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
is a Master Sectarie a man of great power among them and hath Emissaries under him whom he sends abroad and commands to go into severall parts as Syms Row c and supply his place in his absence and as you have heard of him formerly so since my second part of Gangraena came abroad a godly Minister out of the West writ thus to me of Collier He was driven out of the Island of Garnesy because of his opinions and turbulency as a godly Minister of that Island told me and he could not deny it himself when I asked him the question He hath done much hurt in Limington Hampton Waltham and all along this Country I had once a conference with him upon two questions for five houres space sufficient time for one to trouble himself with such a vain unruly taulker First concerning the Morality of the Sabbath Secondly concerning Baptisme in both which he denyed I affirmed It would require â—great deal of time to give you an account of all particulars and the truth is if I should some passages would have an ill reflex upon some men of note and power with whom perhaps it will not be safe for me to meddle And in a Letter from the same Minister printed in this third part of Gangraera page 40. 41 Collier being mentioned he is said to be the first that sowed the seeds of Anabaptisme Antisabbatarianisme and some Arminianisme among the rest in these parts A Copie of a Letter to a tittle sent from some of the Inhabitants of Devizes to a worthy Member of the House of Commons Right Worshipfull MAy it please you to be certified by us of certain passages this day at the Church in the time of Divine service That is our Minister Master Sheappard being in the Pulpit was commanded by one Captaine Pretty who is under the command of Colonell Ireton and who with his souldiers are to our great burthen quartered with us to be silent and to come forth of the Pulpit saying in threatning termes he was unfit to preach and that he was yesterday being Satturday druncken which evidently can be proved to the contrary the Gentleman being to our knowledge a very temperate and Religious Divine This Captaine was assisted with one Master Ives and Master Lambe who are as they say Preachers and divers souldiers armed in a most irreverent manner to the abominable disturbance of the whole Congregation and as we conceive to the great abuse and disgrace of the Honourable Parliament By meanes where of our Preacher fearing as was too too much cause what dangerous effects such indecent and impious demeanours might produce was enforced to depart and dares not to come in sight so that we were destitute of preaching this day Whereof we thought good being thereto as we beleeve bound in duty and good conscience to acquaint your Worship withall hoping by your industrious meanes these our most intolerable griveances may be taken into Religious consideration and we thereof eased which we earnestly begg of you our approved good friend and Countryman may be effected These aforesaid abuses can be if occasion witnessed by the whole Congregation From the Devizes this present Sunday the 6. of September 1646. I Have received lately certaine Information from some who are come out of Wales that a Trooper of Colonell Riches Regiment hath been for divers weeks last past in Wales in Radnorshire and Brecknockeshire a preaching and dipping where he hath vented many Doctrines of Antinomianisme and Anabaptisme and rebaptized hundreds in those Countries Among others one woman whom he dipped he held so long under water that what with the water getting into her and cold she died of it within a day or two This Trooper going from these Countries into Mongomeryshire another Countie of Wales to preach and dippe some in command and Armes for the Parliament seized on him and committed him to prison but within a while after this commitment by meanes used by some in the Army there comes an order from higher Authority to those who committed him to release him and so he was set free A Religious Commander who comes from thence tells me the preaching and dipping of this Trooper and other such makes the Countries being newly reduced have an ill opinion of the Parliament and many of the people say these are your Preachers at London and such Preachers as the Parliament sends for they being ignorant people think verily these men are sent forth by the Parliament to preach to them This Commander tells me also there is a strong report in those Countries of Wales where he hath been that there are some Sectaries preach for Circumcision and that some have been Circumcised but the truth of that he cannot assert as of the rest but must have more time to find it out There is a Minister now in London or here abouts who going to a meeting of the Sectaries heard one of them in his Exercising and preaching to the company assembled affirme that he was Jesus Christ whereupon this Minister spake to him and said how can you be Jesus Christ where are the prints of the nailes in your hands unto which this wicked Sectarie replyed showing him his hands here they are and in one of his hands there were some markes which he said were the prints of the nailes but said this Sectarie for all this you will not beleeve me to be Christ unlesse you saw Miracles and turning over his Bible to the Book of the Revelations this Sectary quoted a place that Miracles were wrought to confirme the Doctrine of Divells which saith he you would have me to shew to confirme the truth This is a most certain story related by an eare and eye witnesse to a Noble Earle of this Kingdom and to some others and the place where this Sectary dwells related also with many circumstances Some of the Sectarian souldiers quartering very dately at a Towne in Lester shire upon the Lords day some of them shooed their horses others who came into the Church disturbed and affronted a godly Minister one Master Bohâ—mus Minister of the place put in by the meanes of Sir Arthur Hazelrig to whom he had formerly relation who as he was reading in the Scriptures that passage The secret of the Lord is with them that feare him some of them stood up and said that was a lye and so insolent was their carriage that this good Minister was glad to get him out of the way And as their carriage was so in the Church so a Townsman who rented the Tythes being upon horse in the field looking after his Tyth corne some of these souldiers coming into the field asked who that was and being told he was a man that came to gather Tyths they came to him and one took one leg and another the other and others laid hands on him in other parts and threw him off his horse abusing him and hazarding the limbs of the man because he renting the Tythes came to look
shall be content and rest In this Arrow against all Tyrants written as it seems to some Member of the House of Commons page 6. he writes thus Sir We desire your help for your own sakes as well as ours cheifly for the removall of two most insufferable evills daily encroaching and increasing upon us portending and threatning inevitable destruction and confusion of your selves of us and of all our posterity namely the encroachments and usurpâ—tions of the House of Lords over the Commons liberties and freedomes together with the barbarous inhumane blood-thirstie desires and endeavours of the Presbyterian Clergy O the desperate wickednesse of this man and some other Sectaries who have writ such like passages against the Lords and the Ministers and that for no other cause as appeares by this Pamphlet and divers others themselves being witnesses but because the Lords questioning some men for printing the most abominable sedicious cursed libells against all Royall Authority and the fundamentall â—awes and Government of this Kingdome that ever in any age were published and they in the most unparralleld manner of which I beleeve no presidents can bee shewn in any Chronicles or histories of this Kingdome carrying themselves contempruously and scornfully they committed them to prison and because an Ordinance to punish damnable Blasphemies and Heresies hath been brought into the House of Commons by two worthy Members and that by the prâ—curement of the Clergie as the Pamphlet saith Now for what the Lords have done against Lilburne Oâ—erton Larner and such fâ—llowes in labouring to suppresse â—uch â—editious Presses in punishing them as also in their speedy admitting into their House and thankfull acceptance of the Remonstrances and Petitions of the City of London County of Lancashi 〈…〉 c. And for what Master Tâ—â—t and Master Bacon have done in presenting such an Ordinance against Blasphemies and Heresies they are highly accouâ—â—ed of by all the godly and Orthodox Ministers and people in City and Country and their names will be famous in all generations when the names of Lilburne Overton c. yea and of all their great Patrons whether in the Army or out of the Army will be a by-word and a curse and canonized in the Kalenâ—â—r of such Saints as John of Leyden Thomas Muncer Kâ—ipperdollâ—â—g c. In page 10. of this poysoned Arrow Overton writes thâ—s Why therefore should you of the Representative body sit still and suffer these Lords to devoure both us and our Lawes Be awakened arise and consider their oppressions and encroachments and stop their Lordships in their ambitious career for they doe not cease only here but they soare higher and higher and now they are become Arrogators to themselves of the naturall Soveraignty the Represented have convayed and issued to their proper Representors even challenge to themselves the title of the supremest Court of Judicature in the Land as was claimed by the Lord Hounsden when I was before them which challenge of his was a most illegall Anti-Parliamentary audacious presumption c. Behold Reader this wicked Sectary labours to set the House of Commons against the House of Lords to make division between them All the hopes of these sonnes of division lie in breaches which they fâ—ment all kind of wayes and in all kind of things wherein there is union as between the Houses the Scots and â—he Parliament the Parliament and the City the Parliament and the Ministry of the Kingdom They have no hopes but in wars fishing in troubled waâ—ers keeping all things in confusion from being setled In pag. 11 12 hee speaks thus Therefore the soveraign power extending no further then from the Represented to the Representors all this kind of soveraignty challenged by any whether of King Lords or others is usurpation illegitimate and illegall and none of the kingdomes or peoples neither are the people thereto oblieged Thus Sir seeing the Soveraign or Legislative power is only from the Represented to the Representors and cannot possibly further extend the power of the King cannot be Legislative but only Executive and he can communicate no more then he hath himselfe and the Soveraign power not being inherent in him it cannot be convayed by or derived from him to any so that his meer Prerogative creatures cannot have that which their lord and creator never hath had or can have namely the Legislative power Many other strange passages there are both in his Pamphlets and Petition and Appeale made up of intolerable Arrogancy Impudency and Anarchy point blanck against the Fundamentall constitution of the Government of this Kingdom but by these the Reader may judge of the whole ex ungâ—e leonem and so I leave him to the justice of the House of Lords There is one John Lilburn an Arch Sectary the great darling of the Sectaries highly extolled and magnified by them in many Pamphlets called The Defender of the Faith A Pearle in a Dung-hill That Worthy Sufferer for his Countries Liberty this Worthy man a precious Jewell indeed of whom I had thought to have given a full Relation in this Book and to have laid him open in all his colours by following him from place to place and shewing how time after time he hath behaved himself since he came out of his Apprenticeship as by declaring what set him first on work to print Books against the Bishops how hee carried himselfe in the Fleet whilst he was Prisoner there how since this Parliament both before the warres begun and since the warres how whilst hee was Prisoner at Oxford how in the Earle of Manchestors Army how in the City at many meetings about Petitions since he left the warres how before the Committee of Examinations how the first 〈◊〉 he was in Newgate by order of the House of Commons how hee behaved himselfe before the House of Lords and how the second time of his imprisonment in Newgate and how since his last commitment to the Tower but because this Narration alone will take up some sheets there being many remarkable things to be written of him of his insolent loose ungodly practices and of his Anarchicall Principles destructive to all Civill Government whatsoever and I have already filled up that number of sheets I aâ— first intended when I resolved to write this Third Part though I have many things yet to put in this Third Part therefore I must deâ—erre it till a Fourth Part and shall then by the help of God doe it so largely and fully that I shall make his folly and wickednesse known to all men and vindicate the honour and power of the House of Peers from his and all the Sectaries wicked Libells shewinâ— the weaknesse of those Principles That all power in Government is founded upon the immediate free election of all those that are to be Governed And of a necessity that all who are to be subject and obey must be represented And that all who have power in Government must be Representers which I shall doe for the
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
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
give out that they will never lay down their swords whilst ther 's a Priest in England Who write and print libells full stuffed with invectives and seditious speeches against the Right Honourable House of Peers undoubtedly a Court of Record the highest Court of Iudicature in this Kingdome Who make wicked libells and spread them abroad of Noble men and persons of great place by name as that religious and Noble Earle of Manchestor the Lord Major of London a whole Kingdome as Scotland and a whole City as London Who have endeavored and do by all wayes to involve these Kingdomes into a new War more deadly and destructive then the former And yet Anabaptists of our times are guilty of all these and many more as the Reader may sind proved in this Book and divers others written in these times Thirdly speaking of himself he saith He remaines now where he was for substance fifteen years since which I cannot judge to bee true no nor that he is the same for substance which he was seven years agoe and because I will be brief I will put but one question to Master Peters and that is whether fifteen years or but seven years agoe â—e was for a Toleration of â—ll sorts of Sects Anabaptists Antinomians Seekers Papists c. and thought so lightly of Errors and Heresies as now he does or whether he ever did or durst in New-England in the time of Anabaptists and Antinomians growing there preach such Sermons for a Toleration of them and speake so favourably of them as he hath done and doth here I am of the mind if any man should have told him fifteen or seven years agoe Master Peters the time shall come that you shall live in a Kingdome where all damnable Heresies and wicked doctrines shall be vented by printing preaching and you shall be so farre from seeking to suppresse and hinder them as that you shall make nothing of them preach for a Toleration of them cry them up for Saints who hold them plot act ride work night and day for the upholding of them he would have been very angry boisterous and have said as Hazael to the Prophet Am I a dog that I should do these things nay I am so well perswaded of Mr Peters that he was so farre fifteen years agoe from being of these opinions and running these wayes that I am confident 't is but a few years agoe since he is fallen thus and that the two things that have poysoned him are his being in the Army and his converse with some wicked Politicians of these times who upon matter of worldly interest being men of small and broken estates that they may be great and the Heads of a great party countenance and patronize all kind of abominable Sectaries not caring what becomes of Religion and who prophesies falsly so they may beare rule by that meanes Fourthly Speaking of turning his cheek to the smiter hee saith with Jeremy though he neither borrowes nor lends c. yet this may be his portion Now I wonder he can say so when aâ— his hand hath been against every man medling with all sorts of men a Polupragmaticall medling in the Armies with many abusing the Common Councell and the City of London the Assembly the Reformed Churches our Brethren of Scotland Committees the King and his children and indeed who not I could name particular persons of both Houses of whom he hath spoken his pleasure who have deserved a great deale better of him Fifthly There is an unjust and scandalous passage pag. 11. reflecting upon the City and their Remonstrance as if they remonstrated about their wills and not about things needfull and just grievances and as if the increase of the plague upon the City were for any neglect towards the Parliament whereas I would have Master Peters know and all his party the City of London could not do lesse and have but done their duty the Reformed Churches Scotland the body of this Kingdome and all who are not Independents and Independentish doe bear witnesse of the faithfulnesse of this City to the cause of God and the Parliament and this Remonstrance was so farre from being a matter of meer will as Master Peters words import that I am of the mind and I beleeve not alone in it that it will never be well with England till the City of London the Ministry of the Kingdome and all the Counties as one man make a plainer Remonstrance in a more particular way and manner of all the growing mischiefs and abominations in Church and Common-wealth desiring a speedy and effectuall redresse of them And as for his hinting the cause of the increase of the plague to come from the City Remonstrance or want of the Cities full consent to a match with the Parliament I dare boldly say of him in â—o saying He is a false Prophet a dreamer of dreams speaking the visions of his own heart and declaring false burdens and do offer from the word of God to make it good against Master Peters that if the City of London would oftner Remonstrate and Petition in this kind and use the power they have by their Charter and the Lawes in force to punish Hereticks and Sectaries and disturb their meetings the plague would sooner be removed from them Sixthly That also is a false and untrue Assertion That the design of the Army is onely to obey their Masters the Parliament the slighting the Army is their money triumphant chariots would have broke our necks understood in Master Peters sense viz. of that part of the Army the Sectaries for if it were so as he speakâ— what means the bleating of the sheep and the lowing of the oxen that I and many others hear If their only design be to obey their Masters the Parliament what 's the reason they break conte 〈…〉 their Ordinances viz. that against mâ—ns preaching not ordained Ministers that for the better observing of the Monethly Fast those for the setling of Presbyteriall Government c. What means those speeches of some of them If they knew the Countries mind as well as the Countries might know theirs they would have another kind of Reformation then the Parliament is about that they have not so long fought for liberty and now to be enslaved with many such like And if the slighting of the Army is their money and triumphant chariots would have broke their necks certainly they have then had little pay and their necks would have been broken long before now for never was Army better provided for since these warres with moneys recruits all kind of things and many particular men speciall persons of that party which Master Peters counts the Army have been well rewarded over and above pay c. And for triumphant chariots there have been men on purpose employed to provide them triumphant chariots weekly to carry them throughout the Kingdom and forraign parts in the weekly newes books wherein they have been lifted up to heaven in praises
plaine with you we are not nor shall not be so contented that you lie ready with open Armes to receive the King and to make him a great and a glorious King Have you shooke this Nation like an Earth-quake to produce no more then this for us We do expect according to reason that you should in the first place declare and set forth King Charles his wickednesse open before the world and withall to show the intolerable inconveniencies of having a Kingly Government from the constant evill practises of those of this Nation and so to declare King Charles an en 〈…〉 my and to publish your resolution never to have any more but to acquit us of so great a charge and trouble for ever and to convert the great rev 〈…〉 w of the Crowne to the publike treasure to make good the injuries and injustices done heretofore and of late by those that have possessed the same and that we expected long since at your hands and untill this be done we shall not thinke our selves well dealt withall in this originall of all oppressions to wit Kings The Just mans Justification page 10. I wish with all my soule the Parliament would seriously consider upon that Law Who so sheddeth mans bloud by man shall his bloud be shed that so wilfull murtherers might not escape the hand of Justice but especially that they would thinke upon the grand murtherer of England for by this impartiall Law of God there is no exemption of Kings Princes Dukes Earles more then of fishermen c. The Arrow against all Tyrants page 11 12. Soveraignity challenged by the King is usurpation illegitimate and illegall c. The power of the King cannot be Legislative but only Executive So Overtons Defiance to the House of Lords Overtons Petition and Appeale to the High and mighty States the Knights and Burgesset in Parliament Assembled Englands Legall Soveraignâ— power The last warning to the Inhabitants of London with divers such like 3. The Sectaries have spoken written done much against the House of Peeres the supreme Judicature of this Kingdome that House which gives to the Parliaments of England the denomination of the High Court of Parliament as t is a Court of Record and having power of judiciall triall by oath c. of the greatest subjects of this Kingdome in the greatest matters as life estates liberty whose Tribunall and Power hath ever beene acknowledged and dreaded in this Kingdom in all times by the greatest Peeres and persons of the Land and when questioned by them have given all high respect and humble submission as we see that great Favorite the Earle of Strafford did yet this Supreme Court hath beene by word and deed so used by base unworthy sonnes of the earth as the 〈…〉 st Court in England or p 〈…〉 iest Constable never was till these times and certainly the ages to come who shall read the History of these times and the Books of the Sectaries written this last yeere against the House of Lords will wonder at our times and inquire what exemplary punishment was done upon them The facts of some Sectaries abetted and pleaded for also by other of their fellows have been these 1. Refusing upon the Summons Warrants of the House of Peeres to appeare before them and resisting to the utmost so that the Officers have been necessitated to drag them and bring them by force as Overton who in print is not ashamed to relate it 〈◊〉 When they have beene committed and under custody refusing to be brought by their Keepers to the House of Peeres upon command of the House to answer to their charge as Lilburne did keeping his chamber shut refusing to come forth and resisting to the utmost so that glad to carry him by power to the House of Lords which relation also Lilburne hath printed 3. In refusing to answer any questions put them by the House of Peeres 4. In refusing to kneele at the Barre in token of any submission to the House or to be uncovered 5. In appealing from and protesting against the House of Peeres and any power they have over them both by word of mouth and writing drawn up and thrown into the House 6. In stopping their eares in a contemptuous manner that they would not heare their charge read 7. In reproving sawcie taking up and reproaching the House of Peeres to their faces in the House 8. In Petitioning the House of Commons for justice against the House of Peeres and for reparations of dammages using many reproachfull words of that Right Honourable House even in their Petitions as is to be seene in Overtons John Lilburnes and Elizabeth Lilburnes Petitions 9. Threatning the House of Peeres what they will do against them if they maintaine their power and honour and what the house of Commons will do 10. Stirring up and inciting the common People also to fall upon them to pull them downe and overthrow that House The Speeches and writings of the Sectaries against the House of Peeres within this last sixe moneths or thereabouts ever since the commitment of Learner about The last warning to the inhabitants of London are fearfull and strange many Pamphlets having beene written in that time tending apparently to the totall overthrow of the House of Peeres and of having any Lords in this Kingdome denying them all Legislative and Judiciall Power and giving it all to the House of Commons or rather to that Beast of many heads the common People allowing the Commons only so much as they please and for so long making them their meer deputies and servants at will I shall give the Reader a few passages out of their Books and referre for further satisfaction to the Books themselves A Pamphlet entituled The Just man in Bonds writes thus pag. 1. The power of the House of Lords is like a shallow uneven water more in noyse then substance no naturall issues of Lawes but the extubâ—rances and mushromes of Prerogative the wens of Just Government putting the body of the people into pain as well as occasioning deformity Sons of conquest they are and usurpation not of choyce and election intruded upon us by power not constituted by consent not made by the people from whom all power place and office that is just in this Kingdome ought only to arise A Pamphlet call'd A Pearle in a Dung-hill pag. 3 4. speaks thus And why presume ye thus O ye Lords Set forth your merit before the people and say For this good it is that we will raigne over you Remember your selves or shall we remember ye Which of you before this Parliament minded any thing so much as your pleasures Playes Masques Feastings Gaming 's Dancings c. What good have you done since this Parliament and since the expulsion of the Popish Lords and Bishops where will you begin It was wont to be said when a thing was spoyl'd that the Bishops foot had been in it and if the Lords mend not it will be
or any of the money Upon this he went to a Counsellor at Law one Mr. W. related his case desiring his councell in it He advised him to make no words of it say nothing but at the Sessions endite him and get a Warrant of a Suddain before he could take councell to fetch him away and it may be being so surprised he would pay him the money rather then stand it out to answer it at the Sessions The Citizen followed his advise when the Sessions came had a bill drawn against him the Atturney who had seen the Bond witnessed there was such a speciall tye the Bill was found and a Warrant sent out for to attach him the Officer serving it and threatning presently to carry him away thereupon this Sectary confessed his evill he entreated his mercy that he would not shame him publikely it should be a warning to him for ever after and so he paying the money the man prosecuted him no further A Relation of some remarkeable Passages of divers Sectaries and of the Contents of severall Letters written up here to London from good hands concâ—rning them THere is one Mr. Knollys an Anabaptist spoken of in my first part of Gangraena and in this third part page 48. 49. a Letter of his is printed this man preaches up and down in severall Churches in London and Southwarkâ— and that with all fiercenesse against Childrens Baptisme and against our Ministers as being Antichristian and having no call to baptize and among other places where he hath preached lately he preached this Novemb. the 15. at Georges Church in Butolph-lane in the afternoone on these words He that beleeveth and is baptized shall be saved where after he had spoken of beleeving in the latter part of his Sermon comming to speak of baptizing he used these words I have spoken to you of the first part of the Gospell believing I must be faithfull and speak to you of the second viz. baptizing and of that there is as great a necessity as believing and therefore I advise and charge all you who believe to be baptized and whereas it may be you will object you are baptized already I answer that is a lye indeed you were rantized but not baptized and that too was into the name of your God-fathers which was blasphemy and not into the name of the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost besides they who did it had nothing to do with Baptisme as being no Ministers but Antichristian and whereas heretofore these Ministers of the Church of England rantized into the name of their Godfathers now to mend the matter they do it into the name of their Fathers There is one Mr. Symonds a great Sectarie Mr. Cradocks Colleague who came to London since the wars and preached at little Alhallowes Thames-street and at the Tower where I have been informed from godly understanding men as well Ministers as others that he hath preached severall strange things as for a Toleration and liberty for all men to worship God according to their consciences and in favour of Antipaedobaptisme and so preaching once at Andrewes Vndershafâ— for Mr. Goodwin he preached high strains of Antinomianisme as that Christ was a legall Preacher and liv'd in a dark time and so preached the Law but afterwards the Gospel came to be preached and preaching at Laurence Pountneys summer was twelvemoneth on the day of thanksgiving for taking of Sherborn Castle he spake of the great Victories the Saints had obtained for us viz. the Independents and yet now the Parliament was making Lawes against these Saints with other things to that purpose and as at London he hath preached thus so since he left London this last Summer he preached at Bath before the Generall strange stuffe as I have been told from understanding men who heard him viz. against Presbytery saying it was a limb of Antichrist pleading for liberty of conscience and for those who would not have their children baptized till they came to years of understanding and for Weavers and ignorant mechanicks preaching and speaking of these mens guifts and having the spirit before learned men and men bred at Universities with a great deale of this stuffe insomuch that Mr. Bodeâ— Minister of the Bath as I was informed confuted his Sermon the next Lords day and spake against it insomuch that â—ome of the Independent Souldiers as C. B. c. â—lung out of the Church in the midst of the Sermon and would not heare him out and truly 't is a sad thing that Sir Thomas Fairfax that valiant and well-affected Gentleman should have such kind of Chaplains and Preachers upon all occasions to preach before him as Mr. Dell Mr. Saltmarsh Mr. Peters Mr. Cradock M. Symonds M. William Sedgwick and such like and I have spoken the more of this Mr. Symonds because I hear he is nominated for one of the Itinerary Preachers of VVales that so the Country and Ministers may be ware of him where he comes and that the Assembly when he comes to be approved of may doe their duties and not let him passe so easily as they did Mr. Cradock There is Mr. Burton of London a great Independent who hath these five last years written many wild and weak Pamphlets beginning with his Prâ—testation Protested and ending with his Conformities Deformitie in which Pamphlets the poore man hath laid down many grounds of Donatisme and pure Brownisme yea of Libertinisme and of a generall Toleration of all Religions and hath laid about him striking all who have come neere him without feare or wit whether whole Assemblies and Societies or particular persons he hath cast durt in the face of the Church of Scotland and their generall Assembly our Assembly this famous City of London and the Honourable Court of Common Councell the Ministers of Sion Colledge particular Ministers M. Calamie my selfe and others nay he hath not spared his Brother Prynne his Brother Bastwick his good old friend M. Vicars and in all these five years among all the Books he hath put forth notwithstanding all the damnable Hereticks and Blasphemers among us hath not had the heart to speak one word for God against them which gives too just ground for the world to thinke M. Burtons former oppositions of Arminianisme Popery c. was not out of zeale for God and his truth and hatred of those errours but out of discontent and spleen against the Bishops who had crossed him in his hopes of preferment For if it had been out of zeale against the errours and not out of anger against the men how could he thus patiently beare all the injuries and dishonours of Christ and his truth done by other men even a hundred times worse then before Did Mr. Burton know what some of his wisest Brethren have said and do say of his Books he would give over writing as that his writings are weake and do more hurt then good would to God he would give over his writing Shall I tell M. Burton what Mr. Nye