Civitas Norwici. Congregatio tent' die Mercurij, scilicet secundo die Septembris, Anno Regni Domini Caroli, Dei gra­tia Angliae, Scot' Eranc' & Hybern' Rex, fidei defenso­ris, &c. vicesimo secundo tempore Henrici Watts Maior Civit' praed' Iohan' Cory, & Williel' Rye vicecom' ejus­dem Civitat'

We the Major, Sheriffes, Aldermen, and Common-Councel of the City of Norwich, having seen a scandalous pamphlet, lately set forth, stiled, Vox Populi, or the peoples cry against the Clergy, doe hereby declare, that we, nor any of us have any hand, or did give any counsell or consent to the compiling thereof, untill it came to publique view, and we are so farre from countenancing of it, as that we utterly disclaime it: And we doe further declare, that there are severall particulars in the said Booke, which doe very falsly and scandalously impeach and asperse the Ministers of this City, named in that pamphlet; And we doe hear­tily wish that the Author thereof may be found out and punished according to the Law of the Land.

IN that libellous Packet, called Vox populi, are contained many blasphemies, heresies, errors, and malignant expressions.

To point at a few of them:

In the preface.First, That difference in judgement in the mysteries of Di­vinity, is more our sorrow then our sin; and the reason they give for this, is, because it is the irresistable product of our depraved nature, &c. whence it followes they hold.

2. That the depravednesse of our nature by Adams fall is no sin to be sorrowed for, or Originall sin is no sinne: and in that they doe sorrow for it, they sorrow for that which is no sinne.

They say difference in affection, anger, and choller, &c. is more our sin then our sorrow, whence it followes.

3. That difference in affection, and injuries to others, are sins of the greatest magnitude, or sinnes against our neigh­bour, are greater then any sinnes against God.

Their desires are meerely to be let alone, whence it followeth. In the booke, pag. 3. lin. 28.

4. They hold that every man must be left to the liberty of his conscience.

5. That it is a state-troubling principle to compell men against their consciences, Pag. 12. lin. 7. to Ʋniformity in Church-Govern­ment.

6. That our solemne League and Covenant is the same to the Presbyter, that the Masse-booke is to the Papist, Pag. 25. lin. 28 and the Service-booke to the Prelate.

These things we will not meddle withall, but leave them to be censured by Authority, and confuted by the pens and tongues of the learned.

Neither list we to render evill for evill, or rebuke for rebuke, to revile them that have reviled the servants of Je­sus Christ, we dare not bring against them any railing ac­cusation, but only say to them, as the Archangell said to the Divell, when he disputed about the body of Moses, The Lord rebuke thee.

We will meddle only with matters of fact, and be faith­full witnesses in behalfe of our faithfull Ministers, as we are bound by the ninth Commandement, to cleere them from those foule aspersions, and false accusations which are cast upon them, that their innocencie and integritie may appeare to all the world, we shall hold forth a Cata­logue to publique view, not a compleate enumeration of all the lies in the Libell, for that were an endlesse taske (every Page manifesting so many) but of some of them of the greatest magnitude, lies with a witnes, such as almost every childe in Norwich of any discretion, is able to testifie the untruth of them; as,

First, they charge Master Thornebacke, that in his Sermon upon the 16h of June at the Greeneyard, Pag 1. lin. last. he exhorted the peo­ple to strike in with some Petition, Pag. 5. lin. 20. &c. and that this was se­conded in the afternoon by Master Bond, He uttered not a word to that effect. who violently pres­sed the people according to the patterne delivered him in the Mount ( meaning Master Thornebacke his Morning Ser­mon.

Answ. Where by the way, Reader thou maist perceive that this Libeller doth not spare to abuse the divine Ora­cles of God, when he is in this jeering straine; but con­cerning this we testifie,

That Master Thornebacke, and Master Bond, did both of them in their Sermons exhort the New Magistrate, and the whole City there present in generall, to doe something to the utmost of their power, which might conduce to [Page 7]the publike good and settlement of truth and peace, but we do not remember any such word used in either of their Sermons, as Petition or Remonstrance; But we be­leeve it was the desire of them, and the rest of the Mini­sters, not violently to presse the people to subscribe any Petition of theirs, but only to stirre them up to be active, in doing something by mature advice▪ which might tend to the peace and benefit of Church and Common-wealth.

2. They charge our Ministers thus; Drunkards, Swea­rers, Gamesters, Lyars, Whoremongers, Adulterers, &c. are not petitioned against.

We answer, some of us have seene the Petition framed by the Ministers of Norwich, and we testifie, that in a spe­ciall manner, it strikes expresly at Blasphemy against God, Sabbath-breaking, Tipling, Gaming, Ale-houses-haunt­ing, &c. and the maine scope of it was to suppresse sin, disorder, and prophanesse, to procure peace, and to ad­vance the power of godlinesse.

Observe Rea­der the secret conveiance of these juglers the emphasis lies in these words, we hear nothing al­most, &c. and whats the rea­son our Mini­sters reprove these sins daily in the Pulpit, but they are absent; viz. in Mrs Ashwells chamber. 3. They charge our Ministers thus: We heare nothing almost in every Pulpit, but Church Discipline, Uniformity, nothing against the known God, provoking sins of the times, swearing lying, defrauding, cosening and over-reaching one another, little or nothing of the Doctrine of Faith towards God, repentance from dead workes, love amongst Brethren, Communion with God, Union with Christ, fellowship with the Spirit, &c. These things are almost banished the Pulpits, and we have nothing but the very formes and shell of Re­ligion.

To this we answer, with amazement, and wonder at the impudency of these men in putting forth such grosse lies, the falsenesse whereof, are knowne to our whole City, except only Recusants and Separatists that never frequent our congregations, we do testifie all of us, as eare-witnesses, that those very sins they mention, were never more constantly and severely reproved, Faith and Repen­tance, &c. never more faithfully and powerfully preached [Page 8]by any, then by these our Ministers whom they nominate; and as for Discipline, and Uniformity, we never heard any of them make it their worke in any Sermon to preach of them, if they meddle at any time with these, it is but a touch and away, as they meet with occasion in their Text, their maine worke is to lay a good foundation, and to teach the substantiall grounds of Christian Religion.

4. They say our Ministers were unwilling to let their Remonstrance be read in the Court of Maioraltie, that they refused to let the Towne Clarke read it, but would read it themselves, and would not require the advice, Counsell, and helpe of the Court.

We answer, the Remonstrance was read at least thrice, publikely in the Court, the reason why it was read by one of themselves, was because there was but one Coppy, and that imperfect, interlined, blotted out in many places, and none else could well read it, but one of themselves; yet to satisfie them, the Coppy of it was left in the Court, June 17▪ from morning till night, also upon the 19, of June the Common-Councell had it in their hands a competent time. The Ministers were so far from refusing the advice of the Magistrates and Court, that they did offer divers times, that a Committee of three of foure of them might be appointed to joyne with so many of the Ministers, to advise about it, alter it, and prepare it for another meeting; This being denied, the Ministers thought it was to no end to part with their Coppy; and having but one in all, they tooke it away with them; by which it appeares to all men, that our Ministers did goe to advise with the Court, and not having their approbation, left off the prosecution of their Remonstrance, though they were encouraged by many to goe one with it, by getting hands among the people.

5. They taxe our Ministers of Jesuiticall practises and undermining principles. Pag 7. line 7.

But they confute themselves, for page 5. line the 9. [Page 9] [...]nd 10. they confesse the Ministers appeare publike in [...]heir designes, we are sure that is not the Jesuiticall way, for their principles are undermining and secret, here they give themselves the lie.

6. They charge M. Thorneback, M. Carter, M. Stinnet, and the rest, pag. 8. lin. 1. that they take upon them to exercise authoritie over the Court, that they proceed by way of command, expecting their obedience, that they should goe when the Ministers bid them goe, &c. though it be to licke the dust at their feet.

We answer: here's a deale of malice, but not a word of truth, Master Thornebacke and the rest, went all in a humble way to the Court, as Petitioners, They did not threaten our chiefe Magi­strate that they would set up a Lecture and maintaine it in despite of him, as some of you haue done. with their hats in their hands, they only contributed their advice, pro­pounded their feares, proposed a remedy, gave their rea­sons, and submitted all to the wisdome of the Court: This is true, and if this be to exercise authority, let the world judge.

7. Master Thornebacke, Master Carter, and the rest, are accused to be steered by the deceitfull campasse of car­nall interests, and are moved and acted up and downe ac­cording to the motion of their primum mobile, worldly preferments, and popular concurrencies, submitting them­selves to the preceps of men, to Surplice, Tippet, High-Altar, Liturgies, Homilies, Cannons, Injunctions of the Bishop, Write, Preach for them, and glory in them; and as the times wheele about, they can throw them all by, and be as zealous against them, as ever they were for them, &c.

We answer, and testifie before the Lord, that all this is so notoriously false and scandalous that we even blush to read it, here we cannot satisfie in a generall way, we will therefore give some short account of our Mini­sters severally.

Master Thornebacke since he came to Norwich, did never appeare to us as a man that had any eye or [Page 10]aime at worldly preferments, his preaching is against pre­laticall tyranny and ceremonies, but not for them, and though we can speake positively only, for so long as he hath lived with us; yet we conceive he was ever the same that he appeares now to be, and therefore we will give a hint of what we have heard from good hands viz. That Master Thornebacke living in Essex at Steeple-Bum­sted in the heate and height of the Prelaticall persecu­tion, had an excommunication sent out against him which was never revoked to this day, because he refused and opposed the constant wearing of the Surplice, and reading of the Service-Booke Wednesdaies and Fridaies, and for persisting in his inconformity after his citation to the Court, publikely and privately in those times he proclaimed the fall of the Bishops for their Pride and In­solency; he was offered a very little Parish, but a great living, some two hundred pound perannum and he refused it because the worke was little, and did rather chuse to take a place of far lesser meanes, where there was more of Christs worke to doe, this is his ambition of worldly preferment, all this we have heard, and let Mr Thorne­backes greatest enemies inquire, and they shall find the truth of these things.

Master Carter hath lived Minister of St. Peters Parish now these Seventeen yeares, except only that time in which he was banished by Bishop Wrenn, and his Chan­cellour, we never could discerne that ever he did seeke after, or affect any worldly preferment; he hath had ad­vantages of raising himselfe, but never improved them so farre, as ever we could see or heare, this we know he hath often been about to leave St Peters Parish for a lesse peo­ple, and lesse meanes, only as he professed out of the sense of his owne weakenesse, being not able to beare so great a burthen as lyeth upon him: and as for the Prelaticall ceremonies, he hath ever groned under them, declaimed against them bitterly, both publikely and privately, and [Page 11]because his conscience would not suffer him to yeeld to their trash, he was unmercifully persecuted by Bishop Wrenn, and his Chancellour suspended, deprived and mo­lested: So he was forced to leave Norfolke, and seeke hiding places, he suffered with joy the spoyling of his goods, and counted exile a Paradice, only to be free from the base trash of the Prelates: He hath ever been the same, keeping close to his principles; and if he have varied in any thing, it hath been in the increase of his detestation of superstition and Prelacy: We all testifie of seventeene yeares experience of him, that these aspersions of him are foule, and the accusations most false and grosse.

Master Stinnett hath lived Minister of Saint Johns of Maddermarket Parish thirty yeares, and upwards: His spirituall living is about twenty foure pounds ter̄ annum; and although it be no more, we never heard that ever he sought any other place for his preferment. If in some things he hath conformed, it is no more then some of the five Apologists have done: who have been seen in Nor­wich to reade the Let any in the Surplice, and use the Crosse in Baptisme; but that it may appeare he hath ever shewed a dislike of them, it is upon record, that long agoe he hath been troubled and suspended, more then once, and another put in his place, for neglecting the Booke of Common Prayer, and other Ceremonies.

Master Fletcher, a learned, pious, and grave Divine, whose living hath been meane in the Countrey where he hath shined as a light for many yeares: sure if he had bin ambitious, he might have raised himselfe much higher, by his noble friends, being a man of great relations. Since he came to Norwich, he hath carried himselfe like a grave and sound Minister of the Gospell, a workeman that needeth not to be ashamed, and an enemy to Cere­monies, &c. as appeares by his being suspended in Bi­shop Wrens time for the omission of some Ceremonies

Master Bond, a hopefull and learned young man, he hath for two yeares together been coadjutor to Master Carter, that is his highest hitherto; yet we never percei­ved, that ever he made after any worldly preferment, he never wore Surplice since he was Minister, nor baptized with the Crosse, nor observed any Prelaticall Ceremony, but hath preached and appeared against those waies often zealously.

Master Stukeley is but a stranger in our City, of no long standing; but for the time he hath been amongst us, he ne­ver sought worldly preferments that we know of, he hath declared himselfe against Prelaticall Ceremonies, and joynes the right hand of fellowship, with the most godly party.

Master Tost was bred, borne, and brought up amongst us, descended of a religious Family, hath been settled in a Pa­storall charge some five yeares, his Living not worth much above twenty two pounds per annum; yet we never heard he sought for any worldly preferment; he never wore the Surplice since he was a Minister in Norwich, nor observed other Ceremonies, but hath often preached and appeared against them.

Master Mitchell, a Citizen of Norwich borne, an able godly and precious young man, he hath some imploiment, but no settled station; he hath refused places, affording good meanes, but never that we know did seeke for any worldly preferment; he left off the wearing the Sur­plice (as can be proved) before he left the colledge in Cambridge; he is cleare of all the old taint that cleaveth to our Church.

And now let all the world judge the falsenesse of these accusations of our faithfull Ministers.

8. They accuse our Ministers, that they oppose, preach against, Pag. 12, 13. and trouble those that doe settle Church-Govern­ment according to their Covenant.

Observe Reader the secret craft and subtiltie of these [Page 13]men; they would beare the world in hand, that they desire peace and union with us, as they speake in their Epistle, and yet they professe to have a way differing from us, and a Covenant differing from the Nationall Covenant: And they blame our Ministers, because they preach against, and trouble them in settling Church-government accord­ing to their covenant; which that ye may know what it is, we will give you a touch of the particulars thereof: First, they will avouch the Lord to be their God: Secondly, that they will endeavour to walke in all his wayes: Thirdly, that they willingly and humbly submit themselves to the government of Christ: Fourthly, that they will labour to improve their communion; and fifthly and lastly, they covenant that they will not confine themselves to the words of this covenant. Now I would faine know of any ☞ rationall man what these men are tyed unto by their cove­nant; yet how arrogantly doe they beare themselves upon their church, and priviledges, and covenant, and we know not what, even till they draw their necks out of the yoke of Christ; and under the name of the church, they goe about to kicke out Gods Ministers and Ordinances, hating our Ministers because they preach for, and endeavour to settle Church-government according to our Nationall Covenants. But O my soule, come not thou into their Assemblies.

9. They speake as if our Ministers in their Remon­strance did desire the Parliament-men to baptize their children. Pag. 13.

For answer to this, we who have seen the Remon­strance, do testifie it is false; For they petitioned for some order for Ordination of Ministers, who might baptize and that none might be suffered to preach that will not bap­tize, and not otherwise.

10. They taxe our Ministers, that they have not taught our people to relieve the poore, and thats the reason they are not provided for.

But our whole City knowes that our Ministers have ever, but especially of late laid downe the Doctrine of Charity, and Almes, almost in all their Sermons, and zea­lously pressed the care of the poore, even till they have reaped much ill will of divers; And God hath made their Ministry so successefull, as that the Magistrates have dou­bled their reliefe by rates; so as the poore have hardly been ever so well provided for as now they be. It is true, we cannot so well acquit our selves of the poore, as your party can doe; for you will not so easily admit them, as you will doe silke-gowns, for they shall be offered to have their confessions to be made out for them: besides, you can get so many good women to you, that their husbands cannot beare the charge of our poore, because their wives prove so chargable to them.

11. They endeavour to asperse our Ministers with the guilt, Pag. 14. lin. 4. Pag. 9. middle and bring them under the suspition of Malignancy.

But let the world inquire what Ministers in the King­dome have preached more against Malignants then they, who more for the Parliament, for the Nationall Cove­nant, Though not for your Co­venant. for Reformation, who baulkes the secrecie of Ma­lignants more then they, who have spent their estates in the Parliaments service more freely then they; you must recant this as a most malitious and false accusation.

12. They charge our Ministers Remonstrance with this passage, Pag. 15. that Traitors to the King were not executed.

The answer is ready; In all the Remonstrance which was presented to the Common-Councell, June the 10 ^th. there was not so much as the word Treason, or Traitor named.

Reader, we will not tire thy patience any further, thou maist by this time judge of the Beast by the foote: This short collection of these few notorious falsehoods, may teach thee what to thinke of the whole: And truly we must from henceforth, call into question the truth and in­tegritie of all those that goe this way, though never so glorious in profession.

One word only to the Authors and Abettors of this unchristian Libell, we speake to you as Joshuah to Achan, you have troubled our Israel this day, now therefore we pray you give glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him, repent of your Injustice, aske God and the Ministers of the City of Norwich (whom you have abused) forgivenesse, least the Lord trouble you, and all Israel perish for your wickednesse.

The truth and substance of what is contained in this Booke, for the cleering and vindicating of our Ministers herein mentioned, Is avouched by us whose names are hereunto subscribed, to be the generall Vote of the whole City: And if any man desire to be satisfied herein, they may repair to the house of Hamond Craske, in the said Ci­ty of Norwich, where they may see, the Inhabitants of the said City, with one consent have subscribed their hands to severall Papers that testifie the same.