the Court party the great Counsellours of state and Prelates whose height was like the height of the Cedars and were strong as the Oaks yet the Lord destroyed their fruit from above and their root from beneath and cannot he do so to you I beseech you fear considering the great dishonour of God and his name and the sad estate of things under your Goverment lest God bring some great afterclap upon you and have an after reckoning either giving you up at last to the hands of those that are now in armes against you or sending an evill spirit of division among your selves and the two Nations or making use of the Sects that party when grown stronger who have been so much suffered to grow under you to become thorns in your sides and pricks in your eyes to cast You out and to teach you new Law and new Divinity as they have done already in many of their Books as Englands Birthright A Letter from an Utter Barrester A Letter call'd Englands lamentable slavery Lilburns Letters to Mr Prynn to a Friend Innocency and truth justified cum multis alijs or by sending some other judgement as the Pestilence c. all which I earnestly pray God to prevent And truly when I think of things by my self and behold to what a height Errours Heresies c. are come and withall reflect upon the great things God hath done for you the many powerfull Sermons you have had preached before you about the Nationall Covenant and against the Sects the many Petitions representing the evill and danger of these things and yet how little is done our evills of this kinde rising higher and higher in the increase of false doctrines and a greater multiplication of schismes every day then other I tremble for fear lest for the want of zeal in suffering so many dishonours of God and his House to lie so long waste the word be gone out of his mouth already which he spake against Eli I said indeed that thy house and the house of thy Father should walke before me for ever but now the Lord saith Be it far from me for them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed But to draw towards a conclusion there is no other way to prevent all this wrath but to be zealous and repent to do something speedily and effectually against the Errours Heresies Schismes Blasphemies and confusions of these times Ob. But if any shall object It cannot be done now it will discontent and disingage the Sectaries who are a considerable party and so may prove dangerous to the Parliament in this juncture of time by causing many to fall off their Service Ans. Are we afraid of discontenting disingaging and losing a few men and not discontenting and losing God! shall God be displeased to please men shall we fear the want of mans helpe whose breath is in his nostrils and not fear God! O that we would once cease from man for wherein is he to be accounted of Secondly I Answer This objection is taking counsell but not of God a covering but not of Gods spirit Isa. 30.1 this carnall policie of suffering corruptions in Religion for fear of losing a party and strengthening Kingdoms hath proved the ruin of families and Kingdoms be pleased to remember Jeroboam Jehu c. who out of policie for fear of losing a party and strengthening the other side set up and suffered the golden Calves and Priests of the lowest of people and this very thing became a snare and the losse of the Kingdom to them and I might shew out of Ecclesiasticall Histories many examples of sad things befalling Princes who out of policies or any carnall respects have suffered all sorts of Sects and Heresies but I will only instance in one out of Baronius of Valentinianus senior who suffered in the West the Christians to embrace what faith every one of them would and to follow what Heresies they pleased but how well and safely the end of it declared for both his sons were slain by the faction and treachery of the Gentiles Gratian by Maximus Valentinian junior was strangled in a halter And yet afterwards the same Emperour by edict commanded the houses and places where the Maniches met to be confiscate 't is storied of Amaziah that he had hired a hundred thousand mighty men of valour for a hundred talents of silver but a man of God came to him to dismisse his Army namely that part of it the children of Ephraim and told him in answer to his carnall objections that God had power to help and to cast down and for his hundred talents the Lord was able to give him much more then this 2 Chron. 25.7 8 9. so say I whoever or what numbers soever shall desert the Parliaments Army and Service for their suppressing the Sects and putting in execution their own Ordinances God hath power to help and cast down and is able to cause many more then these to adhere to them and no question besides Gods help and blessing which uses to accompany setling true Religion and destroying false the hands of the Kingdom of Scotland would be the more strengthened the City of London the Ministers and all who love truth peace and order would adhere more firmly and the Parliament would be both stronger and make themselves famous both at home and abroad to all generations Thirdly supposing the Sectaries to be as potent as is falsely surmised by themselves yet I humbly conceive it stands not with the Honour Power Wisedom nor Piety of a Parliament for fear of losing a party to be afraid of maintaining their own Ordinances and punishing those things that they know are bad In such a case fiat justitia ruet coelum Fourthly the sons of Zeruiah are not now too hard for you God hath made you stornger then ever by giving you many victories battell upon battell and one strong hold after another so that if any will fall off from you for doing your duties you need not care and who knowes but that all these victories are sent to take away all excuse to answer this objection and to encourage you to this work God inforces upon turning the dayes of fasting into feasts therefore to love the truth and peace and from deliverances to pay our vows and make good our Covenants as in Zech. 8.19 Nahum 1.15.16 Psal. 16.14 17 18 19. And thus having in some poor measure discharged my conscience towards God your Honours and this Kingdom in the Discovery made in this Book of many sects and Sectaries I leave the issue and successe to God humbly taking my leave as Dr Holland that learned man and Doctor of the Chair in Oxford was wont to do of his Colledge upon going journies saying I commend you to the love of God and hatred of Popery so do I commend both Houses of Parliament to the love of God and his truth and the hating of all Sects and
The First and Second Part OF GANGRAENA OR A Catalogue and Discovery of many of the Errors Heresies Blasphemies and pernicious Practices of the Sectaries of this time vented and acted in England in these four last yeers Also a particular Narration of divers Stories Remarkable Passages Letters an Extract of many Letters all concerning the present Sects together with some Observations upon and Corollaries from all the fore-named Premisses By THOMAS EDWARDS Minister of the Gospel The third EDITION corrected and much Enlarged 2 TIM 3.8 9. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so do these also resist the truth men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the Faith But they shall proceed no further for their folly shal be manifest to all men as theirs also was 2 PET. 2.1 2. But there were false Prophets also among the people even as there shall be false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable Heresis even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction And many shall follow their pernicious wayes by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evill spoken of JUDE vers 19. These be they who separate themselves sensuall having not the spirit Lutherus in Epist. ad Galat. Maledicta sit charitas qua servatur cum jactura doctrinae fidei cui omnia cedere debent Charitas Apostolus Angelus é coelo Lutheri Epist. ad Staupitium Non hic tempus timendi sed clamandi ubi Dominus noster Jesus Christus damnatur exuitur blasphematur mi pater grandius est periculum quam credant multi Inveniar sane superbus avarus adulter homicidia antipapa omnium vitiorum reus modo impii filentii non arguar dum Dominus patitur LONDON Printed by T. R. and E. M. for Ralph Smith at the sign of the Bible in Cornhill near the Royall Exchange M.DC.XLVI Reader THat thou mayest discern the mischief of Ecclesiasticall Anarchy the monstrousnesse of the much affected Toleration and be warned to be wise to sobriety and fear and suspect the pretended New Lights I approve that this Treatise discovering the Gangrene of so many strange Opinions should be imprinted JAMES CRANâ—OR TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT Right Honourable and Noble Senatours I Here present you with a Catalogue or Black Bill of the Errours Heresies Blasphemies and Practices of the Sectaries of this time broached and acted within these four last years in England and that in your Quarters and in places under your Government and Power for which I tremble to thinke lest the whole Kingdom should be in Gods Black Bill I much fear lest the subject matter of this Catalogue may prove unto England unlesse some speedy and effectuall course be taken to prevent it like the Bill of Divorce given to Israel Jer. 3.8 like the Roll of the Book commanded from God to be written by Jeremiah against Israel and Judah Jer. 36.2 like the Roll of a Book sent by a hand to Ezekiel Ezek. 2.9 10. wherin was written lamentations mourning and wo or like the hand-writing upon the wall against Belshaz Dan. 5.5 the flying Roll in Zech. c. 5. v. 1 2. a curse going over the face of the whole land And unto whom Right Honourable should I present and make known these things but unto You who are the supreme Iudicatory of this Kingdom having that sufficiency of Power which only is able to remedy and redresse them who are our great Physician 's and have been wont to cure the worst maladies and diseases of our Church and State who are by God himself stiled Gods and therefore should above others lay to heart and be sensible of the injuries and dishonours done to God and his name And I humbly pray your Honours to beare with me in my addresses this way as having no other meanes but this of acquainting You with the sad state of things in our Church And yet 't is necessary You should hear of these things for as 't is said in the Prophet Jeremiah concerning the making of that Roll It may be the house of Judah will hear all the evill which I purpose to do to them that they may turne every one from his evill way it may be they will present their supplications before the Lord that he may forgive their iniquity and their sin so it may be some good may come of this Book to cause an humiliation for and a suppression of heresies and schimes as being a more free and fâ—ll discovery of our times then ever yet was made and therefore I send it abroad in this way whereby it may be read by all Judah and I doubt not but some faithfull Baruchs who are not shut up but do preach before You on Fast dayes will cause You to hear the words of this Book in the Lords house by applying them to your consciences and making them a Catalogue of sins for matter of humiliation to you on those dayes showing how far they may become yours in suffering without punishment and censure too many of them And now Noble and worthy Senatours be graciously pleased to pardon the boldnesse I shall take in dealing plainly with you in this present Epistle and not to impute it to any malignity and disaffection to your service or to peremptory saucinesse and disrespect of You for besides that some worthy Members of Parliament to whom I am known can testifie the contrary all my Actions from the beginning of Your sitting my Sermons Prayers Prayses Discourses Actings for You speak otherwise I am one who out of choise and judgement have imbarked my self with Wife Children Estate and all that 's dear to me in the same ship with You to sinke and perish or to come safe to land with You and that in the most doubtfull and difficult times not only early in the first beginning of the war and troubles in a malignant place among Courtiers and those who were servants and had relations to the King Queen and their Children pleading Your Cause justifying Your wars satisfying many that scrupled but when Your affairs were at lowest and the chance of war against You and some of the Grandees and favourites of these times were packing up and ready to be gone I was then highest and most zealous for You preaching praying stirring up the people to stand for you by going out in person lending of money in the later going before them by example And as I have been your Honours most devoted servant so am I still yours and you cannot easily lose me and I do humbly 〈…〉 self and Book at the feet of your wisedome and piety submitting both to your pleâ—sâ—re but to the matter and contents of this Book and to the present state of things I am bound and stirred in spirit to see the people so given to errour and schisme and the zeal of Gods house and glory constrains me and I can no longer forbear speaking my whole heart to you The
Lords Supper though beleevers and Saints nor their children to be baptized but onely they who are members in a Church-way 110. There is no Scripture against a mans being often baptized neither is it more unlawfull to be baptized often then to receive the Lords Supper often 111. That Christs words in the Institution of his Supper This is my body and This is my bloud are to be understood literally 112. That Christians in receiving the Lords Supper should receive with their hats on with their heads covered but the Ministers should administer it with their hats off uncovered 113. That 't is as necessary to be joyned in Church-fellowship as with Christ the Head and there 's such a necessity of entring into a Church-way as there is no expectation of salvation without it 114. That the Church of England and the Ministery thereof is Antichristian yea of the Devill and that 't is absolutely sinfull and unlawfull to hear any of their Ministers preach in their Assemblâ—es 115. That the Church of Rome was once a true Church but so was the Church of England never therefore 't is likelier the Church of Rome should be in the right in the Doctrines of Free-will universall Redemption Originall sin c. then the Church of England 116. That the calling and making of Ministers of the Word and Sacraments are not jure Divino but a Minister comes to be so as a Meâ—chant Bookseller Tailor and such like 117. That all setled certaine maintenance for Ministers of the Gospel especially that which is called Tyths is unlawfull Jewish and Antichristian 118. That Ministers of the Gospel in these dayes ought to work with their hands and to follow some calling that they may not be chargeable to the Church 119 That there ought to be no distinct order of Ministers nor no such calling of some persons distinct and separated from the people but that all men who have gifts are in their turns and courses by the appointment of the rest of the company to preach pray baptize and they are for that turn in stead of Ministers and as Ministers 120. That all dayes are a like to Christians under the new Testament and they are bound no more to the observation of the Lords day or first day of the week then to any other 121. That the Jewish Sabbath or Saturday is still to be kept by Christians for their Sabbath 122. That Christians are not bound to meet one day in seven constantly according to the manner of the Nations nor to pray and preach thus long and in this manner two or three houres according to the custome of the Nations 123. No man hath more to do to preach the Gospel then another but every man may preach the Gospel as well as any 124. That 't is lawfull for women to preach and why should they not having gifts as well as men and some of them do actually preach having great resort to them 125. 'T is a part of Christian liberty of Christians not to hear their own Ministers but to go and heare where they will and whom they think they may profit most by 126. That 't is unlawfull to worship God in places consecrated and in places where Superstition and Idolatry have been practised as in our Churches 127. That men ought to preach and exercise their gifts without study and premeditation and not to think of what they are to say till they speak because it shall be given them in that hour and the Spirit shall teach them 128. That there is no need of humane learning nor of reading Authors for Preachers but all books and learning must go down it comes from the want of the Spirit that men writ such great volumes and make such adoe of learning 129. There are some women ten or eleven in one Town or vicinity who hold it unlawfull to hear any man preach either publikely or privately because they must not be like those women in Timothy ever learning and never comming to the knowledg of the truth 2. Tim. 3.6.7 130. That t is unlawfull to preach at all sent or not sent out as in a Church-state but only thus a man may preach as a waiting Disciple that is Christians may not preach in a way of positive asserting and declaring things but all they may do is to confer reason together and dispute out things 131. That t is unlawfull for the Saints to joyn in receiving the Lords supper where any wicked men are present and that such mixt Communion doth pollute and defile them 132 'T is unlawfull for the Saints to joyn in prayer where wicked men are or to pray with any of the wicked 133. That 't is unlawfull for Christians to pray so much as privately with those though godly that are not members of a true Church but are members of the Church of England and the Assemblies thereof 134 That however conference and discourse may be had with all yet t is not lawfull to joyn in prayer or giving of thanks no not before meat with those though otherwise acknowledged Saints and godly and are members of Churches in the Church-way that aâ—e not of the same judgement and way 135. That t is not lawfull for Christians to pray at all with any others either as being the mouth in prayer or as joyning in prayer though never so godly and of their own judgements either in the publike Assemblies or in their Families unlesse such persons who prayed had an infallible spirit as the Apostles 136. That Christians are not bound to pray constantly every day at set times as morning and evening but only at such times as the Spirit moves them to it and if they finde not themselves so moved in many dayes and weeks together they ought not to pray 137. That wicked and unregenerate men ought not to pray unto God at all 138. That all singing of Psalmes as Davids or any other holy songs of Scripture is unlawfull and not to be joyned with 139. That the singing which Christians should use is that of Hymns and spirituall songs framed by themselves composed by their own gifts and that upon speciall occasions as deliverances c. sung in the Congreation by one of the Assembly all the rest being silent 140. That love-feasts or feasts of love with which the Lords Supper is to be administred also is a perpetuall ordinance of Christ at which only Church-members are to be present and to partake 141. That there is no distinction concerning Government of Ecclesiasticall and civil for all that Government which concernes the Church ought to be civill but the maintaining of that distinction is for maintaining the interests of Church-men 142. That a few private Christians as six or seven gathering themselves into a Covenant and Church-fellowship have an absolute entire power of the Keyes and all Government within themselves and are not under any authoritative power of any Classes Synods or generall Councels whatsoever they
as good Scriptures as the Apostles upon occasion of quoting that Scripture in Rom. 7. of Pauls complaining of â—inne it hath been answered Paul was a novice and that was his weaknesse and that Paul understood not Christ in the promise and that hee for his part understood the mystery of God in Christ better then Saint Paul When that Scripture in Gal. 5.12 was objected to one that pleaded for liberty of conscience the answer was he thought the Apostle was in a great passion A Minister in Hartfordshire bringing a place of Scripture against an Anabaptist to confute him in some opinion he held the Anabaptist confessed he could not answer it but said it was the weaknesse of the Apostle and there he wanted the spirit Another Sectary denying the Resurrection of the dead and some of of the Church coming to admonish him of that Errour and bringing Scripture to prove it hee answered This is Scripture to you but not to me Poedobaptisme hath been blasphemed by many reproachfull speeeches the Lords Prayer hath been slâ—ighted and scornfully spoken of the whole Ministery of all the Reformed Churches with their Ordination worke of preaching c. scorned and abused in severall Pamphlets The Presbyteriall and Synodicall Government reproached in all vâ—lde and scoffing language call'd devillish Antichristian and all to naught resembled to the Beast in the Revelation the Civil Government and Magistrates have been blasphemed with their Ordinances Orders and supream Court of Judicature the Parliament call'd Antichristian and the Committee of Examinations jeared by way of comparing it to the Court of Inquisition and to the High Commission the solemn sacred and Nationall Covenant of the Kingdoms derided blasphemed in many Pamphlets that many pages would not contain them But I will not trouble the Reader to name any more of them Mr. Pryn in his fresh Discovery of New Lights hath extracted many passages of this kinde out of the Pamphlets of the Sectaries and in a libellous book entituled Englands Birtbright there 's more stuffe of the same kind Now having presented the Reader with the Errours and Blasphemies before I come to the Practices of the Sectaries I will relate some few Passages in the Prayers of the Sectaries which were vented either in publike Assemblies and Churches or in their private Church-meetings all within the compasse of a twelve-moneth or thereabouts Some Passages in the Prayers of the Sectaries ANd though wee are discountenanced by the Civil Magistrate which is a great thing after they have had our estates and our blood yet Lord c. When the blinde man was thrust out of the Synagogue by the Pharisees Jesus Christ met him so though wee are thrust out of the Common Assemblies and mens affections who formerly loved us c. Let the Spirit teach us wee may look four five yeers from an Assembly of men before they teach us c. Though they may with-hold the truth in Policie yet thy Spirit can teach us if all the Ministers in the world hold their peace c. Thou hast triumphed gloriously by a despised Army not only by our enemies but our seeming friends who indeed were our reall enemies vilifying those men whom thou hast been pleased to honour c. Another Independent Minister in his prayer prayed that the Presbyteriâ— might be removed that Christs Kingdome might be set up Another Independent Minister about the end of September last gave God thanks for breaking the neck of that wretched petition of the Citizens August last the tenth day being presently upon Lilburns committing to Newgate at Knowles Church in St. Hellens on a Lords day Mr. Knowles prayed these words or to this effect Lord bring thy servant Lilburn out of prison and honour him Lord for he hath honoured thee This last moneth in December one of the Independent Ministers in his prayers at a Lecture two or three severall Lectures prayed to God that the Parliament might give libertie to tender consciences One of the Independent Ministers at his Church-meeting in a house gave thanks unto God for the libertie of conscience granted in America and said Why Lord not in England as well as in America or words to that purpose Another Independent Minister in his prayer put up this petition O Lord make the Parliament friends to the Saints May 25. 1645. An Independent Minister praying for the Parliament prayed that God would keep the Parliament from greeving the Saints or doing any acts that might make them sad that they for whom so many prayers and praises had been put up by the Saints might not now grieve them April 24 the same Independent Minister in his prayer after Sermon prayed That now God had delivered us both namely the Presbyterian and Independent from such bondage and oppression we might not be guiltie of bringing our brethren into bondage left the Lord carrie us back again into Egypt for it The same prayed on August 1 joyning Parliament and Assembly together That they might do nothing but what the Saints should rejoyce in and be glad of About the beginning of September last a Reverend Minister of the Assembly who was an ear-witnesse related it and said he would acquaint the Commissioners of Scotland with it that an Independent Minister either in his prayer or Sermon used words to his effect of the Scots That it was just with God to bring this overthrow upon Scotland because of their beating their fellow-servants and that they could not be content with suffering their brethren to enjoy their libertie but must have a domination Having given the Reader an account of many errours and blasphemies of the Sectaries with some passages in their prayers I come now to relate many of their practices But the Reader must not conceive I can set down all or that any one man although of far greater abilities and leisure having also fairer opportunities of conversing among them with lesse suspition observing their wayes than my selfe is able to do it They have many depths wiles and methods which I know not nor cannot find out there are many windings and turnings of the Seâ—pâ—nt crooked goings in and out off and on here and there which I cannot trace The way of the serpent upon a rock is too wonderfull for me and which I know not Prov. 30 18 19. They Proteus-like turne themselves into all shapes and forms and according to severall occasions and times have different humours and tempers sometimes complying so that one would think all diffâ—â—ence would quickly be at an end and they were ours sometimes so far off and bâ—ck again as causes wonder and amazement in the beholders I have been told from godly and wise men who have had much to do with some of them and have professed to set themselves to studie and to observe them men who are moderate enough and have a speciall love to some of them that they know not what to make of them they are strange men nor cannot fadom
it in running away with another womans husband is now sufficiently known to Mr. Goodwin and Mr. Saltmarsh and is one of the lyes like all the rest in Mr. Edwards Gangrâ—ena This wretched woman one of Mr. Goodwins and Mr. Saltmâ—rshes Saints as they make all without any distinction whom I speak of in Gangraena among other new truths and glorious lights preached that all the Devils should be saved alledging that place in Zachary sending forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein there is no water against which Doctrine one of the company objected and said sister what say you to that of Matth. 25. Depart from me yee cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Divel and his Angels unto which Mistris Attaway replyed that by everlasting in that place was meant while day and night lasted but not eternall after day and night were ended March 13. Two honest Citizens coming to me about some Sermons an Independent Minister had preached in London one of them told me he lately had a man and maid-servant who were Anabaptists and that when he was abed they would set up and juncket together making Sack-possets and such like provision of his purse and in sum this male Anabaptist got the female Anabaptist with child and after married her The Master speaking to him of breach of Covenant how he had covenanted not to marry in the time of his Apprentiship till his years were expired he said it was a divelish Covenant and so would not keep it On the sixteenth of March a Member of the Assembly of Divines related this following story for a certain truth which he knew to be so only would not name the persons that a Sectary one of Master Goodwins and Master Saltmarshes Saints and beleevers a Seeker by Sect sought to gain the good will of a Virgin to be his wife and when she consented and was contented to it hee propounded that they might lie together at nighâ— at which motion she startled saying not till we are married to which answer this Seeker replyed that marriage was but an idle Ceremony they were now man and wife before God having promised one another whereupon they went to bed together and next morning after the Seeker had satisfied his lust he ranne quite away and left his bride and instead of one Seeker there were two the daughter thus forsaken and her mother who was widdow to seek after him In a Book lately printed call'd the Ordinance for Tyths Dismounted which book also was given into the hands of one Parliament man as I can prove by a great Sectary who may justly be thought the Author of it there are such passages of reproach against the Parliament as are not to be paralled in any writings except some of the Sectaries In pag. 6.7 8.40 this Sectarie speaking of a passage in the Ordinance of Tyths made by the Lords and Commons hath these following words Had not such a passage gone under the Title of the Lords and Commons who are chosen for the weale of the people I should not have judged it an act of humanity but rather the result of an Hell-bred conspiracy by the Divell and his Angels to confound us with their unreasonable malice c. and this was the first stone these Master-builders laid in their blessed Reformation And in another place of the Book speaking by way of scorne calling it that most religious and spirituall Ordinance for the supper as absolute Ordinances as unalterable at the Directory these words are brought in For indeed at the first on set it was not policy to rush such a diabolicall and villanous invention point blanck upon us with an It is decreed and ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament But after a more mysterious manner of ordination slily intrude it upon us unawares in the godly and specious vizor of Rules Directions as if our Parliament men had such a spirituall and holy eare over us to give us such wholsom and pious Directions while indeed under this innocent Apparition in the shape of Lambs they arâ— no other then ravening Wolves rending and tearing us in peeces and again speaking of Parliament men in that Ordinance for Tyths Dismounted there are these words But what they are let all the people judge let them consider whether there can be the least dram of honesty or Religion in them or respect to the liberty of the free-borne Nation therein seeing they lay upon us a heavier yoake then ever was laid upon us in the dayes of the Bishopâ— And again this Sectary the Author of the Ordinance for Tyths Dismounted speaks thus of the Parliaments Ordinance concerning suspending scandalous persons from the Lords Supper It will be the greatest thraldome and bondage that ever the Kingdome was involved into and by this Ordinance of the Supper I am afraid we shall all go supperlesse to bed and speaking of the Classes Synods calling them High Commissions he addes if we can finde no justice there we may appeal forsooth to our Gods themselves the Parliament life everlasting world without end of whom how may we expect mercy or justice then that thus before hand whip us with the stings of Scorpions and grind us between the devouring jawes of such develish tyrannicall Courts which will even crush our bones in peeces and squeese out our very marrow and juyce and suck out our very hearts blood like so many greedy Cannibals Vid. plur ibid. The Sectaries generally cannot endure any man who speaks against or complains to Authority of any who bâ—oach Errours though never so great as for example a godly understanding Christian told me within these three dayes that because he complained of a man who denies both the Son and the holy Ghost to be God therefore the Independents and all the Sectaries among whom he lives deadly hate and revile him and since the time that the weekly newes Books have mentioned a Vote to be passed in the House of Commons for drawing up an Ordinance against Paul Best that Antiâ—rinitarian and Blasphemer some of the Sectaries have spoken boldly and bitterly against it and saying they would be loth to be any of them that should give a voice or have a hand in the proceedings against him with other words to that effect There is an Independent of Mr. Carters Church who speaking against our publike Assemblies often quotes that Scripture in Rev. 17.5 Babylon the great the mother of Harlotâ— interpreting it thus Rome is the mother Church and all the Parish Congregations of England are the daughters which are Harlots and this having been objected against this Interpretation that the Apologists acknowledge many of our Congregations to be true Churches he and divers other Independents say they are not of the Apologists minds The Sect of Seekers growes very much and all sorts of Sectaries turn Seekers many leave the Congregations of Independents Anabaptists and fall to be Seekers and not only people but Ministers also and whosoever
my story numerous in particular forgeries beyond measure I shall inlarge upon it to make good the truth of it notwithstanding Mr. Burroughs testimony to the contrary and Cretensis comments and glosses upon Mr. Burroughs writing and my story and now what if my story of Nichols prove true and and that in all the particular branches in it where is Cretensis then in what predicament will Cretensis Mr. Burroughs and Mr. Greenhil be found and that t is certainly true and hath been testified again and again both to me and to many others both Ministers and Citizens since my Book came forth I desire the Reader to mark what follows For the first part of the Story related by me pag. 78. concerning one Nichols coming into Stepny Parish and to Mr. Greenhils face justifying those wicked Opinions there set down as that God was the Author of all sin c. yea maintaining more then I have particularly mentioned in pag. 78. namely That children owe no obedience to their Parents except they be godly 't is most certainly true and Mr. Greenhil dares not deny it and for proof of it Mr. Randal an eare and eye witnesse related it to me and to others yea since Cretensis Book came forth that denies the truth of this story I have asked Mr. Randal of it and he affirms it to be undeniably true and for to evince the truth of it Mr. Randal told me these circumstances viz. who were present when Nichols did maintain these opinions to Mr. Greenhil namely besides himself one Oates a Carpenter and divers women as also Mr. Greenhil could not stay long with this Nichols being to go forth to some place where he had appointed to come and should be staid for so that thus far the story is without all question true and I am confident Mr. Greenhil upon new consideration and rubbing up his memory will speak no more such words to Mr. Burroughs as to wonder to see such a thing as this in Mr. Edwards Book and that he knows of no such meeting Now for the second part of the story namely that at a meeting where Mr. Burroughs was present with divers others Mr. Greenhil did relate unto his Brother Burroughs this sad story of Nichols venting these opinions fore-mentioned and upon that how all the Discourse following related by me in this story of Nichols page 79. yea more passed between Mr. Greenhil and Mr. Burroughs is as certain as the first and for proof of it one Mr. Allen of Stepny Parish a godly understanding man who was upon the place and heard all related it to divers in Mr. Bellamies shop in my hearing of whom after he had made an end of speaking to the company I enquired more perfectly how he knew all this to be true and whether he was an ear witnesse and got him to name over the opinions again and to repeat other passages to me for the help of my memory and for fear lest I should mistake the relation so soon as Mr. Allen had done I went immediatly home and writ down in my Diary the whole businesse from first to last with the day of the moneth the place and persons when where and to whom also besides my self it was told And further then all this since my Book came forth and Cretensis Answer to it though this story is branded by Cretensis to have particular forgeries in it numerous beyond measure and all Nichols Opinions related by Mr. Greenhil to Mr. Burroughs with divers passages mentioned by me to come from Mr. Burroughs at that meeting all affirmed to be false yet Mr. Allen before ever I spoke one word with him coming into Mr. Bellamies shop accidentally where when he came in some company were speaking of Cretensis Answer to my Book and of this very passage of Mr. Burroughs under his hand brought by Cretensis to disprove that story of his own accord justified the story of Nichols coming to Mr. Greenhil and Mr. Greenhils relating it to Mr. Burroughs with all the discourse following upon it saying I am the man that told it Mr. Edwards and that in this shop and Mr. Greenhil and Mr. Burroughs dare not deny it for the story saith Mr. Allen is most certainly true and all the mistake is of those words a meeting concluded of where Mr. Greenhil should relate these Opinions whereas the making known of those Opinions and the Discourse upon occasion of them was not at a set meeting on purpose appointed for that occasion but at a usual meeting on the Lords day after Mr. Burroughs his preaching in the morning where at Colonel Zacharies house Mr. Burroughs Mr. Greenhil and divers godly persons use to meet and as Mr. Allen said this in the presence and hearing of three godly Ministers and divers Citizens so hath he as I am certainly informed drawn up with his own hand for the Presse a Narration of this story of Nichols maintaining those opinions to Mr. Greenhil and of Mr. Greenhils reporting the Opinions to Mr. Burroughs with all their discourses thereupon yea more fully and particularly then I have in Gangraena so that t is strange to me that Mr. Burroughs should dare to give such a writing under his hand to Cretensis as to say that story Mr. Edwards hath page 79. of one Nichols c. is all false when as the whole story and all the particulars of it are true and there is nothing false in the story from first to last only there is a mistake in the transition from the first part of the story to the second and in the passing from the first meeting to the second which in strict acception of words is no part of the story nor of the matters contained in it namely in those words of a meeting concluded of which implies a set meeting occasioned upon those opinions whereas the second meeting at which Mr. Greenhil declared these opinions of Nichols and all those speeches passed between them was not on purpose about Nichols and his opinions but a meeting where constantly on the Sabbath day mornings after Sermon Mr. Burroughs Mr. Greenhil and divers private Christians using to come Mr. Greenhil took occasion to speak of this Nichols opinions Now I desire the Reader to consider Mr. Allen relating to me the first meeting where Mr. Greenhil was without Mr. Burroughs with the opinions vented then and telling me there was a second meeting presently after that where upon occasion of a former meeting and opinions then maintained Mr. Greenhil related the opinions and all that discourse above mentioned passed but not acquainting me with the nature of the second meeting viz. that it was of course every week after Mr. Burroughs morning Sermon whether I might not well conclude and cannot easily conceive how I could understand it otherwise the second meeting to be occasioned by the first as well as the second Relation followed upon occasion of the first and though it were not just so viz. a set meeting
against the spreading infectious Errours of these times wherein we once hoped for better things I wrote to Master F. of some discoveries that were made to me by some reclaimed from Anabaptisme concerning the workings of Satan to and in that way being much affected with the relations they first gave me by word of mouth I desired them to commit their experiences to paper while the remembrance of them was fresh with them that they might be able hereafter as well as at present to tell what the Lord had done for their soules in breaking such a dangerous snare as Satan with so much art and subtilty had laid for them This upon perswasion they did and at last gave me in about two sheets of paper close written wherein they discover not only how the snare was laid for them and how they were first caught and intangled with a liking of the novelty of Anabaptisme but being caught how they were carried on to it with the strongest violence and impulse of spirit that is imaginable they also discover the sad effects and influence which that way had upon their spirits while they lay but under a liking and good opinion of it and how it pleased the Lord to rescue and bring them off before they were actually ingaged and duckt into that seduced society Sir all these things were so fully and largely expressed in the manuscripâ— I had from them that others as well as my selfe held them very fit to be published for the publike good and supposing they should be I was preparing some considerations upon the passages to come forth with them Since their coming of the Anabaptists they have found their spirits in a much better frame then before and out of pitie to others ingaged in that way have endeavoured to reclaime them And now Sir for my own part I must needs say it is much that I have suffered from Opinionists of all sorts in these times and meerly because I could not be false to my Covenant nor I trust never shall by a sinfull silence when heresie and schisme do lift up themselves against truth and unity I praise the Lord this happinesse I have though the unkind dealing of these men hath somtimes occasioned much griefe of heart and weaknesse of body to me yet they have not prevailed in the least wise to weaken my resolutions in contending for the truth yea the more the truth is opposed the more earnestly I hope I shall contend for it though it be to the utter exhausting of that small strength of body which I have I cannot sacrifice my selfe in a better way I know it is not necessary that I should live but necessary it is that truth should live and be maintained to the utmost of our power Me thought it was somwhat harsh to me at first till God accustomed me to the yoke to suffer frowns reproaches imprecations and all manner of hard speeches for the discharging of my conscience and that from those whose professed principle it is that all should have the liberty of their consciences It seems they would take liberty but will not give it If my conscience bids me to oppose some of their tenets and practices and I can have no peace without so doing how can they in reason deny me this liberty by their own principle ☜ Surely it would be a sad day to all Orthodox Christians if they should be brought to stand to the mercy the Sectaries liberty Some of them have partly well used their liberty against me in speaking writing printing against me in the most scurrilous rancorous injurious manner that could be and onely for preaching that which if I had not my conscience I feare would have preached against me while I had lived for holding the truth in unrighteousnesse Sir I will not hold you with particulars this place hath been a troublesome place to me for which I know whom I have to thank I wish it may be quieter to the next Minister that succeeds me for God is pleased by a cleare providence to open me a way to some other place Sir being lately at Dorchester the Town I heard was somewhat disturbed the week before by a wandring Sectary who had gathered a company about him and preached in the Shire Hall as I think they call it chusing that of the Apostle for his Text But we have the mind 〈◊〉 Christ. Afterwards through too much pride and too little wit the poor fellow was so ill advised as to challenge M. Ben to a publike dispute impâ—â—r congressus Achihi offering to make good the lawfulnesse of private mens preaching which challenge was accepted but how the Opinionist was foyled by that worthy Minister fitter to grapple with that Punies Instructors was easily perceived by all understanding hearers The godly people of those parts have been so well catechized and grounded heretofore that the Opinionists complain they can make no work with them Certainly the good old English Puritan which Mr. Geere doth so well characterize is the Novellists greatest enemy or rather the Novellist his ☞ Alas how sad is the destiny of Orthodox Christians that no times will favour them We have not yet lost the sense of what we suffered heretofore by those wicked Prelats whom God hath therefore cast out as an abominable Branch and surely if all the Orthodox in the Land should bring in their severall complaints of what they have suffered since by turbulent Opinionists it would fill the world with wonder and the Reformed Churches abroad who cannot but sympathize with us with much heavinesse of spirit in our behalfe Heretofore it was counted a crime to preach against profanenesse as sporting on the Lords day and the like and now as great a crime to preach against Heresies Only let me acquaint you with one thing I have observed This veine of persecution for the most parts runs along in the same persons they who most countenanced profanenesse and superstition heretofore against Orthodox Ministers are the same men who under a forme of godlinesse without the power do now countenance Heresie and Schisme against it but Sir let nothing discourage It it given to us not only to beleeve but to suffer but hee that shall come will come and will not tarrie and in the mean while it is enough for us that Christ reigns May 11. 1646. THere is a young man who lives in London and not far off the Exchange who went not long since to Lams meeting-place to see and hear what they did there and when he was come found many of them reasoning and conferring about strange opinions and among the rest there was one Sectarie who maintained and affirmed ☞ That he was Jesus Christ. At which this young man was so offended and troubled in his spirit that hee upon the place and to his face spake much against him for his blasphemy This fellow still maintained it stiffely and told this young man hee would powre out his judgements on him and damne him for
things either out of hope whilest things remain unsetled Bishops and former times may come in again or that love to fish in troubled waters or are afraid to lose Offices and Places that may fall with the ending of these troubles these persons strike in with Independents and side with them 8. Many who in our Churches are discontented at the faithfull preaching of their Ministers close to their consciences at their Admonitions and Suspensions from the Sacrament because loose scandalous or because of some difference upon their Tithes or such like forsake our Assemblies and betake themselves so Independents and Sectaries of which I could give divers instances all which showes the Church-way and Independency to be nothing else but a Faction Now Factions and Parties in Kingdomes and Commonwealths though they may prevaile to a great height and grow for a time especially in troublous unsetled States in the Springs and Falls of Kingdoms and Commonwealths yet when they come to be discovered laid open and come to some head and ripenesse they use to fall and be cast out If we consult with the Scriptures or with the Histories and Chronicles of Kingdomes as the French and English c. wee shall finde the strongest powerfullest Factions and Parties both in Churches and States who have had divided interests from the Publike have come downe and miserably perished and we may see this fully made good in the Anabaptists of Germany the Arminian Faction in the Netherlands and our late Prelaticall Faction who though they were all growne so high as they hazzarded the ruine of the Countreyes and Commonwealths wherein they arose yet they all fell and were brought downe and so shall it be with this Sectarian Faction can they think that either God or these Kingdoms will suffer these men long or that the people will be alwaies bewitched with them no the eyes of men will be open and they will be discovered every day more and we shall see them falling down like lightning 6. Symps. Their reaching after and medling with all kind of persons and things grasping of all at once labouring to ingrosse all Offices places power into their hands and those of their party stâ—ighting abusing trampling on one way or other all that stand in their way are their opposites there being nothing Military Civil Ecclesiasticall but they have an eye upon and do endeavour to have a hand in not caring in the least when it furthers their designes to discontent all sorts and ranks of persons King Parliament our Brethren of Scotland the City of London reformed Churches Assembly the godly Ministery of the Kingdome particular worthy persons in the Armies among the Gentry c. they make account to carrie all before them to get all to be for them by one means or other and in time to breake all that shall dare to appeare against them or crosse their wayes Now in all States and Kingdoms Polupragmaticalnesse in some persons greedinesse and over-hastinesse to have all and thereupon offending and provoking many hath been a fore-runner of their fall I shall onely instance in this Kingdome and of the late times which all remember What it was that ruined the Bishops and their party but their grasping and medling with all at once Church and Commonwealth together England and Scotland both provoking also all sorts of persons against them Nobility Gentry City Ministers common people whereas as many wise men would often say and comforted themselves in the worst of those times if the Bishops and that party had dealt but with a part at once one Kingdome onely as England or or the Church alone or Commonwealth alone letting the other Kingdome be quiet to enjoy their Lawes and suffering men to enjoy Religion and their Ministers though they had some pressures upon them in Commonwealth yet in all probability in time they might have had their wills but now the Bishops and that party oppressing both Church and Commonwealth at once grasping to have all they will lose all and we see what is befallen the Bishops and that party so our Sectaries medling with both Kingdoms at once with Church and Common-wealth together and having provoked all sorts of men Nobility Gentry Ministers City People our Brethren of Scotland will not be able to stand long but King Parliament Scotland City Ministery Countrey will be so against them as they must fall let who will or can hold them up 7. Sympt of the downfall of the Sectaries is the great sinnes and wickednesse of that party who are even now ripe for judgment and their iniquities almost full and I am confident that for this many hundred years there hath not been a party that hath pretended to so much holinesse strietnesse power of godlinesse tendernesse of conscience above all other men as this party hath done that hath been guilty of so great sinnes horrible wickednesse provoking abominations as they are The Sectaries are full of Ephraâ—â—â—â— gray haires though they will not know it and these following sinnes and courses presage their ruine viz. their deep hypocrisies and pretences of Religion and Conscience meerly to serve their lusts and to bring about their own ends their perjuries and breach of solemne Covenant with God making nothing at all of it their great unthankfulnesse and ill use of Gods mercies and deliverances their great ingratitude and unkindnesse to men particularly to 〈◊〉 Brethren of Scotland their blood guiltinesse in destroying the lives of many by dipping weakly and ancient persons in rivers in cold seasons and in the destroying of so manie soules by Errours and Heresies and drawing them from their faithfull Pastours their horrible uncleannesses and lusts their fearefull despising and mocking of all Gods faithfull Ministers and Ordinances their oppressions injustice and unrighteous dealings with manie they have had to doe with and where they have anie power their base self-seekings seeking their owne things their honour profit advancement of their Faction under pretences of selfe-denyall and the publike good their holding of damnable Heresies and all kinde of abominable Errours their horrid blasphemies against God Christ the Scriptures and all his Ordinances their Machiavillian policies Jesuiticall equivocations falsnesse and treacherousnesse their underminings and laying snares for men their countenancing standing for the unworthiest vilest of men so they will be for their faction their justifying and pleading for a Toleration of all religions and consciences even to blasphemies against God and his Word their inventing of lies and raising scandalls upon the worthiest and innocentest men as Ministers and others to blast them with the people their prophanenesse and loosenesse of life in making nothing of the Lords day daies of Fast and Thanksgiving nor of holy duties as praying c. their carnall confidence and trusting in arms of flesh their using of wicked and unjust waies and means to compasse their ends not standing upon any rules or keeping to any principles so it may advantage them violating bonds of friendship
those Articles to be burnt by the hand of the common Hang-man and the war to go on which proved their ruine and fatall destruction And for a conclusion of this Symptome I will end it with those words of the Prophet Isaiah Lord when thy hand is lifted up they will not see but they shâ—â— see and be ashamed for their envie towards thy people yea the fire of thine enemies shall devoure them Lord thou wilt ordaine peace for us for thou also hast wrought all our works for us And though it be a sad thing that men holding forth a profession of Religion should fall to those wayes and grow to such an height as I have laid open yet I am perswaded it is a good hand of God and his speciall providence and mercie to his Church in these Kingdomes to leave the Sectaries to fall into so many evils to take such strange wayes thus to discover themselves and to proceed so far that so the Kingdomes knowing them well they might in the issue be more effectually cured and perfectly delivered from them for had these men kept themselves within the compasse of a few of their opinions and carried things faire and not broke out as they have done we should have thought them good holy men been much taken with them and many would have been deceived by them yea in time they might have got such an interest and had such an influence as to have corrupted all but now having thus early discovered themselves both in matters of Church and State in opinions and practices this hath so opened the eyes of this Kingdome yea of both that it will cause them to abhor and abominate them as a wicked Faction whose principles would bring in an universall Anarchy both upon Church and State overthrowing all Ministerie setled Government and order in the Church being against Kingly Government the House of Peeres House of Commons unlesse ad placitum and so long as the common people like them and all power of Magistrates in capitall matters over Church members in the Commonwealth and who cared not to have sacrificed the Religion peace happinesse of these Kingdomes upon the ambition furie pride lust opinions of Anabaptists Libertines Seekers Brownists Independents And therefore however the Sectaries may flatter themselves in the encrease of their partie in the power they have in some places in the favour they find among some great men yet let them know notwithstanding their policies all their arms of flesh all their friends in the Armies in the House of Commons and in Committees which they so boast of yet God will overthrow them and these eight particulars are certaine symptomes of their ruine and let who will do what they can to uphold them yet God will bring them downe for when they spring as the grasse and as the Workers of iniquitie flourish then is it that they shall be destroyed for ever And therefore let us be couragious and faithfull to the cause of God contending earnestly for the faith which was once at livered to the Saints and let us be in nothing terrified by the Sectaries And to all the Symptomes I have given already being so many fore-runners of their fall let the Reader consider this That they have their deaths wound already the fatall arrow sticks in their sides and having begun to fall they shall surely fall and that besides the Citie of London and other instruments God will honour our Brethren of Scotland to make them a great means of their falling and they shall fall before the Scots whom they have so vilified and unworthily dealt with as the Prelaticall and Popish partie did and me thinks the way of Gods proceedings all along this way of Reformation and many passages of his providence hint point it out to us for the Sectaries are a Faction alike opposite to our Brethren of Scotland viz. the other extreme and all along from first to last God hath made the Scots instrumentall for the good of this Kingdome and bringing things thus far And that God will honour the Kingdome of Scotland and the Church-reformation according to their way to bring down the Sectaries let the Reader consult with M. Brightman a man of a propheticall spirit in his Exposition on the Church of Philadelphia Rev. 3. 8 9 10. where he shews that Church to whom so many promises are made to be the reformed Churches of Geneva France Scotland and those who are according to that way of Reformation in Doctrine and Church Government and among many things observed by M. Brightman on that place I shall only point at two 1. That Philadelphia the type of Geneva Scotland and the Churches of that Reformation is most famous for truth of Doctrine As for truth of Doctrine where is there any place in the whole world chaster and sounder Here the whole Papacie is destroyed Anabaptists Antitrinitarians Arrians and such monsters raised again from Hell partly in Germany partly in Transylvania never found a sharper enemy 2. By those who say they are Jewes and are not vers 9. in the Antitype are all those who holding errours do arrogate alone to themselves truth faith salvation the promises of God boasting nothing else but the Temple such were the Arrians under Constantine Constantius Valens and such are at this day the Papists glorying in Peters Chaire these will be accounted the only Catholikes and their Church the only Church of Christ c. Now if wee consider well of these two things 1. We shall find no Church sounder for Doctrine than the Church of Scotland nor greater enemies not only against Papacie and Prelacie but against Anabaptists Seekers and all kind of Sectaries than they are 2. Wee shall not among all Heretikes and Sectaries that have been since the writing of this Epistle find any that have more resembled the Jewes in boasting themselves to be the only people of God than the Sectaries of our times the Anabaptists Independents who extoll themselves for the only Saints calling themselves the Saints the people of God the Church and their way is called by them the Church-way Church-fellowship Christs way and that all who are not of their way are without c. so that these words do most fully agree to them who say they are Iewes and are not but do lye and therefore to conclude this Corallarie all the promises made to Philadelphia do belong in a speciall manner to our Brethren of Scotland as First That God will make them come viz. those who are the Antitype to those Jews the Sectaries Anabaptists Independents that whole Faction and worship before their feet and to know that God hath loved them that is they shall overcome and triumph over these Sectaries and however they have been hitherto abused and scorned by them neither have these unthankfull men acknowledged my love from that singular gift of zeale pietie which I bestowed upon thee yet I will adorn thee with those things which are in great
a compleat and formed Heresie in any faithfull man if Schisme be not joyned and so consequently it will not much hurt the Church of God But Schisme of it self even with sound Doctrine in every point is a most greivous wickednesse which exceeds all other wickednesse I might out of the Fathers enlarge and show the great evill of Schisme both in it self and the effects of it how 't is a greater evill to rend the Church then to worship Idols yea that Martyrdome it self cannot profit a Schismatick that 't is so great an evill that the bloud of Martyrdome cannot blot it out so Cypr. and Chrysost. and that God hath more severely punished it then murâ—her and other great crimes Corah Dathan and Abiram for their Schism were punished more severely with the earth opening and swallowing them up quick then Cain and then those who made an Idoll so Optatus and Augustine but I shall leave the enlarging of these and the adding of more to a Tractate I intend of the nature of Schisme only by this and all the dreadfull examples laid down in the First and Second part of Gangraena as Wrighter Clarkson Hicb Webb Boggis Oats Ienney Mistris Attaway Niâ—bols Denne c. we may learn to see that Schism and Separation are great evills highly displeasing to God and that we have great reason to shun and flye from them as from a Serpent lest wee become Monsters of men and God give us up to a reprobate sense and a spirit of Errour In a word to conclude this Corallarie what the Apostle speaks to the Corinthians of Idolaters c. long before their time that these things happened unto them for examples and these things were their examples to the intent they should not be Idolaters c. that I may say of our times that all these spirituall punishments on Schismaticks in our dayes and times are our examples to the intent that wee should not separate from this Church and set up other Churches lest God let us fall from Independency to Anabaptism and Antinomianism and from Anabaptisme to be Seekers and from Seekers to be Antiscripturists and Sceptiks yea Blasphemers and Atheists CORALL IV. HEnce then we see from all these Errours Heresies Blasphemies proceedings of the Sectaries That Magistrates Ministers and other Christians Masters of families Parents c. have been asleep and too carelesse that so many tares have been both sowed and are grown up to such an head If the Magistrates Ministers and Christians every one in their places and callings had been awake and watchfull improving their power authority gifts for purity of Doctrine and Unity the field of this Kingdome could not have been so sowen with tares nor the garden of this Church so overgrown with weeds yea briers and thorns Christ tels us in the Parable Matth. 13.25 While men slept the enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat that is the Divell takes occasion by the negligence and slothfulnesse of those that have the charge of others to doe mischiefe in Gods Church The Prophet Isaiah showes Isa. 56.9 10. that All the beasts of the field yea the beasts of the forrest come to devoure viz. Hereticks and Schismaticks resembled to wolves foxes c. enter in not sparing the Flock and the reason is The watchmen are blinde dumb dogs they cannot bark sleeping lying down loving to slumber that is their Rulers both Ecclesiasticall and Civill that should watch the approach of the enemy and be as watchfull mastives to give warning of theeves approaching to the house or wolves to the flock are either dumb or drunk or fast asleep And truely we may thank the connivance and winking of Magistrates the silence and forbearance of Ministers the want of zeal in Masters and Parents that spirit of slumber and sleepines that hath fallen upon the Kingdom for all the tares wilde oats and weeds that are grown and sprung up among us And to all the sorts of Sects in this Kingdome which I have named as Seekers c. I may add this of Sleepers and Dreamers which I am afraid are the most generall of any other there being too many Sleepers in all places and among all ranks in Citie Countrey among the Magistrates Ministers and private Christians and would to God this were the worst in this Kingdome that many both in Magistracy and Ministery were onely sleepy and heavie and that they were not in a dead sleep in a lethargie that nothing can awake them but 't is too apparent that God hath powred out upon many the spirit of deep sleep and hath closed their eyes even Rulers and Seers hath hee covered and all the Sermons Books Speeches which one would think would awaken men are as the word of a book that is sealed which men deliver to one saying Read this and he saith I cannot for it is sealed nay not onely so but this is the condition of this Church and State that many who are dead asleep as in reference to prevent or suppresse the sowing of Heresies and Schisms are awake and alive yea watchfull at midnight and waiting upon all opportunities to promote and further Heresie Schism and to hinder crosse all means for the suppressing of them witnesse the many Emissaries sent forth into most parts of this Kingdome witnesse the many books written sermons preached for them witnesse those who stand up for and use all means to bring off Sectaries when in question c. witnesse many who professe to be against Independency and for Presbytery to be with us that upon all occasions even before the Parliament and in other places heal the hurt of this Kingdome slightly and dawb with untempered morter preaching that our errours are not so many that there are them who make them to be more then they are and call Truths of God Errours and they say that in other times as in the Primitive Church c. there were greater errours and therefore wee need not be so troubled But for my part I look upon this luke-warm temper remissenesse in reference to the faith once delivered to the Saints which hath possessed so many in this Kingdome Magistrates Ministers and people as that which may hazzard all and may once more provoke God to spue out of his mouth the luke-warm Angel that is neither cold nor hot And to draw towards a conclusion of this I shall speak to those in authority in the words of the Prophet David Psal. 2.10 11 12 Be wise now therefore O yee Kings be instructed ye Iudges of the earth Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling Kisse the Son lest hee be angry and yee perish from the way The summe of which Scripture is an exhortation to Kings Parliaments and all sorts of Governours in high place 1. To lay aside pride and self-conceit of their own carnall wisdomes and with meeknesse to receive the yoke and Government of Christ laid down in his word and by their Lawes and Ordinances to
serve Christ in establishing the true worship of God and to suppresse all false worship and doctrine 2. Hee calls upon Kings and Judges to be wise implying First That the conceit of their owne wisdome by which they are pufâ—ed up hinders them from learning that which is their duty and truely right Secondly implying Magistrates of all sorts both Kings and Judges are subject to want spirituall wisdome and to be fooles to goe by crooked rules of carnall policie as Ieroboam fearing to lose parties to part with any State-interest c. rather then to keep close to the word of God to doe their duties and to trust him 3. The Psalmist teaches Kings and Judges wherein true wisdome and understanding consists viz. in serving the Lord with fear and kissing the Son not onely in their own persons serving God and subjecting to him with the kisse of honour and reverence as ordinary private men but quatenus tales as Kings and Magistrates to submit their Scepters to Christ to serve him and to convert the power they have received from God to the propagation and defence of his Kingdome Then indeed as learned Gerhard speaks Kings and States serve Christ and kisse him if themselves doe not only receive the doctrine of Christ and imbrace it by faith but also with the power given them of God see to this that purity of doctrine shall be preserved in the Church Idolatrie and false worships shall be abolished wolves shall be driven from the fold of Christ the Ministers of the Church shall be competently provided for c. And Austin speaking upon these verses of the Psalmist in one of his Epistles saith To whom is it spoken Serve the Lord with fear c. Is it not to Kings But how do Kings serve the Lord with fear unlesse it be by a religious severity forbidding those things which are against the commands of the Lord For every one of them serves him after one manner as hee is a man after another manner as hee is a King for as hee is a man hee serves him in living faithfully but as hee is a King hee serves him in making Lawes commanding just things and prohibiting the contrary like as Ezechias served him in destroying idols groves and high-places like as Josias served him c. 〈…〉 â—4 God by the Prophet here threatens Kings and Judges that if they doe not serve him with fear and kisse the Sonne hee will be angry with them and they shall perish from the way that is the sudden fury of God shall surprize and intercept them whilest they are in the midst of their way so Calvin To perish or be lost in the way imports sudden destruction whilest they are in doing their actions so Ainsworth upon the place And for a conclusion of this Corallary O that any particular Members of Parliament who are for pretended liberty of conscience a Toleration of Sects favourers of Sectaries and out of those principles hinder all they can the setling of Religion and Government by civill sanction would often and sadly meditate upon this Scripture and be wise now whilest there 's time thus to serve the Lord lest suddenly when they least think of it they perish from the way and God make them examples for adhering so pertinaciously to the Sectaries and that party They may read in Ecclesiasticall Stories what hath befalleâ— Princes for not serving the Lord in fear and kissing his Son and they see before their eyes the many evils that have befallen the King and the great straights to which hee hath been reduced for favouring too much the Popish and Prelaticall party against the minde and humble desires of both his Kingdomes and can particular persons think who are not Kings but under that title of Judges that they can prosper long in standing for a Sectarian faction against the minde of both Kingdomes and that the Kingdomes will not see and desire to understand how it comes about and by whose means 't is that wee having taken a Covenant for uniformity in Doctrine Government c. and for extirpating of Heresie Schism and the Parliament having declared and made Ordinances for Presbyteriall Government and declared in some Declarations and Remonstrances against Anabaptists Brownists preaching of men not ordained and against leaving particular persons and Congregations to their own liberty that yet all things should be done quite contrary with an high hand For may not now whoever will both preach and gather separated Churches print and act against Presbyteriall Government and for all sorts of Sectaries Yea such persons are countenanced preferr'd in all places and to all kinds of Offices and imployments which makes many turn Independents and the most zealous cordiall men against Sectaries are displaced or discountenanced or obstructed c. These things doe seem strange and against all reason that the Parliament professing and declaring one thing yet the quite contrary in all things of this nature should be done daily in Citie and Countrey In the worst times when the King was most mis-led by the Councels of Prelats and evill men about him there were not actions more contrary in many Ministers of State and other persons to Proclamations and Declarations then are now to Ordinances Declarations and Votes of Parliament and yet we hear of few censured or made examples Now the people every-where say These things could not be persons durst not be thus bold to doe these things but that they know they have some great ones to back them and stand by them and the people enquire after and speak who they be and questionlesse will represent these things as unsufferable and as most dishonourable to the Parliament and they will humbly desire these things may be remedied by the power and wisdome of the Parliament and therefore O that all such would be wise in time be wise now desert the Sectaries further the work so much the more as before they have hindred it for there is an emphasis and weight in that Adverb now signifying they should do it speedily because the same opportunity will not be alwayes given and the Psalmist hints they may yet do it profitably if they make haste but if any doe persist and goe on working day and night rolling every stone to uphold that party he that strikes thorow Kings in the day of his wrath will not spare them and they shall finde by sad experience when his wrath is kindled but a little blessed are all they that put their trust in him CORALL V. HEnce then from all the Errours Heresies Blasphemies and wicked Practices that are to be found among the Sectaries in their Assemblies and Conclaves let all such who have been deceived and drawn to them under pretences of greater purity holinesse c. and have any fear and awe of God and his Word be exhorted to leave and forsake them and to return to the publick Assemblies and communion of this and other Reformed Churches and I
De Eccles. quaest 5. c. 11 p. 342 343. Papistici Doctores turpes scelerati sunt in deliâ—iis vivâ—â—t omnes à Papa summo illorum Pontifice ad infimum usque Pâ—râ—chum multi non â—aevi modo sed flagitia etium gravissima inter illos reperiuntur vide ibi plura Willets Synops. Second General Controversie of the Church Quest. 3. of the notes marks of the Church pag. 98 Amesi Bellarm. Enervat De Notis Ecclesiae Legantur igitur vitae Pontificum Romanorum de Sanctitatem Pontificum * Vid. Minors no Sentors pag. 26. These laws would save that Vbiquitary perturber of sollicitor and stickler at most of our late elections Mr. Hugh Peters a great deâ—l of unnecessary unfiting pains sollicitation and abuse of the Pulpit to the peoples great disgust for his own private lucre and advancing the designs of his party * Vid. Independ rasing their foundation p 2 3 4 5 * This Mr. Randal is known well to many godly persons and is a godly man a Schoole-master about Stepny and a Minister also not that Randal the Antinomian and Familiâ—â— * This Letter which Cretensis here prints was written by an Apprentise boy an Anabaptist of Kiâ—â—ius Church unto Kiâ—â—â—â—s himself who belike by himself or some other communicated it to Cretensis * Calumny araigned and cast Pag. 22 17. I could prove I say by the Commission aforesaid that Mr. Prynne hath done all these things on purpose to despite the Spirit of God to defame the Gospel to make the ways of godlinesse and religion hateful to the world to encrease divisions to multiply distractions to bring a snare and evil day upon the Parliament to expose the whole Kingdom to ruine and destruction * Master Walker Master Roborough by wriâ—ing Master Câ—alamie in preaching * March 30. Three honest godly Citizens after supper comming to speak with me as they were with me Cosens came to speak with me and was brought into the room where these three Citizens were and I spake nothing to him nor he any thing to me but in their hearing who will testifie this and more Oretens pag. 40. This Counter-Information I had from the mouth of the said Cosens himself and have the particulars under his hand Cosens going to heare Mr Clare preach I received a Letter last week out of the Country subscribed with â—o hands of Godly Ministers testifying to my work and earnestly intreating my constant persuance with a promise that I shall not want what their prayers and endeavours can contribâ—â—e to that work A Letter from a godly Minister cut of Warwickshire written thus M. Edwards Book does much good here I have received severall Letters from particular Ministers in Essex bearing witnesse and so Letters out of Kent to the same purpose and from other places * The 11. errour specified in the former part of this book is in the Catalogue of Errours contained in the first part of Gangraena which slâ—pt me before I was aware and therefore upon comparing of both together I put it out and reckon not that but make these Errours to begin here at number 23. which otherwise should have been number 24. * Osiander publicè in Schola proponâ—t nos sola essentiali Dei justitia justos esse essentiali ejus vita vivere vel victuros esse essentiali ipsius gloria glorificari essentiali illius charitate ad diligendum Deum proximum propter ipsuminflammari gravissimè errare omnes qui putent aliâ re quam solo uno vivo Deo Patre Filio Spiritu sancto nos posse justificari vivificari glorificari glacie frigidiora docere qui doceant nos tantum propter remssioneÌ„ peccatorum reputari justos non etiam justitiam Christi essentialem divinam perfidem in nobis habitantis vit Osiand pag. 228. * The Sectaries who call themselves the Saints and beleevers if they have husbands and wives that will not turn Sectaries they may leave their owne because they are unbeleevers and joyne themselves to other womens husbands and other mens wives I read in a Letter subscribed by W I. and E.I. Wiâ—liam Ienny and Elizabeth Ienny written out of Holland to one in London Deare friends as you have cast off many Antichristian yoaks so proceed to cast off all a chiefe vvhereof are unequall marriages * Vide Saltmarsh Divine Right of Presbyterie * Pamph. entit Tender Con. relig affect p. 14 15. Do not the Synod having two â—oâ—ns like a Lamb but a mouth like a Dragon teach the Parliament to speak blasphemy against those Saints that dwell in heaven And speaking of the Preamble to one of their Ordinances wherein the Parliament acknowledged their strong engagements heartily and sincerely to endeavour the compleat establishment of puriâ—y and uâ—itie in the Church of God for these are the Parliaments words not the Assemblies this book cals this blasphemy and saith of the Lords and Commons For shame leave speaking blasphemy Remember the judgements upon the VVhore for her blasphemie VVhere had the Lords and Commons this large Commission to meddle in the affaires of King Iesus so far as to determine to have a compleat establâ—shment of puritie and unitie Vide p. 22. of this present book ' and pag. 7. * Mr. Durance an Independent Preacher at Sandwich * This was spoken in the hearing of three Citisens and given mee under the hand of one that heard it who also told this Smart he would make it publike The Presbyterians may do well to take notice that the Sequestration of their estates and hanging at Tyburn was designed and counted good enough for them if some Independents and Sectaries might have had their will This is the libertie of conscience they must expect when the Sectaries grow so strong as to have power to effect it * A Minister out of Essex writing up to a Minister in London of a horrid blasphemy I sent to a Minister of that Towne to enforme me of the truth of it which accordingly be hath The vvord is so horrid and obscene that I forbeare to expresse it This Clarkson is spoken of also in this book p. 7 8. Cretens frontis picio Luther de servo Arb. c. 207. p. 319. Vid. mine Animadvers part I. pag. 9. A godly Minister who heard it will depose it if called and so will many more who heard it a Pamph eâ—â—it Toloraâ— justified Vide pag. 27 of this book Mr. VValvvyns speech * Vide Pamph entit Letter of advice to the Assembly In case Paul Best continue in his opinion his heresie through ignorance whether is it not possible that God may yet have mercie on him as hee had on Paul the Apostle and in his due time bring him to the knowledge of his truth as hee did the Apostle Paul VVhether it can be demonstrated before-hand but that Paul Best what ever his heresie be may possibly in Gods secret will be ordained to conversion hereafter as well