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A88107 The nevv quere, and determination upon it, by Mr. Saltmarsh lately published, to retard the establishment of the Presbyteriall government, examined, and shewed to be unseasonable, unsound, and opposite to the principles of true religion, and state. Whereunto is annexed a censure of what he hath produced to the same purpose, in his other, and later booke, which he calleth The opening of Master Prinnes Vindication. And an apologeticall narrative of the late petition of the Common Councell and ministers of London to the Honourable Houses of Parliament, with a justification of them from the calumny of the weekly pamphleters. / By John Ley, one of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster. Ley, John, 1583-1662. 1645 (1645) Wing L1885; Thomason E311_24; ESTC R200462 96,520 124

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TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE THOMAS ADAMS Lord Major of the Metropolis of England the renowned Citie of LONDON Right Honourable THe concurrent desires of people of all sorts except of such as raise their owne particular interests out of the common ruines for recovery of our peace and the pantings of many lying under the power of the oppressour for deliverance from warre have of late by the good hand of God upon our publique counsels and forces thriven up to hopes and those hopes to presages that it will be an Honourable note upon your Name in time to come to have had the good hap within your view before you give up to another the Ensignes of your Honour which is the generall vote of all the true hearted Patriots of three Kingdomes that is a well compounded and compacted happinesse made up of three of the most desirable blessings of humane society which are consistent with the condition of mortalitie and they are these 1. A sincere and through reformation of Religion in Doctrine and worship of God 2. A Discipline and Government established according to Gods word and the example of the best reformed Churches whereby with the assistance of Divine grace we may be better then heretofore secured from relapses into irreligion heresie schisme and profanenesse which have beene the great crimes and curses of the last precedent and present times though through the cunning workings of Satan the evils now in course with some degrees of improvement from bad to worse are taken by some to be the remedies against foregoing corruptions 3. A third thing which in order of dignitie is the last though in most mens affections it be the first is that according to the prescript prayer of the Apostle we may lead a quiet and peaceable life 1 Tim. ● 1 he addeth in all godlinesse and honestie but both these have beene virtually premised in the two precedent particulars This will be of so much the sweeter tast to all as either by actuall suffering or by affectionate sympathy they have taken the deeper draught of the bitter cup of furious hostility That none of this hopefull expectation may faile of effect it will be requisite that every one for his part and to his power endeavour to make it good by all the good meanes and helps which conduce to the comfort and safetie not of a few but of the whole Common weale in each of the Nations now so much shaken and in danger also to be broken in pieces 1. By making an holy Covenant with God and by being stedfast in the Covenant when we have made it so we may engage his favour and power to our partie to be not onely a friend and Patron to us but an enemie to our enemies and an adversarie to our adversaries Exod. 23.22 2. By being at union among our selves and studying as much to uphold it as the seditious Shebaes on the other side plot the setting of discord betwixt the dearest brethren and if it be not to be looked for that all who are equally concerned in the same Cause should unanimously consent in that course which may carry it on to desired successe yet there may be a fivefold union among us which may give strength unto and maintaine the reputation of the great Designe it hand viz. a through reformation both in Church and State The first union is of the two Sister Nations according to our solemne League and Covenant which must be preferred before all either factions or questuo●s interests of any particular party whatsoever For as no two Nations under heaven have more and stronger bonds of union then we of England and our Brethren of Scotland being bounded and surrounded by the Sea as one entire Iland united under one King under one Title in the Kings Royall style the King of Great BRITAINE united yet more in Language and Religion and most of all in our late Covenant for a generall Reformation of Church and State and mutuall association and assistance against all malignant combinations So nothing is more enviously observed by our common enemies then these many obligations of union betwixt us nothing more cunningly contrived or more seriously pursued by them and I wish some among our selves had neither hearts nor heads nor hands in the plot then to dis-joyne us and to make us not onely perfidiously to fall off from performance of our common Covenant but with the same hands which we have lifted up to the most High God to fall one upon another as the confounded and accursed Midianites Iudg. 7 2● and when by such wickednesse we are brought to a weaknesse which may be easily subdued but God forbid we should be both so bad and mad as to act a Tragedie upon our selves to set forth a Comedie for such malicious spectators as would make their greatest mirth of our most grievous misery we must expect the execution of the bloody and destructive designe resolved on in Ireland which a knowing Intelligencer hath reported of the rebels there in these words * The Irish Remonstrance p. 31. This Kingdome viz. Ireland settled and peopled onely with sound Catholicks thirty thousand men must be sent into England to joyne with th●●rench and Spanish forces and the service in England perfor●● then they will joyntly fall upon Scotland for the reducing of that Kingdome to the obedience of the Pope which being finished they have engaged themselves for the King of Spaine for assisting him against the Hollanders Wherein though they reckon without the Lord of Hosts who onely commands both Peace and Warre at his pleasure and swayeth the successe to which side he will yet this discovers their designe of unpartiall perdition of the Protestant partie and the discovery thereof should be a motive of more confirmed union among our selves The second Vnion is that of the Parliament and Citie whereof we have had such happy experience ever since the unhappy hostility betwixt the flatterers of the King and friends of the Kingdome that we are bound to blesse God for it and to pray for the continuance of it both for our owne time and for the ages to come The third is the Vnion of the Parliament and Assembly of Divines whose recipr●call and proportionable respects which I mean not in an Arithmeticall but in a Geometricall Proportion give much countenance and authoritie to what is propounded to the people in their names for so the command of the one will be more awfull the advice direction and resolution of the other more usefull throughout the whole Kingdome A fourth Vnion is betwixt the Assembly of Divines and the City Ministers who may the more easily accord and agree together because many of them be but the same men under severall relations and most of them are swaid by the same principles of truth and pietie and involved in a society and participation of the same duties hopes and hazards The fifth Vnion is betwixt the City Magistracie and the Citie Ministery to which
* M. Robert Baylie his Disswasive from the errours of the time wherein the Tenets of the principall Sect of the Independ are drawne together in one Mappe Printed for Sam. Gellibrand at the Brasen Serpent in Pauls Church-yard exact delineation or description of the whole body of Schismaticall and Hereticall noveltie drawne by a very skilfull and faithfull hand and newly published to undeceive the English especially the people of the City of whom many are miserably misled and more will be if both Magistrates and Ministers doe not watchfully overlooke them and seriously sot themselves to prevent their increase Wherein your Lordships prudence and power beginning betime and continuing your care in a proportionable tenour untill your Office expire which is the expectation of all that know the soliditie of your judgement and stability of your spirit may prevaile very much though it be but for an yeare for how great matters in how short a time have beene attempted and accomplished by that worthy Generall Sr. Thomas Fairfax undertaking and prosecuting the warre with a couragious and constant resolution not as a Trade to enrich himselfe but as a Remedy to deliver his Countrey from partly present and partly imminent miseries And for that purpose your Lordships Sword in the City may be of very great use as his in the field and that with both the Sword of the Lord may be associated as with the Sword of Gideon Iudg. 7.18 and his power may still support your state protect your person and promote your proceedings to most happy successe is the hearty desire and shall be the daily prayer of Your Honours most humble servant JOHN LEY An Advertisement to the Reader to prevent mistaking in the variety of Petitions IN the Postscript of the late Answer to Mr. Burton from Aldermanbury entituled The doore of truth opened there is an Apologetical Reply to his tart reproofe of a London Petition in these words There is one thing that Mr. Burton mentioneth in the * Pag. 2. ante med Narrative which though it concerns not Aldermanbury yet we must not wholly bury it in silence and that is concerning the late large Petition for the speedy establishment of Religion Of which he speakes very dishonourably as also of the Petitioners as of men led with blind obedience and pinning their soules upon the Priests sleeve We leave it to the Petitioners to answer for themselves For our parts we conceive that no Reader unlesse blinded with prejudice can charge them with blind obedience For the Petitioners doe not desire to have the Modell of that Reverend Assembly established but the government of Christ established a Modell whereof c. These words a Modell whereof c. come in with a Parenthesis and the sentence is compleat without them all that they affirme about the Modell is that the Reverend Assembly hath framed a Modell of the Government of Christ according to their ability and presented it to the Parliament And who but he that hath pinned his faith upon an Independents sleeve can except against this But if Mr. Burton be displeased with the Modell of the Reverend Assembly we would intreat him that he at last after so long expectation would set forth his Modell Which some have mistaken conceiving both parties speake of the late Petition sent from the Common Councell of London whereas there be these differences betwixt them 1. That Petition is of a different style tenour and date from this of the Common Councell for it was brought forth to light before this later was conceived 2. That hath the Parenthesis a Modell whereof the Assembly of Divines c. specified in the Exception and Answer the Petition of the Common Councell hath no such clause in it as I am informed for yet I have not seen it 3. That was never presented by the Petitioners to the Parliament this of the Common Councell was 4. The Petition of the Common Councell was not printed that was priuted both in a single sheet and in the Booke called Truth it 's Manifest p. 130. Which I note in this place because having denyed that the Petition of the Common Councell was yet printed a Gentleman of qualitie said he would shew it me presently and produced for proofe the Booke forementioned 5. Lastly the former Petition had not so good acceptance with the Parliament as the later partly hath had and partly may be further hoped for when the Honourable Houses have opportunitie to make their returne unto it The Contents Section I. OF the Authour and Title page of the Quere and Deter mination upon it Page 1. Sect. II. Of the Title page p. 3. Sect. III. The matter and scope of the Quere and resolution upon it p. 7. Sect. IIII. Reasons against the present settling of government taken from conscience answered p. 12. Sect. V. The Argument against the speedy settling of Church government taken from e●ample of the New Testament in generall answered p. 14. Sect. VI. The Argument against the speedy establishment of Church government taken from Christs description answered p. 17. Sect. VII Master Colemans experimentall exceptions against the severity and rigour of the Presbyteriall government answered p. 20. Sect. VIII The Argument against the speedy setting up of the Presbyteriall government taken from Christs practise answered p. 23. Sect. IX Reasons taken from rules and considerations of prudence answered p. 26. Sect. X. The Negative Argument taken from want of experience of the New Clergie answered p. 32. Sect. XI Objections against the Reasons for the not establishing Church government propesed and answered as Objections against M. Saltm his Tenet in the Quere with Replyes to his answers The first Observation his Answer and the Reply unto it p. 36. Sect. XII Objection second answered with a Reply to that Answer p. 38. Sect. XIII An additionall Answer to some exceptions of M. Saltm taken out of M. Prins Vindication against the present establishment of Church government in his late Book entituled The opening of M. Prins New Book called a Vindication p. 45. Sect. XIIII The Objections taken from a supposed needlesnesse of the Presbytery answered p. 47 Sect. XV. Of M. Colemans Interi●ist is all Magistracle p. 51. Sect. XVI The Objection of eager contestation for Church Discipline and 〈…〉 p. 53. Sect. XVII The Objection of inefficacie for holinesse of life in such as live under the Presbytery answered p. 57. Sect. XVIII Shewing what might be retorted upon the Antipresbyteriall party but concluding for unitie and peace with allegation of M. Burroughs his propositions of reconciliation and accord and some other particulars tending thereto p. 61. Sect. XIX Further grounds and hopes of union in the Churches of the Sister Kingdomes of England and Scotland with Answers to the Objections that are made against it p. 64. Sect. XX. An Appendix to the precedent Examination being an Apologeticall Narrative of the Petitions of the Common Councell of the City and Ministers of London presented to both the
hath by soft and slow degrees passed the debates first of the Assembly and afterward of the Parliament and as for approbation so for execution it passeth by degrees the Civill sanction which authorised first an Ordinance for Ordination after that a Directory for worship a good while after that was the Citie of London and the Parishes annexed made a Province and divided into Classicall Presbyteries and then with some intermission of time was a power granted to choose a Committee for triall of Elders and now lately a Vote and an Order for the choice of Elders in every Parish and since that an Order or Ordinance touching admission to and rejection from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and yet there remaine other parts of government to be added to them which we hope will be authorized in time convenient and the sooner the better SECT IX Reasons taken from rules and considerations of prudence answered THus much for his Reasons which respect Religion Now for the Politique part of his Quere in 1. Rules or considerations of Prudence 2. Examples of practise His rules of Prudence in the generall are three the first he layeth downe thus * §. 7. p. 5. The more time saith he for trying of spirits and proving of all things there is the lesse danger to that State of erring in things received and authorized and of involving it selfe into the designes of Ecclesiasticall power then which nothing hath sooner broken the Civill power as may be seene in Popish Kingdomes and our late Prelaticall There can be no great danger in the not sudden incorporating the two powers Since Moses is not alive to bring downe the iust patterne of the Tabernacle there may a new starre arise which was not seene at first which if we shut up our selves too soone while the smoke is in the Temple cannot appeare Answer 1. It is the dutie of a State that is of them that governe a State not onely to try spirits but to rule them and rather to rule them then to try them and for that purpose the sooner they be brought under government the better for the rod and reproofe saith Solomon give wisdoms Prov. 29.15 And on the contrary the longer they live without the yoke of Discipline the more enormous will they be and so the observation of Solomon will be verified a child left to himselfe bringeth his mother to shame Ibid. and his father too whereof we have an example in his brother Adouijah 1 King 1. vers 5 6. And for proving of all things to be imposed there is a due proportion of time to be observed which may as well be too much as too little and it hath beene if not the fault the ill hap of our Church and State to have the Government fluttering upon the Lime-twig of deliberation at Westminster when it should be upon the wing of actuall execution all over the Kingdome 2. Whereas he makes it a dangerous matter for the State to involve it selfe into the designes of Ecclesiasticall power because it is a meanes to breake the Civill power as may be seene in Popish Kingdomes and our late Prelaticall His position and proofe are most unseasonably and impertinently applied to the Presbyteriall government which abjureth both Popish and Prelaticall dominion by solemne Covenant and taketh a course not onely to suppresse and bury but to keepe them down that there be no feare of a resurrection of them 3. And when on the contrary he saith * § 7. p. 5. There can be no danger in the not sudden incorporating the two powers since Moses is not alive to bring downe the iust patterne of the Tabernacle there may a new starre arise which was not seene at first which if we shut up our selves too soone while the smoke is in the Temple cannot appeare This is a very perplext and confused expression darkning the truth which he should illustrate wherein if his meaning be that there is no great danger in the not establishing Ecclesiasticall government by the Civill State or that if now it were done it were too sudden and hasty it is a groundlesse conceit refuted already and for that he bringeth in of Moses not being alive to bring the patterne from the Mount and of a new sterre to arise it bewrayeth his designe not onely to delay the government desired for a time but to debarre it for ever or to prepare the way for some seducing * See Bucol Ind. Chron p. 156. ad an 134. Schindl Pentag col 826. Benchocheba or Barchochebas as his name soundeth the sonne of a starre who pretending himselfe to be the starre of Iacob fore-prophecied Numb 24 17. tooke upon him to be a new guide unto the Iewes but misleading them to their ruine he was called Bencozba the sonne of a lie 2. For the other prudentiall rule his words are these There is no Religion established by State but there is some proportion in the two powers and some * § 10. p. 6. compliance betwixt the Civill and Ecclesiasticall state so as the establishing the one will draw with it some motions in the other and we all see saith he how hazardous it is to dis-ininteresse any in the Civill part even in Kingdomes that are more firme as France where the Protestants are partly allowed their Religion in pay for their civill engagements and so in other States and sure I am the State is most free where the conscience is least straitned where the tures and wheat grow together untill the harvest Answer Here he makes the Civill and Ecclesiasticall State so linked and neerely allied together that if there be motions in the one there will not be quietnesse in the other and that the Ecclesiastical State hath such an interest in the Civill that it is hazardous to the Civill part if it be not allowed and for that reason the Protestant Religion is tolerated in the Popish Kingdome of France which is as a pay or a recompence for their civill engagement In which passage as in divers others he aimes at the perpetuall prohibition of Government not at a temporall forbearance onely and he carrieth it on so as if we must allow him the authoritie of a prolitique Dictator without any proofe of Scripture reason yea or of any humane testimony for what he saith though in the way of a rationall ratification hath so little strength of reason in it that it reacheth not halfe way to the resolution of the Question in the Tenour of his Tenet For what if the Church and State be so symbolicall as to reciprocate interests and conditions betwixt themselves shall the Civill State leave every man or every Congregation to their owne libertie to be governed or ungoverned as they list every man in matters of Religion to doe that which is right in his owne eyes as when there was no King in Israel sudg 17.6 Nay rather because disturbances are communicated from the one to the other the Civill State
confute in other particulars and I am willing to take notice of them rather from him then from Mr. Pr. though I have read them in his Booke for divers reasons 1. Because Mr. P. is a friend to the Presbyteriall government having both a M. Prinne his Vindication p. 56. pleaded for it and beene persecuted as he saith by Sectaries and Independents for his good will unto it 2. Because he b So in the Epistle to the Reader before his Vindicat. fol. 2. p. 2. professeth to love and honour with his soule the Assembly of Divines and hath in a booke of purpose vindicated them from Libellous aspersions of the Antipresbyterians I confesse Mr. Saltm was once so reverently and religiously conceited of them that he honored them in print with the Title of a most Sacred Assembly in a c M. Salem his Dedication of the Examinations or the Discovery of some dangerous positions delivered in a Sermon of Reformation in the Church of the Savoy on the Fast day July 26. 1643. by Tho. Fuller B. D. Dedication of a little book unto them some of whom my selfe for one desired him to forbeare that Title in the rest of the Copies which were not then wrought off from the Pres●e but being so farre engaged against the Presbyteriall way as now he is I cannot thinke he hath so good either opinion of or affection to the Assembly as formerly he hath professed unto them and towards them 3. Because I am confident that whatsoever Mr. P. writeth though I approve not all that is set out in his name he writeth with a very upright and sincere heart without any sinister end or aime at gaine to himselfe or glory with men 4. Because I have found him so kind to me in severall kinds that I am loth to take him for an adversary in any publique contestation and yet I shall take the boldnesse as just occasion shall induce me to use the freedome of a friend unto him and to be true to the truth without partiall respect to friend or foe 5. Because Mr. Pr. doth not write what Mr. Saltm alleadgeth out of him against expedition in the setting up of Presbyteriall government much lesse finally to suppresse it which seemes to be the desire and endevour of Mr. Salt●● SECT XIIII The objections taken from a supposed needlesnesse of the Presbytery answered THat which he produceth against the Presbytery in Mr. Prinnes name consisteth chiefly of two particulars 1. That there is no necessitie of it that it should be established 2. The want of efficacie in it where it is established For the first he produceth a remarkable passage as he cals it out of Mr. Prinnes Vindication in these words And if our Assembly and Ministers will but diligently preach against that catalogue of scandalous sinnes and sinners they have presented to the Parliament and the Parliament prescribe severe Tem porall Laws and punishments against them and appoint good Civill Magistrates to see them duely executed and inflicted I am confident that this would work a greater Reformation in our Church and State in one halfe yeare then all the Church Discipline and Consures now so eagerly contested for will doe in an age and will be the onely true way and speediest course to reforme both Church and State at once which I hope the Parliament will consider of and take care that our Ministers like the Bishops formerly may not now be taken up with ruling and governing but preaching and instructing which is worke enough wholly to engrosse their time and thoughts Answer This saying of Mr. P. I see beginneth to be had in honour by out Independent Brethren for it is the Alpha of Mr. S.E. and Mr. T.T. their defence of positions it is as the Omega of Mr. S. his answer to Mr. Prins Vindication and I wish the Authour of it may have so much of it from the better sort of them as may make him some amends for the contumelies and calumnies he hath suffered from the worse and if Mr. P. his Testimony be so authentick with them but with most of them I know it is not it may not be amisse to minde them not of a piece of a lease but of whole a Independencie examined unmasked refuted by 12. new parti●ular Interrogatories detecting both the manifold absurdities inconveniences that must necessarily attend it to the great disturbance of Church State the diminution subversion of the lawfull undoubted power of all Christian Magistrates Parliaments Synods and thaking the chiefe pillars wherewith its Patrons would support it And A fresh discovery of some prodigious New wandering-blazing starres and firebrands c. Books of his making against their way The words forecited containe three things 1. A remedie against scandalous sinnes and the sufficiencie of that remedie without Church-Discipline and Censures so eagerly contended for 2. An hope that the Parliament will consider of and take care that Ministers may not like Bishops formerly be taken up with ruling and governing 3. A reason of that hope because preaching and instructing is work enough to engrosse their time and thoughts 1. For the first the Remedy prescribed against scandalous sinnes If our Assembly and Ministers will but diligently preach against that Catalogue of scandalous sinnes they have presented to the Parliament and the Parliament prescribe severe Temporall Laws and punishments against them and appoint good Civill Magistrates to see them duely executed and inflicted Answer Here is lesse required of the Ministers then is performed by many of them more promised concerning Lawes Punishments and Magistrates then without presumption can be expected by any For 1. For the Ministers they preach against those scandalous sinnes contained in the Catalogue and more too and undertake to adde many more to the Catalogue then are expressed and the Honourable House of Commons hath sent an Order to the Assembly of Divines to that purpose and when a supplement is made in obedience thereto there will be yet more found out not mentioned before so that there will be still new matter for addition unlesse there be a reserve 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of remaining particulars to be added when they are discovered and some cautionary Order made that the Minister may not be put upon this hard Dilemma either to administer to any against his judgement and conscience or to suspend his owne act of administration with hazard to himselfe either for his person or estate which will be a greater inconvenience then any worthy Communicant can suffer if he be upon the Ministers mistake unworthily denied his right to Gods Ordinance for one turne onely for before the next celebration of the Sacrament that which was doubtfull before may be fully cleared and of this difference there be two Reasons 1. If the party came worthily prepared and were refused he may have his part in the benefit of the Sacrament as if he had actually received for in such a case God accepteth the will for the deed
of power to let into the Church by the Sacrament of Baptisme as indeed it is and whom to admit to and whom to keep back from participation of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper it is a degree of power farre above both whom to ordaine to or whom to debarre from the order of Presbyters for 1. Whatsoever power or authoritie a Presbyter may claime by the word of God is virtually included in his Ordination 2. They that have power to ordaine a Presbyter have power upon just cause to silence and suspend the execution of that power and to stop his mouth Tit. 1.11 if it be opened to broach heresie or blasphemie or if his conversation be vitious and scandalous 3. The Covenant for the generall heads of it comprehendeth a perfect enumeration of the maine parts of the desired reformation under the titles of Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government but Ordination is not to be referred to Doctrine or Worship but to Discipline or Government for the ordaining of Governours and the exercise of Government properly appertaine to the same Topick or Classis 4. Though Government and Worship be distinguished betwixt themselves yet both agree in this that their generall grounds and rules are found in the word of God and in that respect the one may be set forth in the Civill Sanction with a relish of and reference to a religious constitution as well as the other But in case they will not be pleased to expresse any Divine right in any part of the Government in their Civill Sanction and will in a Parliamentary and Legislative way establish that thing which really and in it selfe is agreeable to the Word of God though they doe not declare it to be the will of Iesus Christ as is noted before out of the learned Commissioner of Scotland his * Sect. 8. p. 25. Brotherly examination and he hath the like in his * p. 32. Nihil Respondes we must be satisfied * p. 22. SECT XX. An Appendix to the precedent examination being an Apologeticall Narrative of the Petitions of the Common Councell of the Citie and Ministers of London presented to both the Honourable Houses of Parliament the 19th and 20th dayes of Novem. 1645. with a Vindication of them and the proceedings in them from the scandalous aspersions of the weekely Pamphleters especially of him who miscals himself by the name of the Moderate Intelligencer BVt howsoever the hope of union hath gon on hitherto since the Petitions of the Common Councell and of the Ministers of the Citie were presented to the Parliament there is great likelyhood of a dangerous breach betwixt the Parliament and them which will not easily be cemented up to perfect accord So haply may some conceive who know no more of the matter then they are told by the Moderate Intelligencer or by his Plagiatie the writer of the continuation of especiall and remarkable Passages who repeats his lying and scandalous Relation word for word in these termes This day the Common Councell did present a Petition to the Commons House of Parliament by divers Aldermen and others of that Councell which seemed to complaine or take ill the proceedings of the Parliament with the Assembly in the late businesse past concerning the election of Elders c. The Commons sate long about the businesse and laid it much to heart that any such thing should come from the Citie and that they should lend an eare to any that should in so evill a way represent things unto them and of what dangerous consequence it was and gave them an answer to this effect That they did perceive that they had beene informed and that they could not but lay it much to heart that they who had ever beene so ready to doe all good offices for the Kingdome and goe with the Parliament should from any but the Parliament take a representation of their proceedings and intreated them that herealter they would take satisfaction from themselves It s true they did beleeve they meant well and had a good meaning and intention in it but they were abused They had no sooner given answer to this but there came another from the Clergy to the same effect which was more sad then the former for they conceived this latter was an appeale from the Houses to the people and of as dangerous a consequence as could be imagined and that it deserved a high censure and withall they resolved if that was the way intended they would goe on with their Declaration and quickly undeceive the people and in the interim they referred it to the Committee of examinations that the first contrivers and after fomenters of this businesse may be dealt with according to merit This is a parcell of their weekly report but principally his who miscals himselfe the Moderate Intelligencer for he is neither Intelligent writing what he understands not nor Moderate being passionately addicted to a partie to flatter either out of an erroneous sancie fondly set upon irregular novelties in opinion and practice or out of a covetous affection to the wages of iniquitie the reward of flatterie or slander as the bad cause whereto he hath engaged his Pen hath need to be served with the one or the other and in the latter he hath shewed himselfe this last weeke a very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that 's the word in the Originall for a false accuser 2 Tim. 3.3 a false accuser of the brethren Revel 12.10 not of brethren in evill as Simeon and Levi Gen. 49.5 but in good in most sincere and zealous desires and endeavours to be serviceable to the Parliament in prosecution of the great Cause that is in hand the through reformation of Church and State Among whom there are many who taken single by themselves might in good manners have been entertained with termes which savour more of reverence then of contempt but this three-farthing News-monger takes upon him as if he had beene authorised by the Parliament to involve all the venerable Magistrates and prime men of power and trust in this Honourable Citie and a very great number of the most learned laborious and consciencious Ministers of the Province of London in an unfaithfull and undutifull association against the Parliament for their joynt petitioning to the Parliament And where lyeth the crime that may make them lyable to so loud a clamour was it for petitioning in generall or for their petitioning in particular If we consult with his scandalous paper we shall find that he layeth an heavie charge upon both First for the generall in the precedent page he ushereth it in with an egregious calumny in these words * p. 203 Now let us come home and looke about us and see if while our Army is labouring to subdue the enemy and end strife there is not new beginning by those that Fame saith have beene the causes of all the strife we did intreat them the last weeke they would let the Parliament alone and waite