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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
master_n	earl_n	henry_n	sir_n	5,207	5	6.8779	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A83515	The third part of Gangræna. Or, A new and higher discovery of the errors, heresies, blasphemies, and insolent proceedings of the sectaries of these times; with some animadversions by way of confutation upon many of the errors and heresies named. ... Briefe animadversions on many of the sectaries late pamphlets, as Lilburnes and Overtons books against the House of Peeres, M. Peters his last report of the English warres, The Lord Mayors farewell from his office of maioralty, M. Goodwins thirty eight queres upon the ordinance against heresies and blasphemies, M. Burtons Conformities deformity, M. Dells sermon before the House of Commons; ... As also some few hints and briefe observations on divers pamphlets written lately against me and some of my books, ... / By Thomas Edvvards Minister of the Gospel.; Gangraena. Part 3	Edwards, Thomas, 1599-1647.	1646 (1646)	Wing E237; Thomason E368_5; ESTC R201273	294,455	360

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 a● 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 Achan● 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 Musgra●es Books Englands Birth-right and such like Pamphlets of Sectaries against some of the Peers by name as th●● thrice Noble and Worthy Earl of Essex●●tely ●●tely deceased the Earl of Stamford Lord H●●sden and divers of the Commons as Sir Arthur Hazelrig Master Lilsle Master Glyn Master Blackstone Master Gorbet Master Whitaker Master Allen Master T●et Master B●●on yea they fall foule upon Sir Henry Van● the younger Master Sollicitor Liev●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 Li●●t Col. Lilburne 〈◊〉 a Friend shewes at large what Master Musgraves carriage was to a Committee of the House of Commons of which Master Li●ts was the Chair-man himselfe relates in his pamphlet entituled Another word to the wi●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 unlimi●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 De●●ance against all Arbitrary usurpations either of the House of Lords or any other p 14. 13. declares his contempt●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 ●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 Boh●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

after them When the Army was marching from Exeter for Oxford upon their marching there was a Fast kept by the Army and upon that Fast day divers of the Sectarian souldiers instead of keeping it were drinking all the day in Ale-houses and many of them were stark drunk Of this there was a Letter written from a worthy Colonell in the Army which was communicated to divers persons of worth and a worthy Member of the House of Commons who read it and knew all the particulars of place time c. related it to me in the hearing of a Member of the same House A Copie of a Lettter to a tittle sent to me from two worthy Ministers in Norwich Sir TThe second part of Gangraena gives us an intimation that you intend a more large and full reply unto him whose jugling aquivocations and fallacies have cleared you and deservedly branded himself and the rest of his fiction with the name of Cretensis your work the Title page tells us is a fresh Discovery of the Errours Heresies Blasphemies of the Sectaries of this time We are heartily sorrie that we have so reall grounds and so much cause in our City of Norwich to contribute any thing to so sad yet necessary work How daring and insolent they be appeares as by many other things so by this that one of them professed openly which we can prove that they would set up and maintaine in the City an Independent Lecture in despight of the Magistrate What scorne cont 〈…〉 ely and reproaches we and our Brethren of the Ministery meet with all you may guesse by this inclosed which information was taken by the Major as appeares by the date June 18. 1646. and was the day following deposed in open Court Whereupon this woman Priscilla Miles was by the Major and Justices bound over to the next Sessions The paper we send is no Transcript but the very information taken by the Town-Clark and subscribed by the hand of the Major and Informant We leave it to your wisdome whether you will stifle and lay it aside or make use of it for the publike and subscribe our selves Norwich June 25. 1646. Your Brethren and fellow labourers in the Lords worke John Carter John Thornbe●ke The Information of Richard Gunton Weaver taken before Henry Watts Major of the City of Norwich the 18. of June 1646. HE saith that Priscilla the wife of Richard Miles of Saint Margarets Parish hath often times abused Master John Carter the Minister of Saint Peters Parish by very vild and wicked revilefull speeches as namely about three weeks since she said that the said Master Carter was one that ought not to preach to a Congregation of people for he did not teach the Gospell of Jesus Christ but was an opposer of it so far as he was able and that when he should be preaching of the Gospel of Christ then he was talking of the height and length of the Tower of Babell which were lyes and further said it was a thousand pitties he was not pulled out of the Pulpit by the eares And she further said that she did think the intent of his heart was when he came into the Pulpit to blaspheme God and to draw men from Christ so farre as he was able And she further said that before three yeares come to an end those black-coted preachers that now did preach in the Steeple-houses should have their black coates and gownes pulled over their eares and that there should not be one of them left and she said the said Master Carter and such as he is were sent from the Devill and the Pope and so they continued and lived Devills here And hee further saith that about a moneth since the Informant caused his servant to read some notes of a Sermon of Master Thornebecks the said Priscilla came into his house and this Informant commending Master Thornebecks Sermon she said that he spake lyes and it was a thousand pitties that he was suffered and not pulled out of the Pulpit and said he was turned out where hee was before and if he had been good hee should never have come here And he further saith that about Lady last a maid servant of Henry Gunton said that one Renniger who had teached in a private house was a man who was sent from God and fitter to teach then Carter for he was not sent from God and further said that they were none but Whoremasters Drunkerds and Lyers that would speak against the Anabaptists Henry Watts Major Richard Gunton And he further saith that the said Priscilla about six weeks since said that the Prophets in the Old-Testament prophesied two and fifty lyes which was occasioned by some discourse that was between this Informant and the said Priscilla upon some places of Scripture And then this Informant shewed her a place in Scripture in the ninth Chapter of the Romans and she said Saint Paul lyed and said he did acknowledge himself to be so to gaine some to Christ And at another time before that about a quarter of a yeare since when this Informant and the said Priscilla were in discourse together this Informant shewed her a place of Scripture which were the words of Christ she took the book and threw it out of her hand and said that was not ordered by the holy Ghost to be printed but it was the rogue Printer that did put it in Henry Watts Major Richard Gunton William Gunton doth likewise informe that he hath heard the said Priscilla Miles say that Master Carter did blaspheme God and he likewise saith that she said Master Thornebecke preached a false doctrine and if she had been there she would have bidden him come down you old foole A Copie of a Letter to a tittle written to me from a godly Minister at Dover Sir THough the Stories of Errors and Heresies be so sad as that pious souls cannot but mourn and sigh and grieve much at the reading of them yet since your publishing of them is many wayes usefull as that false Doctrines and false Teachers might bee discovered and made odious and that truth might bee the more manifest to and lovely in the professors of it opposita juxta se posita magis elucescunt Wherefore I have sent you a Copie of those Errors which were stifly defended by one William Bowling of Crambrock in Kent on Wednesday last the eighth of July 1646 in my passage with him in a pair of Oares from Gravesend to London there bee five other passengers in the Boat that did witnesse these Errors and Heresies to be stoutly asserted by the party aforesaid so that you may be confident you shall publish nothing but the Truth in publishing that these Errors following were vented and justified by him in lesse then foure houres passage upon the waters 1. He affirmed that Adams sinne in eating the forbidden fruit did not deserve Hell 2. That Heavens blessednesse was not proposed to Adam in case of his obedience therefore

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 ●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 Dy●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 h●●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 ●irst that sowed the seeds of Anabaptism Anti-sabbatari●●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 ●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 Min●●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 o● 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 Citize●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

with unbeleevers when Christ prayed he took his Disciples apart indeed he taught and exhorted all so the Saints in the Acts they prayed alone from the world and Christ saith goe preach the Gospel to all he doth not say goe pray with all and Christ nor his Apostles never prayed with the world the Apostles taught in their Synagogues and expounded in their Assemblies but not a word of praying with them and experience teacheth us how our hearts are straitned and how wee limit the spirit if I may so speak when we pray with unbeleevers and faith commeth not by praying with them but by preaching for faith commeth by hearing I know no word for the Ministers praying with the world nor Saints to joyne with them Object But Christ gave thanks The Apostle Paul gave thanks before them all Answ Christs thanksgiving was sometimes miraculous for by his blessing the creature he did a miracle so the Apostle's was too as farre as I know for you know how wonderfully after hee and all with them were preserved Or if we may give thanks with them it is because all have a right to the creatures restored them by Christ that in a way of exhortation or praise a Saint may informe them therein of their right by Christ Object But what shall they do that have families shall they be as Heathens doth not the word say that he will pour out his w●ath upon the Heathen and the families that call not upon his Name Answ That makes nothing for it for it is not said that the Heathen and these that know him not shall call on his Name this is not for it but to shew the misery of these that cannot sure it is sweet for Saints to eye the rule for all that they do Sure I do not write this that I would diminish any of the unbeleevers priviledges for Christ Jesus knowes my heart is more pitifull unto them then ever but I finde in the word that the Gospel must be preached unto them they must be exhorted and pitied and prayed for and Saints must shine before them by a holy The rest was torne away by a Sectary it was signed M. D. Plymouth the 5. day of the second moneth 1645. And subscribed thus To her Loving Brother Nicholas Couch in Dartmouth This Couch is an Ensigne in Dartmouth Animadvers on this last letter by way of Confutation Thanksgiving is made a part of Prayer as well as the other three Petitions Intercessions c. 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. v. Acts 27. 35. Paul gave Thanks to God in the presence of them all where in the Ship by many passages of that chapter Acts 27. particularly the two first verses it is evident they were not beleevers and so Christ Joh. 6. 10. 11. v. gave Thanks among them all and set aside the Disciples ther 's no ground to think any of them were beleevers but called the multitude men and such like phrases not Disciples in 1 Corinth 14. where the publike meetings of Christians are spoken of and severall parts of worship described as Singing Praying Prophesying unbeleevers are spoken of as coming into those Assemblies where these parts of worship are performed and they are not excluded from being present at one more then another nor beleevers commanded to suspend Prayer upon their coming any more then Prophesying but the chapter carries it as free to come in at all and the Church free to performe Praying and Singing as well as Prophesying notwithstanding unbeleevers present compare these Verses together 14 15 16 22 23 24 25. As for those Answers in this Letter that Christs Thanksgiving was miraculous c. they are meer subterfugies and by the same reasons men might argue against all giving of thanks before meat saying these examples of Christ and Paul were miraculous and so not binding but with these compare 1 Tim. 4. 3 4 5. verses how mea●s are to be received with Thanksgiving and sanctified by Prayer speaking of meats and drinks and then consider Christs and Pauls example and it will show t is for our practise besides t is such a Thanksgiving as hath Prayer and Petition in it for a blessing as is cleare from the fifth verse t is ●ancti●ied by Prayer and Pauls Thanksgiving in that twenty seven of the Acts had Petition and Prayer in it not only for the meat but to raise up their dejected minds in the Ship almost killed with griefe vide Calvinum in locum Acts 27. 35. lori●●m Some Passages taken out of a Letter written out of Oxfordshire to a Citizen in London ONe Floid newly come to be a Preacher to the Troop of Major Huntingtons that now quarters at Aston Roreant preaching in that Church on Sunday last June the 14. on John 20. 17. Touch me not I am not yet ascended collected from those words these three transcendent points First That Lay-men Weavers Tinckers and Coblers being gifted might be Preachers Secondly Learning was not any meanes or help to understand the meaning of the Scriptures Thirdly That any Chamber Barne or Stable or other place was as holy as the Church and that there was no holynesse in the Temple for God destroyed it nor in any Church This Floid a youth of twenty yeares did lie at Master Calverts the Bookseller at Ludgate-hill Major Middle●ons man did not only rend with his hand the service-Book but cut it with a knife and burnt it in the fire at John Chiches of Kinston and it set the Chimney on fire till they quenched it And they justifie the burning of the ten Commandements Creed Lords prayer Psalmes ninty five Epistles and Gospels I would bee glad to know of Mr Edwards the Antagonist of Hereticks what to do in this matter To whom though unknown I present my love in the Lord. June 16. 1646. A Reverend and learned Minister living in Oxfordshire was by some in the Army and some of the Parish conspiring together as he was preaching in his Church opposed and with tumults disturbed There was one souldier a great Champion that did openly and boldly in the Church affirme that he was raised up of God immediatly and inspired with extraordinary revelations whom the Minister by this place of Scripture Matth. 24. 26. Wherefore if they shall say unto you behold he is in the desert goe not forth Behold he is in the secret chambers beleeve it not overcame and put to a non-plus so that they went out of Church with a kinde of a Diabolicall fury TThere is one Master Del a Preacher in the Army and Sir Thomas Fairfax's Chaplaine who summer was two yeares preached a strange Sermon at Lincolne and since put out a Pamphlet against uniformity in Religion calling it Anti-christian c. the man preaches and speaks much against Tythes and yet besides his Chaplains place to the Generall keeps a great living in Bedfordshire This Master Del Expounding the seven last verses of the 54. of Isaiah in Marston Church neer Oxford before the Generall and

that would be a great sinne in him And now lately this October or at the latter end of September he preached on that Text in Thames-street Wee are not of the night but of the day upon which Text he delivered matter to this effect that since the Apostles times or presently after them there had been a great night but now the day was breaking out after a long night and light was coming every day more then other and there were many Gospel priviledges and of the new Jerusalem that we should then enjoy In that day there should be no Ordinances to punish men for holding opinions there should be no Confessions of Faith there every one should have the liberty of their consciences then as in Micah 't is prophesied of those Gospel times All people will walke every one in the name of his God and wee will walke every one in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever which place was brought for liberty of conscience by him And in that day neither Episcopacy nor Presbytery nor any others should intermeddle or invade the rights of the Saints many such flings he had and this Sermon was preached just upon that time when the Ordinance against Heresies was taken into debate and the Confession of Faith to be brought into the House of Commons so that by these and many more particulars his hints about dipping often and suffering such shewes what the first fruits of these Itinerary Preachers are and what a sad thing 't is men so principled should go among such a people as the Welch with so large a power of preaching as he and his fellowes have Master Sympson the Independent preaching presently after the second part of Gangraena came forth at Black-Friars on June 12. as 't is given me under ones hand and in his Sermon discoursing about the Angels bringing no railing accusation against Satan he advised his people how to behave themselves at this time now the Saints infirmities were laid open First not answer a word as the King of Judah commanded those he sent to Rabshakeh Secondly to pray against them yea and to pray against them by name for God would avenge them Reader take notice of the charity and love of Independents to their Presbyterian Brethren to stirre up the people to pray against them and that by name with giving them an incourragement from Gods avenging which I never read was practised by the Primitive Church but only against Julian the Apostate whom the Church judged with one consent to have sinned against the Holy Ghost These Independents and Sectaries did in many Books before my first part of Gangraena came forth name many Presbyterian godly Ministers and others laying open infirmities committed long before yea abusing Members of both Houses and worthy persons by writing lyes and false things of them as that religious and Noble Earle of Manchester Master Pryn Colonell King Master Calamy with many more and have abused by name in printed Books lately many able and godly Ministers of the Assembly as Master Vines Master Marshall Master Sedgwick Master Gataker Master Ley Master Newcomen Master Seaman Master Hill Doctor Burges with some City Ministers and this is no fault in the Sectaries neither are these worthy men Saints be like in the Independent Kalender nor may the Presbyterians I hope pray against Master Saltmarsh Cretensis Lilburne and others of them by name but for Master Edwards because he hath written of the damnable Errors Heresies and Blasphemies of these times and the better to preserve the people and to make them take heed hath given the names of some of the prime seducers Wrighter Erbury Hich Wallwyn Denne Kissin Lambe Lilburne c. not Saints in his Creed nor their opinions and wayes infirmities but deliberated plotted abominations therefore hee must be prayed against and that by name and as Master Sympson gives him his blessing so his Brother Borroughs presently after the coming forth of the Antapologie preaching at Cornhill was speaking of some that laid open the infirmities of the Saints and that raked up Letters stories and all to bring out against the Saints but of such saith he I will say no more but as Michael the Archangell the Lord rebuke thee which in the carriage of the passage and way of expression was so evidently against me that I beleeve of godly Ministers and Christians twenty told me of it and they said many who heard him spoke of it and said it was a poor thing of Master Burroughs to speak so in the Pulpit he should do well to answer the Book Now as for the prayers of the Sectaries against me and their curses I would have them know that though I am sorry for them they should do so yet I feare not their curses but well understand that when they curse God will blesse and that the curse causelesse shall not come Prov. 26. 2. besides I know in this very thing I have more with me then against me and in many Countries of this Kingdome both North and West I am assured from godly Ministers and Citizens who have been with me that I am in an especiall manner prayed for and many thanks given to God in my behalf for enabling me and stirring me up to this work against the Sectaries There is a godly Minister of Cheshire who was lately in London that related with a great deale of confidence this following story as a most certaine truth known to many of that County that this last Summer the Church of Duckingfield of which Master Eaton and Master Taylor are Pastor and Teacher being met in their Chappell to the performing of their worship and service as Master Eaton was preaching there was heard the perfect sound as of a man beating a martch on a drum and it was heard as coming into the Chappell and then as going up all along the I le through the people and so about the Chappell but nothing seen which Master Eaton preaching and the people that sate in the severall parts of the Chappell heard insomuch that it terrified Master Eaton and the people caused him to give over preaching and fall to praying but the martch still beating they broke up their exercise for that time and were glad to be gone Now I conceive this passage of Providence towards these Independents speaks thus much to them and to the Kingdom especially considering this Church of Duckingfield is the first Independent Church visible and framed that was set up in England being before the Apologists came from Holland and so before their setting up their Churches here in London First that the Independents are for wars desirous of wars to maintain and uphold their Independent Churches by them and thirst for a new warre with Scotland as much as ever an unhappy boy did to be at fisty-cuffes with another boy and for that end provoke the Scots all kind of wayes study all wayes to make a breach with them Secondly The warres

the Presbyteriall Government should be set up and take place the people would be made absolute slaves and under Egyptian bondage whereas t is known tis a most excellent forme of Government having appeals and the Democraticall Independent Government a most slavish Government where parties must be Judges and there shall be no releif for an innocent wronged person and indeed these reports are kept up carefully spread by many of the Sectaries that out of pretences of liberty and for feare of slavery all things being kept loose and unsettled they may come to beare rule by that meanes be Tyrants and bring in upon the people by degrees both spirituall and corporall slavery The Sectaries cast upon the Presbyter division being enemies of peace worldly policie whereas themselves cause all our divisions and hinder peace Sixthly the great wickednes of the Sectaries appears in their fearfull mocking and abusing the pai●full faithfull Ministers of God in this Kingdome and the despising their words this is by the holy Ghost reckoned as the concluding sinne that brought that finall ruine upon Jerusalem and Judah 2 Chron. 36. chapt 16 17. Now the Sectaries do all manner of wayes by word and deed abuse the Ministers by all kind of reproachfull railing speeches wicked Pamphlets detaining their maintenance and stirring up others to doe the like disturbing them in the publick discharge of their ministery as preaching and praying invading their Pulpits by force keeping and pulling them out of their pulpits driving them by violence from their houses and habitations assaulting them in the way and their houses putting upon them souldiers and the most rude to vexe them of which there are too many proofs by instances in Oxfordshire Northamptonshire Wiltshire Glostershire Sommersetshire and other Countries and their wickednesse is the greater in that they have no respect at all to the age gravity learning holinesse of any one but abuse the aged the most learned godly as much as any other nor no respect to those Ministers who have been the Parliaments greatest freinds suffered for them and have assisted them always but use them even worse then Malig. Ministers nor no respect that these Ministers assisted them with their prayers and teares all along in the warres but requiting them thus to seek their destruction who night and day publickly and privately sought their preservation nor no consideration that these Ministers whom they now so abuse were instruments of working grace in them if so be they have any at all nor no consideration of such who are more immediatly imployed sent by the Parliaments authority but affronting abusing them to their faces and in print as those Ministers of the Assembly sent to Oxford to preach and prepare for the work of Reformation abused by the Sectarian souldiers there all which with divers other considerations as the godly Ministers faire carriage and respects to them though contrary minded c. exceedingly aggravates the Sectaries finne and showes them to be monsters rather then men not only to be void of all Religion and charity but of humanity and common civility And here I might adde many things more that clearly show the prophanenesse and wickednesse of the Sectaries spirits as their scoffing and scorning at fasting and holy exercises speaking by way of reproach of the morning exercise and giving in Bills among those given to the Ministers to pray for persons scoffing at these exercises of fasting and prayer as at Master Cases Church as at Master Seamans and giving up Bills in severall Churches on the publick Fast day November 25. as followes You are desired to pray for the suppression of those Preistriden slaves who go about to get hands for the disbanding of Sir Thomas Fair●ax Army who under God have wrought the peace of the Kingdome As taking the wickedest men the arrantest who remasters prophane swearers c. by the hands and in all publick societies and places where they have to do and such vild men are joyned with them to keep off Reformation as men going against all justice equity all principles of Honor Religion Civility Humanity and will do any thing nothing can come amisse to bring about their designs as men who have forsaken all principles of piety and are degenerated into a State-faction resolving all into worldly interest and policie doing whatsoever may most advance that So that all these premises being seriously considered viz. all the Errors Heresies Blasphe 〈…〉 es Practises Insolencies Stories and Passages of the Sectaries laid down both in the former parts and in this third may serve to undeceive many people in their opinions of Independents and Sectaries and may fully show them they are not the men they have been taken for and pretended themselves to be but indeed a pack of covetous ambitio●s self-seeking b●asting proud unthankfull heady feir●● unholy false people which seeing them to be so they may follow the advice of St. Paul given just in the same case 1 Tim. 6 3 4. speaking of men doting about questions and destitute of the truth supposing that gain is godlinesse From such withdraw thy self and 2 Tim. 3. 5. Having a form of godlinesse but denying the power thereof from such turne away There is a great Sectary living in London a Tradesman who owed fifty pounds to a Citizen of London which money this Citizen could nor easily get but at last getting a bond when it was due demanded it and he not paying it went to an Atturny to advise with about suing his Bond. The Atturny wished him to try again if he would not pay it by faire meanes and to tell him he would put his band in suit whereupon this Sectary promised to pay him twenty five pound suddenly on such a day and when he came it should be ready and the other twenty five at such a time with which answer this Creditor was content and came one the day set for the first 25. li. which this Sectary told him was ready and desired him to go up into his house with him and he should receive it now when he came up into the roome there the 25 pound was ready on a table but before he had received it putting his hand into his pocket to pull out his handkercher the Bond for his 50 pound accidentally came forth with it which as he was looking upon it this Sectary came of a suddain and snached it out of the mans hand and tore it all in peeces before his face saying he owed him nothing whereupon this Citizen being amazed asked him what he meant he said he owed him nothing come by it as he could to which the Citizen replied I will have this 25 pound howsoever and laid hands on it but he threatned him to meddle with it if he durst and knocked with his foot to call up some body out of his shop saying to them this man will take my money from me by force so that this honest man was glad to go away without his Bond