SAint Paul in 1 Cor. 10. setting before the Christians of his time the sins of the Jewes, and their often rebellion against God, and how frequently they had provoked him; specifies also, the judgements that came upon them for their disobedience and ingratitude; and tels the Corinthians (and in them all Christians) that whatsoever hapned unto the Jewes, it was for our learning, upon whom the ends of the world are come: so that if we take not heed by their example, and shun not those sinnes that they provoked God by, we shall likewise make our selves liable to the same punishments. And as no Nation had God so nigh unto them as the Jewes, nor no people upon the face of the Earth that God had so freely loved and miraculously delive­red out of the hands of their enemies, when at any time under their great oppressions they cried unto him; and continued still to be their Saviour and Redeemer out of all their captivities, and sla­veries (with the ruine and overthrow many times of their ene­mies) and sent his Prophets and Wise men early and late to in­struct and teach them his Statutes and Ordinances, commanding them to seek the old way and the good way, that they might finde rest unto their soules, Ier. 6. and had in all respects been so abun­dantly gracious, that he himself saith Isaiah 5. What could I have done more to my Vineyard then that I have done? Yet notwith­standing they left him, the fountaine of living waters, and digged unto themselves broken sisternes that could hold no water. Ier. 2. So that in Chap. 5. vers. 30, 31. the Lord saith, A wonderfull and a horrible thing is committed in the land. The Prophets prophesie falsely, and the Priests bear rule by their means, and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? In the which words the great sinne of rebellion and ungratitude in that people is sufficiently set down, they listned unto the false Prophets, and yeilded obedience unto what they preached unto them (the same complaint Saint Paul makes in 2 Cor. and in his other Epistles [Page 2]concerning the false Apostles of his time) and cast off the Lord, and slighted his true and faithfull Ministers, and set up their own inventions for Gods worship, and service, and his wayes; by which they so provoked God against themselves; that how­soever they had been the glory of all Nations, and the admiration of the world, through their often rebellions and unthankfulnesse, they became the scorn of the Earth, and the hissing of all King­domes round about them, and a by-word among the Heathen: so that the Prophet Ieremy in his Lamentations complaining of the miserable condition in their captivity, saith, That never any people groaned under greater misery, and that most deservedly: for as our blessed Saviour saith, He that knows his Masters will and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes. The people of Israel of all the families of the Earth, were most honoured by God; to­ward the which he had extended and shewed his free and unde­served favour, and betrusted them with the lively Oracles of his will: but they rebelling against him, and not listning unto his voice, nor yeilding obedience to his commands, but giving eare to false Prophets and vaine delusions, and ungratefully and undu­tifully behaving themselves towards him, and alwayes resisting his Spirit; the Lord did often more severely afflict them then any other Nation, and at the last cast them off, as the dung and off­scouring of the world, so that they are at this day the most mise­rable people on the Earth, and an object of pity and of the pray­ers of all such as truly wish their conversion. And all this evill is come upon them for their rebellion and ingratitude, as the whole Scripture relateth; and to teach us, on whom the ends of the world are come, to take heed by their example; lest provoking God as they have done, we partake not of the same plagues. And truly, if we do compare Nation with Nation, and take notice of Gods gracious dealing toward the Jewes, and of his fatherly and favourable dealing towards us, there is not a people under Hea­ven, the Jewes only excepted, that God has done more for, then this our Nation. So that the Lord may say unto us, as he said un­to his people the Jewes, What could I have done more to my Vine­yard then that I have done? And yet there is not a people under the Heavens more like the Jewes in their rebellions and ingrati­tude to a heavenly Father, then this Nation hath been and now is: so that we may cry out with the Prophet Jeremy with admi­ration, [Page 3] It is thy mercy we are not consumed, but that thy compassi­ons are renewed every day! For what hitherto hath God done for us that can please us? But we are ever rebelling and repining as the Israelites were, both in Egypt, and in the Wildernesse, and in the very land of Canaan that flowed with Milk and Honey, no­thing could please them. In the very same manner it is with us, in what condition and state soever we are in, we are never con­tent, but alwayes repining. And even as they rebelled against Moses and Aaron their deliverers, and told them to their face, they took too much upon them, and that they were all a holy peo­ple, and murmured against Moses, and were soon weary of him; and desired rather to be at their Onions and Fleshpots againe in Egypt, then to be fellow-commoners with Angels; and wished rather to be under the tyrannicall government of Pharaoh and his cruell Taskmasters, then under the sweet yoak of God and the government of his servants Moses and Aaron, who they most reproachfully abused and rebelled against; and were ever mur­muring upon all occasions against their deliverers, and only, be­cause accidentally they met with some difficulties, and groned under some pressures, notwithstanding they were but temporary and for a time, as it happens in all alteration of governments and reformations. After the same manner is our dealing at this day generally towards God, and towards our Moseses and Delive­rers, who rise early and sit up late, & go through the heat of Sum­mer and the cold of Winter, and eat the bread of carefulnesse, and watch for our good that we may sleep in quiet: and yet the wic­ked and ungodly out of covetousnesse and prophanenesse, and o­thers out of faction and study of novelties, most ungratefully re­proach and abuse them both in word and deed, as all their carriage doth daily manifest, and their scurrelous and railing Pamphlets declare; by which they shew their unthankfulnesse to their deli­verours, and their ungratitude to God himself, to the provoking of his wrath and jealousie against a Nation unworthy to be belo­ved. Not seven years since, the whole Kingdome lay under such intolerable pressures both for soule and body, and had to do with such unreasonable Judges in all Courts, as no man could either serve God or the Devill for them, but he was punished for it: so that there was not any through the whole Dominion that could promise himselfe safety from oppression a moment, or say any [Page 4]thing was his: For they made a man an offender for a word, and laid a snare for him that reproved in the gate, and turned aside the just for a thing of naught, Isay 29.21. And truth failed, and he that departed from evill made himself a prey, Isay 59.15. So that this Nation was every way in as miserable a condition as the Isra­elites were, under their tyrannicall Judges: so that the most faith­full subjects were the chiefest objects of their greatest cruelty, though none were free from it if they had any estates, that their oppressors might inrich themselves by them: they were all tyran­nized over both for soule and body, as the whole Kingdome can witnesse. And then we cryed unto God and he raised us up delive­rers from abroad and at home; and freed us by their meanes from the unsupportable cruelty of our Taskmasters, both in Church and State; and from the slavery and unjustice of all their tyrannicall Courts, and from the whole yoke of the Hierarchy; and set up the Ordinances of God in such purity, and made such a blessed Reformation, as our forefathers would have rejoyced to have seen but the half of it, and enjoyned also the sanctifying of the Lords day: neither did our Deliverers rest here and were now satisfied with what they had done, but they endeavoured also to set up such a Church-government as Christ the King of his Church hath appointed: so that if we had but thankfull hearts to God and our deliverances, and could discern what God had done for us by them, we might be the happiest Nation under Heaven. But on the contrary, and contrary to our Covenant and Protestation (I mean not the Protestation protested) those that have deserved best from us, we think worst of; and those that a few years since there was nothing thought too good for, nor no entertainment too little for, nor no praises sufficient to extoll them with; as our Brethren in Scotland, the Parliament it selfe, our brave Generals and Commanders, all the diligent and painfull Ministers of the kingdome (as they all deserved) they are all now murmured a­gainst as Moses and Aaron were by those Bricklayers, as soon as they were delivered from their fiery furnaces; and with them we desire to returne into Egypt, and wish our old Masters againe, and think their tyranny a good government: and all this is done not by the Malignants and the ordinary Protestants only, but by those that seem the greatest promoters of reformation, & such as would be thought the only Christians & Saints, as they term themselves, [Page 5]bidding all others depart from them, as being more holy than they: and flye in the very face of one of those men, who they had with singular encomiums a few years since magnified as one of the worthies of the kingdome, and predicated as one of the witnesses spake of in the book of the Revelation, and whom they had received in his return from banishment with their acclamations of joy; I mean that learned Gentleman Master William Prynne Esquire, my brother in afffiction and fellow sufferer, who is now the same that ever he was, and one that for the testimony of Jesus, I am most confident, would dare to suffer more then many that now traduce him; dare thinke. And if any fiery tryall should indeed really come, he would, (I doubt not) undauntedly stand in the defence of truth, when they would flye and take their heels as formerly they have done; or squlke in holes, or play lest in sight, or temporize, howsoever they now vapour when there is no danger: yet of this very man whom they idolized before, they now speak of, as of one inspired with the devill, and as of a man of no religion, and professe that they are sorry they ever prayed for him; and wish that when he had lost his eares, he had lost his head; and athousand such expressions they dayly utter, and not only against all those I have above specified do they vent their passion by their railing lauguage, but they abuse any man whatsoever, that opposeth their Novelties, although they had never so honourable thoughts of him before, & conceived never so well of him for his godly life, by w ^ch they de­clare their unconstancy, and the ficklenes of their unstable minds; so that we have just cause to remember that of David, Psal. 146. Put not your trust in Princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help: his breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth, in that very day his thoughts perish: So unstable creatures are men, won with an apple and lost with a nut, imitating the Jews, one day crying Hosanna, and another day crucifie him; one day with the foolish Galathians, they would put out their eyes to do Paul good, and another they counted him their enemy. But what I pray is the cause of this their so great displeasure, against our bre­thren in Scotland, against the Parliament, against our noble Gene­ralls, against all the godly, learned, and painfull Ministers of the Kingdome, and against Master Prynne, and indeed against all their faithfull brethren, for they rail and murmur against all, but [Page 6]those of their own faction, as it is well known. It is because forsooth they would set up a Presbytery and desire to establish that kinde of Government in the Church, which is Gods Ordi­nance (which they say to the precious Saints, for so they terme themselves, will be more unsupportable then the Prelaticall Go­vernment) and because they would have the people enter into a publike Covenant for the bringing in and setting up a through reformation; and because they have appointed a set day of fasting and humiliation through the Kingdome (which they in no sort allow of, because, say they, there may be an occasion of rejoycing that very day: and so there might have been a cause also of mour­ning amongst the Jews, at such very times as they had their ap­pointed seasons of rejoycing and feasting) but that is not all, why they are offended with the Scots and with the Parliament, and with the godly Ministers, and with all their brethren; but this displeaseth them exceedingly, Because they have made a late Order, that none shall Preach publikely but such as for their suf­ficiency and learning, and soundnesse of Doctrine, are able right­ly to instruct and teach the people the right way both of serving God and obeying men, and how they may live comfortably here and be usefull and profitable to others, and be kept from heresies and schisms, and ereonious doctrines, which tend to nothing but faction and destroying of their own souls, and the disturbing of the Church and State, and for the bringing in of a confusion of all Religions, and for the alienating of the affection of brethren one from another, and for the overthrowing of all order in Fa­milies, Villages, Towns, Cities, Countries, and Kingdomes: and for the bringing men in time, that they shall neither know what to beleeve nor what to practise, as by sad experience we already finde to be frequent. Now because our brethren of Scotland, and the Parliament, and the godly and faithfull Ministers, and those that as truely fear God as any of them, desire such a reformation and such a Government, as by which Truth and Peace may be established amongst us; and heresies, and schisms, and factions may be rootedout, the disturbers of Peace; that we may all live happily here and gloriously hereafter: This kinde of government not suiting with their humour, nor with their opinion, therefore they abhor it, and all such as indeavour to establish it, and desire and wish rather that all the old trumpery were brought in again, [Page 7]and professe it, that they had rather have the Government of the Prelates, then this kinde of Government; yea, some of them have not been ashamed to protest unto some Malignant and Pre­laticall Priests (with whom they can very well comply when occasion serves) that before the Presbyters shall rule over them, they will cut all their throats, and joyn with them for there-esta­blishing of the Hierarchy: and this the Priests themselves with great joy have related: And there must needs be some great Miste­ry of Iniquity, that is not yet brought to light in these new facti­ons, for it is notoriously known to many thousands in the King­dome, that the Malignants at home and abroad, as their words and Letters do declare, confide as much in these Sects, for the at­taining unto their designes, as they do in all the Cavaliers. So that it is high time for the great Councell of the Kingdome, and for all that love the true Religion, and wish the peace and welfare of both Church and State to stand upon their guards at home as well as a­broad; and to shew their vigilency and care for the preventing of the intended evill against us all. And truely it might awaken any man, if he take but notice, of the great distractions and of the sad effects these new opinions have produced, not onely in London and in the Counties round about it, but also in Yorke-shire, Lincoln­shire, and in all other places where they are imbraced; and how in a short time Christians minds are alienated one from the other, and from the Parliament, by reason of the difference of their opi­nion, to the great rejoycing of the common enemy, whose espe­ciall hatred is against all those they call round heads, that is, the old Puritans of England, and all the towns wherein they dwell, who are and ever were since the dayes of reformation, the onely upholders of the true reformed Religion, and are at this day the onely bulworks of it under God; and amongst those Towns that have kept out these new Factions by their care and providence Leicester, Darby, and Chesterfield, deserve high commendations, who through the prudence of their Ministers and Magistrates, and through their own knowledge and the well-groundednesse of all the good Christians there in their Religion, have hitherto kept out all manner of Schisms and Factions, where the poor people (to their immortall honour be it spoken) under all their sufferings by reason of the common calamity, serve their God night and day with the twelve Tribes of Israel, and live in love and amity [Page 8]amongst themselves without any variance, and in the midst of war; and in these distracted times enjoy peace one with another, and submit themselves with cheerfulnes & without repining at all Ordinances of Parliament, for the Common good and safety of the Kingdome; and are most active & constant friends to the uttermost of their power, yea above their abilities, unto the Parliament. And because they are so unmoveable in their Religion, and conti­nue in their ancient integrity, after the manner of the old Puri­tans of England, they are more hated by the Cavaliers then any other towns, and by all the Novelists: for all the old Puritans and them they call Presbyterians, are equally hated by both: yea this is generally observed; That all Papists and prophane persons in generall, and all Sects whatsoever, although they disagree amongst themselves, and differ in their manners, opinions, and affections too, one from another as Herod and Pilate did, yet to persecute Christ, as they did then agree; so all these Sects can accord and joyne together in a common amity, and with the Pontificians and Malignants, persecute the Presbytery which is next unto the Word of God, an Argument to move me, to beleeve that it is Gods Ordinance, because it is so hatefull to all men; for as our Saviour said of his Disciples, That they should be hated of all men for his names sake, so generally all Gods constitutions finde little favour amongst all such as leave the high way of Gods Com­mandements, and follow the by-way of errours and Novelties, and continue in the pathes of irregeneration or new-fanglenesse, the sin of these times: when Heresie is Religion and Schism the best trade in the Kingdome, and the onely way of preferment. And truely the contemplation of the change of all mens minds and manners, within these few years, and those rents and divisi­ons in the Church, makes me call to minde the old plot that the Jesuits and their complices, and all the Popish crew have been long a laying, and contriving for the undermining of the State and overthrowing of the true Protestant Religion which was di­vidie & impera.

The Jesuites had nothing more common by heart and by book, then that, the way for the alienating of these three flourishing Kingdomes to a forain jurisdiction, and for the extirpating of the true Religion in them, and reducing again of popery, and for the advancing of the Papal usurpation, was first to make sects and di­visions [Page 9]among our selves, and then to foment them by some of their crafty companions, who want neither wit, learning, nor industry; and know very well how to personate every man in saying, doing, counselling, and complying with all sorts of Sects, as if they themselves were the most zealous defenders of those conceived truths, and the greatest abettors of them, when under that vaile they hide themselves; and do not only maintain those that are on foot, and such as they have already hatcht, but daily bring forth new ones, and every one more monstrous then other; and all this for the subversion of the three Kingdomes, and the true Protestant Religion established in them, and which is the cause of all the calamities that are now amongst us. But for the effecting of all this they seem to pretend a singular holinesse and more then ordinary piety, and put themselves therefore in sheeps-clothing in all their actions, and plead for a christian liberty: and therefore they especially labour to hinder any setled government in the Church; but such an one as they well know will bring confusion upon us all, and which no wise state can tolerate, and yet none but this will please their humour: and therefore they la­bour principally to make odious the Presbyterian government, which the Ponteficians and all prophane men, and all Sectaries and Hereticks have ever hated; and therefore have alwayes in­deavoured to make it odious to all people, as a government ten­ding to inslave Kings and Princes and distructive to all well or­dered Common-weals and to the liberty of the subjects, and to the destroying of the Nobility and Gentry in kingdomes, and for the making of a parity amongst all men, and a community of all things; and by this means in a short time to bring in a confusion in Church and State. And by such suggestions as these, they have for many generations, as in these our times made the Presbyteri­ans hatefull to all men. And it is the study at this day of all the Malignants, and of all Libertines, & Male-contents and Sectaries, and of all the Independents, to make divisions betweene people and people, and between Nation and Nation; and to render those men despicable that they seemed but a few years before highly to honour, love, and magnifie, as now they do our Brethren of Scot­land, whom they seemed not long since greatly to esteeme; and who yet ought, and that deservedly, to be exceedingly honoured for their love to us; who exposed their own lives and welfare, [Page 10]yea, their whole country to danger, for our aide, assistance, and defence; and yet these men now, with our Novelists and all un­stable creatures, those Reeds shaken and turned with every winde of doctrine, and every streame of new opinions (as much as in them lies) are made as hatefull as any common enemies, to the dis­honour of God and our Nation, and shews great unthankfulnesse in us all, to the deterring of any Nation to come to our succour or relief; and all this their malice and hatred is, because they have set up the Presbyterian government amongst themselves; and de­sire for the more uniting of the three Kingdomes to gather in a more nigh affection, to establish it here; wherein they have done God and the Kingdome good service, and will finde a reward in Heaven for it, if they fail of it here: and it will not be for the ho­nour of our Nation to suffer any black mouthes to contaminate the reputation of those that have deserved so well from us; and therefore all such as have neither a bridle for their tongues nor their unruly passions, ought to have a bit put in their mouthes to teach them better manners, more humanity and gratitude. But this has ever bin the practice of all the enemies of God, & his govern­ment in all ages, to make all his Servants, the holy Prophets, yea Christ himself and his blessed Apostles, hatefull to the people, un­der that notion of disturbers of all Kingdomes, enemies of Caesars and of all government. And this made the Popish faction in Qu. Maries dayes, when they heard that those Ministers that fled out of England to Frankford in Germany, and into other places, inten­ded to set up the Presbyterian government in England if the Lady Elizabeth ever came to the Crown, so to bestir themselves and set their wits on work, to hinder and frustrate that their intention: for they said among themselves, if that government were once e­stablished in the Kingdome, their Catholick Religion could ne­ver get place or take rooting here any more: and therefore seeing they could not take away the life of that most excellent Lady, nor any way keep her from the Crown after her Sisters decease; now all the policy would be to hinder that work. Whereupon they suborn'd many of the most famous wits out of both Universities, that under pretence of religion and zeale to the Protestant profes­sion should flye over to Frankfort, and to the other places where those Ministers were, as if they had done it out of conscience and pure love to the Protestant religion; and seemed in all points of [Page 11]doctrine to be as zealous as any of those that were there, and the only desirers and advancers of the true Protestant Religion: but they professed unto them, that for the manner of government the Hierarchicall way of ruling the Church, in their opinion (the pu­rity of religion being once established) would most tend to the preservation of it, as being most powerfull for the suppressing of Sects and Schismes, and for the upholding also of the Kingdome; and that the Presbytery would tend to nothing but the bringing in of Anarchy: and what with their craft, subtilty, and wranglings (as the Independents now do in the Assembly) they so interrup­ted their proceedings, as they could not then bring their good designe to perfection, and so hindered that glorious work of Re­formation for that time, and all under the pretext of piety and good, to the peace of the Church and Kingdome. And as soon as Queen Mary was dead, and that the Lady Elizabeth was preclai­med Queen of England, then they all repaired home; and having a strong party in the Court, all seeming zealous Protestants (though Papists in their hearts) they commended these men as wise and moderate men, and such as were lovers of Monarchies, and regall government to the Queen, and disgraced all those that stood for a Presbytery, as such as were factious and affectors of innovation, and such as were no way to be preferred to eminent places in the Church; but because as they said, they had suffered for their conscience, they were willing they should have good Parsonages and Benefices through the Towns and Villages where they might preach to the people, but they were all set in the Black Bill, as men not fit to preach in Courts, and as men uncapable of great places and high promotion in the Church, & were ever kept under as those that were seditious and not fit for Ecclesiasticall honours. And all the other that were either Papists in their hearts, or ill affected to the Protestant Religion, though seeming Prote­stants, were advanced to all Church-dignities, and made Arch­bishops, Bishops, and Suffragates, Deans, Archdeacons, and the Queens and Noblemens Chaplains. And in a very short time they established their High Commission Court, under pretence of sup­pressing Popery; whereas they intended nothing, but the root­ing out in time of all true Religion; and the re-establishing again of their old worm-eaten and rotten profession. And they had in a good measure accomplished this their diabolicall plot, and had [Page 12]really effected it, had it not pleased our God to call this Parlia­ment and Assembly, who by their vigilancy and care frustrated this their designe. And all this they then brought about by bring­ing the Presbytery into hatred and disgrace, as the Papists them­selves have often gloried and bragged among their Compani­ons, when they would shew how they had ever out-witted the Puritans. And at this instant of time, they have their com­plices that foment all these factions, by whose means they labour to hinder the Presbyterian government, knowing very well, that if it ever be establied, the Kingdome of Antichrist will ne­ver get head againe amongst us, nor none of their abominable Sects have rooting in these Kingdomes, but that the truth by that means will flourish (maugre all the maligners of it) and be propa­gated through the world; which is the only cause, that not only the Devill but all ungodly men and straglers, are so inraged a­gainst the Presbyterian-government, which they know is so prevalent for the suppressing of all Heresies and eronious opini­ons; and for the curbing of all vice, wickednesse, and all pro­phanenesse, as that they will never be permitted to roost in these dominations. And whereas they look upon all the Presbyteri­ans, as they tell us in their writings, as the enemies of JESUS CHRIST and his Kingdome; I look upon all the Sticklers against the Parliament and Presbytery (by what names and ti­tles soever distinguished, & what seeming piety soever they make shew of) as on a company of Juglers. And truly as the Juglers in Saint Pauls time bewitched the foolish Galathians, so these by their cunning craftinesse have infatuated too many well meaning and godly people; who, howsoever they have learned to for­get the very lawes of civility and common charity, and to con­demne all those of a different opinion from themselves, as ene­mies of Christ: yet I shall ever learne to distinguish between the people that are mislead, and they that seduce them: for I con­ceive of many of them, as such as desire to serve God with all sin­cerity, and in the purest way of worshipping him: and because their Teachers perswade them that these their new wayes, are the wayes of God, and they not being able to discern truth from error, and to discover their hypocrisie are all deceived by them, as the poor Widows were by the Scribes and Pharisees in Christs time, who our Saviour said devoured their houses under pretence of [Page 13]long prayers: and as they brought in the leven of their own do­ctrine and inventions into Gods worship and service, so do the false teachers of these our times bring in their own grolleries and Baggatellies, & prefer their own traditions before the Comman­dements of God, and violate all the lawes of love and charity for the establishing of the same. And as ignorance in all people is the cause of error, for so our blessed Saviour saith, Matth. 22. Ye erre not knowing the Scriptures; so in these perilous and dangerous times, these deceivers creepe into houses and leade captive silly Women and ignorant Men, to the danger of their own soules and the hurt of others. And lamentable it is, that such multitudes of Men and Women should none of them take notice, how they are deluded: for whiles their Pastors (as they call them) seem to give the congregation and the Church such power and autho­thority, as if they could do nothing without their consent and good liking; yet all this is to make themselves Lords over them, and as very Popes in their Conclaves, who if they be crafty and cunning, make their Conclaves say Amen to their own wills; and doe whatsoever they have a liking to, and a purpose to bring to passe.

For what man is there, that hath any discerning spirit, or is but of any ordinary capacity, that doth not by dayly experience finde, that the Pastors of their new gathered Churches, do whatsoever pleaseth them in their severall Congregations; so that howsoever to humor the people, they say, they can do nothing without the consent of the whole Assembly, it is a meer jugling to my own knowledge; for the poor people count all that their Ministers speak as an Oracle, and take for truth whatever they say; and if they do at any time dissent from them in their thoughts, they dare not declare it openly, especially the poor members, for in­curring their Ministers displeasure: for they ordinarily have the chiefest hand in the distribution of all the collections that are made for the releeving of the indigent, and can at any time either pleasure or displeasure them: and therefore they endeavour to keep in favour with them, to avoid their frowns, which they know may be very prejudiciall unto them: so that their teachers upon all occasions, do what they themselves think fit, especially when it makes for their owne advantage and gain, which the most of them have alwayes an eye unto (or else they are extrame­ly [Page 14]abused by some of their own fraternity.) And if at any time any in their Churches seem unwilling to comply with them in their proceedings, yet commonly they have such a party in their Congregations, as they carry all before them; and if for some short season the greater part oppose them, if their pastors be learned and cunning, what with their Policy, Rhetoricke and fine Art of perswasion and seeming reasons, they will soon turn the whole Congregation which way they please: So that howsoever they amuse the people and tell them of the great pri­viledge the Church hath, both in choosing of Officers, and ad­mitting of members, and in transacting all things; in fine, all is as they will have it, and all the ignorant people follow their seve­rall Pastors, as a company of silly Goslings do the old Goose. And the truth is, they make their Congregation but a company of ninnies (as the false Apostles used to do, as Paul affirmes in 2 Cor. 11.) and all for their own base ends (as will ere long be sufficiently proved) and exercise as great a domination, lord­ship, and power, over them, in respect of ording things in their severall Churches, as Popes in their Conclave, and Kings and Princes in their severall Councells; who if they be wise and Po­liticke and be Masters indeed in their Art, and King-craft, as they call it, they will turn their Councells which way they please; and make use of them no farther then stands with their own designs, and use them onely as a screen between them and the people, ever for their own defence and safeguard, so that if at any time upon extraordinary pressures and grievances their subjects grow into a heat or discontent, and begin to murmur; then one or two of the Councellors, must for fashion-sake be in disgrace and frown'd on for some space, as if they had given bad councell, to satisfie the people: when in the mean time, there is nothing but collusion, the King and they remaining very good friends, as who did nothing nor councelled nothing, but what they knew the King himselfe would have done, and used them onely as his instruments for the effecting of it; and all this to delude the people, and to regain their good opinion: for all wise Princes ever shew themselves favourably to the people upon any com­plaints, seeming to greeve at nothing more that their subjects (who they look on as children) should in the lest thing suffer un­der their Government, and especially by their own servants, and [Page 15]this method of dealing gives great content to subjects in all king­domes, and that Princes know well. After the very same manner do the crafty Independent Pastors deal with their Churches upon all occasions; and when they desire to bring any plot of theirs to passe that may be advantageous and profitable unto them, then they put the people upon it; so that if any disgrace be like to come by it, then the congregations must have that lye upon them, as who have the chiefe ordering of things in their severall assemblies, for they professe themselves all servants of the Church, and to be at their disposing, and to go and come at their appointment, and to do nothing but by their good liking, and Pope-like, they say they are Servi Servorum. And then for the colouring of all their juglings, they tell them of the Church in Jerusalem and that of Corinth, who had the power of Choosing their Officers, and cast­ing out of offenders, and doing whatsoever they pleased within themselves; and they stand, they say, as single persons, and may not in the least infringe or impeach the rights and priviledges of the Church; when notwithstanding nothing is done, but accor­ding to their own direction, and by their speciall instigation, and so they ever preserve their own reputation, and seem to be friends to such as they mortally hate, and lay all upon the Church of Jerusalem whose example they affirm all Churches are to fol­low, and whose pattern they must imitate: now that being but one Congregation and Assembly (for so they perswade the igno­rant people) ever having had plenary power within it self, as all the other Churches; the severall congregations through the world (as they assert) have within themselves the same power and au­thority, of ordering and transacting all things that concerne the Church, as the Church of Jerusalem, and those other severall Churches had, and from the which there is no appeal; and all this is but miserably to abuse the people, and cunningly to make themselves Lords over them, whiles they seem highly to honour the professing to be their servants: & for my part I shal ever pray, that all the Independent Ministers through the world may be in­deed the servants of the Churches and States wherein they live, and never become their Masters; for all men may see by the very beginning of their domination, how they would Lord it over all congregations, if they were once established by authority, when they speak so big in their childhood and infancy, and doe those [Page 16]daring actions against the great Councell of the Kingdome they dayly exercise: abusing all authority that is not of their own mod­dell, in word and deed, in writing and preaching, to the very scandall of Religion: all which they could not be suffered to do, if there were once a learned Presby try set up as they well know and such a Church government as was in Ierusalem and in all those Primative Churches, the which were so many severall corporations, every one of them consisting of severall Congre­gations, and all governed by the joynt consent and common councell of their severall Colledges of Presbyters, to the which every particular member, and every severall Congregation and Assembly in their particular Precincts and Jurisdictions, had their appeals upon all occasions, and that by divine institution, and stood to the arbitration of every severall Presby try, or else appea­led upon non satisfaction or conceived wrong, to their severall and more generall Classes, higher Presbyters or Synods, as we see in Mat. 18. and Acts 6. & 15. where we have both precept and presidents of so ordering and ruling the Church to the end of the world; for Christ who is the Law-giver of his Church hath so appointed it: and whatsoever the Apostles did in the ordinary way of governing the Church, they did it for example to future ages as they in their writing declare and invite all Ministers and people to their imitation. And if Christians under the New Te­stament had not severall places to appeal to, and higher Courts of judicature then their particular Congregations and Churches, they should be inferiour to the Synagogues of the Jews, and to that Nation in many respects: for it is well known to those that have ever read the holy Scripture, that they had severall Courts to ap­peal to, upon conceived wrong and in all difficult businesses, and this was no ceremoniall way of Government, but a morall and permanent way of ordering things to the end of the world: and our blessed Saviour constituted the same manner of Government Ecclesiasticall (the Leviticall Priest-hood and that Order being abolished with all their Ceremonious services) that was in all the Cities of Judaea and Isarel, and through all their Synagogues who were all Aristocratically and Presbyterianly governed, who were moderated and Ordered by severall Colledges of Judges in their severall Precincts cal'd Rulers, of which there were some inferiour and some chiefe Rulers or Judges, as it is in all Courts [Page 17]of judicature through the world: and this manner of government is that that was established by Christ and his blessed Apostles, and was continued in the Primitive Churches, till Antichrist that Man of Sinne began to put up his hornes; and who advancing himselfe above all that is called God, not only pusht down that Presbyterian government and manner of ruling, and trampled it under his poluted feet; but most tyrannically inslaved all King­domes and Nations, and brought them under his unsupportable yoke. And now through the goodnesse of God, his power is abro­gated and abolished, the Independent Ministers with Diotrephes would usurpe the same over every congregation; which ought to be managed by the joynt consent and common-counsell of every Presbytery, to which every Member in every Church, and every particular congregation under their severall Presbyteries, ought to make their addresses, and to which they ought to have their re­course upon all occasions. And if the Gentlemen the Independent Ministers, had that knowledge in Divinity, History, or very po­liticks, that they would perswade the world they were so great Masters in, they would never have spake, preached, and writ that they have done against common reason, all antiquity, and the ex­presse Word of God it self in defence of their fond opinion. For what man of ordinary judgement ever read, what the word or a name of a City meant, and what is understood by it, was so stu­pid, as to conceive where Paul appointed Titus, cap. 1. That he should ordaine Presbyters in every City, that the Apostle there meant by City, one congregation or particular assembly in every City; when if we take notice of that word, we shall finde in all Histories both Divine and Humane, that by City is meant not on­ly the compasse of ground and houses and streets inclosed within the wals of any place, and the inhabitants dwelling in it: but by City the whole country is to be understood and comprehended, whose inhabitants are governed by the same law that those within the City are. And this manner of speaking is so frequent in all Hi­stories both sacred and prophane, as nothing is more common, as all learned men know, and therefore I cite not authorities to prove it, with which I might fill a Volume. So that when the Apostle Paul commanded Titus to ordaine Presbyters and Bishops in e­very City, he then established a Presbytery or Colledge of Mini­sters, that might with wisdome and in knowledge governe all [Page 18]those severall congregations and particular assemblies of Believers that then were in these severall Cities, and as many as in future time should be converted to the faith by the preaching of the Go­spell within these Cities, and Villages about the City, as far as the jurisdiction and limits of the secular government did stretch and extend it self: for the Secular government and the Ecclesiasticall went alwayes together, as it doth at this day through the world in all well ordered Principalities and Common-weals: and there­fore as far as the Teritories of every City in those dayes extended it selfe, so far did the Presbyters authority spread and extend it self: and therefore when the Apostle enjoyned Titus to ordaine Presbyters in every City, he established there a Councell, Senate, Court, or Colledge of Presbyters, and an Ecclesiasticall Magistra­cy, to the which he gave power to exercise their authority over all the particular congregations and severall assemblies that were then already converted, and that should be converted afterward, both within the wals of the City, and within the circumference and bounds of the whole jurisdiction to the end of the world; and or­dered that that Presbytery and Colledge by joynt consent and common counsell should governe all those severall congregations. And this is Gods Ordinance. And as all the Cities in Judea and Israel under their severall Kings were notwithstanding governed by a secular Presbytery, as all Corporations are here in England, so they were also by an Ecclesiasticlal, and had their Rulers of their Synagogues and appeals from inferiour Courts to superiour upon all just occasions, and that by Gods appointment, and by Christs own ratification, as the Scripture doth frequently specifie in many places. And indeed if any man of mature judgement, and with deliberation would but consider what all Histories relate concer­ning the originall of Cities, and the cause of their building, and how farre their Territories and their Lines (if I may so say) of communication extended, with their inhabitants which were al­wayes counted Citizens, they could never be induced to believe that grollish opinion of Independency. For when the Lord divi­ded the whole Earth to the severall families of the same, he alwaies reserved a portion for his own children, for he is the preserver of all, especially of the Believers, as it is related Deut. 32. and Acts 17. and 1 Tim. 4. Now as the Families of the Earth multi­plied and increased, they extended their habitations further and [Page 19]further, from countrey to countrey, till they had replenished all places according to Gods command and blessing, Increase and multiply: and as they seated themselves in any new Plantation, for their safety and more secure habitation, and to free themselves from incursions of any enemies, they built themselves Cities and great walled Townes (having learned that lesson of Cain, the fruits of sin, that made man both naked and afraid of every thing) and that they might be furnished with all provisions and necessa­ries, they allotted unto every City such a circuit and compasse of ground as out of the which they might have all their necessaries supplied, and be accommodated with all things needfull for food and raiment and their bodily preservation, which required a large extent of ground, and of which they might take at pleasure, there being enough, and for this very end they stocked the grounds about their severall Cities with cattell, and sent out as their fami­lies increased, their Colonies and Semenaries, as Bees use yearly to do their Swarmes; and those they seated in the most conveni­ent and fertilest places, and fittest for habitation through the coun­tries, who manured and tilled the ground, and planted Vineyards, and built Villages and Towns; all the which still were accounted Citizens: & as Merchants here in London that are Citizens & that have houses and habitations in the countrey, lose not their former denomination by their countrey habitation; no more did the peo­ple in those dayes, but were alwayes with all the inhabitants with­in the limits of that countrey, reputed Citizens, and call'd by the name of such a City, because they were governed by the same lawes the City was, and were derived from it, and were under the command of the chiefe of those families, who all lived as Kings at first. And therefore into whose hands soever those Ci­ties fell, either by succession, donation, compact, mariage or victo­ry, those that were the owners or conquerours of them, still for the most part continued and preserved the divisions formerly made, and kept all those Villages and Townes as far as the juris­diction of those Cities extended under their command, and all by the name of such Cities as at first, and all the dwellers and in­habitants within that circumference or circuit were still accoun­ted as part of the City as all Histories do relate both sacred and humane. So that they that were Masters of those severall Cities, were also Lords of all those Villages, which were under the juris­diction [Page 20]diction of those Cities, and as far as the secular power of those seve­rall Cities did extend, so far did their Ecclesiasticall. And as those se­verall cities we read of in the holy Scripture under the Kings of Ju­da and Israel, had all their severall civill Presbyters and Elders, or a Councell and Senate of Presbyters in them to govern them under their severall Kings; so they had their Ecclesiasticall or Synago­gicall Presbyters, or a Colledge of Elders also, whose authority extended over all their severall congregations, Synagogues, or assemblies, as well within the Cities as without, through all the Villages and Townes that were within the compasse and circum­ference of their severall jurisdictions, as all imperiall Cities through the christian world were in the Primitive times gover­ned, and are at this day in many places. And therefore we can­not conceive any other of the severall Presbyters placed in every City by Apostolicall institution, as of those of Jerusalem, Ephesus, Corinth, Galatia, &c. but as of so many corporations: for we reade that both in Jerusalem and Ephesus, they had both many Presbyters and many congregations under every severall Presby­tery, and as men in those severall Cities, Parishes, Townes, and Villages were daily converted to the faith, so those severall Col­ledges of Presbyters ordained them more Presbyters by common consent, and took them continually under their government; which congregations, though many, as far as their jurisdiction extended, were all joyned together under one Presbyterie, and made still in every severall Precinct but one church, as that of Je­rusalem and Ephesus, and were all governed and ordered by the joynt consent and common-counsell of their severall Colled­ges of Presbyters; the mistaking of the which kinde of govern­ment, and the mis-understanding of the Scriptures, was the cause of all the confusions in the Christian world, and of those sad dif­ferences here in England at this day, and the only occasion of that vaine opinion of Independency, for so I may call it for divers rea­sons. For the tenent of the Independents is this, That in the Church of Ierusalem and in that of Ephesus, and in all the other Churches spoken of in the New Testament, there were no more Believers in each of them, then could all meet in one place, and in one congregation to partake in all acts of worship, and that they were absolute within themselves, and from the which there was no appeals: which I affirme is a vaine and fond opinion, contrary [Page 21]to both Scripture and reason, and all antiquity; and that it is both against Scripture and reason, I have sufficiently as I conceive pro­ved it in the foregoing discourse. But for a further confirmation of it I shall here adde some other arguments, that may if it be possible undeceive those that have by the falacies and craft of their Teachers been misled and seduced. I must confesse, it has been a wonder often to me, to see that such multitudes of godly people, and those that I had thought had been so well grounded in Reli­gion, should be so carried about with every winde of new do­ctrine, under pretence of New-lights, when they have so often been forewarn'd to take heed of deceivers, by Christ and his Apo­stles; and that in such a violent manner, and with such exaspirated spirits against their Brethren, that cannot assent unto those novel­ties. For if they had ever read the holy Scriptures with under­standing, or been but a little acquainted with the Ecclesiasti­call Histories, they could never have been so suddenly deluded. For if we but reade the Acts of the Apostles with attention, or the Epistles of Paul, and all the writings of the New Testament; we shall finde in them all, that by the powerfull preaching of the Gospel and by the wonderfull working of miracles of the Apo­stles, whole cities and countries were converted unto the faith; and that the Gospel was generally imbraced, and whole Nations converted and brought to the obedience of the faith by it, in a very short time: and Saint Paul speaking of the Romans, chap. 1 ver. 8. saith, that their faith was spoken of through the whole world: and in chap. 10. vers. 18. he saith, That the sound of the Gospell went into all the earth, and their words (meaning of the Apostles) un­to the end of the world. And in the 15. chapter and vers. 18, 19. he affirmeth, That Christ so wrought by him, as he made the Gentiles obedient by word & deed, through mighty signes & wonders by the prower of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about all Illericum, he had fully Preached the Gospell, and that he had so strived to Preach the Gospel, not where Christ was named, least he should build upon another mans foundation. And in his 1. Epistle to the Thessalonians vers. 8. He teacheth That from them the Word of the Lord sounded, not onely in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place, saith he, your faith to God-ward is spread abroad, so that we need not to speak any thing. Here we see whol Cities and Countries were converted and became Christians. [Page 22]And in the Acts of the Apostles there is frequent mention of whole Cities and Countries converted by the miracles and Preaching of the Apostles: who the people thought of and looked upon, as gods come down from heaven; so that all Asia in a short time was converted by the Apostles Ministery, for the people see­ing the Apostles raise the dead and cure all diseases, and that by their very shaddows, and by touching but the garments and handcarchiefs, or any thing that came from the sick; and obser­ving that they were by and by restored unto their former health, and beholding their godly life and holy conversation, and hearing them preach nothing but those things that tended to make them eternally happy: they came in, in mighty multitudes, through Cities and whole Countries, to beleeve the Gospell, and were made Christians dayly; so that by some one of their miracles they converted more then could meet well in any one Congrega­tion to partake in all acts of worship and to edification; and there was still dayly increase upon increase of Christians through both Cities and Countries, as both the Scriptures and all the Ecclesia­sticall histories relate: so that all reason dictates unto any in­telligible man, that in a short time there must of necessity in every City, and through the severall Countries be many Congre­gations and Assemblies, and many Presbytors, ordained over them for the ruling and governing and dayly instructing of them and for the building of them all up in the holy faith: for all these the Scripture speakes of, were such as were really con­verted, or at least made profession of the saith as Simon Magus, and were therefore admitted into the bosome of the Church, and into the fellowship of the Saints. And all good reason will teach men, that the Apostles and those Primative Ministers, had a more excellent faculty of converting men, then our Independent Pa­stors & teachers, by whose Ministry yet, I never heard of any that were converted; for their Congregations al of them consist of such as were converted to their hands: but if a few of them without miracles, have been so powerfull through City and Country to gather so many congregations and severall Churches here in Lon­don, and through all the Cities and Towns where they have been preaching their Novelties, shall we be so blockish and stupid to think that all the Apostles together, and so many other famous Ministers as were for many years, alwayes resident in Jerusalem, [Page 23]they could all convert no more Christians then could meet in one place or congregation? and that at Ephesus and in the other Ci­ties and Countries where the Scripture relateth that there was such infinite multitudes dayly converted, and additions of new beleevers upon new beleevers added to the Church, that they might ever meet in one Congregation and in one Assembly to communicate in all the Ordinances? no reason will perswade this to any man, that hath not promised to himself to beleeve no­thing but what he seeth with his own eyes. But that I may again return to the Church in Jerusalem, the pattern of all Churches for government; I affirm that in that great and mighty city, there were more beleevers than could meet in any one or a few places, to communicate in all acts of worship, and that there were many Congregations of Christians there in the Apostles times, and many years after. And besides the many reasons I have in the fore­going Treatise specified, for a further demonstration of the truth of that Assertion, I shall here adde a few more. And amongst other that out of Paul in the first of the Galathians, which I one­ly touched in the foregoing Tractate; where he signifieth to the Galathians, that he received not the Gospell from the Apostles, but from Jesus Christ himself, that they might the more cheer­fully imbrace it, and give credit unto it: For, saith he, I preached the Gospell in Arabia, to the heathens before I saw the Apostles, and had continued my Ministery three years before I went up to Ie­rusalem to them. Indeed after three years, saith he, I went up to Ierusalem, to see Peter, and aboade with him fifteen dayes, but other of the Apostles saw I none save Iames the Lords brother, (not that they were absent) and therefore I received not the Gospell from them, but from Christ himself. In the which words we have not onely a singular Argument to confirm the Preaching and writing of the Apostle Paul to be the Word of God against the Papists, but we have also an excellent reason against the new opinion of the Independents, to prove many congregations in the Church of Ierusalem for Paul was a diligent frequenter of the Synagogues and Assemblies of the Jews and Christians where­soever he came (as it is often specified in the Scripture) where he Preached the Word and Gospell unto the people: and it is also cleer and evident by the same Scripture, as in the Acts of the Apostles, and in the Epistle of Saint Iames, and many other places, [Page 24]that Synagogue and Church were Sunonymaes, and are often ta­ken one for another, as Bishops and Presbyter are for the ordinary Ministers and Preachers of the Word. Now by the very light of reason, all men that have not resined their understanding, will gather, That if there had been but one meeting place or one con­gregation of Believers in the Church of Jerusalem, that Paul re­maining there fifteen dayes, in all that times he would have fre­quented the Assembly of Believers, at lest if he had not preached unto them, who was so diligent both in hearing and in preaching in al other places were he came: and if there had then been but one meeting-place in Jerusalem, and but one congregation, without doubt the Apostles would daily have been at their imployments, which were, to pray with the people, and preach unto them, for they never were idle nor deserted not their charge. Now when they were alwayes imployed in their severall ministeries, it is ma­nifest that there were severall assemblies or congregations of Be­lievers in Jerusalem, that hindred the Apostles from visiting one another; for if there had been but one congregation, then of ne­cessity Paul and the other Apostles should have met there in so long a space: and therefore it stands with all reason that there were many congregations of Believers in Jerusalem, if we had no testimonies of holy Scripture for to prove it.

For if any credit may be given to the Historians that write of these times, there were above three of four hundred Synagogues in Je­rusalem (I speak within compasse) and common understanding dictates that there were some hundreds of assembling places, where there was so many hundred thousand people, and such multitudes of Teachers. And in those Synagogues the people met together, to hear the Law and Prophets both read and interpreted unto them: and the Synagogues both in Jerusalem, and through all Judea and Palestine, were the places of the morall worship, as the Temple was the principall place of the cerimoniall service. And as here in London, Pauls was the place, where after the Jewish, or rather Heathenish fashion and manner, they had their ceremoniall imployments, which consisted in outward perfor­mances, as crouchings and cringings, capings and kneeings, pipe­ing and tooting, in Popes, Surplices, and their four square Cow­turds and crotchets, windings and turnings, Altars, Crosses and Crucifixes, and a thousand other such trumperies; the acting of [Page 25]all which made the judicious Christian-beholders think them­selves rather in the school of Numa Pompilius, or in the Col­ledge of the old Roman Priests then conversant in the Church of God: so the other Churches through the City, were the places where the Morrall worship was chiefely exercised; as the reading, preaching, and hearing of the Word, chatechising, exhortation, admonition, prayers, thanksgiving, &c. So after the same man­ner it was in Jerusalem. The Temple was the principle place of the Ceremoniall Worship, and the Synagogues were the places of the Morrall Service; where Moses and the Prophets were read and interpreted unto them, every Sabbath day. And it followeth of necessity, that there must needs be a very great num­ber of Synagogues in Jerusalem, where there were many hun­dred thousand people, and such multitudes of Rabbies and Do­ctors and such a number of Priests, Levites, Scribes, Pharisees, and Lawyers, all Interpreters of the Law, and such as sat in Moses his chair, who our Saviour commanded the people to hear.

Now, as in the dayes of King Edward and Queen Elizabeth, after their Latine Service, and their Idolatrous Masses were cast out of all the Churches; and the reformed Religion was set up in the severall Congregation in place of that fals Worship, and all the people repaired still, and more willingly and more abundantly unto their severall Parish Churches, and Chappels, to hear the Word Preached; and as the meetings and meeting-places were still continued, whereas they onely heard Masses before, which they understood not, now they heard the Gospell purely preached unto them in lieu of that; and the people came more abundantly unto those assemblies. Even so whereas before the comming of John the Baptist, and of our blessed Saviour, they had the Law, Psalms, and Prophets, read and Interpreted unto them in all their Synagogues, after the Gospell began to be published; to the Law and the Prophets, the glad tidings of Peace was Preached by Christ and his Apostles, and the other Primative Christian Mini­nisters, and by many of the Priests that imbraced the faith; and that in all their Synagogues every Sabboth day, especially where the people upon all occasions in great multitudes met together: for it is said, That the Kingdome of heaven suffered violence, and the violent tooke it by force. Now to any man that will not resolve to shut his eyes, and refuse to see the Sun-shine of the truth, it [Page 26]may appear that all the Synagogues in Jerusalem, as in all other Cities, after the Christian Religion was so generally imbraced, and the Jews were turned Christians; were the places where they still continued to meet in, to hear the Gospell as formerly they had done to hear the Law, and there is many testimonies out of holy Scripture, to prove this Assertion: neither can we in charity think that they being made Christians, were lesse zealous to hear the Gospell, then they were to hear the Law; yea, their diligence in that good work, is often mentioned in the holy Scripture to their praise and honour; as that they met dayly in the Temple and in every house, to hear the Word and to partake in all the Ordinan­ces. And it is well known, that Paul into what City soever he came, was as diligent in preaching as the people in hearing. Now when he remained in Jerusalem fifteen dayes, he would not be idle: and it is to be beleeved that the other Apostles were as diligent in their severall Ministries as Paul was, as I said before; so that their much imployment without doubt, was the onely cause that hindred the Apostles from comming unto him, and re­tarded Paul from saluting of them: for we may not conceive, that so famous an Apostle as Paul was, could lye hid in Jerusa­lem or be unknown so long from the other Apostles; neither in charity may we think, that there was any love wanting either in Paul towards them, or in the Apostles towards Paul; but we most impute their not visiting of each other, to the multiplicity of their imployments, that so hindered them, that they could not finde convenient time, each to see other. So that by this I have now said, it is evident to any rationall man, that there were more Christians and beleevers in the Church of Jerusalem, then either could or did meet together in one place for all Acts of worship: for they met every Sabbath day together in their Syna­gogues to hear Moses and the Prophets read and Interpreted, as the Scripture affirmeth, yea from house to house dayly: and there­fore we may easily gather, that as many Synagogues and meeting places as there were in Jerusalem, to say nothing of the Temple, so many Churches and Congregations of beleevers there were in Jerusalem; for Synagogue and Church are all one in Gods dialect, and they that were Jews before the preaching of the Gospell, were now made Christians and beleevers. Neither had the Chri­stians and beleeving Iews any cause to separate themselves from [Page 27]the congregations, for there was nothing in their Synagogues to scruple them, without the law of Moses should offend them, and that the Scripture testifies they were very zealous of; and many of them that were converted, perswaded the Gentiles after their conversion and illumination, to joyn the Ceremoniall Law to the Gospell, which although it was not permitted unto them, yet for a time it was connived at and tollerated in the weak Jews; yea, in the tenth of the Hebrews the Christians are blamed for forsa­king of the assembling of themselves together, and it was counted a fault in them: and therefore it may without any error be con­cluded, that there were as many, if not more Assemblies and Sy­nagogues of beleevers in Jerusalem after the preaching of the Gospell and in the Apostles times, as were before of the Jews: for they after they were Christians continued still to assemble themselves, if not dayly, every Sabbath day at least in their Syna­gogues, as they were wont to do, where the Apostles were all so taken up in preaching, as they had no leisure for reciprocall salu­tations: and therefore of necessity there were more congregations in the Church of Jerusalem, and a greater multitude of Christians them could all meet in any one or a few places: even as it was here in England in King Edwards and Queen Elizabeths dayes, as I specified before: there was no fewer congregations and as­semblies of Protestants in London, then was before of Papists: for as many Parish Churches as there were in the city of London so many severall congregation of Protestants there were then through the city; and they that profest Popery before, did now imbrace the Protestant Religion, and made so many congregations and severall Churches of Protestants, as there were congregations of Papists before: and as it would be accounted great absurdity, yea a ridiculous thing in any man to affirm that there was but as many Protestants in London, in King Edward his time, or in Queen Elizabeths dayes, as could all meet in one place or in one con­gregation; so to any understanding and intelligible man, it is as absurd to conclude that there were no more christians and belee­vers in Jerusalem then could all meet in one place and congrega­tion, when the Scripture it self affirmeth that all Jerusalem was turned Christians, and had their meetings and assemblies in the Temple, and in every house; and that there was many assemblies there, and it stands with all reason, that if there had been but one [Page 28]Congregation of beleevers in Jerusalem, when Paul went to vi­sit Peter, that then he of necessity should have seen some, at least of the other Apostles besides Peter and Iames; for without doubt Paul was dayly among the Christians a preaching to them in their Synagogues or meeting places; and the other Apostles also whose duty it was to be continually taken up in praying and prea­ching amongst them, would not so long a time have layen idle and private: but in that neither Paul saw them, not the Apostles Paul, it is a sufficient Argument to prove there were many con­gregations and assemblies of beleevers in Ierusalem, which so im­ployed them all in their severall Ministeries as they had no time for mutuall visits; and that was the onely cause that hindred them from saluting one another: so that I conceive by that which I have now said, all understanding men will gather that there were more congregations of beleevers in the Church of Jerusalem then one; and that all these severall assemblies made but one Church, and were all governed by the joynt consent and com­mon councell of one Presbytery; whatsoever the Independent Ministers perswade the poor deluded people to the contrary, for the upholding of their imaginary Presbyterian Government, which is against all Scripture, Antiquity, Reason, and Ordinary sense.

And therefore I may boldly assert in their dealing with their severall Congregations, when they set before them their Churches of Ierusalem, Ephesus, &c. as consisting of but one Congregation and Assembly a peece, they juggle with them for no other end, but to make themselves Lords and masters of them, and to get the Soveraignty in time over the people into their own hands, while they would seem to be their ser­vants.

And therefore it highly concerns all men that desire the peace and welfare of Church and state, duly to weigh and seriously to consider the danger of Schisms and rents in either, which ought to move them to study by all means how rather they make up the breaches already made, and how now to unite them­selves together in love and unity, against the common enemies of them both; then to follow such blind leaders and guides as by their factions and fractions will bring us all into the pit of de­struction, and expose us and our posterities to as great misery [Page 29]and slavery, both for souls and bodies, as ever Nation groaned under.

And as it is the duty of every private Christian in his particular family; to teach and instruct his children and servants in the nurture and fear of the Lord, and with all singular care to purge his house of all such as may misleade them, and seduce and cor­rupt them that are in their tender years, and not well grounded in the principalls of Religion, & to give them speciall charge to haunt no such places and company, as by which they may be viciated in their manners, or poysoned with fals and erronious doctrines and opinions, as the Word of God commands both in the Old and New Testament. So it is the duty of all Magistrates and Mini­sters in their severall places, who are the Pastors of the people, the one for their bodily preservation and the common peace, and the other for their spirituall good to joyn together for the setting up of Gods true Worship, Government, and Service; in all Cities, Towns, and Parishes through the Kingdome; the one by their power and authority, and the other by lifting up their voyce like a Trumpet (as all the holy Prophets and Apostles did in all their generations against all false teachers) and to warn the people under their severall charges, to take heed of them and shun them as they either desire Gods glory, their own eternall Salvation, or the publike present good and the prosperity and tranquility of their off-spring in succeeding ages; and to be as sedulous and dili­gent in suppressing errours and schisms, as all the godly Magi­strates and faithfull Ministers have been in their severall times, whose praises for this their good work is frequently recorded in holy writ, and in all the Ecclesiasticall Records to their eternall honour and renoune, and for our instruction. And truely if the examples of the holy Prophets, blessed Apostles, and godly Ma­gistrates, and of all the deer servants of God whose names and fames are glorious to all posterity in the holy Word of God; will not move us; then at least let us learn of the very enemies, of the Papists, Sectaries, and Hereticks in all precedent and fore-going Generations; for they, as all histories and dayly experience tea­cheth us, not onely labour to remove all such out of their fami­lies and Churches, as be of a contrary opinion to them but study also to exterminate them out of their very territories, if they have strength or policy so to do.

And if none of their examples may yet perswade us to our duty, then let the example of all those that now differ from us in opini­on, but in the matter of government teach us what to do in this point: for they will not willingly entertain any into their fami­lies that is not of their own minde and opinion, nor suffer their children to be instructed in any other way then their own; and shun, in as much as in them lyes, the very company of such as they count Presbyterians; and rarely, if ever, come at our assemblies. And in New-England it self it is well knowne, that they doe not only cast those out of their Churches that differ from them in o­pinion, but also expose them to banishment and to greatest mise­ry, and think all they do, to be their duty; and publish it to the world for the imitation of all other their Churches and Congrega­tions: and I am most assured, had they the authority in their own hands here in England, they would be as severe towards the Presbyterians, as ever the Prelates were against the Puritans. And I am induced so to believe, both from their words and writings: for what can be more bitterly uttered against them, then that they daily speak upon the least occasion, if any but preach or write the least thing in opposition to their opinions; professing that all such Preachers ought to be hanged: and had they the power in their hands, they would trusse them up, as many can testifie and witnesse: and in their writings, how prodigiously daily they a­buse with all manner of calumnies and reproaches, and with all re­viling speeches, the Presbyterians, all that have patience to reade their blasphemous Pamphlets can tell: so that whiles in them they pleade for a tolleration of all Religions, they will not tolle­rate the Presbyterians to defend their own; by which they suffi­ciently declare what favour they would shew them if they were in their hands, on whom they look as the profest enemies of Christs kingdome. Now I say, if neither the example of Gods dear Saints and Servants, nor the Word of God can move us to our duty, nor the example of the Papists and Hereticks of all a­ges: then at least let us follow the example of our Brethren both in New-England and Old-England; for they as all men know re­move all from them that differ from them in their Church-way; and seperate themselves from us, and gather congregations by by themselves, Independent, refusing to communicate with us as an unholy people, and not suffering or permitting us to [Page 31]communicate amongst them in the Ordinances either of bap­tisme or the Lords Supper, but upon their own tearmes; and account us all as unclean things, and to be separated from, which I affirme should move all solid Christians, and such as truly and unfeinedly desire that God may be glorified, and his truth every where set up, to oppose all their errors and novelties in religion, under what pretenses soever they be brought in, and under what­soever seeming holinesse they be set forth: and so much the more care is to be had, and diligence used, both by the Magistrates, Mi­nisters, and all the reall godly of the land; by how much they know the craft and subtilty of those that seduce them: for there was never yet any Sect whatsoever, that came to any rise, perfe­ction, or name in the Church, of which the first venters and con­trivers had not some seeming shew of godlinesse and holinesse of life, and that more then ordinary, to which they usually added the bravery of language, and fine alluring speeches, and cunning craf­tinesse; as they were many of them men of singular elocution, and deep subtilty: as the Prophets and Apostles through the whole Scripture signifie. And Paul in the 16 chap. of his Epistle to the Romans, speaking of those that made divisions contrary to the doctrine that he had taught them, hath this expression, Verse 18. For they that are such (saith he) serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and faire speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Here we see the false Teachers of his time, made use of good words, faire speeches, to deceive the hearts of the simple. And in Gal. 4.14. the Apostle there exhort­ing them, saith. Henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every winde of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftinesse, whereby they lye in wait to deceive. In this place the Apostle gives all Christians a charge to take heed of all erroneous doctrines; and withall sets down the manners and or­dinary carriage of all seducers, that they might be the more carefull to shunne them: for such, saith he, use in the deceiving of you, the flight of men, and cunning craftinesse. This has ever been the method of all false teachers, as Saint Peter also in his 2 Epistle, chap. 2. vers. 1, 2, 3. &c. witnesseth: for speaking of the false teachers of those times he lived in, and of those in future ages, that should bring in damnable doctrines, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bringing upon themselves swift distruction: he [Page 32]foretels also, that many should follow their pernicious wayes, by rea­son of whom the way of truth should be evilly spoken of. And then also he sets down the manner and customes of those seducers; and amongst other things he saith of them, that through covetous­nesse, and with their faire words they should make merchandize of the people. So that we may see, all false teachers clothe their craft with their rhetorick and fained words, for otherwise they would prevaile but little. Now by how much more the Christians in this our age have to deale with a generation of cunning and crafty Juglers, who seeme to equallize, if not to transcend all others in holinesse and godlinesse, in their outward cariage at least; it con­cerneth every one I say more diligently to take heed of them, and of all their new-wayes, their new born truths, and their New-lights: for God himselfe by his holy Prophets and blessed Apo­stles has commanded us, not to decline from those wayes we have learned of him, and those truths that he hath taught us in his holy Word, Neither to the right hand nor to the left, Dut. 4.5. Iosh. 1. Prov. 4. Nay, if an Angell from Heaven should teach otherwise then God hath taught us by Christ and his Apostles, we are to ac­count him accursed, Gal. 1. And in the expresse words above spe­cified, we are prohibited to be carried about with every wind of do­ctrine. So that all those that vent those new-truths and set up those new-lights, which are all indeed new-lights of doctrins, be they ne­ver so seemingly holy, are all cunning deceivers & fighters against God. And all those Christian Magistrates (for ought I know) that tollerate such; and all those orthodox Ministers that connive at them, and are so meal-mouthed, as they dare not preach against them, and forwarne the people of them, neglect their duty; and are not faithfull Watchmen over their flocks committed to their charge, and are blameworthy for it. And all those people that be­ing so often taught by God himself in the holy Scriptures, to take heed of all such as come to them in sheeps clothing, and with their fained holinesse, & with their fair speeches to deceive them, and make merchandize of them, and yet will not take heed of these novelties; doe as much as in them lyes resist the Spirit of God: for the Lord has againe and againe commanded all his peo­ple to shun such men, as in Tim. 1. chap. 6. vers. 5. From such (saith Saint Paul to Timothy, and in him to all Ministers and peo­ple in all ages to the end of the world) withdraw thy selfe. Now [Page 33]if an Evangelist, so learned a man, so well grounded a preacher as Timothy was, to withdraw himselfo from all such as taught other­wise than Paul, & Christ himself & the other Apostles had taught: how much more now ought all Christians that come so far short and are so inferiour to Timothy, for all indowments and graces of knowledge, to beware and take heed of all such as bring in their new-born truths, their new-Lights, and all their new wayes; when especially we are commanded to enquire for the old and good way, which will indeed bring rest unto our souls? Jer. 6. And to omit innumerable places to this purpose; that of Saint Iohn in his second Epistle to the Elect Lady, should ever be in our memory, where Saint Iohn in expresse words forbids that Lady and her family, and in them all other Christians, To receive any that bring not the doctrine of Iesus Christ into their houses, or bid them God-speed, and gives a reason of this his prohibition; For, saith he, he that bids him God-speed, is partaker of his evill deeds. Now all these new doctrines are not the doctrines of Jesus Christ; and therefore whosoever bringeth them, ought not to be received into our families, nor their doctrines into our hearts, no more then stolen goods into our houses and closets: for God hath both forbid it, and set down the danger that will ensue up­on it: for by that means we make our selves equally guilty, and partakers with them in their evill: and therefore all such as shall still notwithstanding whatsoever God hath spake unto us by his holy Prophets and Apostles, follow those new teachers and those new truths, by their so doing, in conclusion they will be found fighters against God; and partake with them in all those punishments the Lord hath threatned against all such as will be led about with every wind of Doctrine, which will be the ruin of themselves and others: and if people will be disobedient and obstinately go on to make Schisms and rents, slighting Gods threats and menaces, and cast his word behind their backs, then it belongeth unto all Magistrates, Ministers, Fathers, and Masters of Families, that are Christians (for I speake not of such as are without the pale of the Church) seeing what already these new Sects have with all their Art and cunning, invented, contrived, and with unwearied paines and ungodly policy brought forth into the world, that the Magistrates are counted intollerable to the people; wives are taken from the bosomes of [Page 34]their husbands, or so alienated from them as they repute the [...] a burthen unto them: the Husbands from the Wife, Children from their Parents, and Patents from their children; and the Ser­vants from their Masters and Mistresses, & Friends from Friends; the Ministers from the people, and the flocks from their Pastors; and that all the lawes of God and Nature by these means are vio­lated; I say in all these regards it is high time, if they will pre­vent those evils that are comming upon the Land by these fracti­ons and divisions, now to quit themselves like men, not caring for all the reviling languages of Seducers who yet never spake well of any but of their own party: for it is against the nature of Se­ctaries to give any a good word but their own complices; and therefore it concernes them all to goe about the work as men of courage and in the fear of God. And truly if men think it (as it is indeed) an unsufferable thing to tolerate those Men-stealers, who they call Spirits, or a new generation of Fayries, to seduce and carry away their children and servants: then much more it is an unsufferable thing to tolerate those that steale away not only the bodies of men and children, from Magistrates, Ministers, Parents, Masters and Mistresses, Friends, &c. but their very hearts and af­fections; and are no better in so doing then a company of spiri­tuall Plunderers, and are to be looked on as so many enemies of the Church and kingdome. Neither is there any breach of charity in speaking truth with love and an unfained desire of their refor­mation: for if they be not reformed, nor their New-lights extin­guished and put out, they will in short time dim and darken the truth it selfe, and provoke the Lord to give us all over to error, because we imbraced not the truth in the love of it, 2 Thess. 2. But I must confesse I look upon many of the Independent Ministers, as the most dangerous Sect that ever yet the world produced, in respect of the consequences of their doctrines, and the sad effects they have brought forth already, wheresoever they have spread it. For they carry themselves more cunningly then any other Schis­maticks or Hereticks that ever yet appeared since mortality inha­bited the World. For all other Sectaries tenents are recorded in all the severall Councels, and in the Monuments of the ancient Writers, so that every man knowes their opinions and doctrines; but what these men hold besides their whimsey of Independen­cy, and the manner of their gathering of Churches (wherein [Page 35]they doe not all agree neither) no man knoweth nor never shall know, for they intend to set up many other New-lights, but yet with a reserve, never to be constant to any thing what they either say or write: for this I have received from the mouthes of their Disciples and followers, That if that which seemeth a truth to them to day, do to morrow appear otherwise by some new light, (were it any Article of the faith) and they be convinced by that light, that they were in an error before, they are to relinquish their former tenent, whatsoever it were, and to follow that new light that God hath appeared to them in. And this doctrine is taught by all the Independents I ever saw or heard of. Yea they count it a great honour unto them to be thus uncertaine in their o­pinions; as we may see in a rayling and rediculous Pamphlet, not only against Mr. Prynne, but against the Parliament, lately set out by an Independent, call'd, The falshood of M. William Prynnes Truth Triumphing; where pag. 16. Sect. 2. in these words, You accuse the Independents, saith he, as believing most things with a reserve, according to their present light; with a liberty of changing, as new-lights shall be discovered unto them; but did ever man so overshoot himselfe (saith he) certainly this is so high a character of the Independents compleatest posture ensuing or growing stature in the Schoole of Christ, as could be applyed unto them; wherein they glory not a little, and place it as the only ground work and founda­tion, without which they cannot grow in grace, from one degree of faith to another, untill they become perfect men, and perfect Saints, unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ, Ephes. 4.12, 13. These are his formall words, so that the Independents do­ctrine is this: That there is no growth in grace from one degree of saith to another, untill we become perfect men, and perfect Saints, unlesse they believe most things with a reserve; which te­nent of theirs, whether or no it be not to bring a sceptisme into Religion, according as M. Prynne doth from them conclude, I refer it to the judgement of those that are more judicious Di­vines then the Author of that Pamphlet. And this, as men may observe, is the profest doctrine of all the Independents; and they account it their glory to be ever in uncertainties; which is the on­ly reason, as I conceive, that they could never yet be induced to set downe what forme of government they would have, and to what doctrine and discipline they would subscribe and stand to, [Page 36]with their followers; by which all men may easily discerne the dangerousnesse of these men; and well perceive, that they that have to deale with them, will never finde an end: for they will ever be starting of some new doctrines. And to speak the verity, all the Shismaticks that have troubled the Church in this last age of the World, and hindred all reformation, are yet more can did then many of the Independent Ministers through the Kingdome. For the Brownists, as M. Ainsworth and M. Robinson, both lear­ned men, and more orthodox in their Tenents then many of them, yet they with all their several congregations agreed in their prin­ciples; and have ingenuously in their Apologies and writings with modesty (for in hoste virtus laudanda) declared unto the World, both what they held, and what they desired, and where­in they would rest contented; if the Magistrates would but gra­tifie them in it. The Anabaptists in like manner, though farre more erronious in their opinions then the Brownists, yet they al­so, many times in word and print, have set downe their Tenents, to which they both stand; and in the which, if the Magistrates will but condescend unto them, they will sit downe and yeild all cheerfull obedience to their just commands. The same may be said of all other Sects. But, as for our Brethren the In­dependent Ministers, they are like a company of Rats among Joyne-stooles, every one can see and heare them, but none can catch them. No man can tell where to catch or lay hold certain­ly of any point or tenent they preach, or what they either are in their opinion, or will be: for what they conceived to be a truth to day, may be an error with them to morrow: for certainty in any opinion, is as great a Heresie to them, as eating of flesh on a Good-Friday, is to a Papist: Neither will they binde them­selves or their followers to any Doctrine they hold to day; for it may be they will both preach and practise the contrary to morrow, if it make for their gaine and emolument. So that all men may boldly conclude of them, that they are as the most uncertaine; so in that, the most dangerous Sect that ever came into the World, since the Sunne and Moone ruled over the Earth. And this will the better appeare, if we consider the multitudes and variety of Sectaries that have sprung from them in a short space, since their comming over amongst us, with their under­hand dealings, how ever they themselves play least in sight, and [Page 37]act privately their juglings, and make use of others, in venting their severall poysenous opinions, and can say and on-say, and affirme and deny any thing at pleasure, as can be proved. Before their apparition on our horison, there were but three or four Sects known among us, and they were few in number, and well con­ditioned, and such as were full of charity and love one towards a­nother, and carried themselves humbly towards all men; as the Brownists, Anabaptists, Antinomians, and Familists. But out of the Independents lungs are sprung above forty severall sorts of straglers, which before their comming over were never heard of amongst us. And for proof of what I now say, I had it from a Brother of mine in tribulation, and a fellow-sufferer; who though he differ from me in opinion, yet I truly love him, and shall never decline any christian office to do him good for soule and body; I meane M. John Lilburne, Lieutenant Colonel; who himself rela­thed it unto me, and that in the presence of others; that returning from the warres to London, he met forty new Sects, and many of them dangerous ones; and some so pernicious, that howsoever, as he said, he was in his judgement for tolleration of all Religi­ons; yet he profest, he could scarce keepe his hands off them, and had no patience to heare them, so blasphemous they were in their opinions. So that he gathered, that these were now the last dayes, wherein so many Heresies abounded. And a­mongst other of the Tenants, one of those wicked Sects held, They denied the Scriptures both of the Old and New Testa­ment, and accounted them things of nought; whereas by Gods command, They that despised Moses his Law, by the mouth of two or three witnesses were to be put to death: and these wicked and ungodly creatures despise both the Law and Go­spell, and that in the presence of a Cloud of witnesses. And innu­merable other diabolicall Sects there are, and so prodigiously impious, that it is not for a Christian to name their opinions. And most of them, if not all, were first Independents, and such as separated from our Congregations, as from a people unho­ly, and were of their new gather'd Churches and followers of their Ministery. And many of them have jangled so long about the Church, that at last they quite have lost it, and goe now under the name of Expectants and Seekers, and doe deny [Page 38]that there is any true Church, or any true Ministers, or any Ordi­nances: and some of them affirme, that the Church is yet in the Wildernesse, and they are seeking for it there: others say, that the smoke is yet in the Temple, and they are groping for it there, where I leave them: praying God to open their eyes and give them repentance; that they may consider from whence they are fallen, and returne againe into the bosome of that Church, from which they have, to the great dishonour of God, and the scanda­lizing of the Gospel, made so fearfull a desection. But I can truly say, without wronging the Independent Ministers, that they have been one of the principall causes of all those new, hidious, and monstrous opinions, and of all the sad differences amongst Bre­thren: for their doctrines give way to all such errors, and ever will, as long as they give liberty for the finding out of new truths, and the changing of their opinions according to their New-lights. But amongst all their errors this is none of the least, that all Magi­stracy is by them despised, and made nothing of, no further then it agreeth with their tenents and humours. And howsoever pub­lickly they seem to say something in defence of it, yet privately, and upon all occasions they slight it; yea, and bid defiance to it, as all their rayling Pamphlets, and words, & deeds proclaim; and make the power and authority of the Magistrates when they ex­ercise it for the suppressing of novelties, a meer tyranny and per­secution, as many could witnesse, if they would take the office of Informers upon them; for they are not the men they were in the beginning of the Parliament: for then they seemed highly to mag­nifie the authority and power of the Parliament, and appealed un­to it, and did very good service in promoting the publick good: but now they say they are afraid it will prove but an Arbitrary go­vernment, and be more tyrannicall then that of the Prelates, and all the other unjust Courts; professing that they had thought they should by their meanes have enjoyed the liberty of their con­sciences (this it seems they fought for, their own ends, which they so much condemne in others) but now they well per­ceive, that they go about to establish a Presbytery, which to the poor Saints (they are afraid) will prove more tyrannicall then the government of the Bishops: and therefore now many of the In­dependents that were very zealous at the first in the quarrell of the Parliament (as it was their duty to be) are very cold, and have [Page 39]not only cast away their armes, and detract their obedience, but can at pleasure speak against the pressing of men for that service; and professe, that is not lawfull to force men to fight, and that it is unlawfull to fight for Religion (I conceive they mean any Re­ligion but their own: for they have been heard say; yea they have frequently bragg'd of their party, and protested that they would make hot work before the Presbyterians should have the day) and such like stuffe they vent in every corner, to the deterring of ma­ny from their duty, which they are bound unto by the Law of God, Nature, and all Nations; and for which there be many pre­sidents in holy Scripture, and many fearfull threats and judge­ments denounced against such as deserted their Brethren in affli­ction: and great and fearfull punishments have been imposed upon those that came not out to aide their Brethren when they went a­gainst the enemies of their countrey, whether they were forein or intestine: and all to teach us not to decline from our duty upon the like occasions. But that any man that hath but any ordinary understanding should speak against the pressing of men, it is a wonder to me to hear it: for if they ever had read the Scriptures with judgement and knowledge, or were but acquainted with the Histories of all Ages, they may finde it ever hath been the practice of the people of God, as well as of the Heathen, to force men out of all their Tribes and Families to go to war against any enemy; and that they that neglected their duty being summoned to it, were counted enemies, and were severely punisht for it, and made examples to others for their disobedience; and there were none exempted from the war by Gods own appointment, that had strength and abilities to fight, but new married people and base Cowards: and indeed to all such, God gave a dispensation for a time, as till the one for a year had rejoyced with his Wife, and till the other had got the spirit of courage, and a more brave and valiant resolution: but all others if they would not voluntarily come out, were forced to it or punished for their neglect: and for ought I know, all Christian Magistrates have the same authority still under the Gospell that they had under the Law. And truly to my poor understanding, there is none that can go more comforta­bly to fight for their countrey, then they that are prest; & if I were to go upon any such imployment, I should with ten times more alacrity goe into the war, being prest or call'd to it by the State, [Page 40]then if I were a meer Volunteere: though I have ever though, Volunteeres brave and gallant men, and worthy of great honour for their good service, and have counted such as would neither by force nor freely, put themselves upon publike imployment on the one side or on the other; especially if they had able bodies, the most basest cowardly fellows in the world, and men unworthy the Protection of either King or Parliament; or to enjoy the ve­ry benefit of the ayre they breath in. And without doubt they are the veriest cowards upon the earth, howsoever they may vapour in a drinking-school. Yet I say those that go out as prest men, have in all respects a more warrentable calling, and wherein if they keep themselves from the sins and pollutions that are too frequent in Armies, they may both fight and dye with all cheer­fulnesse: for in so doing they are in their calling, and may chal­lenge pitty and compassion from all; and maintenance also and support if they be wounded, and by it made unable to get their livings for themselves and for their families, as long as they live; for they have been the servants of the State, and imployed by their speciall command; and if they be taken prisoners, the state ought to exchange or ransome them, or else it will be their dis­honour. Whereas, if they be meerly Volunteers, though they do their duty in so doing, and shall have the honour of it, if they be hurt, wounded, or captivated; yet the world is wont to say, Who required these things at your hands, what call had you to this imployment? And all men generally will condemn such: and it was not long since objected to a gentlewoman, whose hus­band was taken prisoner in the war, and that in a very Lordly and imperious manner, by an Independent Minister; What call, said he, had your husband to take Armes? could not he have followed his own imployment? Thus did this domineering Independent vapour over men in distresse; who himself was never guilty of either learning or humanity, or fit for any thing but to make a fa­ction, being a meer cow-baby coward, and one that ran away, as being more afraid of the bishops (when they were in power) then he was of God or the devill; and yet this mounsier could super­ciliously demand of this Gentlewoman, what call her husband had to take Armes? And as this Independent, so commonly all men for the most part, slight Volunteers in their distresses, espe­cially if they desire their ayde; which they do not only ordinarily [Page 41]refuse, but deterre others from doing them any good, saying, that such men put themselves out of Gods protection, in as much as in them is, when they leave their callings; and thus those grolls babble, as if a man had not a sufficient call, if he sees his neigh­bours house on fire, to leave his shop to go out to help quench it I Such kinds of Puffoysts as these, that abuse Volunteers, I leave them as a generation of men, not worthy to give guts unto a Bear. But, I say, when men are called to the warre by the State, and prest to that service, they can then appear with joy before all men, and look death it self in the face with courage; whether in the field, or in cold blood, in the hands of their enemies, when they suffer as evill doers: for they can then comfort themselves with their calling, knowing that they were imployed by the State, and it is their duty to obey; and that as they were borne under obedi­ence, with cheerfulnesse and alacrity they can dye. And therefore all such as the Independents, that go about to disparage the Par­liament, and the great Councell of the Kingdome, for pressing of men for the publick service, do things derogatory to their autho­rity: and all such as are prest and able to fight, and do either run away from their Colours, or wilfully or rebelliously detract their obedience, ought to be hanged. And as it is lawfull in the Magi­strate to presse men to fight for their countrey, so it is law full like­wise for them to fight for their religion; and to presse men for that purpose: and he that will not fight for his religion, if he be a Ma­gistrate, certainly he has little religion in him: and he that is a private man, that will not suffer for his religion, if he be called to it; nor fight for it both voluntarily and when by authority he is put upon it, but flye from either of the imployments of doing or suffering, and will not come out to helpe the Lord against the mighty, he deserveth not only the bitter curse against Merosh, Judg. 5. but to be hanged. What, doe the Brethren the Indepen­dents now hold it a thing unlawfull to fight for religion (for so they professe to their friends) when not long since they so anima­ted others to it? It seems they are very changeable in all their o­opinions: I believe they have found out some new-light of direction how to runne away againe, as they did before, if the times change. But yet such as have learned how to performe their duty, and have read the holy Scriptures; and amongst many other places the two and twentieth of Ioshua for one, [Page 42]have been taught, that when the Israelites on the other side of Jordan had set up an Altar, though it was not with a minde and intent to alter religion, yet if they had not given a satisfactory answer for their so doing to Ioshua and the Elders of Israel their Brethren, they would speedily have made warre upon them for it; as any State for ought I know, or any christian Nation by their example may doe, against what enemy soever they be, whether forein or domesticall; that shall attempt to alter the true religion, and Christs government established in his Church (which is his kingdome) and bring in an Idolatricall one, or an Independent one, or any other that tendeth to the destruction of that, that God himself hath appointed his people to serve him with: and all such as shall refuse to fight for their religion (if they have no bo­dily hindrances or some just impediment) when the magistrate calleth or presseth them to it, ought to be accounted as the ene­mies of religion, and rebels against both God and their countrey. And all such as shall endeavour, either clandestinly or openly, to speak words tending to deterre men from going out to helpe the Lord against the Mighty; or refuse, being Christians, to fight for the Gospel (except by their bodily infirmities they be hindred from the duty) I know no reason but they ought to be hanged as a com­pany of Rebels against both God and men, and as such as are un­worthy the name of Christians, that will not fight for the honour of the King of Saints and King of Kings, and for his royalty and dignity that has redeemed them from the slavery, not only of Sa­tan, but of Antichrist. For we have read that Michael the Cap­taine, and Commander of his Church and kingdome, and his An­gels, makes warre against the Dragon and his Angels; which is not to be understood only in a spirituall sense, but in an ordinary way, and litterally also; for Christ has his souldiers, that besides their weapons of the right hand, their prayers, tears, and humi­liations, have also their weapons and armes of the left hand, as their swords and all warlike instruments, to fight for the honour, dignity, and soveraignty of their King and anointed Christ; who at his departure from his Disciples, bad them sell their coats, and buy each of them a sword; by which he invested them with au­thority as well to fight, if occasion required, for the honour of their King and Master, and for their own safety; and although he con­demned in Peter the temerarious and rash use of his sword, and [Page 43]bad him put it up for that time, yet the left the use of it to him and to the other Apostles, upon their just occasions. And who knowes not that there is a time for warre and a time for peace, and God himself professeth, that he is the Generall of the Armies of his people, and the Lord of their Hosts; and he taught his ser­vants hands, in times past, to war and their fingers to fight, as they with thanks acknowledged. And he is the same God now to his people that ever he was, and will be nigh unto them, and a pre­sent help to all those that fight his battels. And what, I pray, are so properly his batrels, as those that are made against Antichrist and his complices (by what names or titles so ever they be called) whether they be the Kings or Emperours of the Earth, or any o­ther Malignants that have given their power to the Beast and make warre against the Lambe? Neither shall I ever be of an o­ther minde, but that it is the greatest honour any Christian can be called unto, to fight for his countrey and for the Gospel against what enemy of either soever he be. And as I shall live and dye by Gods assistance in this opinion, so I shall likewise ever believe, that all such as will neither fight for their countrey, nor religion, but deter and disswade others from it, are enemies of both, and so ought to be esteemed, whatsoever pretences of seeming love they make to their countrey and religion: and that such as will not fight for the protestant religion, deserve not the favour of pro­tection from those States and countries they live in, whose pre­servation or ruine is all to them, so they may enjoy their owne ends and become masters of those they causelesly hate, and un­christianly and uncharitably think evill of; and whose distruction they not only daily wish and pray for, but as much as in them lyes, bid defiance to, and proclaime open warre against them; and use or rather abuse the holy Scriptures for the maintenance of their authority, in their contending and fighting against their christian Brethren, the Presbyterians, for their independency; and to that end in the Frontispieces of their books set downe Christs words, Matth. 10 34.35, 36. where our Saviour saith, Think not that I came to send peace on earth, I came not to send peace but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his Father, and the Daughter against her Mother, and the Daughter in law against her Mother in law, and a mans foes shall be those of his own house­hold. Out of the which words misunderstood, they would per­swade [Page 44]the people and make them believe, that they have good warrant and ground to fight against their Christian Brethren for the maintenance of their own whimsies; whereas, although they had been Wolves in times past, yet being now Christians indeed, and really converted, and in whom there is a through change wrought in their hearts, they would have laid aside their wolvish nature; so that the Wolfe and the Lambe would have peaceably dwelt together (according to the prediction of the Prophet) they then would be loving and kinde Brethren, and would not come out to fight against them: for that Scripture speaketh only of such, as who living and continuing in their naturall state, and in an irregenerate and unconverted condition, and in whose souls the work of grace was not yet wrought, shold hate their very Parents, Brethren, and Sisters, and nearest allies; that were truly converted to the faith and believed the Gospell: as the seed of the Serpent will alwayes hate the seed of the Woman, as Cain did Abel; and that in regard of that enmity God hath put between them; so that the righteous is an abomination to the wicked, and the wicked to the righteous; be their relations never so nigh together, in respect either of consanguinity or affinity: and this all Gods people by their daily experience finde, according to Christs prediction, That their foes and enemies are they of their own houshold. But doe these words of Christ give liberty to those that are Believers, and chil­dren of the most High, the very sonnes and daughters of God, to come out and make warre against their Brethren; and to fight against them, and that for their own inventions and traditions? I think not. And yet the Independents from this place of holy Scripture, not the Novices, Yonkers, and fresh-water souldiers only, but grave men in their great white basket-hilted beards, with their swords in their hands; come out to fight against their Brethren, for their Independency; and justifie this their grollery from Christs words: which if it be not to abuse the holy Word of God, then nothing ever was an abuse of divine au­thority.

But they have a singular faculty in making every por­tion of Scripture serve their purpose: as where Christ saith, in Luke chap. 13. vers. 24. Strive to enter in at the straight gate, from thence they conclude, That the Independent-way is that straight way, and that all Presbyterians being out of it, are in [Page 45]the broad way that tends to perdition. But I will not abuse the patience of the Reader with relating their dotage, as they abuse the Scripture, to maintain their faction, and to speak the truth it is no better: for they boast of such a party in the kingdome (if their own words may be credited) as they now think by the sword to be able to make their own Laws; and have been frequently heard say, That they had many abettors in the Assembly, and in both Houses of Parliament, and in many parts through the Kingdome, besides in all the Armies; and they were all resolved to have the Liberty of their Consciences, or else they would make use of their swords, which they have already in their hands. So that most certain it is, that the Religion of too to many of them, is a meer faction.

And now I will take a little liberty to speak something upon my own experience about this businesse: for at my return from my last Imprisonment, I having declared my different opinion from them in the point of Independency to many of that fra­ternity; and professing that I looked upon many that went that way, as upon people truely fearing God, and such as were his deer servants, (who I pittied to see so misled) and yet for the way in which they went, I ingeniously told them, that I saw no ground for it in Gods Word; and that I purposed (God willing) to write something concerning that subject, and that I doubted not to prove the Presbyterian way of Government to be Gods Ordi­nance, and not Independency: notwithstanding some of the Independents reported about the City, that I was of their judge­ment, and agreed with them in their opinion (which was not fairely done of them) but all this was acted to strengthen their own party.

But for such of them as really beleeved that I intended to write something, slighted it and made a meer push at it, exceedingly vilifying, and under valuing, what I could either say or doe against their Tenent; depending it seemes on their Champions strength in the Assembly, who they mag­nified for such great Schollers, as if nothing could bee set forth or written by mee, that they would not speedily confute, and gloried as if the field were already wonne, and all the Pres­byterians vanquished: and by such expressions as these the party grew dayly more powerfull, and into that numerosity it [Page 46]now is. But in fine, some of their worthies who had a more ho­nourable opinion of me, profest unto such as were ordinarily ac­customed to slight me (for I had very good information of their underhand dealings) that if I did write against them, they were fully perswaded that it would be more prejudiciall to their cause, than any thing writ before: and they pleased to speak something in the praise of my schollership, that howsoever two or three Do­ctors in the town made nothing of me, yet they knew very well that if I undertook and businesse, I would mannage it with more learning than they that traduced me were able to judge of (and for their praises I was beholding to them) but they sayd, the onely course would be for them, to take me off from that imployment and put me upon some other subject, or at least to perswade me to stand Neuter. All which was neither Christianly nor candidly done of them. For if they had indeed had a desire that the truth should come to light: and if they had any reall opinion (as they pretended) either of my integrity in my religion, or of that lear­ning God had given me, they would have came to me rather, and have importuned me to write something of that Subject, that they might see what reasons I had to convince them, or to perswade them, to have better thoughts of the Presbytry; for hitherto they had not received satisfaction from any that had formerly writ about it. But none of all this, but on the contrary, some of them very churlishly and loftily demanded of me, what calling I had to meddle in Divinity, and to put my self upon that imployment? Which I must confesse, was a question that did not beseem them of all other men: for they think that any gifted man, as they call them, may dispute, write, and preach, not onely privately, but in a publike way; and glory that the very boyes and women in the Congregations can confute the learnedest of the Presbyterians; and many of them, as it is well known, that were none of their Pastors, have set forth many scurrilous and blasphemous pamph­lets in defence of their Independency, which have been allowed of by them with great applause; and that these men now should demand of me, what calling I had to defend any truth in Re­ligon against the errors of the times, I say it may seem strange to any rationall man. But for answer in brief, though I am not soli­citous to please them in all things; let them take notice of this: That if it be lawfull in any of their fraternities to maintain their [Page 47]erronious opinions, it is likewise lawfull in any other Christians to oppose them and to defend their truth: for they also must give an account, how they have imployed all those severall talents of knowledge, learning, or any other thing God hath bestowed up­on them: and this they also in their Pamphlets frequently make mention of, to warrant their scribling in divinity. But Saint Paul in the fourth of the Colossians vers. 6. Saith, Let your speech be alwayes with grace, scasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer every man. And Saint Peter in his first Epistle chap. 3. v. 15. Saith, sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready alwayes to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meeknesse and fear. And Saint Paul in his Epistle to the Philip. chapt. the 1. ver. 27. Onely (saith he) let your con­versation be as it becommeth the Gospell of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affaires; that ye stand fast in on spirit, with one minde, striving together for the faith of the Gospell. And Saint Iude in his Epistle Generall ver. 3. Exhorteth all Christians, That they should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints. And many o­ther places to this purpose might be produced which warrants Christians, that they may strive for the faith, and earnestly contend for it against what enemies of it so ever; and in speciall we are command, that we should be alwayes ready to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of our hope, and that we should know how to answer every man. Now then when many of the Independents came to me, and asked a reason of my faith concer­ning the Presbytery, I demande of any well-grounded Christian, whether or no I have not a very good calling to answer them; which when they are so much displeased at me, and so highly magnifie it in their own party; I have very good reason to be­lieve that they contend not for truth, but for victory, and to make a faction and division in Church and State. And Saint Paul in Phil. 3. vers. 2. speaking of the false Teachers of his time, that but urged the ceremoniall Law, Cals them Dogs, and bids them take heed of them, Beware, saith he, of Dogs, beware of evill workers, beware of the concision; all such were to be taken heed of, as made divisions, and cut the Church into little pieces, and sucking con­gregations, and therefore are called, them of the concision: for they indeed made separations; and therefore Saint Paul bids them be­ware [Page 48]of them, as of a company of doggs that are ever snarling or biting; and as of evill workers, that spoyled the work of the Gospell; which was to unite men first to God, and then one to another; that they might be of one spirit and one minde; and these evill workers divided them all one from another and made fa­ctions: and therefore they and all such as they are, are to be de­tested and abhorred, that make strifes and divisions in all Chur­ches and Countries where they are, while they contend for their own novelties and new born truths: and all those that oppose them have a call from God and his Word for their warrant, in their so doing. But others of them carried themselves as more craftily, so more gentily, and seemed to come to me in the way of love, pretending they honoured me; and they demanded of me, Whether or no I intended to practice Physick again? and told me, that if I had such a purpose, they would yeeld me their best fur­therance for the procuring of me Patients; for which their love, I returned them many thanks, telling them withall; that for pra­ctising of Physick, I had little hopes of doing any good that way in the City; for some Independent Doctors of Physick and o­thers, had so villified me amongst all good people, and had made such a peece of ignorance or nothing of me, in that faculty, as they had taken away my reputation, in as much as in them lay: so that were my skill or knowledge in that Art, never so great, yet I might not in this place ever expect to regain any esteem in it: (so powerfull all black-mouths are to darken any mans credit) though I blesse God, I had known, as well what belonged unto that faculty, as they that maligned me; and had through his assi­stance, done as great cures as ever they did any; and added far­ther, that I doubted not in time to make it appear, that those that had so abused me, had neither honesty nor learning in them: what­soever the world esteemed of them for their seeming Religion, which they had ever made use of, but for their base and covetous ends. And they demanding the names of those men; I told them ingenuously, and that their calumnies were one of the chiefe causes of the ruin of me and my poor family; as I could prove by a cloud of witnesses, if that could do me any good: to which they replyed, they were very sorry, and confest that those men were never heard speak well of any, and that which makes me wonder, I never came in the company, nor never changed a word [Page 49]with them that thus traduced me. But then they offered their ser­vice unto me, and profest they should be very willing to do me any curtesie that lay in their power, to get me some honourable imployment by which I might comfortably support my family, for they thought that my means was not great (and they thought truly in that) and they knew that the charity of many was now waxed cold, and that since my being at London there was a great change of mens mindes, and those that were formerly my friends went now another way; and they heard that I was for the Pres­bytery, which they conceived would be worse then the Prelati­call government; and if I should write any thing in the defence of that cause, that then I would totally lose those that as yet were well affected to me (as afterwards they reported I was utterly lost) and they would perswade me to imploy my selfe any other way, then in writing about that subject, for it would give great discontent unto Gods people. And if I intended any publick imployment, such men, they told me, with one word of their mouthes could gratifie me, and get me into some honourable way of advancement, that I might comfortably support my family: withall they told me, that they were most assured, that I should obtaine any reasonable request of them, for they had heard them speak exceeding well of me, and were sorry to see that as yet there had been no recompence or satisfaction made me, for all my losses and sufferings; for which their good respects towards me, I told them I was exceedingly beholding unto them: Now all these they would have had me applyed my self unto, were Inde­dendents. And for that time I told them, that I never as yet had hunted after promotion, and if any could do me any good, I con­ceived that the Parliament it self was as likely to doe it as any o­ther; and although I had not hitherto solicited the honourable House, neither of the Peers or Commons, yet I would rather pe­tition the house, then go by private wayes, and told them that as I saw opportunity, I should more willingly make my addresses to the Parliament then to any particular persons, though I should count it a great favour to injoy any mans good opinion and fur­therance, and for the which I should ever be thankfull. Notwith­standing they exceedingly urged me to make use of those men they had nomitated to me, as men most powerfull with the Par­liament. Now I perceived very well their drift in it: for if I had [Page 50]applyed my selfe to them (which I never did) and if they had done me any favour, and if I had afterwards writ against their fond opinion, then I should have been counted the most ungrate­full fellow in the world; and then also they would not only have defamed me, but as they had the power to advance me, they would have used the same to have cast me down againe, which I very well foresaw. Againe, if I had intreated their assistance; and if they upon any false information had refused it; if then I had writ against Independency, they would have accused me, that it had been out of discontent, because I could not attaine to my own ends by them, and because they would not satisfie my humour; and that I did all I did, out of ill will and malice, and then they would have laid a load of calumnies upon me; in re­gard of all which reasons, I would no way be induced to make any Independents a meanes and way of my preferment. But stood unmoveably to my resolution, to write in defence of the truth, a­gainst the novelties of the Independents, and told them so. Then they set upon me with fresh incounters as often as they came to me, and wheresoever they met me, and importuned me againe and againe, that I would not meddle, but that I would stand a neuter: and that I should consider withall, that all those that went that way had been my very good friends and contributed to my necessities, and stuck close to me in all my distresses, and that they were the deer servants of God; and that if I should now write in the defence of the Presbytery, which they so much hated, that I would sad the hearts of the Saints; and therefore they did earnestly desire me that I would not be seen in that cause. My answer to them in this regard was this, that I would not with Esau sell my birth-right for a messe of Porrage: if any of them had done me any curtesie, they had my thanks for it, and my pray­ers, and my readinesse to gratifie any of them againe in what I could: and if I could never requite them here, they were to have their reward in Heaven for it, which would recompence all; but I further added, that when they shewed me all those favours, they were of my minde, and were in the very way that now I am in, and relieved me under that notion. So that I saw no reason why they should be so much displeased with me for my constan­cy, as I might justly be offended with them for their instability and levity, notwithstanding their curtesies: and withall I related [Page 51]unto them, that it was an unreasonable thing in any man, and an unjust thing to goe about to stop the mouth of truth with a bribe; or to retard any man from doing his duty, with the memory of former curtesies: for no ingenuous man will ever do any a cur­tesie, to captivate him or make him a slave to him for ever for it: and if any should be so base, as by any favour to go about to silence truth, yet it was the honour of any man ever to preserve his chri­stian liberty, which is more to be prized then all worldly things: and therefore I desired them, that if they tendred their own repu­tations, and the honour of their cause, that they would never any more make mention of what favours I had received, as if that should hinder me from my dutie, or deprive me of my libertie, which I preferred before my life: and I further related unto them, that many of the Independents already had often cast in my teeth their former curtesies, and against all the lawes of civility had abu­sed me and Mr. Prynne; telling me to my face, that neither he nor I suffered for the cause of God, but for our own ends; and that we had forgot all that the people of God had done for us; and were now turned persecutors of the wayes of God, and shew­ed our selves very ungratefull to our Benefactors; and a thousand such uncivill and injurious things they have told me to my face in a violent and unchristian manner: so that the very upbraiding of us with their former favours is a sufficient payment for them (though by the way I will take liberty to speak it, and that in the presence of God) that their favours, though more then ever I ex­pected, were not a quarter of that they were reported, nor never equalized my very losses: so that at this day (as some of that so­ciety can tell, that knowes my estate to five shillings) I have not in the world by some hundreds of pounds, so much as my father left me, for the support of me and mine, whatsoever men may speak: but this is one of the greatest slaveries upon the earth, that these men would bring upon people, that by their curtesies they think for ever to make them their Vassels, and that they must nei­ther speak nor write any thing in defence of any knowne truth, that is displeasing unto them; and such a servitude as I will never be brought unto, for the enjoying of whatsoever the world can afford me. I know many that has forsaken the truth, and changed their religion for bread, and deserted their friens for a thing of naught. But whereas they told me withall, that I would sad the [Page 52]hearts of the Saints, if I write in defence of the Presbytery: I re­plyed, that I had thought that all the Independents had hated Im­propriations, and how now they were come to impropriate and to attribute unto themselves only, the name of Saints, I saw no good ground or reason for it: yea, I told them it was both un­christian and Pharisaicall; unchristian, in regard that the Presby­terians were their Brethren, and redeemed with the same price, and were believers as well as any Independents; and served their Lord and Master with as much sincerity as any of them; & should be as willing to suffer for the Gospell, or any truth of it, as any In­dependents, and stand to it when they would run away; and therefore they did very unchristianly to un-Saint their Brethren, and Pharisaically boast of their own Sanctity, magnifying them­selves, whilest they vilified others: but they might remember what our Saviour told them, that what was prized amongst men, was not esteemed of by God, and that such as advanced them­selves should be brought downe, and those that justified them­selves before men, were not justified before God: and therefore I counselled them to lay aside all high thoughts of themselvs, and to think a little better of their Brethren the Presbyterians, and to con­sider that they were Saints also; and wisht them to take heed that they did not by their scurrilous and blasphemous writings in de­fence of their novelties and Independency, sad the hearts of those that were Saints indeed: but for a satisfactory answer I told them plainly, that if the defence of the Gospell or any truth of it would sad the hearts of either Saints or Angels, I would not de­sert it, for I was to please God and not men; for as Saint Paul saith of himself Gal. 1. vers. 1. So I may say in this cause, If I yet pleased men I shold not be the servant of Christ, & therfore in main­taining of truth, I told them I would only aime at the glorify­ing of God, and how it might please him. And notwithstanding my resolution, upon all occasions they solicited me that I would stand a Neuter, and used some more reasons to move me to it; telling me, that Mr. Prynne by medling in that businesse, had lost the love of all Gods people, and was now grown odious amongst them; insomuch that they called all his former sufferings in que­stion, and doubted of the reality of his religion; and therefore they feared if I should intermeddle in that quarrell, it would be very prejudiciall unto me; and therefore they desired me as I tendred mine [Page 53]own good, and the good of mine, I would not appear in that cause but stand a Neuter. To all which I thus answered: that to stand as Neuter in this businesse I should make my selfe hatefull to God and man: for God himself saith, he will spew out of his mouth all those that are Luke-warme, that are neither hot nor cold, in the number of which are all Neuters; and by this I should make my self liable to Gods wrath, whiles I should gratifie them: with­all I told them, that I had learned something of the brave Gentle­men in the Kings Armie (whilest I was a prisoner amongst them) who were wont ordinarily to say, that of all men in the world they hated those that plaid the knaves on both sides, as Chomley, Grinvile, and the Hothams did, who for their own private ends would betray their countries and the trust committed to them, and of all men they would have such hanged: and next unto them they would have all those that now are or have beene Neuters through the Kingdome, whosoever came to get the day, proclai­med the veriest Rogues and base Villaines in the world; and all such men, as when they were amongst the Cavaliers, would be for the King, and when they were amongst the Parliamenteers, would be for the Parliament: all such men, I told them, amongst the most brave Gentlemen in the Kings Army, and such as were worthy of honour, were proclaimed the very Vermine of the world, and such as in their opinion they thought unworthy of any conquerours favour, or to be esteemed any otherwise of, then of a company of knaves and cowards to all posterity. And I told them, that I thought those Gentlemen in their opinion err'd not: for I shall ever believe, that all those that are Neuters through the kingdome even in these civill broyles, and that are of no side, are the worst of men; and that by their neutrality of all sides, they are the mundungos and garbige of man-kinde: and much more are they detestable before God & the world, that are Neuters in Reli­gion, or for base ends either hold their peace, or make profession of any religion: & therefore I was resolved sincerely to go to work, and to declare my minde in that way I conceived to be the truth, and to live and dye in it, though I were exposed by it to the grea­test myserie that ever man underwent. And whereas they told me that M. Prynne had so lost the favour of the people for declaring of his opinion against Independency, that they called in question all his sufferings, and could not give him so much as a good word: [Page 54]I said in that they shewed their levity and vanity, not knowing either wherefore they loved, or wherefore they hated him; for he was still the same, that ever he was, and notwithstanding all their malice and reproaches, for the good service he had done to his God, and to his country, he hath deserved an immortall name to all future ages; and is as truely at this day beloved and honou­red by all such as know what to honour and love men for, as e­ver he was; and in spight of all the calumnies of the Indepen­dents, he will walk like a noble Lyon, when they shall go like a company of Moon-Calves, bleating out their own folly and va­nity and changing their opinions and affections every moneth. It is observed, and that ordinarily that the generality of all the Inde­pendents, never love without doting; nor never praise without admiring, but as they are won with an apple so they are lost with a nut; no man knows were to finde them in one minde for a moneths space, for as the hornes of any new light appears, either to the praise or dis-praise of any, they must follow that light; such a generation of Moon-Calves, and such an unstable Sect never ap­peared in the world before; and therefore I told them I should never be terrified with what they had either spake or writ against Master Prynne, from my duty in defence of the truth, which I re­solved never to bauk, neither for hope of the favour nor fear of the anger of all the Independents in the world: for whatsoever could be prejudiciall to me for doing any duty in regard of them, it must be either in respect of name or means: and I told them that whatsoever should be prejudiciall unto me undeservedly, it should never trouble me, whether it were in regard of my reputation or of my estate: as for infamy and reproach I said there was no fence against them in the school of wit or Art, and that I had already had my share in all manner of calumnies, and had been so often wounded with them by all sorts of people, as I beleeved there was scarse a narrow left in the quiver of malice, that they could now shoot at me, or scarse any reproach or contumely that ever was coyned in the mint of mens hatred, that had not past as currant through the world against me, so that now I was so used unto it that there was no lesson more perfect unto me, and I had learned quietly to go through good report and bad report: and I knew it had been the lot of all the Prophets, some of the which confest that their hearts were broke with reproaches: yea, the Lord of [Page 55]life himself escaped not free from prodigious and blasphemous reproaches, who was counted a wine-bibber and a friend of sin­ners, and one that had a devill, and all the Apostles had tasted and drunk of that cup; and all the Primitive Christians had been abu­sed after the same manner, and that Luther and his followers in that age of the world, had his Cocleus to rail of him; and Calvin had a Bolsecus to abuse him: and all our holy Martyrs here in England, had those that most impiously traduced them; and so had the poor Puritans and all that stood up for Reforma­tion in their severall generations, those that both maligned and reviled them, as all the precious and godly people at this day, by the Independents and all Sectaries, and all manner of Malignants are causelesly traduced; and therefore I must never look for bet­ter measure at their hands, then all the godly that ever lived; who all went to heaven through many afflictions: And all they (saith Paul) that will live godly in Christ Iesus, must go through many afflictions; and it is not the lest, but indeed one of the grea­test to be reproached and railed on; yea, it is worse then death it self: for he that takes away a mans good name, is worse then Cain, for he in killing his brother, made him live for ever and eternalized his name; but they that take away mens reputations kill them alive; and ruin them and their posterity; which as it is a fearfull sin, so the frequentest in the world, every man making it his occupation to reproach and vilifie those they bear a malice to, as all the Independents and Sectaries dayly to the Presbyte­rians, and against any that stand forth to oppose their Novelties, and I being in the number of those that resolve to the last period of my life to maintain truth against falshood, expect and look for no lesse favour at all Malignants hands and tongues then all the generations of the just have found before me: and therefore I blesse God, I have before-hand, sate down and counted with my self, what my love to the truth will cost me, from all the enemies of it, in respect of my reputation and name; and have learned of my King and Master, the Lord Jesus Christ to rejoyce and be ex­ceeding glad; yea, to leap for joy, when I am reviled and suffer re­proach for his names sake, for so he hath commanded me, Mat. 5. Luke 6. And if I suffer in regard of my estate by this my dili­gence, I know in whom I have ever trusted, and in whom now I beleeve, and that I came naked into the world, and that naked I [Page 56]shall go out: and if my God gives me food and raiment, I have learned to be content: for the riches of this world are but like the Mannathat fell about the Tents of the Israelites, those that gathered more of it had but enough to serve their turn, or if they gathered more it was but a trouble and annoyance to them, and they that gathered lesse had no want. And truely he that would but look upon the world at this time, and behold with attention the instability of all these things under the sun, he would have little cause to confide in uncertain riches; for they may dayly see many men rich in the morning, and all beggers at night, and they that were beggers in the forenoon made rich in the evening, and within two dayes after, they shall see the same men lye naked and dead upon the ground, and deprived of all and life it self; so that there is no man can promise unto himselfe prosperity or the stability or possession of any thing a day, neither by sea nor land, and therefore he that is inamored with the world cannot be a friend to God, For the friendship of the world is enmity with God, as Saint James saith, and therefore through Gods goodnesse I have learned Saint Pauls Lesson, To be contented in every conditi­on, for, I am crucified unto the world, and the world to me: and will not for the love of that, desert my love to the truth or fear to defend it, for fear of losing any thing in my estate, but will roul my self upon Gods Providence, and commit my soul and my wayes unto him who is the Preserver of all, especially of those that beleeve in him, 1 Tim. 4. These and many such passages did I relate unto many of those that would have deterred me from writing in defence of the Presbytry against Independency, and yet they still continued dayly to sollicet me not to set forth my book against that way: and although I told them again and again that I was resolved to publish my opinion, they intreated me then that I would tarry but till the Reasons and Grounds of their way were published, which they say would be in a short time: and all this was contrived to strengthen their faction, and to anticipate the people, and settle them in their Novelties against whatsoever should be published against their doctrine of Independency. And when they heard that my book was gone to the Presse, it would exceed beleef, if I should recite all the passages of their under-hand dealings in that businesse, and how diligent some of them were about the Presse, and how they went about reproaching [Page 57]me and it, and all to make it hatefull and odious to all, and to de­terre the people from reading of it, or regarding of it: and where­soever any of them met me they told me it should be answered; yea, some of them reported that there was already an answer pre­pared to come forth as soon as mine. It seemes these men are re­solved with themselves be it right or wrong to maintain their Faction, and uphold their party: yet I am confident through the strength and power of my God, that I shall ever be able to reply to whatsoever they can say: but this I will say for them, as the Je­suits in subtilty and cunning crastines, exceeded all the other Monks and Fryers that went before them; so the Independents in their generations, are more cunning then ever any Sectaries in former ages, for they have got into their hands the prime Lectures of the Kingdome, and run through all the Towns and Cities through the Realm, and through all the Armies, to make Proselites, and have so scattered their Independent phantasies, that now there is scarce a Town or City, where their leavon hath not sowred the whole lump of true and sound doctrine: and they have got the start of all the Puritans in all the foregoing Generations; for they were of such austere lives and men so alineated from the world that you might know them by the hair of the heads and faces, and by their habits from all other men, wheresoever you meet them, for commonly they were ever out of fashion when others were in it, and they had all their haires clipt as close to their heads as a company of fighting cocks have their feathers, and they usually went in a great Patriarchicall beards, and for silks, and velvets, and plush, and sattin, and brave aparrell, they thought they were for Kings houses; and contented themselves with their rurall weeds: which austerity of theirs made them lesse esteemed by the great men of the world, and their doctrine lesse regarded, and as it was in our Saviours time, That the poor received the Gospell; so in our fore-fathers dayes, the Puritans commonly were by the worldlings and prophane, counted but a company of obscure and beggerly fellows: but our Independent Ministers, as they say, they have learned the lesson of their Christian liberty, and tell their Disciples that the Saints are the right owners of all things beneath, and that it is for the honour of Religion to go brave and gallant, and that this is a great grace to the Gospell and for themselves, whereas the ancient Puritan Ministers went with their hair as close [Page 58]clipt as cocks of the game, and their wives went in plain and modest attire and both they & their wives very humble, and never came in a rich coach: the Independent Ministers are very finicall and go in their hair and in their habits, out of town like Cavaliers, so that none that meets them would take them for ministers, but rather thinke them a company of ruffians: and for their wives they ordinarily go as brave as the daintiest dames in the King­dome, and both they and their consorts are commonly as proud and supercilious as any of the secular race: and for their com­pany for the most part, they are very great and honourable perso­nages or at least very rich, and they are all their familiars, for poor folke, they may in private accost them, and perhaps they will grace them with a little communication, but this must be accoun­ted of, as a high favour. And if at any time these Independent Mi­nisters meet but with a poor aged Presbyter, riding to the Assem­bly but on a Horse worth six shillings, they will salute him with, Good morrow my Lord Bishop; whereas they can ride thither mounted upon stately Geldings; and ye shall frequently see them amongst Lords and Ladies both they and their brave wives carried about in Coaches with four Horses, in great state; whereas a Wheele-barrow, such as they trundle White-wine-vinegar on, were a great deale fitter for them, except they deserved better from Church and State. But it is a wonderfull thing to see the vanity and levity of the people how they run after these men, and neglect their most faithfullest, laborious, and orthodox Ministers, and by whose diligent paines they have been begotten to the faith, and how now in comparison of the Independent Ministers they are slighted: whereas there is not one of a hundred of them, but has more reall and true learning in them, then all the Indepen­dents put together; for, excepting Mr. Grinehill and Mr. Carter, who I have ever honoured, as grave, godly, learned Ministers, and which is their honour, humble Gentlemen, I never so much as heard of any fame of the other either at home or abroad for a­ny learning of eminency, or any thing but pride, that makes men famous; and if they had not been accidentally Members of the Assembly, and Fautors of this new Faction, they would all of them have gone out of the World in obscurity: and yet such is the vanity and levity of the people, that they in mighty crowds runne after them, and flight their owne pious and painfull Preachers, [Page 59]from whom they might ever: be sure to heare nothing but ortho­dox and true doctrine, & that that tended to peace, not to faction. And I can truly say, though many of them now are cast behinde the doore as broken Vessels, yet in all the time of the Prelates do­mination, they continued constantly in their ministery, and many of them suffered imprisonment and bonds, and most of them per­secution, when these ran all away. And I can say more; that if we examine their Sermons either as they preach them or as they are in print, since the Apostles times there was nothing more di­vinely preached or penn'd, whether for information of judge­ment or reformation in mens lives and manners; and for the convincing of all Heresies, Errors, or Schismes, and that more tended to sanctification then that they both preach and print: and for instance, to omit many of their learned works, let any man but with judgement reade that Treatise of M. George Walker Minister in Watlin street, intituled, The Doctrine of the Sabbath; and shew me such a piece of Divine Learning writ by any Inde­pendent Minister; nay, I dare boldly say, if they were all put to­gether they cannot make such a piece for excellent learning; the same we may say of his orthodox preaching in his ordinary Mini­stery: and the same may be said of Learned Mr. Jackson and Mr. Fisher, both Ministers in Woodstreet, and of many hundred more through the City and Country; who for their most godly, learned, profitable, and painefull ministery, equalize any almost since the Apostles time; yet all these men under the name of Presbyteri­ans, are slighted, neglected, and now made nothing of in compa­rison of our Independent Novelists; who have got an art, not only to disgrace all other Ministers under the name of Presbyterians, & Baals Priests, Persecutors, &c. but also to strengthen their faction, as if authority be not speedily carefull to suppresse their Indepen­dency and novelties, they wil make the whole Kingdome depend upon them, and be their servants ere long. They have of all Mi­nisters before them, got the way of pleasing great personages, and especially the silly Women; for they preach unto them liberty of conscience and liberty of the creature, in a most ample and large manner; so that all bravely which amongst the Puritans in times past was thought a scandall to religion, is now thought a grace and honour of the Gospel; insomuch that all the gallant Ladies are all, or most of them Independents; never were there any Mi­nisters [Page 60]that pleased Ladies better: so that whereas in Christs time the poor received the Gospell, and the Pharisees were wont to say, that none but the cursed people followed Christ, meaning the poor; and Saint Paul saith, not many mighty, but the poore and mean things hath God chosen; and the Protestants of France were usually called the poor men of Lyons, and the Puritans were all counted a company of poor fellows; now the Indepen­dent Ministers they have got all the rich sheep from out of their fellow Pastors folds, it seems they are the best Purvey ours for the kingdome of Heaven; they have already got abundance of rich Saints in these latter dayes; so that when the World groweth poorest, the Independent-churches and congregations and their Pastors, grow all richest; and I am afraid they will make mer­chandize of a great many more simple Ewes, if their Watchmen and Pastors be not the more carefull and vigilant to look to their flocks; for they have a singular faculty of plundering, and have their Emissaries for that purpose in all the parts of the Kingdome, and yet the World is so blinde they cannot discerne into the jug­lings of these men. They blame in the Papists, as it is blame-wor­thy indeed, that they not only Lord it over Gods heritage by their own tyrannicall traditions, but for that they most sacrilegiously mutilate the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and take away the Cup from the people, and they notwithstanding are guilty of both these crimes in a more deep manner then the Papists: for they impose in a most Lordly manner their traditions and novel­ties, as Gods own lawes upon the people, and not as traditions; and they take not away the cup only from the people, but take a­way both the bread and wine from them also, and that from the deer servants of God, and from such as against whom either for their knowledge or conversation they have no just exception: and debar both men and women through beleevers and such as are baptized from the Sacrament, and deny baptisme the feal of the Covenant to their Children; then the which, shew me in the world either a greater and more Lordly tyranny, or a more hor­rid sacriledge! And this and many more such insolencies of their Lording it over Gods heritage, might be instanced to the disho­nour of God and the Gospell, and yet the people have not eyes to see it, nor hearts to consider, what a yoak of slavery they have voluntarily now put themselves under, when by the exceeding [Page 61]kindnesse of God towards us, and through the wisdome and help of this Parliament, we were freed from the unsupportable yoak and tyranny of the Prelates. Truely when I read their rai­ling and blasphemous Pamphlets, and when I hear their bitter expressions, both against the Parliament and Presbytery, and all their Christian brethren whom they stile Presbyterians and perse­cutors of the wayes of God: and when I consider their Lording of it over their brethren, and their under-hand practises, for the upholding of their Faction, and their unchristian dealing in all re­spects; I have admired the patience of the great God, and the humanity of the people: I say I have admired the patience of the great God, that hath no more severely punished this Nation, for their so great ungratitude towards him for his longanimity and so many deliverances of us, both from our Enemies and from our feares, and for those unheard of blasphemies both against his Divine Majesty and all authority, they dayly utter; besides their despising of his Ministers and Ordinances: and I have also won­dred to see the lenity and curtesie of the people towards these men, that although both in their preachings and in their writings they proclaim them all enemies of Jesus Christ and his Kingdome, and thrust them all from the holy things, and count of them all as a company of Infidels; they yet endure all their abuses with moderation, neither do I think that the humanity of this Nation towards them, can be parallell'd by any other country under hea­ven; who, I am most assured, would never have suffered half those insolencies they dayly exercise towards them. And yet I dare say, for all the godly Presbyterians in England whom they count such persecutors, there is not one of them that desires a hair of any of their heads should fall to their detriment, or that would not be as sorry that any evill should betide any of them as they would be glad and rejoyce to see them return again into the bosome of the Church, that they might live in love & unity as they ought, and formerly they have done, and joyn all their prayers and forces unanimously against the common enemies of Christ and his Gospell, and so take away the scandall they have already given, and heale up all those breaches, that by their wantonnesse in opi­nions have been made to the great dishonour of God.

And if there were any spark of godly love, or any bowels of compassion in our brethren towards their Christian brethren [Page 62]and towards their countrey, they would easily be induced now to make up all breaches, and lay aside all those novelties that have proved so pernitious already to us all. For what is it that any thankfull Christian can desire that God hath not done for us? He hath delivered his people in this famous City, and in many other parts of the Kingdome from the Antichristian yoake, and from all the ceremonies and what soever was really offensive to tender con­sciences, and by his Divine providence has put it into the hearts of the great Counsell to make such Ordinances as by which the Mi­nisters are inabled through the Kingdome to admit of none to the Sacrament, but such as for their knowledge and godly life, shall be thought sit communicants; so that now there is no just cause of separation from our Assemblies, seeing all scandals are taken a­way, and the Gospell is preached in such purity as it never was since the Apostles times; and that by as godly, orthodox, painfull, and able Ministers as any are in the World. Why therefore should our Brethren so slight what God hath done for us, and count all that nothing without they may establish a bondage unto them­selves more heavie, then ever yet lay upon any mans shoulders as surely their Independency will prove? For the people, of them­selves I have that confidence in them, such is my opinion of their moderation, that when they shall duly and upon deliberation con­sider the sad effects these Novelists have already brought forth, they will relinguish them and give God thanks that the danger of them was so timely discovered, and they will againe returne into the bosome of the Church and follow their own Ministers, and by whom they shall be built up in their holy faith, and con­tinually fed with the sincere milke of the Word, and with such wholsome doctrine as tends both to the peace of their own souls, and the quiet of Church and state. But that they may at last get their feet out of the snare, and free themselves from their slavery and bondage; I shall desire them but to consider a little the pra­ctises of the Independent Ministers both in former times and in these our dayes, and how faire we offer them, and then I am most assured they will see just cause of changing their opinions, and re­turning againe with love and amity into the fellowship and com­munion of that people who are as truly fearers of God, and those that desire Christ may be set up as King upon his Throne, and may for ever rule and raigne in all mens hearts, as any of those that [Page 63]make the greatest noise of it, as if they were the only men that advanced Christs kingdome; whereas on the contrary in as much as in them lyes, they have rent the seamlesse garment of the Church in pieces, and rejoyce at nothing more then to hear and see divi­sions amongst Brethren. For if we consider their former practises, and the mutability of many of the Independent Ministers (a very few of them excepted) they either ranne away when they should have stood to the cause, or else temporized, and that deeply; a crime they lay upon their Brethren the Presbyterians: and so changeable they were in their opinions, as they manifested unto the world, that they were unstable in all their wayes, and this many of their followers have themselves confest, although they now palliate it over, that whatsoever they have formerly done, was in regard that the truth was obscured and darkned, through the cunning of the Popish and Prelaticall faction, and that all men were kept hood winckt and could not rightly discerne it in its full glory and lustre, till this sunshine of liberty had now againe re­turned and sent its raies amongst us, by means of which they say they are so illuminated, as now they have got the spirit of discern­ing; and by vertue of their New-lights they well perceive their former errors and mistakes; and have found that the way of In­dependency is that way of Church-government that God has ap­pointed in his holy Word. This many of their Disciples plead in defence of their Ministers, which to say the truth is nothing: for the same may be alleaged and pretended by all Hereticks and Se­ctaries whatsoever, who will never want the same or the like an­swer, and so there will ever be a way for the broaching of all new doctrines, be they never so pernicious to the truth, and never so distructive to all governement. But notwithstanding, what ei­ther they or their Disciples now can speak in their behalfe, it is very fit that their former practises in their severall places in respect of their religion should be considered by all judicious and godly men, who know that constancy and perseverance in the faith is that that crowneth all; for he that persevereth unto the end, he shall be saved, saith Christ; not such as start back like a broken Bow and are never stable: and as for some of them, it is well known they have been in one sit great conforming Protestants, and in a­nother mood great favourers of the Socinian tenents; and for their factious spirits and opposition to the Puritanicall way, were high­ly [Page 64]favoured and countenanced by the Prelates; and then at another time they were Puritans, and that trade growing out of date, and Independency beginning to be in vogue, they are now of that oc­cupation, and are as great sticklers in defence of it, as the silver-Smiths of the godesse Diana in Ephesus, were for the upholding of their craft, and what next they will be, the God of heaven onely knoweth, for they will ever be following their new lights. Others of them were very Prelaticall, and as much aspired to Church-preferment, if the greatest men in the Kingdome be not deceived, and some of their own party mistaken, as any other; but failing of their expectation, and falling into discontent, turned Puritans; and that weather-beaten Religion, being now with too too many grown stale, they are at this instant great Independents, and a­mongst the supream Champions for that Faction: and there is scarce a man of them, but has been on all sides (whatsoever they make the world now beleeve) according as their occasions served, and have ever been attempting to bring in one Novelty or other, or have laboured to revive some heresie, or some miraculous cere­mony, and all to the disturbance of the Church, and for the hinde­rance of Reformation. And therefore all judicious and godly Christians, ought duly to weigh and consider with themselves, that such unstable men as these are, and have been, are no guides to be followed: for as our Saviour saith, If the blinde lead the blinde, they will both fall into the ditch. They should therefore remember what Christ said to the people concerning John the Baptist: what (saith he) went ye out into the wildernesse to see? a reed shaken with the wind? Luke 7.24. intimating unto the people, that sollid, stable, and Orthodox Ministers in their judge­ments, should be such as the people ought to follow, and listen un­to, and not those reeds and unstable men, that are turned about with every new winde of Doctrine, and moved with every stream of opinion, and such as follow every new light, and that many times for base and wordly ends. So that when most of the Inde­pendent Ministers are, and have been such, they ought not any longer by the people to be followed. They should also consider their instability not onely in Religion, but in the publike affaires; they may remember how zealous these men were for the Parlia­ment not long since, and how forward they were to promote the publike good, and to advance the honour, dignity, and priviledges [Page 65]of the great Councell, and what admirers and lovers not many years since, they were of our brethren the Scots, and of our noble and brave Generalls: and yet now all that reade the scurrilous Pamphlets, or are but a little familiar with them, shall hear no­thing but revilings against the whole Nation of the Scots, and traducing of all our gallant Commanders, to whom next under God, we owe most of that good we now enjoy, and hope here­after to enjoy. I lay nothing to their charge, but that every man that is acquainted with them can witnesse. I know not any one Ordinance the Parliament maketh that pleaseth them; but for that pious Ordinance they lately set forth, concerning the silencing of all such Preachers and teachers as were not for knowledge and soundnesse of doctrine thought fit to instruct the people: where­in the prudent Councell shewed the religious care they had of the peoples good, and for which they ought ever to be had in ve­neration: this Ordinance I say so displeased the generality of the Independents, as they brake out into contumelious speeches, some of them affirming, that the High Court of Parliament was worse then that of the High Commission, and those of the Bi­shops: others of them in discontent said, that the recruting of the Army had stood the state in an hundred thousand pounds; and by this new Ordinance, the whole Army would speedily be dissol­ved, for now all the brave Commanders of the Independents would lay aside their Armes, and leave the wars. It seemes that all the Independent Officers, went rather to preach than to sight, and to set up their new Lights and vent their new doctrines, then to exercise their valour; by which it may evidently appear that all the projects of the Independents, in getting prime places by Sea and Land, and in the Armies and in the Towns, Cities, Forts, and Castles, and all other places and in all Committees; is onely for the advancement and fomenting of their faction, and this I conceive to be the onely cause of all the liney-woley Committees through the Kingdome, by reason of which no heresie nor novel­ty in opinion or religion can be supprest, where they are joyned in Commission; nor no true heroicall vertue be rewarded in any by their good wills, but in those of their faction, who are gene­rally well paid and grow brave and rich suddenly, and are high­ly esteemed, when other noble Spirits and brave men, are cashered and outed that have done excellent service. But the Independents [Page 66]perceiving that that Ordinance of the Parliament would be some hinderance to their designe, they most temerariously and unduti­fully traduced the great Councell for it, as they alwayes have done whatsoever hath been performed by our gallant Generalls, either by Sea or Land that were not of their faction, which was ever accounted as a thing of nothing amongst them: and whatsoever the Scots have done, it is made but little and not worth the spea­king of; and they affirm that all the Scots have done, was for their own ends: as if the Independents ever did any thing but for their own ends, or as if ever any man did any thing of labour or danger, that among other brave intentions that he might have, he aymed not also at his own ends; or as if the Labourer tooke not paines for his hire, which was his own ends; or as if any went to war, but for both honour & pay, as well as for the defence of himself and Country; and as if the Saints themselves such as Mo­ses was, had not the eye of their faith, next unto Gods glory, to the recompence of reward; or as if any brave men might not fight for their own ends, with the preservation of their Country: and yet there is nothing more common in the Independents mouths against the Scots, and against all our Heroicall men, then that they have all their own ends, and so have all the Independents, who under­value all other mens both abilities and actions, to advance their own ends & to strengthen their party, as all men may easily gather by all their proceedings; for if at any time God gives any victory, where in comparison of the rest there is but a very handfull of them in the Army, then they assume all the glory of this action to themselves, that their Faction may be magnified amongst the peo­ple. And if there happen any ill successe unto any Army in which there is any companies of the Independents, then all the fault must be laid upon all the other gallant Generals and Commanders, to the very obscuring and darkning of their reputation, and taking away of all the honour their former actions had justly merited. And I have ever observed, that in all successefull imployments where any of their Commanders have been, all the glory is ascri­bed to the Independents, and is ever set forth with all manner of expressions of Rhetorick, and that in every Pamphlet (for fear it should be forgot) as if the safety of all the kingdome depended upon them, and as if they had done all; and that all the other Commanders had done nothing, or not any thing worth the [Page 67]thinking of or speaking of; and all this to bring their own faction into a high esteeme, and make all the other Officers and Com­manders to be slighted, or not valued in comparison of themselves. For my self, I shall ever give any Commander of that faction his due praises, for any good he shall doe unto his countrey by his va­lour and skill; yet he must give me leave ever to render the prime glory of any victory or deliverance to God, and to look upon the means in the second place, whosoever they be that God makes the instruments of it. And yet I must tell the Independents, it con­cernes them much to re-gaine their reputation, and to doe good service by their valour for their countrey; for the gallant men in the Kings Army, before the battell in Yorkshire, had never any e­steem of the valour of the Independents, and would often say, that they were beholding to them for Bristoll, Oxford, and Ban­bury, and many other places that followed by reason of the losing of them: and it is thought by the judiciousest men in both the Armies, that if those Townes had not been lost, the warres would have been at an end before this time. Now whether all these pla­ces were lost by the valour of the Independent party, or by their cowardize rather, I leave that to the consideration of the Inde­pendents themselves, who may alwayes set those Townes before their eyes, to put them upon brave atchievements, for the recove­ring and redeeming of their reputation; and if it shall please God to make them instruments of re-gaining all those fortified Cities and places into the Parliaments hands, though it will never re­compence the losse that is come upon the whole Kingdome by it, yet all that wish well unto their countrey will give them that ho­nour and applause that such a noble action can challenge at any gratefull peoples hands and mouthes: but I shall ever desire the Independents not to sacrifice unto their own nets, and to ascribe the glory unto themselves, as they have too often done to my knowledge: and therefore I wish them rather frequently to reade the 9. of Deuteronomy, where the Lord giveth a speciall charge unto his people, that they should not say it was for their own righ­teousnesse that God had given them the victory over their enemies at any time, and this caution was thrice reiterated in the same Chapter, to teach them and in them all people to give God the glory of all victories, who goes before his people as he is the Ge­nerall of their Armies as a consuming fire; and that it is not their [Page 68]Bow, nor the Sword, that procures victory without God go out before their Hoasts to conquer and destroy; let them not there­fore conceive that any victory was given to them for their owne righteousnesse, much lesse for their Independency, and that there­fore they should so puffe up themselves and so clamour amongst the people, what service they had done to the State, because some of the Independents stood to it in the battell of York, when other of them ran away: for they ran as well as others, and if they be not lyars, all the other Independents had ran away too and left the field if they had knowne what had hapned in the other parts of the Army; but they being ignorant of what was done, and pre­suming of a mighty party, came on with the more animosity, and God gave them the victory, and to God in the first place belongs the glory of that action: and our brethren the Independents might have had a great deale more honour then they had, had they not so vilified all the other Armies, and applauded themselves, to strengthen their faction and make their party more great and powerfull; that then they may in time be masters of the Presbyte­rians and give lawes to them all, who we know they bear as mor­tall a hatred to, as the very Papists and Cavaliers; as all their words, preachings, and Pamphlets witnesse; for their malice it is notoriously known, and it is so exceeding great, as it is expres­sed every day against any that but dissent from them in opinion; and their very looks shew it, for most of them carry envie and ma­lice in their faces towards the Presbyterians, so that I can speak by my own experience, I know not any Independent in England (a Kinsman of mine and his Wife excepted that was alwayes a true Nathaniel, and through their hypocrisie mislead) that do not as maliciously and implacably hate the Presbyterians as the mor­tallest enemies they have in the world: and as for my own par­ticular, I could not hitherto, being in any of their companies (since they perfectly knew my resolution) enjoy the very lawes of civi­lity amongst them; so that I have been both privately & publickly reproached by them, without offending of them in thought, word, and deed: by which I may boldly conclude it is a meer faction, and the most Pharisaicall, proud, envious, and malitious Sect that ever sprung up: for they hate all the Presbyterians for no other cause but that they differ from them in opinion; which neither the old Brownists nor the ancient Anabaptists either did or do: for [Page 69]they are the same to me that ever they were when we were fel­low prisoners, many of which were by the Prelates cast into the Gatehouse where I lay, and they neither then nor now thought the worse of me for my differing opinion from them, but at this day shew me the same curtesie when I either go to them or they come to me, that ever they did; and have defended me often a­gainst the Independents, when they rayled of me that I was a Presbyterian: and affirmed to their knowledge that I had ever been of that minde since they knew me, and that was as they said twenty years; and they told them they saw no reason, I should not be left to the liberty of my conscience as well as they were to theirs, neither did they see any cause why the Independens should be offended with any that differ'd from them; and all this the A­nabaptists and the Brownists have spoken in my behalfe: so that a man may well perceive those poore people do what they do out of a conscientious ignorance; and that the Independents doe all out of an arrogant faction, who are as cunning as Gypsies, and all to make a party, by which they may attaine to their own ends, which I am afraid will tend to the ruine of us all if the Lord pre­vent it not. And I am the more induced to believe it, because I see all their preaching tends to faction: for at some times (so un­stable they are) they would seem in their Sermons to be as meek as Lambes, and they tell the people how glad they should be of a good agreement and accommodation between us, and then they relate unto them also that the difference is very little, and so small, that one would wonder that there should be such a contention, and so great a feud about it, & this they speak in great Assemblies. Now let all men consider the genious of these Independents. They make the difference very little. What contentious spirited men then are these that go about to make a faction through three King­doms, yea through the world, for that which they proclaim them­selves a thing of nothing? And notwithstanding what they have preacht but a Sermon before in a moderate way, in another Sermō they are all fire and toe, speaking nothing but Daggers and daring; and all their discourse tends to no other end but to strengthen their faction & to set up Independency, and to exasperate the people a­gainst the Presbyterians as so many Esaus & Persecutors. And for ought I can understand, their private meetings tend to nothing else but to strengthen their party, where they ordinarily pray for the [Page 70]of the Presbyterians, of whom they usually say, if there be any children of the Devill in the Kingdome, they are the Presby­terians; and one of their fat Pastors not long since, in one of their Conventicles amongst his joyned Members, being in his prayer, brake out into this expression; We blesse thy name, holy Father, saith he, that thou hast kept us hither to out of the hands of our Bre­thren, meaning the Presbyterians, who they look on like so many Persecutors and Esau's, out of whose hands Jacob prayed God to deliver him: so that their uncharitablenesse is seen in their very prayers. And nothing, as I said before, pleaseth these men more then to hear of any breaches amongst the Presbyterians, and of differences betwixt Nation and Nation, and of the multiplication of their faction: for not long since in one of their private meet­ings where they pray for the subversion of the Presbyterians, one of their society said unto an Independent Minister, that was come to officiate amongst them, Sir, saith he, I will tell you some newes; What is that, replyed he? There were Letters intercepted going in­to Scotland from some of the Committee of that Nation, wherein they made a great complaint, that Independency daily increased in England, and that there was mighty multitudes of them in Lon­don, and through the kingdome. Oh brave (saith he) oh brave. Nay, saith the other, I will tell you more. What is that? replyed the Gentleman, The Scots and the English (saith he) are like to go together by the eares, about the shipping and coales of Newcastle. Better and better, saith he, now it begins to work. So that whereas David said, What a joyfull thing it is to see Brethren live toge­ther in unity, these Independents rejoyce and glory to see and hear when Brethren are like to fall together by the eares. And therefore if such as these be men of God, or Angels sent from Hea­ven, they are much unlike and different from that Ho [...]st that ap­peared unto the Pastors in the second of Luke, who after they had preached unto them the good tydings of great joy, in their Doxa­logy and praising of God, they said, Glory vnto God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will towards men. But the Indepen­dents rejoyce at ill-will amongst men, and at divisions and wars and that among christian-brethren.

And a great man of that fraternity, not many moneths since, in a Knights Chamber, gloried to me, as of a matter of triumph, to think they had hindred the work of Reformation thus long; Ye see [Page 71](saith he) that a little handfull of Independent Ministers in the Synod, have given three Kingdomes imployment these two yeares, so that they can do nothing: and boasted of this wicked act as a matter of vantation and triumph. So that if men well consider the whole negotiation of the Independents in the Reverend Assembly, it is to hinder the work of reformation; then the which there cannot be a more diabolicall designe. And then they spread it abroad a­mong the people, that they have not liberty to speak, when it is most notorious, that one of them speaks more than half a dozen of the other Ministers. And they have published it also all over the Town, that the Presbyterians durst not let their reasons be set out in Print, to the view of the world, for they knew very well, that as they were unanswerable, so that all the people would forthwith have been of their judgement; and by this their babble it is incredible how they have strengthned their Faction, and gai­ned disciples, for their followers beleeve all they say as Gospell. And truely, if there were nothing but these their under-hand dea­lings and malicious practises, and rejoycing at evill, it were enough to make all men abhor their wayes; but the truth is, they have no certainty in any thing they beleeve to day, and by their practises they contradict all their doctrine and tenents. And that all men may be yet a little better acquainted with the Independent Mini­sters juglings, I thought good to insert here these sixteen Observa­tions, sent me by a learned and godly Gentleman, who is very well verst in all their doctrines and manners: They are these.

• 1. THey hold themselves the principall Labourers and Pillers of faith, when as they professe that their present judgements shall not binde themselves for the future, but that they beleeve all things with a reserve, to alter their thoughts, faith, and judgements, upon new or better Light.
• 2. They pleade for liberty of conscience, yet will impose a Cove­nant upon every mans conscience they admit into their congregati­ons, else exclude him.
• 3. They plead against toleration of any corrupt members, &c. in a Church, and yet plead for a toleration of all Religions in a State, under the notion of liberty of Conscience.
• 4. They plead against the Magistrates Coarsive power in matters of Religion, and yet banish men in New England, and expell all [Page 72]out of their Congregations that are not of their way.
• 5. They pleade against Synods, and yet they professe themselves members of the present Synod.
• 6. They speak against Parochiall Congregations as against the Kingdome and Law of Christ, and yet some of them accept of such, and yet will neither Baptize nor administer the Lords Supper to their Parishoners, though they take their tithes.
• 7. They write against Tithes, as Jewish, Popish, &c. yet some of them take them and sue for them as greedily as any others.
• 8. They condemne all set formes of Prayer or Preaching, and yet themselves plead for a set forme of Church-Government Jure Divi­no, in all particular circumstances whatsoever.
• 9. They condemn non-residency and pluralities, yet many of them have divers Livings and Lectures of good value, and yet are resi­dent and keep hospitality at none of them.
• 10. They call some Presbyterians Lord Bishops, because they ride now & then on horse-back by reason of age or infirmity to the Assem­bly, yet many of them ride thither in Coaches; and some of them can ride 6. or 7. miles, on the Lords day in a Coach and 4. horses to Preach an afternoon Sermon, which Christ and his Apostles never did, and no Presbyterian practiseth.
• 11. They condemn Presbyterians of harsh language, and bitter­nesse in their writings against them; yet none are so desperately Li­bellous, Satyricall, and scandalous in their writings, as many of them against Presbyterians.
• 12. They professe nothing but truth, and yet many of their wri­tings savour with malicious mis-informations, scandals, forgeries, untruths, invented by themselves, to defame their innocent Christi­an brethren.
• 13. They pretend themselves the onely propugners of the Parlia­ment Priviledges and Jurisdiction; yet none more oppugned them in the hight of opposition as they.
• 14. They professe themselves more estranged from, and mortified to the world, yet none more covetous, oppressive, ambitious of ho­nours, preferments, and hunting after all manner of gainfull Offices and imployments as they, nor none more unfaithfull, unconscionable, in them then some of them.
• 15. They pretend the Scripture to be the onely rule of their way and Discipline, and yet can produce no one Text or Example of [Page 73]Scripture for any thing their Church warrants, or they hold, where­in they differ from the Presbyterians.
• 16. They dare not undertake to binde themselves for the future by any thing they held or concluded touching Church government, much losse any of their party; therefore it is vaine to dispute with, or receive any thing from them in matter of government or disci­pline, who will neither be bound by their own mother-judgements or practice, but hold and practise all things only duranti bene placito.

Out of all the which, as out of my former discourse, it is easie for any man to gather, that of all the Seducers that have yet ap­peared in the world, these are most to be taken heed of, whatsoe­ver seeming holinesse they may make shew of to the people. But that I may now draw to a conclusion of this my Postscript, lea­ving the narration of many other passages of theirs till their An­swer comes out (which their followers say is ready for the Presse) let me say this to all such as desire the knowledge of the truth in sincerity, and that love peace, that all men may see how fair we offer the Independents, and all such as are affected to their novel­ties: whereas the Independent Ministers have perswaded the people, that their Arguments by which they have laboured to prove, That in the Church of Jerusalem there were no more Be­lievers then could all meet in one congregation, to partake in all acts of worship, were unanswerable; and have affirmed withall, that if it could be made evident or proved unto them, That there were more Christians in the Church of Jerusalem then could all meet in one Congregation, that then they would relinquish their opinion of Independency. I, and Mr. William Prynne Esquire, my Brother in affliction, who the Independents have causelesly maligned and reproached (not to take the work out of any learn­ed and godly Ministers hands, who we honour for their singular erudition and worth, and far prefer before our selves, for all suffi­ciency and accomplished learning) shall with all humility under­take to maintaine and make good these ensuing Propositions.

• The first. That there were more particular Assemblies and Congregations of Believers in the Church of Jerusalem then one.
• [Page 74]The second. That all those severall Congregations made but one Church.
• The third. That those severall congregations were all under one Presbyterie.
• The fourth. That the government of the Church of Jerusalem is to be a patterne of government to all succeeding ages.
• The fifth. That the gathering of Churches after the Independent way, together with their Church-covenant, and all other their proceedings, wherein they differ from the Presbyterians, hath neither precept nor president in the whole Word of God.

All these positions we undertake to make good against all the Independents in the Kingdome, not out of any contention for victory, but truth, and that in the spirit of love, and not in our own strength? but and in the Name and in the Power of the King eternall, immortall, the mighty Potentate the Lord of Hosts. And if we shall not by the grace of God and his blessed assistance be a­ble to make good what we undertake; we shall not refuse to un­dergoe the greatest censure for this our temerity. But if we make good our tenents, and evince and prove their Independency, and the manner of the gathering of their Churches to be but their own inventions, and meer novelties; all the persecution that we shall then wish may be exercised against our Brethren; for the great di­stractions and breaches they have made among us, is this, that we shall desire all the godly people of the City to be humble petitio­ners with us, unto the great Councell of the Kingdome; that as they lately made a pious and a godly Ordinance for the silencing of all such as undertook the ministery without sufficiency of abili­ties and a lawfull call: so they would now silence all these no­velties, and command the Independent Ministers hereafter to preach the Gospell purely and sincerely to the people without those mixtures of their own traditions annexed to it: by which they shall bring a great deale of glory to God, honour to them­selves, and procure, if not peace to the whole Kingdome, yet love, amity, and unanimity, amongst the people; which ought to be the prayer of all those that wish the peace of Zion, and the salvation of their Brethren, and the welfare of the Nation.