SEeing the hand of providence, for so it is that hath ordered it, and doth order all things, for I had no thought nor knowledge of my being brought upon the Stage in Print, untill I saw my name in Master Edwards his Book called Gangrae­na; for what ends Master Edwards set my name there, or the Discourse I spake of openly to many, I know not, but himself can best make it out; But my name being in his Book, hath caused many of my friends to look bigge upon me, and to harbour causelesse jealousies against me, and many that formerly were seeming friends have given me very scurrilous speeches and un­christian like language, and would give me no reason of their so speaking, but said I was in Master Edwards his Book, and seeing there are some things that are there that never came from me: And so there are differences grown; therefore that there may be a cleer understanding of the truth, I shall impart what is and was my Re­lation, and leave the rest.

The first particular wherein I am named in Master Edwards his Book, was about a Petition that was brought unto my hand for the furtherance and promoting of it; which I confesse I had the handling of, and carried it up to the Dr H. his house and it was read publikly, which was I conceive the best way, so that if any had ought against it they might understand of it; and it being disliked and opposed by Master Burroughs and Master Greenhill, in the publike, I followed it no further; this Petition was for the setling of the Government of the Church, the want of which [Page 4]maketh sad the hearts of such as are deare to God; if any say that the Government understood in that Petition was not right, I say to such, as they tender the honour of God, as they are Christians and ten­der the credit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, let them bring in ano­ther that is more neer the Rule of the Word and wee shall gladly receive it; and let us make good use of the words of an enemy; Sir Jacob Ashly when he was taken, said, that he thought the work was done, except God give us over in his judgement to fall out amongst our selves, and so destroy one another; We may see the eies of our enemies are upon our great divisions, which grow for want of a Government, that may restraine the great wantonnesse of spirit by the abuse of liberty, which in New England brought forth monstrous Errours. Therefore M. Sheapheards letter of New-England (sent over here and in Print) called New-Englands lamen­tation for old-Englands present Errours and feared future desolati­on if not timely prevented; Which were worthy of our Noble Senatours best and serious thoughts upon it; for experienced counsell is not to be slighted.

2. Another thing in Master Edwards Book is about Mistresse Chidly, who had some dicourse with Master Greenhill, and hee used arguments unto her, which is true.

3. Another thing mentioned in Master Edwards his Book, is about one Nichols an Anabaptist, that lived in Moore-Feilds, unto which Master John Goodwin in a Pamphlet hath made some over­ture, and that from a testimony from Master Burroughs his hand, who said that I know no such man as Mr. Nichols, nor of no meet­ing concluded of about him, or any of his opinions, either intend­ed, desired or resolved upon. Which testimony of Master Bur­roughs to Master Goodwin, Gangraena, pag. 79. for ought I know is true in his sence, viz. that he knowes no such man as Nichols, or that he never heard that there was such a man in the world, or that there was any meet­ing concluded of about him. But here is no deniall of what I re­lated, or what Master Edwards hath printed, except in the circum­stance, that there was a meeting concluded of, at which Master Burroughs was present; for by this ensuing relation it will appear, that what Master Edwards hath related for the substance of it is true also; for I do averre and say that there was such a man as Nichols an Anabaptist in Moore-Feilds, and that the same Nichols [Page 5]did come to Stepney to Master Greenhills, and did hold forth unto him these ensuing damnable Errours.

• 1. That God was the Authour of all sinne.
• 2. That Children owe no obedience unto Parents, except they be godly.
• 3. That all lyes come out of the mouth of God; and seemed to prove it out of the Kings, from the lying spirit, who asked leave of God to be a lying spirit in the mouth of the Prophets, and God said, go.
• 4. Further, the same Nichols said, That no man or woman went to hell for any sinne that they commit; he being asked why any went to hell, he answered, it was the will of God.

All which particulars Master Greenhill did relate unto Master Burroughs on a Sabbath day following, after the morning Sermon at Colonel Zacharies house, where Master Burroughs usually goeth in after his morning exercise. I being there present with some others, heard Master Greenhill relate this sad Story, with great greif of spirit, and said that it made his flesh tremble to heare such horrid things uttered.

Master Burroughs replyed, Brother, were it not a sad case if so be your wife, and my servants, and children were drawn away to such damnable Errours, and that we could have no other remedy for it, but say Lord have mercy upon us? Master Greenhill said yes so it were.

M. Burroughs again said, Brother, there is a necessity of a Govern­ment and power in the Magistrate, and power over Conscience.

Then Master Greenhill said, that whosoever should teach unto a people any thing that raceth fundamentals, or any thing that striketh against the power of godlinesse, or any thing that tendeth to the disturbance of the peace of the Kingdome, ought to be sup­prest. Unto whom I answered, Sir, hold forth this in publike, and I hope all the godly shall well agree, saying it was as much as I desired.

Master Burroughs further said, that he in his house was Master, and that he might keep out such a one out of his Family. Master Greenhill answered so he might.

Again Master Burroughs said unto us, wee foure of six dwelling at the corner of a street together, bewailing one to the other, how [Page 6]our servants and children and wives are seduced, agree together to keep such a person out of our family. Master Greenhill said, so they might.

Master Burroughs said, a whole street might joyn so together to keep such persons out of their families. 'Twas granted so they might.

Again he said a whole Town might joyn together, and so a whole County, and then a whole Kingdome might do the same; to which some standers by seemed not to assent; but said Master Burroughs, it is as lawfull in the last place as at the first.

This is the naked truth, a neer as I can remember of the dis­course about these Errours. And I hope in all this there is no just cause given by me of offence to these two Worthies, Mr. Bur­roughs and Master Greenhill. But when I first spake it upon just occa­sion, I did it to their honour, and so I hope the printing of it will be to shew their soundnesse in judgement against such Errours.

Now if Master John Goodwin do bundle up such horrid Errours as these to amount to no more nor higher rate then the infirmities of the Saints, as in the beginning of his Pamphlet doth appear, for he saith Satan hath been this foure yeers sifting up; the Authour might have taken in (with the same breath) the old Serpent him­self into the Catalogue of such Saints, as well as such that held such damnable Errours, as are testified in this Relation. For the Ser­pent was more moderate, and said unto the woman yee shall not surely dye; and did not so impudently say as this Nichols did, who said all lyes come out of the mouth of God. But it may be the man upon second thoughts will see his mistake, as that there is no such infirmities as these to be found in the Saints; not in the whole Book of God.

Now for such a man of Learning and parts, to vent himself with such vain words and jeers, and to make use of Scripture language to serve his own brain and humor, is not as becomes the Gospel of Christ, as will appear if the Reader well weighs his ensuing words, as followeth. ‘Wherein he saith, the Authour of the said Treatise known by the mark of a Gangraena, or Cancer in the fore­head of it; being as it seems of Satans counsel, and partaker of his in­tentions against the Saints, hath diligently swept his floore, & ga­thered together his siftings, all that drosse and beggery of weak­nesses [Page 7]and infirmities, which Satan (meaning Master Edwards) within the compasse of four yeers by his own confession, was able to sift out of them, and he to come to the knowledg of, and hath ground, kneaded and hath bak'd it, and made shew-bread of it, for such of the Presbyterian sonnes of Levi, and their retinue to eat as are of his own diet and constitution.’ Certainly, this language of Master John Goodwin, is not becoming the Minister of the Gospel.

Having faithfully related the truth of some particulars in Ma­ster Edwards Book, touching Nichols the Anabaptist; I thought good for a closure to speak something of a Toleration, which is too much by Master Goodwin and others, in Pulpit, and in printed Pamphlets pleaded for. I have heard some presse it from the ex­ample of Amsterdame, that it is so there; and I can helpe them to one place more, which is at Constantinople, where the Turks have places for Mahomet to be worshipped; and they allow the Jewes their Synagouges for worship; And also the Greeks have their publike places for worship; so the French, Italians and English, have all their liberty of Conscience. Now if the Turks follow the Hollander in this particular, or the Hollander taketh it from the Turks; In them both, it is but for mony and Trades sake, and not for the honour of God. Which God forbid should ever be so in England: But rather let us follow the best examples of the Saints out of the Word of God, where good Nehemiah would not suffer the Sabbath to be violated, by selling of wares and commo­dities. Which some in my hearing, and not dwelling far off from me, do plead for, and practise, working on their callings on the Lords day; and do this out of pretence of Conscience. I pray was it a good law or no in Nebuchadnezar, in Daniel 3.29. where he made decree against any which spake any thing against the God of Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego, should be cut in peeces. Much more it would hold good against any that act against the known lawes of God.

To come nearer the Gospel, you may finde in that Evangelicall Prophet, Zachariah, 13.3. It is said, thou shall not live, for thou speakest lyes against the Name of the Lord. So that I do not find, that pretended Consciences have any allowance in the Word of God; neither did the Apostles, and Holy men of God when they suffer­ed [Page 8]use this Argument; You Magistrates, have nothing to do with our Consciences: But pleaded the justnesse of their cause, and innocency of their persons. Yet not that I would have any man that is a Na­tive English one, though a Jew in opinion or a Papist, or any else, that now are, to be banished, nor imprisoned, nor fined for his Conscience and opinion: But that I would not have them to Congregate and draw others after them; but if it be their Light, as they pretend, or their Faith, let them, as the Apostle saith, have it to themselves.

And that there may be a stop to these floods of Errours, that are cast out against the Church and truth: I conceive this course might be taken, that no man should take upon him, nor be suffered to Officiate in a Ministeriall way, as a Pastor over a people; but such as shall be approved on, and allowed by Authority; as I con­ceive it is so in New-England; And not a Toleration for every man, to vent his own brain and Errours. For where then will the guilt of the bloud that hath been shed lie? If Toleration might be suffer'd, the Papists sure would never have gone in the feilds to have their bellies shot through with bullets; nor our ignorant Coun­try people in Counties and Shires, would never have risen by thousands, if they might have had the Service Book, and good old Prayers (as they call them) still continued unto them. So I con­clude, praying for a Reformation, and not a Toleration; and rest a well wisher to Truth and Peace.