Selected quad for the lemma: water_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
water_n	baptism_n	baptize_v	dip_v	4,728	5	11.0980	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

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

brought to strengthen prayer to Saints for seeing it were a vaine thing to pray to them if they had not power to help they therefore are urged to confesse that the Saints are patrons of men and have the government of the world committed to them and Bellarmine with the Rhemists bring this Scripture out of the Rev. To him that overcometh will I give power over nations Ergo the Saints have the government of men committed to them But the Answer to this Scripture and such like the Reader may find at large in Willets Synopsis ninth gener Controversie quest 3. the third part of the question whether the Saints departed understand our prayers and be alwayes at hand to help us and thither I refer him 8 That the Angels dwell in the glorified Souls of the Saints departed 9. That Johns Baptisme which was by water did end at the coming of Christ and that there is no Baptisme by water instituted by Christ Animad This Error is both printed and licensed Web professes he should account me as his Father in Christ to convince him of the contrary by Scripture and this Error receives much countenance from Master Saltmarsh in his Smoak in the Temple pag. 16. in saying those Scriptures of Matthew 28. 19. Mark 16. 15. Go and teach all Nations Baptizing them c. are not understood of baptizing with water but the Spirits baptizing or the Baptisme of the holy Ghost and therefore I shall animadvert upon it For the first branch of this Error that Johns Baptisme which was by water did end at the coming of Christ and so makes Johns Baptisme of another kind then Christs and divers from it 't is a Popish Error and confuted by all our Protestant Divines in handling of the question of Baptisme who hold generally against the Papists That Johns Baptisme was not divers from Christs Baptisme but was all one with it in property and effect and that they who were baptized by John needed not to be baptized again and for satisfaction I referre the Reader to Willets Synopsis twelfth generall controversie of the Sacrament of Baptisme Quest 7. where the arguments pro contra by Papists and Protestants are set down and to learned Rivets Catholicus Orthodoxus Tract 3. Quaest 2. where against the Jesuite he learnedly maintains the Baptisme of John to be a Sacrament of the Gospel and that Christs Baptisme differs no more from Johns then it doth from the Baptisme of other Ministers and that Johns Baptisme differed nothing from Christs but in respect of time and clearnesse of signification which before the manifestation of Christ was not so great as it was after it and in this respect the Baptisme of the Apostles before the death of Christ was different from the Baptisme administred by them after his death As for that Web●aith ●aith that Johns Baptisme which was by water did end at the coming of Christ 't is apparently false for Christ himself a little before his beginning to preach was baptised with Johns Baptisme which was by water Matthew 3. from verse 13. to 17. and after Christ preached and call'd Apostles they baptized with water and baptized more Disciples then John compare John 3. verse 22 33. with John 4. verse 1 2. and it was a baptizing with water as those words show J●●●s and his Disciples baptized and John was also baptizing in Aenon because there was much water there so that it was such a baptizing as Johns viz. by water and the place to do it in chosen because there was much water And lastly 't is apparent by the Scripture that a Baptisme by water was used by the Apostles and in the Primitive Apostolicall Churches not only since the coming of Christ and his preaching in his own person but since his going away since his Resurrection and Ascension and for that I will name three Scripture Acts 8. 36. 37 31 39. Philip baptizes the Eunuch with water upon beleeving after Christs Ascension Acts 10. 47 48. Those Gentiles who were baptized with the holy Ghost verse 45. on whom was poured out the gift of the holy Ghost these men were baptized with water as those words demonstratively prove verse 47. Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the holy Ghost as well as we And he commanded them to be baptized So that this Scripture takes away that foundation that Christs Baptisme and the Baptisme he spoke of in Matth. 28. 19. c. was a being baptized with the gifts of the holy Ghost and not with water for here we see Peter commands those baptized with the gifts of the holy Ghost to bee baptized with water and takes it for granted such persons are to be baptized Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized 1 Pet. 20. 21. The like figure whereunto even Baptism doth also now save us not the putting away of the filth of the flesh This Epistle was written long after the Ascension yet even then now Baptism saves and it was such a Baptism like unto that where in eight souls were saved by water so that it must be a baptism by water and those words clearly prove it not the putting away the filth of the flesh which is done by water which shows that in the baptism under the N. Testament since Christs death Resurrection and Ascention we must look for more then the washing of the outward man by water namely the Answer of a good conscience by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ but however more then water yet water is necessarily supposed 10. That it is injustice in God to punish the souls of the wicked in Hell while their bodies lie at rest in their graves for seeing both were sinners together both must be sufferers together if God should punish the soul of C 〈…〉 in Hell five or six thousand yeers before he punisheth the body of Cain he then would show himself partiall in his distribution of justice 11. That the devils are mortall as well as men are in their bodies 12. That Adams righteousnesse in innocency was but flesh and opposed to the spirit 13. Some of the Manifestarians hold that they have seene Christ visibly and seen the Devill also 14. That 't is unlawfull to keep dayes of Thanksgiving to give thanks to God for Victories for one mans killing another 15. There is no such office as the Ministry its blasphemy for any one to say that he is a Minister of Iesus Christ more then any other man such an office was but it s ceased 16. That there is no need of Universities that Universities are of the Devill that humane learning is flesh opposed to the spirit and that if men be anointed with the spirit and accepted amongsts the Saints they are sufficiently qualified 17. That beleevers ought not to be troubled or grieved for whatsoever sins or evills they saw committed by any because that God if he would could hinder them

present you with these rude lines It doth not a little rejoyce me that providence hath so disposed of it as to bring you down into this dark corner of the Kingdome It is my desire for you to the Throne of Grace that God would cure that weaknesse of body under which your spirit hath so long travelled and that he would give you such strength and utterance of spirit whereby you may be able to declare unto the world the glory and the ●i●hes of the good newes of Jesus Christ which he hath manifested to your soule John saith That which wee have seen with our eyes and our eares have ●eard and our hands have handled even the word of life that declare we unto you Such kinde of preaching and declarations of Christ from experience of it in the heart the Friests of England but especially of these Westerne parts are unacquanted withall I should account it a happinesse if God would so dispose of it as to open such a way that I might have relation to you as formerly That small remnant of the Saints in this Town will be very joyfull to see you here and so shall he that desires to be Your servant in any office of love Robert Carye Dartmouth June 12. 1646. THere is one Sims of Hampton a Shoomaker as appeares by the following Examination and a Letter presently following who goes about as an Emis●ary all the West over from place to pl●●e to infect the people who at Bridgwater in Summersetshire being apprehended by some in authority was examined and divers Letters found about him written by severall Sectaries to the Saints as they call them in Taunton and elsewhere this examination and Letters were sent up to a person of worth then in London and that Gentleman g●ve the 〈…〉 me so that I have the Originall Letters by me The Examination of John Sims Shoomaker SOnday the last of May preached in the Parish Church of Middl●s●y took his Text out of the 3. Col. 1. One Master Mercer and Master Esquier Ministers with a hundred more persons and being desired to know how he durst pres●●e to ●●ach so publikely being not called and an Ordinance of Parliament to the contrary Answered if Peter was called so was he 2. Being desi●ed to know what he teached contrary to the law of God and the lawes of the Land answ 〈…〉 why are they suffered to teach in London so neer the Parliament House and that he would allow of the Parliament is for forth as they go● with his Doctrine 3. Being desired to know whether he allowed of our Baptisme answered no that for his part he was baptized a year since by one Master Sickmoore and his manner of Baptisings was that the aforesaid Sickmoore went first into the water and he after him so that he for his part would not allow of our Baptisme The Letters taken about him To the Saints in the Order and fellowship of the Gospel in Taunton Your deare Brother Thomas Collier desireth the increase of grace and peace from God the Father and from out Lord Jesus Christ Deare Brethren and Sisters I have not had an opportunity of writing unto you untill now although my spirit hath been up to the Lord for your continually The Lord hath manifested his presence with me exceedingly in my journy I desire the Lord to raise up your heart in thankfullnesse he hath gathered Saints in Poole by me 14. took up the Ordinance at once there is like to be a great work and confirmed the Churches in other places I am not yet got so far as London but I shall I expect to morrow Dearely beloved my desire and prayer to our Father on your behalf is that your soules may be satisfied with his fullnesse that you may live above and then your soules shall not want comfort And my exhortation to you is to wait upon the Lord in his own way and not to look forth into the world there is bread enough in your Fathers h●use There he hath promised his presence though you seem to want gifts yet you shall not want the presence of your Father your Jesus if you wait upon him There are two Brethren I suppose will visit you from Hampton Brother Sims and Brother Row whom desire you to receive as from the Lord. The 〈…〉 ted power of the Plesbyterians is denyed them of which you shall heare more shortly I desire to be remembred to all my kind friends with you and at present rest Gilford April 20. 1646. Your deare Brother in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel Thomas Collier I shall see you as speedily as possible I may To the Saints in the order and fellowship of the Gospel MY deare ones in the Lord Jesus I salute you desireing him who is our head and husband our life and liberty our all and in all to gather up our soules more abundantly into the glorious unity and fellowship of the Son of God that you may not live upon these lower things which are but instruments to conveigh light ●nd love unto us I meane even Ordinances or the like which indeed are but as a shell without the kernell further then wee enjoy Christ in it My deare ones you are in my heart continually and my desire is to be with you as soon as posible I can to impart some spirituall gifts unto you and to enjoy fellowship with Jesus Christ in you but what is this your are upon the heart of Christ nay ingraven upon his hand and shall be had in everlasting remembrance before him I am much in haste at present the Post being coming forth of Town only I have sent you these few lines and two Books here inclosed as a remembrance of my love I desire to be remembred to all my deare friends with you and at present rest and remaine Your deare Brother in the faith and fellowship of the Gospell Tho. Collier London May 2. 1646. To his Friend William Heynton Buttler in the Castle at Taunton these DEare Brother in the Lord Jesus Christ with the rest of our deare friends with you my kind love remembrd my desire to you is that you will receive this bearer Master Reeves as a deare friend for he is a Member in the order and fellowship of the Gospel with the Saints in Taunton I need not tell you of the oppositions here in Taunton our Brother will tell you the particular passages our Governour does labour to beat us down and doth say that any meeting in private is meerly to crosse the publike meetings and that it is not out of tendernesse of conscience but damnable pride that we do but this doth not any way cause us to draw back or sadden our spirits for our spirits are carried above the feare of men All our friends are in good health so I remaine Your deare Brother William Hayward May 16. 1646. MOst kind and loving Brethren and Sisters in the Lord Jesus my indeared love remembred unto all the Saints unto

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

Saltmarsh Cre●ensis Walwin Webb and divers other Sectaries who hath been a Man-midwife to bring forth more monsters begotten by the Divell and borne of the Sectaries within this three last years then ever were brought into the light in England by all the former Licensers the Bishops and their Chaplaines for fourescore years he hath licensed Books pleading for all so●ts of Sectaries as Seekers Antinomians Anab●ptists c. as S●●t 〈…〉 sh and Walwins Books and for Antibaptists denying since Christs death all Baptisme by water as W●bb● Book page 6. where is ●id down that I 〈…〉 Baptisme which was water did end at the coming of Christ and that there is no Baptisme by water instituted by Christ yea for Antiscripturists Arians Anitrinitar●ans Questionists and all Blasphemers as is apparent by his licensing that late wicked Pamphlet call'd Some modest and humble Queries concerning a printed paper Intituled an Ordinance presented to the Honourable House of Commons c. where if the Reader do but compare the former part of that Ordinance in what cases only that Ordinance inflicts death viz. upon the wilfull and obstinate publishers of such damnable Heresies and Blasphemies with the second Quere made upon that Ordinance whether it be agreeable to the mind of Christ for men to inflict the heavie censure of death upon their Brethren for holding forth such Doctrines or opinions in Religion suppose contrary to admonition which for ought the Inflicters know except they make themselves infallible may be the sacred truths of God he must needs find thus much pleaded for that therefore such blasphemies and Heresies contained in the Ordinance yea Atheisme it self for that is in the Ordinance that God is may not be punished with death because for ought any man knowes they may be the ●acred truths of God and the maintainers and publishers of them our Brethren So that at once in this Quere upon the Ordinance all the fundamentalls of Christian Religion are overthrown and such Doctrines and opinions as are contrary unto them for ought any man knowes except he make himself in●allible may be the sacred truths of God yea grosse Scepticisme and Atheisme is brought into the Church This Master Bachiler hath Licensed severall Pamphlets for a Toleration yea no● only for a limited bounded Toleration of some Sects and opinions as suppose Anabaptists Independents but for a Universall g●nerall Toleration of all consciences and opinions as may be seen in Walwins Books licensed by him yea he hath licensed unlice 〈…〉 sed Books printed before he was borne as a Pamphlet entituled Religious Peace made by one Leonard Busher and printed 1614. wherein there is a pleading for a Toleration of Papists Jewes ●very person or persons differing in Religion and that it may be lawfull for them to write dispute confer print and publish any matter touching Religion either for or against whomsoever And that the wickednesse of Master Bachiler the Independent may the more appear I desire the Reader to observe in his licensing this and some other Books these following particulars First He gives not a bare Imprimatur to his Book of Bushers but gives his Imprimatur with a speciall Recommendation in these words This usefull Treatise entituled Religious Peace long since presented by a Citizen of London to King James and the High Court of Parliament then sitting I allow to be reprinted and so to some of Saltmarshes Books Smoake in the Temple Groanes for Liberty Reasons for Vnity Love and Peace c. We have Imprimaturs with speciall approbations and discourses of the lovelinesse exellenty sweetnesse glory shining in them Secondly in the reprinting of this Book for generall Toleration call'd Religious Peace Master Bachiler made some materiall alterations and writ in the margins of such places in the Book where some speciall passages were for Toleration that they should be printed in a great letter differing from the letter in which the body of the Book was printed for that end no doubt that the Reader might better observe them and this I was told from a person of some quality and a Scholler who saw the Originall Book wherein such alterations were made and told me they were the same hand with that whi●h gave License to the Book I shall give the Reader an instance or two and no more whereas Bushers Copie page 16 is thus Therefore I humbly desire his Majestie and Parliament with all godly carefulnesse to consider that 't is not possible that the Church of Rome called Catholick or those that ate descended of her and have received their Faith and Discipline from her ever was or could be the Apostolick Church call'd Primitive Church or shee that is descended from her Master Bacheler changes it from Faith and Discipline into Ministery and Ordination reading it thus and have received their Ministery and Ordination from her That passage in the old Edition page 11. printed in the same letter the whole Book is viz. Therefore as the Papist when they complaine of the Turks and Pagans for their bloody persecution do therein condemne themselves because they are found to do the same yea worse for 't is a greater tyrannie for one Christian to force and kill another then for Turks and Pagans to kill a Christian for that is no such great wonder seeing it is a Paganish part who have no better knowledge but Christians should have better knowledge and more mercy then to play the Pagans against Christians is in this new Edition printed in a different character a greater letter neither is this the only Book wherein 't is discovered John Bachiler treads in the steps of some Licensers who went before him being acquainted with Index Expurgatorius but in Webbs Book he altered and changed as in the second part of Gangraena I at large have shewed The man hath justified and acquitted the former Licensers Doctor Baker Doctor Bray Doctor Heyward Doctor Weeks and the rest of that race who in the point of licensing were Saints to him who hath licensed such books and things that I am confident none of them durst have done for feare the people would have risen up and torne them in peeces and certainly the people would never have borne with such books in the Bishops dayes besides should any man before the sitting of this Parliament have writ or licensed such Books of which good store have been both writ and licensed within this three last years that man or men whoever they had been had without all question been first questioned and proceeded against by this Parliament of all men This Bachiler is such a desperate Licenser that nothing now in that kind can stick with him having swallowed down those wicked Queries upon the Ordinance against Heresies and Blasphemies and I am afraid that if the Devill himselfe should make a book and give it the Title A plea for liberty of conscience with certaine Reasons against Persecution for Religion and bring it to Mr. Bachiler hee would license it and

Gods good providence this old Minister of 70. yeares of age with much adoe escaped their hands and after his departure VVebb preached and in his Sermon compared our Church of England to that of Laodicea that was neither hot nor cold but lukewarme For that in Queen Maries daies her Proclamation made them all Papists In Queen Elizabeths daies her Proclamation made them Protestants but now an Ordinance of Parliament makes them for Presbytery and he was very confident that shortly he should see Presbytery laid as low as Prelacy or to that effect On the first of November 1646. Colonell Hewson came into Aston Church accompanied and guarded with his Souldiers contemned the Ordinance of Parliament read that day against Lay-mens preaching and did preach whether M. Skinner would or no both forenoone and afternoone he bid M. Skinner be silent and threatned him that in case he would not let him preach he would lay him by the heeles he said Mr. Skinner was no Minister but a false Prophet an Antichrist and he would prove him so to be in the afternoone by 13. marks of a false Prophet which he laid downe in the afternoone In June last divers Sectaries of Mr. Skinners Pari●h joyning and combining with the souldiers did interrupt him as he was preaching in the Pulpit and would not be intreated to forbeare till he had ended though he desired them and told them the penalty of the Statute in that case And among others a Woman one Margeret North cryed to him with a loud voice M. Skinner M. Skinner you take great pains with us in preaching twice every Sabboth and Catechizing but all comes but to one Sermon in the end of the yeare On the 25. of October Colonell Hewson came into Wallington Church and there interrupted the Minister one M. Price as hee was at Prayer and then afterwards as he was reading the first chapter of the Proverbs and also as he did expound the foresaid chapter The Church was made a prison for the Souldiers seven or eight daies and nights there they made a fire in the Chancell and tooke Tobacco in the time of Prayer and Preaching In the foresaid Church did Colonell Hewson and Major Axston preach the one in the forenoon the other in the afternoone being the 18. day of October In May last one M. Rastell of Sydnam preaching on the 5. of Math. 20. Except your righteousnesse c. one Captain Nevill a Captain of a Troop of horse in Col. Rich his Regiment being then and there present started up and said This is fine stuffe this is grosse who can endure it I will heare no more of this he deserves to be pulled down and many words to that effect and so departed out of the Church and walked without under the wall where with a loud voice he uttered many contumelious words against the Minister I have seen divers Letters out of Oxfordshiere that speake of one M. Potter of Lutenor about a mile from Aston leaving his Church being driven from thence by the Lay-preaching Souldiers who have for certaine daies made a prison of that Church and have burnt up the seats and boords in the Church so that it now lyes wast and destitute of a Minister and these preaching souldiers refuse to preach now in that Church they have laid wast but come to Churches where there are Ministers who preach constantly as at Aston and divers other places and trouble them in their preaching and performing of other services of God A Reverend Minister in Oxfordshiere having lately occasion to admonish his Parishioners to take heed of Anabaptisme for tha they denyed the Lord Christ that bought them by his blood shed signi●ied in Baptisme by water For in Baptisme we put on Christ Gal. 3 27. but if we be baptized again we deny him and put him of as the Anabaptist doth upon which Sermon an Independent neighbour desired to heare the Minister againe on that point which accordingly the Minister did on the Lords day Novemb. 〈◊〉 taking that text Math. 28. 19. v. And used Arguments to disswade from Anabaptisme for it was a denying and putting off of Christ whom by oath they put on in their Baptisme Now Lievetenant Webb hearing of this Sermon did in the afternoone preach on the same Text Math. 28. 19. bragging that he could by the spirit do as much ex tempore as that Minister by study The Minister hath sent to entreat a Copy of his Sermon with a promise of giving him a Copy of his that so the world may judge considering all their boastings who comes nearest to the spirit of God I have received some Letters of late written to me out of the Country bewailing the great oppressions and sufferings some of Gods Ministers undergoe both in their owne houses by souldiers laid upon them and in Gods house by being disturbed and affronted in their Ministry wherein I am stirred up not to faint in prosecuting the good cause of Gods Ministers oppressed and his Churches in these parts laid wast and the Ministers case is thus represented to me The Romane Clergy have been Solomons flagellum on us many years I but now the Lay-Clergy these preaching Souldiers are worse they be Rehoboams whips of Scorpions worse then Solomons and Rehoboams yea then the Spanish whip in 88. The Lord give us all grace that are under Gods rod the wicked the sword of his hand that our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may bee our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our Nocumenta our Documenta our Destructions our Instructions our Corrections our Directions to Heaven and happinesse And then there being divers sad stories related in the body of the Letters all is concluded after this manner O scelus Independentium come Lord Jesus come quickly and whip out all these Independent worshippers out of thy Church with a dog-whip A godly Citizen of good quality and a Common-Councell man being in company with another Common-Councell man and a young Schollar Chaplain to one of the late Sheriffes of London and some other company they being in discourse about many passages of these times he told them this story which within a day or two after the Common-Councell man and the young Chaplain told me with all the names of the persons and circumstances of it that a great Independent I will not say a Member of the House of Commons being desirous to get another great Independent to be a Burgesse of Parliament for a place of note within lesse then 60. miles of London spoke to this Citizen about it to further it as having some chapmen in that Town and the Mayor also his great friend whereupon this Citizen did stirre in it to make the Mayor and others for this Independents Independent friend and meanes were used to get voices but after some triall of getting voices the Mayor of the Town signified that he thought another man who s●ood would carry it most inclining to him and that they should not have voices