AN ANTIDOTE FOR The Newcastle Priests TO Expell their poyson of Envy which they vented in a Letter to the L. Generall Cromwell AND IN Their Articles which they exhibited against Capt. Everard With an Answer to their scandalous Exclamations to their shame The cleering of himself and satisfaction of his Friends Read me all or censure not at all For by the Law none ought to be condemned before they are heard By Robert Everard Printed for the Author and are to be sold by W. L. at the Black-Moore neer Fleet-Bridge 1652. To the Impartial Reader Reader THe ensuing Discourse is intended as a check to a malicious and unquiet spirit savouring of perfection which hath ever been incident to a sort of people who assume to themselves the honourable Title of the Ministers of the Gospel though very improperly appropriated to them whose constant practise throughout all Ages and Nations hath a tendancy to advance their own Power and Domination though in the destruction blood and ruine of whole Kingdoms and Commonwealths Whatever opposeth them in the Designe of their own glory must be accursed with Anathema Maranatha The forementioned evil Spirit hath upon what account or for what cause I know not excepting difference of Judgement in matters of Religion according to its accustomed manner virulently calumniated the Author in his Name and Reputation having so far prevailed upon the minds of seven Gentlemen in and about Newcastle who pretend to be Ministers of Jesus Christ as to engage them in the promotion and prosecution of that unworthy Designe and Undertaking complained of and detected in the subsequent Treatise But how disproportionable such proceedings are to the meekness love and tenderness of our Saviour as also to that universal Rule of the Gospel Do unto all men as you would they should do unto you and how unlike to the gracious and prudent carriage of the faithful followers of the Lord Jesus let all sober minded men judge It is the saying of the holy Ghost Oppression makes a wise man mad and I observe some men are so mad to oppress and persecute the Saints and People of God that like Paul before conversion Acts 26. 11. they think as himself confesseth v. 9. they may do things contrary to the way of Jesus Christ But for my part I take it as my Duty in order to the command of my God to plead the cause of the Oppressed and vindicate the Innocent Therefore being sensible how much the traduced Author Captain Everard hath been impaired in Reputation I could do no less in point of common Justice then manifest my knowledge of him whose faithful and constant service to the Commonwealth and sufferings for the things of Christ for some years past his integrity of life and sobriety in declaring his judgment during the time of his aboad at Newcastle of which experience hath informed me was sufficient to have exempted him from the scandal of the pens and tongues of his enemies And although the Author suffereth in his reputation by the misapprehension of divers who take him to be that Everard that is reported to be deeply affected with the Ranting Principle yet all that are acquainted with his person judgment and practise know him to dissent as much and to be as great a discountenancer of that way and opinion which the other Everard professeth and practiseth as any of those who asperse him in writings or otherwise As touching my self though I am wrongfully blamed for countenancing Captain Everard in that which I apprehend to be just yet I am the lesse carefull in my own vindication considering I am responsible for my actions to their Superiours in whose eys I hope I shall appâ—ar more innocent then my accusers As to the ensuing Treatise I shall say no more but desire thee good Reader duly to weigh the charge seriously consider the answer and measure both by the rule of Christian Charity and judge of the equity of the case betwixt the accusers and the accused If thou perceivest in the answer any thing capable of thy exception deale with the Author as thy self wouldst be dealt withall in the like case My soul desireth to see an end of these un-Christ- and un-Saint-like carriages among the people that professe to own the Son of God I hope the time is neer at hand wherein the Lord whom we serve will give us one heart one mind and one lip in the things that concern his glory and Kingdom and the mutuall good and prosperity of all his Saints which shall be the incessant prayer of him that is the Authors Friend and thine in all Christian service L. Col. John Mason The Author to the Reader SEeing my good name burning in the furnace of Envy and the flames mounting so high that they scorched the reputation of my dearest friends things being whispered in the ears of those that had not the right understanding of them which occasion'd many to have hard thoughts of me And for preventing of its proceeding the providence of almighty God so ordered it that I came to the view of the Incendiaries information made to the Lord Generall and other Gentlemen having Copies from Newcastle put me into a capacity to make known to the world that I am not ashamed to let the world know the truth for which purpose I have printed their Copies so that any well-affected people may impartially judge by my answer which I hope will prevent their race of fury and evill conspiracies from taking place or centring in their desired haven which is in the esteem of the Auditors and so by that means many may be undeceived whom they have captivated by many untruths which they have forged and dispersed And in this my reply I desire that truth which shall be the judge of the secrets of all mens hearts may take place that God may be glorified and the spirit of malice revealed to the open shame of all self-interessed persons And though I was no member of the Army at the time of their charging me yet they trouble the Lord Generall with matters of opinions or differing judgement And if his Excellency should be troubled with all such cases how uncomfortable after his long and faithfull labours would his life be let wise men judge There are two Doctrines that I delivered which they cried out against as dangerous errours viz. the freeing of nature from aspersions generally charged on it and denying infants Baptisme which they have omitted why may not I think that they are convinced or ashamed that ever they opposed me therein and that they may be so is and shall be the desires of him who desires the peace and welfare of the Common-wealth of Israel and of this Nation R. E. To His EXCELLENCIE The Lord General CROMWEL May it please your Excellency THere is not one thing our blessed Saviour and his holy Apostles in their sacred Writings do so severely rebuke and straitly premonish us of as corrupt Teachers calling them Sowers of Tares false Prophets Deceivers seducing Spirits men
New-castle To conclude Such have been his own and his followers insolent provocations that had not the fear of God possessed the Spirits of his people in this Town there had certainly been raised sad combustions But blessed be God they bare all patiently chusing rather humbly to wait upon God and those in Authority to rectifie such disorders As long as the Noble Col. Fairfax abode in this Garrison he through his Pious care and prudence kept all in quiet and Peace but after his departure Lieut. Col. Mason commanding in chief hath not only permitted this Deluder to Act his part but hath by all means and ways authorized and incouraged him to do what he hath done A Catalogue of such Points as Capt. Everard holds forth THat Election from Eternity hath no ground from Scripture Contrary to Eph. 1. 4 5. Rom. 8. 29 30. That such as say most part of the world go to ruine make the Justice of God a great Monster Contrary to Mat. 7. 13 14. 22. 14. That Adam's posterity were not guilty of Adam's sin Contrary to Rom. 5. 12. That Infants draw no Natural corruption from Adam Contrary to Rom. 5. 12. Psal. 51. 5. Isa. 48. 8. That Adam had no spiritual light Contrary to Gen. 1. 27. Col. 3. 10. That sin neither in Adam nor any other creature doth procure death Contrary to Rom. 5. 12 21. Rom. 6. 23. That no man sins except it be against his light Contrary to Psal. 19. 21. And Sacrifices for sins of Ignorance Lev. 5. 15. That such as teach men to sing Psalmes teach men to tell lies Contrary to Col. 3. 10. Eph. 5. 19. Psal. 100. That Christ dyed for every man Contrary to John 10. 15. That men under the Gospel have fallen from true faith Contrary to 1 Pet. 1. 4. John 10. 27 28 29. That God doth afford every man sufficient meanes or grace to believe and be saved if they will improve them and that eternal llfe doth only depend upon the improvement of them Contrary to Acts 16. 6 7. Rom. 9. 16. Eph. 2. 8. That Infants belong unto the Kingdom of Heaven and they need no repentance regeneration and conversion till they do actually sin Contrary to Job 15. 4. John 3. 6 7. That none are condemned but for sin against the New Covenant Contrary to Rom. 2. 12. EVERARDS ANSWER To an envious Letter sent to the Lord General CROMWEL by seven men who would be accounted Ministers of the Gopel living in and near Newcastle upon Tyne Whose Naems are hereunder written IN the first twelve lines they speak such Truth that no man acknowledging the Scriptures to be the Word of God can deny viz. That there is not any thing more discovered and reproved then false Teachers with sutable Titles as Deceivers bringers in of Damnable Heresie c. Such an Authority of Discovering and Reproving had the Apostles and did improve it though oftentimes by the potencie of ill affected Governors and people they were many times trampled under feet by those proud malicious spirits that is to say Persecuters Doubtless the Apostles would have been thankful to God to enjoy those Priviledges without molestation but you have this priviledge to call them which you judge to be deceivers Men of corrupt minds Sowers of Tares â—educing spirits c. and what would you have more Because you desire my Lord Generall to improve his interest in the high Court you say to restrain such men as I am but what restraint you would have to please you I know not Would you have me silenc'd whipt gagg'd my ears slit banished or hanged Oh! Would you invite our noble Senators to tyranny by exercising their humane authority to fulfill your corrupt lusts would you have a humane power exercised in divine things to punish men for differing in exposition of Scripture texts then must you acknowledge them to have infallibility of spirit to judg of error in doctrine and punishment in relation to quality quantity time and place May not I say to you as the Lord our righteousnesse once did You know not what spirit you are of yet you may be known by your actions 2. Again you cry out against me as a soul-deceiver and I frequently preach that all that God gave his Son for or his Son died for are elected and cannot be deceived by any man if so none of them can be deceived then I am sure none of those that had no probability to be saved could be deceived unlesse to bring them to eternall life was a deceit which by your saying Robert Everard nor any other man can do 3. Again you say I crept into Newcastle among your flocks Answ. I rid into your town called Newcastle and abode there about foure moneths preaching the Word of God as it is written in the Scripture three or foure times a week paying every man for all such things as I had use for as Mr. Rybbon and Mrs. Iohnson can speak where I lodged and dieted Those people were so far of my judgment that they love to speak the truth and not envious to any such a creeper into Newcastle was I. I did not demand 100. l. 200. l. or 300. l. a yeare of them such a creeper was not I. 4. You say that Lievtenant-Colonell Mason and Capt. Pym were upholders of me to seduce the people and garrison of Newcastle and as you alledge to act my part by authority which is answered in the Epistle to the Reader So that you may be ashamed for slandering such civill just and faithfull men 5. Again you tell the L. Generall that corrupt doctrines take sooner run faster and proceed farther then the truth can do Answ. Who told you so it was Gods saying to Adam What did you eat of the forbidden fruit I tell you what doctrine runs swift and far and takes quick namely baptizing of infants which comes by the proclamation of man and the doctrine of Tithes as a forced maintenance which has spread it self all Christendome over If you mean these doctrines or the like I confesse they are corrupt but that they go farther then the truth can do that I deny for they are beleaguered round about with truth and the people like valiant souldiers are ready to spring their mines 4. And whereas you say I vent errors pleasing to the flesh which foresaid doctrines have for a long time satisfied your fleshly minds 5. Also you say one dram of deadly poyson kills more then the best medicines can cure And you say it is corrupt doctrine consisting of such errors as I hold Somthing is the matter that you do not use the best medicines it seems it is your judgments they will do no good and therfore you make use of the worst having no experience of drawing people from the errors of their wayes 6. Again you say you humbly conceive that as Popery was heretofore so Arminianism and Socinianism are like to be the plagues of this poor Nation even that cursed
of corrupt minds vain Talkers Serpents generations of Vipers lying Spirits ravening Wolves and their corrupt doctrine they call Leaven Fables profane Bablings strong Delusions Lies bewitching Gangrens Cankers damnable Heresies and Doctrines of Divels neither do they speak any better of the effects of such Doctrine terming it no less then subversion of the faith soul shipwrack swift damnation Yet notwithstanding we sadly see these Soul Deceivers openly and with great height of Spirit more freely now â—hen ever venting themselves without any restraint which makes us more pathetical One Robert Everard a Captain lately reduced since Worcester fight crept into Newcastlle amongst our flocks endeavouring by all means and ways in publike and in private to seduce them as well as the Garison by his perilous errors A Catalogue of whose opinions and carriages are here inclosed And though the man himself be active enough to delude poor ignorant souls yet being set on born up and incouraged by Lieut. Col. Mason who commands this Garison in chief now in Col. Fairfax absence and by Capt. Pym is more enabled to act be part by Authority the Towns people are induced and the Souldiers warned by beat of Drum frequently to attend his delusions Corrupt Doctrine my Lord is of a leavening nature that takes sooner runs faster and proceeds further then the Truth can do one drachm of deadly poyson kills more then all the best medicines can cure especially such errors as this man vents that are so pleasing to the flesh Truly my Lord the deep sense hereof makes our hearts to bleed to see the precious Scriptures so abused Fundamentals destroyed and our poor peoples souls whom we have long laboured to principle in the Truth so much endangered We humbly conceive that as Popery was heretofore so Arminianisme and Socinianisme now doubtless are like to be the plagues of this poor Nation even that cursed Doctrine that so much pulls down God and sets up man comes upon us like a flood Wherefore most Noble Sir our humble desires are to your godly wisdom that as God hath made your Excellency a most happy Conqueror of our enemies and deliverer of three Nations from Tyranny and Slavery for which our souls shall daylie bless him So our most humble suits are to God and your Excellency that you may be a destroyer of our Errors a Restorer of Truth and a Restrainer not only of this Corrupter but of all such like false Teachers crept into the Army to deceive the poor Souldiery and poyson the Country and if God shall enlarge your Excellency to Endeavour further eveâ— to improve your Interest in that Honourable and high Court to prevent further mischief in this kind Your Excellency shall Act one of the most glorious works for Christ that ever yet you have done which will add much to your Accompt in the day of Christ Let the uprightness of our hearts and the love of Truth most Honoured Sir plead our excuse for this our great boldness the Lord hath set your Excellency on high and yet higher in the hearts of the Saints who knows but for such a thing as this So shall our souls and all God's people with us still bless God for you and bind us ever to remain Newcastle March the 8th 1651. My Lord Your Excellencies most humble Servants and Orators at the Throne of Grace Rob. Jenison Thom. Weld Thom. Wolfall Sam. Hamond Rich. Prideaux Cuth Sydenham Will. Durant Articles exhibited against Captain Robert Everard 1. HE maintaines and divulges many gross and destructive Opinions as the Page following shewes which are the constant and in a manner the only matter of his preaching the manner thereof being in a jeering and flouting way 2. He gloryeth that he hath gathered many Churches as he cals them of his own Opinion up and down the Land which if his eyes were opened would be his sorrow and shame 3. He is a notorious vain Boaster frequently and boldly biding defiance to all the Priests as he cals them in England to dispute with him when sorry man he wants skill to frame an Argument He brags he will dispute in Latine Greek and Hebrew and yet when he was put upon it he could not read one word in Greek or Hebrew 4. It s his frequent practise both in publick and private to scorn and cast an odium upon all the Ministers calling them Priests deluders of the People false Priests saying when he was advised to more sobriety he will Preach against them as false Priests and this he speaks against all the Ministers in England without the least exception and for all the Ministers in New-castle he saith in the Pulpit they are â—ool toyes and that when they will not dispute with him themselves they send their Dogs to bark at him He told also M. Durant to his face divers times that he lied and was a false Priest By which scurrilous and uncivil dealings of his some of his followers have learned to be so audacious that one of them called Doctor Jenison a Minister of the Divel Another sent this message to M. Wels go tell him that I say he is a Divel and that the Ministers of New-castle are a company of silly ignorant fellows not able to answer any question good for nothing but to Baptize babes and teach men to sing Hopkins jigs and that they Preach only for Lucre and will turn any way and Preach the Divel for Money 5. He so interrupted M. Sydenham betwixt the Administrations of the Ordinances that it occasioned a Tumult in the Congregation at which time he so stank of Drink that many suspected he had taken too much 6. After he had preached sundry times in the hearing of many hundreds against any Original sin in man yet after Master Hamond in Everards own hearing had Preached the contrary Doctrine and Vindicated those Scriptures abused by him he came to M. Hamond and to amazement to see such impudency said that he had never Preached against Original sin and that they abused him that told him so but that he was just of his judgement in that point and would Preach the same things that very afternoon that he had in the forenoon and yet after this went and Preached against what M. Hamond had done and since that also in publick disputes maintains the contrary so that by these and such other like contradictions we plainly see that he will say and unsay any thing to advance his errors and further his design 7. It s usual for him when some of our Ministers preach the truth in the forenoon to step into the same Pulpit take up the same Text in the afternoon and abuse both the Text Truth and Minister too and tell the people the Preacher in the morning had deluded them 8. Such is his hatred to Orthodox Preachers that he said in a Sermon in publick that he had rather side with the Papists then with the Ministers of