the Pulpit they are â—ool toyes and that when they will not dispute with him themselves they send their Dogs to bark at him He told also M. Durant to his face divers times that he lied and was a false Priest By which scurrilous and uncivil dealings of his some of his followers have learned to be so audacious that one of them called Doctor Jenison a Minister of the Divel Another sent this message to M. Wels go tell him that I say he is a Divel and that the Ministers of New-castle are a company of silly ignorant fellows not able to answer any question good for nothing but to Baptize babes and teach men to sing Hopkins jigs and that they Preach only for Lucre and will turn any way and Preach the Divel for Money 5. He so interrupted M. Sydenham betwixt the Administrations of the Ordinances that it occasioned a Tumult in the Congregation at which time he so stank of Drink that many suspected he had taken too much 6. After he had preached sundry times in the hearing of many hundreds against any Original sin in man yet after Master Hamond in Everards own hearing had Preached the contrary Doctrine and Vindicated those Scriptures abused by him he came to M. Hamond and to amazement to see such impudency said that he had never Preached against Original sin and that they abused him that told him so but that he was just of his judgement in that point and would Preach the same things that very afternoon that he had in the forenoon and yet after this went and Preached against what M. Hamond had done and since that also in publick disputes maintains the contrary so that by these and such other like contradictions we plainly see that he will say and unsay any thing to advance his errors and further his design 7. It s usual for him when some of our Ministers preach the truth in the forenoon to step into the same Pulpit take up the same Text in the afternoon and abuse both the Text Truth and Minister too and tell the people the Preacher in the morning had deluded them 8. Such is his hatred to Orthodox Preachers that he said in a Sermon in publick that he had rather side with the Papists then with the Ministers of
AN ANTIDOTE FOR The Newcastle Priests TO Expell their poyson of Envy which they vented in a Letter to the L. Generall Cromwell AND IN Their Articles which they exhibited against Capt. Everard With an Answer to their scandalous Exclamations to their shame The cleering of himself and satisfaction of his Friends Read me all or censure not at all For by the Law none ought to be condemned before they are heard By Robert Everard Printed for the Author and are to be sold by W. L. at the Black-Moore neer Fleet-Bridge 1652. To the Impartial Reader Reader THe ensuing Discourse is intended as a check to a malicious and unquiet spirit savouring of perfection which hath ever been incident to a sort of people who assume to themselves the honourable Title of the Ministers of the Gospel though very improperly appropriated to them whose constant practise throughout all Ages and Nations hath a tendancy to advance their own Power and Domination though in the destruction blood and ruine of whole Kingdoms and Commonwealths Whatever opposeth them in the Designe of their own glory must be accursed with Anathema Maranatha The forementioned evil Spirit hath upon what account or for what cause I know not excepting difference of Judgement in matters of Religion according to its accustomed manner virulently calumniated the Author in his Name and Reputation having so far prevailed upon the minds of seven Gentlemen in and about Newcastle who pretend to be Ministers of Jesus Christ as to engage them in the promotion and prosecution of that unworthy Designe and Undertaking complained of and detected in the subsequent Treatise But how disproportionable such proceedings are to the meekness love and tenderness of our Saviour as also to that universal Rule of the Gospel Do unto all men as you would they should do unto you and how unlike to the gracious and prudent carriage of the faithful followers of the Lord Jesus let all sober minded men judge It is the saying of the holy Ghost Oppression makes a wise man mad and I observe some men are so mad to oppress and persecute the Saints and People of God that like Paul before conversion Acts 26. 11. they think as himself confesseth v. 9. they may do things contrary to the way of Jesus Christ But for my part I take it as my Duty in order to the command of my God to plead the cause of the Oppressed and vindicate the Innocent Therefore being sensible how much the traduced Author Captain Everard hath been impaired in Reputation I could do no less in point of common Justice then manifest my knowledge of him whose faithful and constant service to the Commonwealth and sufferings for the things of Christ for some years past his integrity of life and sobriety in declaring his judgment during the time of his aboad at Newcastle of which experience hath informed me was sufficient to have exempted him from the scandal of the pens and tongues of his enemies And although the Author suffereth in his reputation by the misapprehension of divers who take him to be that Everard that is reported to be deeply affected with the Ranting Principle yet all that are acquainted with his person judgment and practise know him to dissent as much and to be as great a discountenancer of that way and opinion which the other Everard professeth and practiseth as any of those who asperse him in writings or otherwise As touching my self though I am wrongfully blamed for countenancing Captain Everard in that which I apprehend to be just yet I am the lesse carefull in my own vindication considering I am responsible for my actions to their Superiours in whose eys I hope I shall appâ—ar more innocent then my accusers As to the ensuing Treatise I shall say no more but desire thee good Reader duly to weigh the charge seriously consider the answer and measure both by the rule of Christian Charity and judge of the equity of the case betwixt the accusers and the accused If thou perceivest in the answer any thing capable of thy exception deale with the Author as thy self wouldst be dealt withall in the like case My soul desireth to see an end of these un-Christ- and un-Saint-like carriages among the people that professe to own the Son of God I hope the time is neer at hand wherein the Lord whom we serve will give us one heart one mind and one lip in the things that concern his glory and Kingdom and the mutuall good and prosperity of all his Saints which shall be the incessant prayer of him that is the Authors Friend and thine in all Christian service L. Col. John Mason The Author to the Reader SEeing my good name burning in the furnace of Envy and the flames mounting so high that they scorched the reputation of my dearest friends things being whispered in the ears of those that had not the right understanding of them which occasion'd many to have hard thoughts of me And for preventing of its proceeding the providence of almighty God so ordered it that I came to the view of the Incendiaries information made to the Lord Generall and other Gentlemen having Copies from Newcastle put me into a capacity to make known to the world that I am not ashamed to let the world know the truth for which purpose I have printed their Copies so that any well-affected people may impartially judge by my answer which I hope will prevent their race of fury and evill conspiracies from taking place or centring in their desired haven which is in the esteem of the Auditors and so by that means many may be undeceived whom they have captivated by many untruths which they have forged and dispersed And in this my reply I desire that truth which shall be the judge of the secrets of all mens hearts may take place that God may be glorified and the spirit of malice revealed to the open shame of all self-interessed persons And though I was no member of the Army at the time of their charging me yet they trouble the Lord Generall with matters of opinions or differing judgement And if his Excellency should be troubled with all such cases how uncomfortable after his long and faithfull labours would his life be let wise men judge There are two Doctrines that I delivered which they cried out against as dangerous errours viz. the freeing of nature from aspersions generally charged on it and denying infants Baptisme which they have omitted why may not I think that they are convinced or ashamed that ever they opposed me therein and that they may be so is and shall be the desires of him who desires the peace and welfare of the Common-wealth of Israel and of this Nation R. E. To His EXCELLENCIE The Lord General CROMWEL May it please your Excellency THere is not one thing our blessed Saviour and his holy Apostles in their sacred Writings do so severely rebuke and straitly premonish us of as corrupt Teachers calling
And the Mayor said if Capt. Robert Everard would apply himself to him he would do him all the right he could At the same time 't is well known J was pluckt down and abused by some rude people together with Capt. Pym laying violent hands upon him calling of him rascall c. all which was patiently born on our parts Again you say that J preached against any originall sin in man Answ. J did preach that Adam was the first of mankind that did transgresse and by Gods appointment death seized upon all mankind for his offence and that his death was unavoidable and further say that J hold all the originall sin that the Scripture makes mention of and J heard Mr. Hamon preach the insufficiency of natures attainments unto spirituall things crying out against those that set up nature instead of grace saying that no man could receive the things of God unlesse they were given him from above Then J went to him and gave him thanks for that telling him that I judged he was mis-informed for I knew none that held out power in nature as in in it self to attain to spirituall injoyments and I desired him to tell me if ever he read of any that held forth the same he said not much to that and to satisfie him that I held not the point so falsly fathered upon me and that I would in the afternoon preach of natures inability to spirituall things He replied he was glad of that and so we parted and accordingly J did And whereas you say J preached against Mr. Hamon you do me much injury as you have done in all your false allegations And whereas you say J say J told Mr. Hamon that I never preached against originall sin Answ. He and I had never a word about it and you further assert that I 'le say and unsay any thing Answ. You must unsay many of those things which you have accused me of otherwise your conscience will bear testimony against you both here and hereafter as a just judgment of God Again you say I stept into the pulpit in the afternoon and took the same text the Minister did in the morning abusing text and Minister Ans. I confesse I preached in the afternoon in the same place and upon the same text and whatsoever truth they delivered as much as in me lay shewed my approbation to it and where I judged they were mistaken I shewed the people the reasons of my dissenting but I did not say the Minister had deluded them though it 's probable he did for I cannot conclude that every one which heareth false doctrine is deluded which if I should I must have been deluded my self by hearing you for I heard you although you judg me by hear-say O most unrighteous judgment Again you say such is my hatred against orthodox Preachers that in publike I preached that I had rather side with Papists then with the Ministers of Newcastle Answ. You appropriate the title of orthodox Preachers to your selves That you have such a propriety I deny I might rather have said your actions deny it witnesse your covetousnesse ambition envy and false accusations all which is inconsistent with the pure doctrine of love and self-deniall which were the injunctions and ractice of our blessed Saviour Again you say I declared that I had rather side with Papists then the Priests of Newcastle An. What is good in them or you I 'le imbrace and that which is evill in both I will abandon And as for the article which you call your conclusion wherin you reflect against the honor and reputation of L. Col. Mason is answered sufficiently in the Epistle to discover unworthinesse Again you say I hold that Election from eternity hath no ground from Scriptures Ans. I never asserted that nor no point equivalent to it and whereas you say my judgment is contrary to Ephes. 1. 4 5. Rom. 8. 29 30. you ought to unsay it for I own it as the true manifestation of God Again you declare that J should say those that hold the most part of the world goes to ruine make the justice of God a great monster which is another grosse mistake in you and wheras you say J hold points contrary to Mat. 7. 13 14. Mat. 22. 14. is like the rest of your abuses towards me Again you say I hold that Adams posterity are not guilty of Adams sin I say they were not so guilty as that they did commit the same sin for the children before they are borne did neither good nor evill but none was born when that sin was committed and the Apostle saies Rom. 5. 14. that death reigned over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression but if they had committed the same sin then had it been like his but it was not ergo so I do not hold any thing contrary Rom. 5. 12. though you are pleased to say so Again you say I hold that Adam had no spirituall light Answ. If by spirituall light you meane the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ he had no such light before the fall and you in Gen. 1. 7. Col. 8. 10. would make people believe that I contradict those Texts in holding the foresaid point but there is not a word there nor any place else that Adam had at that time any such light Again you say I hold that neither sin in Adam nor any other creature doth procure death Answ. I hold that sin in any man doth not procure death as the efficient cause for that is God who was the only contriver of it both for quality quantity time and place Neither was it the materiall cause formall nor finall as I have made evident in my book called the first Adam reviewed wherein I have answered many objections and have not contradicted Rom. 5. 12. 21. Rom. 6. 23. Again you say no man sins except it be against his light Answ. I hold no mans sins but against the Lord which is light you say this is contrary to Lev. 5. 15. Again you say I hold that such as teach men to sing Psalmes teach men to tell lies Answ. I deny that ever any man in the world heard me speake those words or any words like unto them but instead thereof said that those which set the people a singing such things as they call Psalmes being not taught having no qualification suitable did provoke them to sing lies as for instance O Lord I am not puffed in mind c. and I have behaved my self as the child that weaned is c. and we have not ceased to preach thy Lawes day and night c. I was so far from denying teaching of people to sing Psalmes that I pleaded for a necessity of teaching preceding singing of Psalmes in order thereunto took as much pains to teach the people singing of Psalmes as I did in any other point I delivered in Newcastle So it seems you care not what you speak against me as if you intended not to give an account in this world nor in the world to come Again you say I hold that Christ died for all Answ. I hold that the Scripture sayes he died for all men and for every man and not for Saints only but for the sins of the whole world and for all that live therein and the dead also as 1 Tim. â— 6. Heb. 2. 9. first Epistle John 2. 2. 2 Cor. 5. 15. Rom. 14. 9. and I hold it forth by these arguments 1. If the Gospell is to be preached to all then there is a death of Christ for all But there is a Gospell to be preached to all therefore a death of Christ for all 2. If Christ died for false Teachers which fell to destruction which were and are the worst of all men then Christ died for all men But Christ died for false Teachers which fell to destruction which were and are the worst of men therefore Christ died for all men So I have not excluded his death for you Again you say I hold that infants have no need of Conversion Repentance or Regeneration untill they actually sin Answ. I hold so and these were my Arguments 1. If Infants have neither sins of Omission nor Commission then they have no need of conversion repentance or regeneration But Infants have neither sins of Omission or Commission Therefore 2. That our Lord Jesus Christ never commanded his Disciples to come into such a condition that had need of conversion repentance or regeneration But our Lord Jesus Christ commanded his Disciples to come into the condition of Infants Therefore they have no need of conversion repentance nor regeneration Again you say I hold that no man shall be condemned but for sinning against the New Covenant Answ. That is another of your mistakes for I do hold that by the offence of one condemnation came upon all men according to Rom. 5. 18. and that in Adam all die 1 Cor. 15. 22. and that from there Scriptures this condemnation shall universally be taken off at the resurrection of the just and unjust and after that the Judge of the world shall not condemn any but for sins committed against the Gospell which I call the New-Covenant FINIS Witness the late treasonable Designe of M. Love and his Adherents In the second line of the first Epistle written by L. Col. Mason instead of perfection read persecution