GOodmorrow Sir, how are you in your health why look you so melancholy?

I thank you good Neighbour, all's not well; and truly, in this Juncture of Affairs, Mirth is become a stranger to me.

What's the matter? will you alone be sad, while we have so great occasion of rejoycing? Hath not Almighty God mercifully visited us, by bringing us under the Government of a Prince sincerely devoted to the unaltered Confession of Augsburgh, who hath not onely discharged the singing of the Psalms of Da­vid translated by L [...]bwasser (which hath been for a long time the Apple of strife in this City) but also e­jected the Roman Catholicks out of the Cathedral Church, set up an high Consistory, and thereby made the Lutheran Doctrine in great purity to shine again [Page 2]both here and in the Country, to the grief and asto­nishment of Papists, Calvinists, and all such Secta­ries as grudge and repine at the Lutheran prosperity? Hence we may see the truth of that Inscription writ­ten by a zealous Lutheran upon the Frontispiece of his house in the Suburbs of this City [Gods Word and the Lutheran Doctorine never perish can.] Likewise the Proclamation of our favourable Lord Governour demonstrates the great affection our present King and Soveraign beareth to us, with how much dili­gence and serious care he mindes the advancement of the honour of GOD, and the welfare of the Churches; and how on the contrary, he endeavoureth the extir­pation of all impious abuses. There's a Remedy for a dejected countenance; wherefore chear up your self.

Shall I confess ingenuously? The Remedy you have prescribed for my Ease, hath renewed my Grief. It's this glorious Reformation is the chief cause of my sorrow.

I am very much mistaken, but you are of those who pretend to be Lutherans, yet are really Calvi­nists; hence 'tis you cannot relish and comply with this Reformation.

You will not (I hope) misconstrue my freedome, when I tell you that you are of that batch who aim to render all such men odious, under the names of Calvinists, Papists & Libertines, as do not sympathize with, and yeild their concurrence to the promoving of these subdolous and prejudicial Designes, mask'd with a shew of Reformation; this (believe me ho­nest [Page 3]Neighbour) is a Machiavilian Trap, wherein the rude Multitude hath not been catch'd and chea­ted once.

You speak like a discontented person; what's the business? It it our new Ecclesiastical Government wherewith you are displeased? pray you impart it to your friend; I am desirous to know it.

I will not conceal it from you; It is indeed this in­novation (term it as you please) which renders it self justly suspected to all prudent men, since (accor­ding to the common Proverb) it is alwayes danger­ous. But passing that, there are many other things couched under it, which are not discovered by ma­ny good people, the event whereof (I wish I be mista­ken) will prove very hurtful and noxious to us.

Good Sir, let me intreat you to communicate that to me; for I confess, I can perceive no evil at all therein.

The easier I believe you, neither do I think it strange to finde you of that stamp, since you lodge this perswasion in your breast, That Almighty God hath mercifully visited this Province and City, by bringing the Inhabitants thereof under the govern­ment of the present Swedish King.

I never call'd that in question; and so much the ra­ther, because the same is verbally expressed in the Preamble of the Ordinance published by our Lord Governour: Is there any ground of doubt left then?

The Truth of that, the deplorable condition of this Country and City under these new Governors, doth sufficiently declare. Under our lawful King, we en­joyed Peace and Quietness, we lived amicably a­mongst our selves; no Contributions, Excises & into­lerable burdens were exacted, except those which for our safety, and better accommodation, we voluntari­ly advanced: the Right of Patronage was in our dis­posing; we ordered our Garisons without the impe­rious commands of Forreigners and Starosts; Trade and Commerce was free; we kept good correspon­dency, and were alwayes in much estimation with our Neighbours, and many others abroad: this con­dition deserved indeed the name of a merciful visita­tion from above. But now instead of Peace, behold a bloody and unnatural War, a pleasant and fertile Country laid waste and desolate, free Trade inter­rupted and at a stand, Liberty is exchanged with Sla­very; for mutual amity, we have intestine Discord and Hostilities: Contribution and new Exactions (that know no end) are dayly extorted from us; the right of Patronage of Churches and Schools is usur­ped by strangers, who now Garison our City; un­couth Starosts and Commanders rule over us at their pleasure; finally, we are become a reproach and his­sing to our Neighbours, & that not unjustly, seeing we have so vainly and inconsiderately violated our so­lemn Oath of allegiance to our lawful King, and sub­jected our selves to a Forraigner: Yet this, forsooth, must be interpreted Mercy, when (if we will allow it a name suitable to its nature) it is nothing else but Gods displeasure, written in capital Letters, and a visible judgement broken forth out of the North up­on [Page 5]on all the Inhabitants of the Land (according to that of Jeremiah, chap. 1.14. & 6.1.) from whence I pray God no greater evil may befal us.

What Sir, is not this a special mercy of God, that we are come under the government of a Prince who stands constant to the unaltered Confession of Augs­burgh?

Simply considered in it self, it might justly be ac­knowledged a singular mercy from God; but that we have so slightly set by honour, loyaltie, and the Oath of Allegiance, renouncing our lawful Superiour for Religion sake, cannot (as I conceive) be defended by the word of God, nor yet doth it consist with the Augsburghs Confession; especially since the free ex­ercise of our Religion was never hindered by our lawful Lord and King; yea, on the contrary, he gran­ted and graciously confirmed our Privileges for the same, conformable tot he Confession of Augsburgh, and at all times did protect us therein. Our Neigh­bours do no less adhere to the Ausburghs Confession then we, yet they, to their perpetual praise, remain loyal to their King; whilst we, on the other hand, by revolting from him, have contracted a more hainous blot of Infamy then can be washed off or oblitera­ted by the whole Baltick Sea.

What we have done was out of necessity, because our King was fled the Country, and the Enemy stan­ding upon our neck.

There was no such necessity; our Fortifications were good and strong, we had of levied men and [Page 6]Train Bands sufficient; the Elector of Brandenburgh offered to protect and assist us; Marienburgh did the same really, but all in vain. Our walls are defended, Arms and Souldiers ordered not as against an Ene­my, but as to the reception of a Friend; our Reliefs were rejected, partly betraid; and when we should have proved most faithful to our King, in defending his and our own Rights, we basely revolted from him, and ingaged our selves in slavery; and for this (a­mongst other motives) because the Enemy was Lu­theran, which I can neither justifie nor defend: but you may, if you please, for your further satisfaction, read the printed Copy of an Epistle lately publish'd, wherein this Question is resolved, [ whether the Evan­gelical States which adhere to the Augsburghs Confession, may fall off from their Liege Lord, in hopes to advance Re­ligion?] where expresly you will finde that to do so, is neither Just, Christian nor Lutherish.

I will, upon your recommendation, take occasion to read that Epistle, and then answer to this point. But in the interim, I hope you are not displeased with the discharging the singing of the Psalms of David, translated by Lobwasser.

I mind not to question Lobwassers integrity, nor am I anxious whether his translation of the Psalmes be sung amongst us, or not; yet could I never relish these great contests and debates upon this subject, from whence so many inconveniencies did arise, fearing and foreseeing the bad consequences that have come to pass.

Plato and other Philosophers have taught and ob­served, that the very changing of Musique hath com­monly [Page 7]produced the change of Government; which holds true amongst us: for those itchers after change and novelty, did first begin at Lobwassers Psalms; but finding the Magistrates unwilling to countenance their factious inclination, they endeavoured to make a party among the people: in the mean time, the Swede coming before the City, they and their new­fangled complices ventilated their debate with grea­ter animosity then before, and so prepared the way (in a tumultuous manner) to such an casie surren­der of this strong City to the King of Sweden.

By your expressions, I perceive you differ from the judgement of the most part of the people in this Ci­ty; and I confess, I know not how to defend all these passages handsomely: However, I doubt not but you approve of this, That we are put in possession of the Cathedral Church, and that the Roman Catho­liques are expelled.

Had we attained this possession by lawful means, should relish it very well; but believe me, it had been more commendable and advantagious for us, to have followed the footsteps of our neighbours of Thoren, and (as they did) suffered the Catholiques to enjoy their Priviledges with our selves. Moreover, in our own Church we had more room then we could take up; so when we go to the great Church, the other is empty: whereby we make our Cause worse, and ren­der our selves hateful to others. For whereas here­tofore those our Catholique Neighbours did mo­destly exercise their Devotions in that Church, they now, since they were expelled, have no publike meet­ing, nor Divine Worship at all, but go up and down [Page 8]at random. And let me tell you, When we deal so ungratefully with the Roman Catholiques, contrary to the true intent of our Priviledges, which we had from them, we lead them by the hand, teaching them how they shall deal with us, in places under their power, as in due time we may expect they will do.

Yet for all that, we are now by Authority made Uniform in Religion, which many other Cities have earnestly wished, but never could obtain. We have one Consistory, one Superintendent: could bet­ter means be found out for ordering all aright, setling Peace and Uniformity amongst our Preachers and People, and for supplying of every vacant Charge with Men fearing God and hating Covetousness?

To be Uniform in Religion, to have one Consisto­ry, one Superintendent in the City, all these in them­selves considered, are not to be rejected: But whe­ther it be intended for our good, and will prove so as is pretended, there is great cause of doubting; and believe me good Neighbour, here lurks the Serpent in the grasse.

In the entry of our discourse, you could not con­ceal your suspition; wherefore I intreat you Sir shew me where the Serpent lurks.

It was my meaning to discover this to you before, had I not been interrupted by your digressive Questi­ons: It is likewise not without hazard for any to speak their minde freely upon this subject; since eve­ry one that do not conform themselves exactly to this New Ordinance, may expect no less then a Citation by the Fiscal-Royal, before the Lord Generalissimus at Marienburgh, and there to be severely punished ac­cording to their demerits.

To act and do contrary are forbidden indeed, but not to speak against it.

I will then adventure to proceed, and tell you in confidence, to what end this present Reformation (you so highly extol) is undertaken by the Swede. Not (truly) for the advancement of the glory of God, not for the maintenance & prosperity of the Church, not for establishing of good order, not for setling peace and unity amongst Preachers and people, as they pretend: but for their own safety, that thereby in this conjuncture of time, when the whole burden of War is drawing hither, they may render them­selves more secure.

How can that be? I pray you make me understand it.

To tell you briefly, these practises which you dig­nify with the name of a glorious Reformation, are onely Machiavilian, Campanellian and Achitophel's con­trivances, which are not discovered in their birth, by the Multitude: and do you doubt but the Swedes know very well, that Religion (be it true of false) is most powerful and prevalent upon the mindes and consciences of men, to cause them actively concur to the promoting of any Design that is presented with a religious Livery? hence amongst other Argu­ments brought in to justifie this Invasion and breach of Truce, they would have us and the world believe that their Zeal to Religion, the propagation of the Evangelical Doctrine, and extirpation of Papacy, caused them chiefly to take up Arms. These plau­sible Pretexts have not only illaqueate the rude Mul­titude, but also begotten an impression upon many great ones (as if God had raised up another Gideon, to deliver his people, and vindicate the oppressed Evan­gelical [Page 10]Doctrine) yea, they extend themselves to the persecution of all men without exception, (albeit Lutherans) who do not willingly submit to the Swe­dish Government, and applaud their Hostile Invasi­on. So you may see how from the beginning we have been abused, in suffering our selves by these Re­ligious perswasions, to be seduced to this rebellious accommodation. And for our just reward, we have gotten Souldiers to be our Lords and Masters, who cunningly improving our perfidious diligence, and perceiving divisions amongst us, concerning Matters of Religion, do not onely secretly foment and highten these debates (that so they may divide and over­come) but decide all controversies in favour of the Multitude, as most numerous and useful for their de­signes: It was upon this account the Roman Catho­licks were expelled the great Church, and the Luthe­rans possessed of it, that by this gracious Testimony of the Swedes, the common people might upon all e­mergencies, be so much the more engaged to them.

Since the Swede hath settled the affairs of our Church, I think it our duty to give him a requital; one good turn deserves another: for my part, I con­fess I now favour him more then I did at first; and on­ly for his religious Zeal, whereby we are put in this happy condition, which I and many others have heartily wished for long ago. But go on in your Discourse, and excuse me for this interruption.

The Swedes perceiving that (according to your own confession) they had by Religion gained the hearts of the subjects of this City, have bended their thoughts how to keep this good impression of their [Page 11]zealous inclination, upon our affections, and how their respect might thereby be increased amongst us.

Therefore they judged it expedient to indear them­selves with the Preachers, and especially such as the common people most applauded; well knowing, that so long as these did stick close to their party, the mul­titude would never forsake them. To this purpose, and that they might more surely compass their De­signe, by preventing the admission of any to the Mi­nisterial function, which were of a contrary stamp, they have invented this new Consistory, and chosen an Arch-Prelate (wholly devoted to them, Soul and Body) to be Superintendent, and have strictly, under the highest pains, discharged the accustomed chusing and calling of Preachers by the Suffrage of the Peo­ple, who on the contrary, are commanded to make their applications, and give due reverence unto the Superintendent and Consistory; and in case of vacan­cie, an address must be made to them for an Upright and Godly man (doubtless also a good Swede) and upon their Approbation, (which is to be observ'd) to accept of him. Hence the Swedes expect a two-fold advantage; First, a full assurance of our love, fidelity and constancy, especially when the exhortations of our Pastors have a joynt tendency that way, so that a few of their own Forces, with those inhabitants of the City and Country, shall be sufficient to stave off any danger that comes from without. In the next place, they (having this assurance) need not be much affraid of those to whom this Reformation is not ac­ceptable, as Papists, Calvinists, a part of the Coun­cil, and some of the Commons, which cannot digest the taking away their Priviledge of calling their own Preachers, or the Jus Patronatus, because the Multi­tude [Page 12]will easily balance them, unless they resolve to expose themselves to the greatest hazard of life and limb.

Hold good Sir, you tell me of such strange passages as are an astonishment to me.

Suffer me yet to adde one word, wherewith I will conclude at this time. You know the Swedes have us now in their power, and probably foreseeing, whilst they and their adherents are necessitated to make a shameful retreat out of Poland and Lithuania, that the Polonian King doth intend with all his force to over-run us here in Prussia; therefore they have be­taken themselves to Achitophels counsel; and as he ad­vised Absalom to lie with his fathers concubines, whereby all Israel might know he was abhorred of his father, and so the hands of those that were with him, would be more strong, 2 Sam. 16.21. even so this unseasonable Reformation cannot but highly displease the King & States of Po­land, it being intended for no other purpose, but to make us stink before them, to deprave us of all hope of reconciliation with our lawful King, and conse­quently, drive us into despair; for the wider we make our breach, so much the closer we must stand by the Swedes; and the more desperately we hold their party, so much the better and longer will they be able to keep their station. If this Parallel hold not, let im­partial men judge. But what will be the event, time will shew. I pray the Lord preserve us, that this tend not to our total subversion.

God in mercy pity us, make all of us sensible of our dan­gerous backslidings and re-establish us in tranquillity.

I joyn with you in the same wish, leaving these matters to your further meditation, reserving the rest till next meeting.

Farewel.