Baxters Narrative of His Life and Times, Part 3 · Letter

Baxters Narrative of His Life and Times · Part 3 · Letter

p. 14Dr. Bates's Letter of their Case about the Oath.

Dear Sir,

I Iudge it due to our Friendship, and necessary for my Fame, to give you an account of what past amongst us in Reference to the Oath. In several Meetings of the Ministers, the special Enquiry was about the meaning of the Word Endeavour, Whether to be understood in the universal Extent, so as to exclude all Regular, or only tumultuous and seditious Actings. The Reasons which persuaded us to understand it in a qualified Sense, were 1. The Preface to the Act, which declares, the occasion and the end of the Oath, was to prevent the distilling the Poison of Schism and Rebellion; now it is a known Rule, ratio juris est jus; from whence it appears, That only Schismatical and Rebellious Endeavours are excluded, to avoid which, there was an antecedent Obligation. 2. It is necessary to interpret this Oath in congruity with former Laws; in particular, with that which concerns tumultuous Petitions, wherein this Parliament declares it to be the priviledge of the Subject to complain, remonstrate Petition to King or Parliament, or to advise with any Member of Parliament, for the altering of any thing amiss in the Government of Church or State, Established by Law. If Endeavour be taken in its Latitude, it is a perfect contradiction to this Law. 3. The Testimonies of several Members of both Houses, who assured us that in the Debate, this was the declared Sense of the Parliament. Sir. Heneage Finch told me the intention of it was only to have security from us, without any respect to our Iudgments concerning the Government, that we would not disturb the Peace, and that it was imposed at this Season, in regard of our Wars with France and Holland. He added, it was a tessera of our Loyalty, and those who refused it, would be looked on as Persons reserving themselves for an Opportunity. My Lord Chamberlain said, the Bishops of Canterbury and Winchester declared, it only excluded Seditious Endeavours; and upon his urging that it might be expressed, the Arch Bishop replyed, It should be added; but the King being to come at Two of the Clock, it could not, with that Explication be sent down to the House of Commons, and returned up again within that time. The Bishop of Exeter told Dr. Tillotson, That the first Draught of this Oath was in Terms a Renunciation of the Covenant; but it was answered, they have suffered for that already, and that the Ministers would not recede, it was therefore reasonable to require security in such Words, as might not touch the Covenant. 4. The concurrent Opinion of the Iudges, who are the Authorized Interpreters of Law, who declared that only tumultuous and seditious Endeavours are meant. Iudge Bridgman, Twisden, Brown, Archer, Windham, Atkins, who were at London, had agreed in this Sense. Some of the Ministers were not satisfied, because the Opinion of a Iudge in his Chamber was no Iudicial Act; but if it were declared upon the Bench, it would much resolve their Doubts. I addressed my Self to my Lord Bridgman, and urged him, that since it was a Matter of Conscience, and the Oaths were to be taken in the greatest simplicity, he would sincerely give me his Opinion about it. He professed to me, that the Sense of the Oath was, only to exclude seditious and tumultuous Endeavours, and said, he would go to the Sessions, and declare it in the Court. He wrote down the Words he intended to speak, and upon my declaring, that if he did not express that [only seditious Endeavours] were meant, I could not take the Oath: be put in the Paper (before me) that word, and told me, that Iudge Keeling was of his Mind, and would be there, and be kind to us. The Ministers esteemed this the most publick Satisfaction for Conscience and Fame, and several of them agreed to go to the Sessions, and take the Oath, that hereby, if possible p. 15they might vindicate Religion from the Imp…tation of Faction and Rebellion, and make it evident that Consciences only hindereth their Conformity. Some of the most unsatisfied were resolved to take it. We came in the afternoon on Friday to the Court, where seven Ministers had taken it in the Morning: At our appearance, the Lord Bridgman addrest himself to us in these Words: Gentlemen, I perceive you are come to take the Oath, I am glad of it: The intent of it is to distinguish between the King's good Subjects, and those who are mentioned in the Act, and to prevent Seditious and Tumultuous Endeavours to alter the Government: Mr. Clark said, in this Sense we take it. The Lord Keeling spake with some quickness, Will you take the Oath as the Parliament hath appointed it. I replyed, My Lord, We are come hither to attest our Loyalty, and to declare, we will not seditiously endeavour to alter the Government. He was silent, and we took the Oath, being 13 in number. After this the Lord Keeling told us, He was glad that so many had taken the Oath; and with great vehemency said, We had renounced the Covenant (in two Principal Points) that damnable Oath, which sticks between the Teeth of so many. And he hoped, That as here was one King, and one Faith, so here would be one Government: And if we did not Conform, it would be judged we did this to save a stake. These Words being uttered, after by his Silence he had approved what my Lord B. had spoke of the Sense of the Act, and our express Declaration, that in that Sense we took it; you may imagine how surprizing they were to us: It was not possible for us to recollect our selves from the Confusion which this caused, so as to make any reply. We retired with sadness, and what the consequences will be, you may easily fore-see. Some will reflect upon us with severity, judging of the nature of the Action by this check of Providence. Others who were resolved to take the Oath, recoil from it; their Iealousies being increased. I shall trouble you no longer, but assure you, That notwithstanding this accident doth not invalidate the Reasons for the lawfulness of it, in our apprehensions; yet the fore-sight of this would have caused us to suspend our proceedings. The good Lord sanctifie this Providence to us, and teach us to commit our dearest Concernments unto him, in the performance of our Duty, to whose Protection I commend you, and remain.

Yours intirely, William Bates. London, Feb. 22.

After my Lord Keeling's Speech, Sir Iohn Babor enquired of Lord Bridgman, whilst he was on the Bench, Whether the Ministers had renounced the Covenant? He answer'd, the Covenant was not concerned in it. Mr. Calamy, Watson, Gouge, and many others, had taken the Oath this Week, but for this unhappy Accident. My Lord Bridgman, came to the Sessions, and declared the Sense of the Oath, with my Lord Chancellor's allowance.

But all the Reasons contain'd in this Letter, seem'd not to me to enervate the force of the fore-going Objections, or solve the Difficulties.

§ 24. A little before this, L. B. and Sir—S. committed such horrid wickedness in their Drinking (acting the part of Preachers, in their Shirts, in a Balcony, with Words and Actions not to be named,) that one (or both) of them was openly censured for it in Westminster-Hall, by one of the Courts of Justice. (You will say, Sure it was a shameful Crime indeed.) And shortly after a Lightning did seize on the Church where the Monuments of the—were, and tore it, melted the Leads, and brake the Monuments into so small pieces, that the people that came to see the place, put the Scraps, with the Letters on, into their Pockets, to shew as a Wonder, and more wonderful than the consumption of the rest by fire.

§ 25. In this time the Haunting of Mr. Mompesson's House in Wiltshire, with strange Noises and Motions, for very many Months together, was the Common Talk; Of which Mr. Ios. Glanvil having wrote the Story, I say no more.

§ 26. The Number of Ministers all this while, either imprisoned, sined, or otherwise afflicted for preaching Christ's Gospel, when they were forbidden, was so great that I forbear to mention them particularly.

§ 27. The War began with the Dutch whom the French assisted.

§ 28. The Plague which began at Acton, Iuly 29. 1665. being ceased on March 1. following, I returned home; and found the Church-yard like a plow'd field with Graves, and many of my Neighbours dead; but my House (near the Church-yard) duplicate page p. 14duplicate page p. 15p. 16uninfected, and that part of my Family, which I left there, all safe, thro' the great mercy of God, my merciful Protector.

§ 29. About this time the French surprized St. Christophers, and some other of our Plantations in the West Indies, and the Dutch took our Plantation of Siranam. And the Wars proceeding nearer home, in the end of Iune 1666. in the which many were kill'd on both sides, and the D. of York so near the danger, as that he ventured himself in fight no more. Among others, the E. of Marlborough being slain, there was found about him a Letter written to Sir Hugh Pollard, Comptroller of the King's Houshold; in which (being awaken'd by Sea-dangers) he disclaim'd Sadducism, and pleaded for the Soul's Immortality; which was Printed, because being intimate Friends, they were both before supposed to be Infidels and Sadducees, that believed no Life after this.

§ 30. On Iuly 25. was the 2d great Sea-fight, in which the English had the better: And in August we seemed to prevail yet more; insomuch that Monk was said to proceed so far as to enter their Harbour, and burn 120 Ships in the River, and to burn a Thousand Houses on the Land, and give the Seamen the Plunder; for which; in the end of August the King appointed a Day of Thanksgiving to be kept in London, which was done; though many muttered, that it was not wisely done, to provoke the Dutch, by burning their houses, when it was easy for them to do the like by us, on our Sea-Coasts; and so to teach them the way of undoing us, while neither party gained by such doings. And that it was no good sign of future prosperity, when those that believed not, that there is a God, or at least that his providence disposeth of such things, would give God solemn Thanks for an unprofitable burning of the Houses of innocent Protestants. And our Confidence was then grown so high, that we talkt of nothing but bringing down the Dutch to our mercy, and bringing them to Contempt and Ruine: But our Height was quickly taken down, by the loss of many Hamborough ships first, and then by a loss of many of our men, in an Attempt upon their Merchant ships in the Sound at Denmark; but especially by the firing of the City of London.

§ 31. On Septemb. 2. after midnight, London was set on fire; and on Sept. 3. the Exchange was burnt; and in Three Days almost all the City within the Walls, and much without them. The season had been exceeding dry before, and the Wind in the East, where the Fire began. The people having none to conduct them aright, could do nothing to resist it, but stand and see their Houses-burn without Remedy; the Engines being presently out of Order, and useless. The streets were crowded with People and Carts, to carry away what Goods they could get out: And they that were most active, and befriended (by their Wealth) got Carts, and saved much; and the rest lost almost all. The Loss in Houses and Goods is scarcely to be valued: And among the rest, the Loss of Books was an exceeding great Detriment to the Interest of Piery and Learning: Almost all the Booksellers in St. Paul's Church-Yard brought their Books into Vaults under St. Paul's Church, where it was thought almost impossible that Fire should come. But the Church it self being on fire, the exceeding weight of the Stones falling down, did break into the Vault, and let in the Fire, and they could not come near to save the books. The Library also of Sion-Colledge was burnt, and most of the Libraries of Ministers, Conformable and Nonconformable, in the City; with the Libraries of many Nonconformists of the Countrey, which had been lately brought up to the City. I saw the half burnt Leaves of Books near my Dwelling at Acton six miles from London; but others found them near Windsor, almost twenty miles distant. At last, some Seamen taught them to blow up some of the next Houses with Gunpowder, which stopt the Fire. And in some places it stopt as wonderfully as it had proceeded, without any known Cause. It stopt at Holborn-Bridge, and near St. Dunstan's Church in Fleet-street, and at Sepulchre's Church (when the Church was burnt,) and at Christ's Church (when the Church was burnt,) and near Aldersgate and Cripplegate, and other places at the Wall, and in Austin Friars (the Dutch Church stopt it, and escaped,) and in Bishopsgate-street and Leadenhall-street, and Fenchurch-street, in the midst of the Streets, and short of the Tower, and all beyond the River (Southwark) escaped. Thus was the best, and one of the fairest Cities in the world turn'd into Ashes and Ruines in Three Days space, with many score Churches, and the Wealth and Necessaries of the Inhabitants. The Number of Houses are recorded by others.

p. 17§ 32. It was a fight that might have given any Man a lively sense of the Vanity of this World, and all the Wealth and Glory of it, and of the future conf…agration of all the World. To see the Flames mount up towards Heaven, and proceed so furiously without restraint: To see the streets filled with people astonished, that had scarce sense left them to lament their own calamity. To see the fields filled with heaps of Goods, and sumptuous Buildings, curious Rooms, costly Furniture and Houshold-Stuff: Yea, Warehouses and furnished Shops and Libraries, &c. all on a flame, and none durst come near to receive any thing. To see the King and Nobles ride about the streets, beholding all these Desolations, and none could afford the least Relief. To see the Air, as far as could be beheld, so filled with the smoak, that the Sun shined through it, with a colour like Blood; yea even when it was setting in the West, it so appeared to them that dwelt on the West side of the City. But the dolefullest sight of all was afterwards, to see what a ruinous confused place the City was, by Chimneys and Steeples only standing in the midst of Cellars and heaps of Rubbish; so that it was hard to know where the streets had been, and dangerous, of a long time to pass through the Ruines, because of Vaults, and fire in them. No man that seeth not such a thing, can have a right apprehension of the dreadfulness of it.

§ 33. The Extent of the Fire (consuming the City within the Walls) calleth to my remembrance, that a Fortnight before, one Mr. Caril, a Gentleman of a great Estate in Sussex, and said to be one of the most understanding and sober sort of Papists, first sent, and then come to have visited me, as earnestly desiring my Acquaintance; and then sent me a Paper to answer, being Exceptions against the Preface to my book, called, The …afe Religion; written by one that professed great Respect to me, and a desire to debate those Controversies with me; (and it proved to be Cressy, the Champion that at that time was most forward and successful in Disputes.) And in that Paper, speaking of the Pope's Licensing Whore-houses at Rome; he saith, that it is worse in London, where are whole streets that have not so much as the Rebuke of any Penalty, but when they die, the Churchmen bury them as the rest, with confidence, that God in mercy hath taken to himself the Souls of those dear Brethren and Sisters departed. I answered his Paper, and to that passage said, That I was not acquainted in the Suburbs (towards the Court): but I never heard of any such thing; and if he knew it, he would do well to tell the Magistrates (who know it not) what streets those be: But for the City, within the Walls, my Acquaintance more enabled me to say, that I did not believe that there was in all the World such a City for Piety, Sobriety and Temperance. And about a Fortnight after, that part was burned, and the rest, that he accused, did escape.

§ 34. And this is the Third terrible Judgment which London suffered, since the King's Return. First, many score of their Faithful Teachers were silenced, and cast out, and afterwards banished, or confined Five Miles from the City: And next, in 1665. the Plague and other sickness consumed about an Hundred Thousand: And when they began to be setled in their Habitations again, the Flames devoured their Houses and their substance. And it is not hard for the Reader here to imagine how many Thousands this must needs cast into utter Want and Beggary: And how many Thousands of the formerly Rich were disabled from relieving them. And how doleful the Case then must needs be, when good people, that were wont to relieve others, were cast into such distress, and few able to help them. And at the same time so many Hundred Families of silenced Ministers to be relieved, that looked to London most for Help. And after the Fire the Charitable were disabled; and also were in no small straits when they had a little to give, between the Ministers and the distressed Citizens, whom to give it to: such are easilier heard of than felt. And it was not the least part of the Calamity, that when people saw the Number of the indigent to be so great, that when they had done their best, it seemed as if they had done nothing; and also that on this pretence, other lying Beggars pretended themselves to be Londoners, it discouraged many from doing what they could and ought.

§ 35. Among others, the Famousest Person in the City, who purposely addicted himself to works of Mercy, was my very dear Friend, Mr. Henry Ashurst, a Draper (a man of the Primitive sort of Christians for Humility, Love, Blamelessness, Meekness, doing good to all as he was able, especially needy silenced Ministers (to whom, in Lancashire alone, he allowed 100l. per Ann. and in London was most famous for their succour), and doing hurt to none. His care now was to solicit the Rich abroad, for the relief of the poor honest Londoners: And Mr. Thomas Gouge (the silenced Minister of Sepulchres Parish, Son to Dr. Will. Gouge, and such another man, p. 18who made Works of Charity a great part of the business of his Life,) was made the Treasurer: And once a Fortnight they called a great Number of the needy together, to receive their Aims. I went once with Mr. Ashurst to his Meeting, to give them an Exhortation and Counsel, as he gave them Alms, and saw more cause, than I was sensible of before, to be thankful to God, that I never much needed relief from others.

§ 36. It was not the least observable thing in the time of the Fire, and after, considering the late Wars, and the multitudes of disbanded Soldiers, and the great grief and discontent of the Londoners, for the Silencing and Banishing of their Pastors, that yet there were heard in the time of their Calamity, no passionate Words of discontent or dishonour against their. Governours, even when their Enemies had so oft accused them of feditious Inclinations, and when Extremity might possibly have made them desperate.

§ 37. But yet alas! the Effect of all these dreadful Judgments was not such as might have been hoped for, but still one Party cast all the Cause upon another, and the two Extreams did look more at each other's Faults than at their own. There was no confessing the Sin of Persecution, or silencing Christ's Ministers by the one side, but they justified their ways, and hated those that differed from them, as much as ever: There was no lamenting the Corporation PERJURY by the Citizens that had taken the Declaration and Oath, and had succeeded them that were put out, because they feared an Oath. There was no lamenting former Scandals, Rebellions, or Divisions, by the other Extreme; but the Dividers cryed out, its long of the Persecutors, and the persecuters cryed out, its long of the Schismaticks, and it is God's just Judgment on the City, that hath been so much against the King and the Bishops; and God would not pardon them tho the King did: So that while each side called the other to repentance, they did both fly from repentance more and more: And if there were not between them a sober party, that lamented sin most but were guilty of least. We should see no Prognosticks of any thing but utter desolation.

§ 38. The great talk at this time was, Who were the burners of the City? And there came in so many Testimonies to prove that it was the plotted weapon of the Papists, as caused the Parliament themselves to appoint a Committee to enquire after it, and receive information: Whereupon a Frenchman (proved a Papist at last, tho the prodigal Son of a French Protestant) confest openly and constantly to the last, that he began the fire, hired to it by another French Papist (a debauch'd fellow) that was gone: The Man was sent through all the ruines, and shewed them truly the house which he fired (where it began), which then the Neighbours themselves could not easily have done. For which he was tryed at the Sessions, and upon his constant Confession was condemned and hanged. Sir Robert Brooks being Chairman of the Committee, abundance of Testimonies were received; that in many parts of the City men were seen to cast fire balls into the houses; and some strangers taken with fiery materials in their pockets; and some that were taken firing houses were brought to the Guard of Soldidiers, and to the Duke of York, and never heard of afterward: With more such matter out of the Countrey where Divers Papists foretold the fire; And the Testimonies were shortly after Printed, which is the reason why I give them to you no more parcularly. And many stories go about with very credible and undenied Reports, that be not in the Printed papers: As that of Sir Francis Peter (a Jesuited Papist) who had Lodgings in Holborn, next to a house that had stood empty since the plague: Where a smoak breaking out, caused the Lord Cravan and the Lord Astley to seek to quench the fire; but they were sain to break open Sir Francis Peter's Doors, because he would not let them in: And afterward he defended his stayers with his sword, and wounded one Man before they could apprehend him: And they found between the two houses upon the Gutters, a fire kindled with bed-mats and such like things, which they put out: But the matter was silenced and no more said of it. In Shropshire a Papist came to Sir Thomas Wolrich, and took his Oath that one of the Pendril's brethren that had hid the King after Worcester flight, had told him before, that London would be shortly burnt. Many other such testimonies were given in; but it came to nothing; and Sir Robert Brooks the Chairman of the Committeee, went shortly after into France, and as he was ferryed over a River was drowned (with his Kinsman) and the business medled with no more. So that the discontented Citizens feared not to accuse the Courtiers, as the fautors of the Papists in the plot; the rather because that some cryed out rejoycingly. Now the Rebellious City is ruined, the King is absolute, and was never King indeed till now. But of the rest I refer you to the Printed papers.

p. 19§ 39. But some good …ose out of all these Evils: The Churches being burnt, and he Parish Ministers gone (for want of places and maintenance) the Nonconformists were now more resolved than ever, to preach till they were imprisoned: Dr. Manton had his rooms full in Covent-Garden; Mr. Thomas Vincent, Mr. Thomas Doolittle, Dr. Samuel …, Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Ianoway at Rotherfrith, Mr. Chester, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Turner, Mr. Grimes, Mr. Nathaniel Vincent, Dr. Iacomb, (in the Countess of Exeter's-House and Mr. Thomas Watson, &c. Did keep their Meetings very openly, and prepared large Rooms, and some of them plain Chappels, with Pulpits, Seats, and Galleries, for the reception of as many as could come. For now the peoples necessity was unquestionable: For they had none other to hear, saving a few Churches that could hold no considerable part of the people: So that to forbid them now to hear the Nonconformists, was all one as to forbid them all publick worshiping of God, and to Command them to forsake Religion and to live like Atheists: And thus to forbid them to seek for Heaven when they had lost almost all that they had on Earth, and to take from them their spiritual Comforts, after all their outward Comforts were gone, they thought a Cruelty so barbarous, as to be unbeseeming any Man, that would not own himself to be a Devil. But all this little moved the Ruling Prelates, saving that shame restrained them from imprisoning the Preachers so hotly and forwardly as before. The Independents also set up their Meetings more openly than before; especially Mr. Griffiths, Mr. Brooks, Mr. Caryl, Mr. Barker, &c. And Dr. Owen (who had before kept far off) and Mr. Philip Nie, and Dr. Thomas Goodwin, who were their Leaders, came to the City. So that many of the Citizens went to those Meetings called private, more, than went to the publick Parish Churches.

§ 40. Yet at the same time it happily also fell out that the Parish Churches, that were left standing, had the best and ablest of the Conformists in them; especially Dr. Stillingfleet, Dr. Tillotson, Mr. White, Dr. Outram Dr. Patrick, Mr. Gifford, Dr. Whitchcot, Dr. Horton, Mr. Nest, &c. So that the moderate sort of the Citizens, heard either sort, in publick and private indifferently; Whilst those on the one extreme reproached all Mens preaching save their own as being seditious Conventicles; And those on the other extreme, would hear none that did Conform; Or if any heard them, they would never joyn with them in the Common prayers nor the Sacraments.

§ 41. Mr. Philip Nye before this (seeing the Independents like to fall under the greater sufferings, if they refused to hear in publick) had written a Manuscript to prove it lawful to hear Conformable Parish Ministers (but not medling with Common Prayer or Sacraments). (For before the Wars in 1639 or 1640 he and Mr. Thomas Goodwin, had fall'n off from hearing or joyning in Common Prayer and Sacraments with the Parishes, and my Lord Say and Mr. Pim and some others had got them to a dispute with Mr. Iohn Ball, the Nonconformist who as fame saith, utterly ba…fled them). But when Mr. Nye's Manuscript came out, one Mr. Stoneham of their own party confuted it, maintaining that to hear the Conformable Ministers was a sin. And before that a Pamphlet came out in Mr. Iohn Goodwin's name before his death, to prove Prelatical Preachers to be no Teachers or Ministers of Christ, and the Common Prayer to be Idolatry: And a sharper than that to the same parpose came out from a young hot fifth Monarchy Preacher of Worcestershire called Mr. Brown. Which Mr. Iohn Tombes the Anabaptist answered, proving Parish Communion lawful. To which Brown largely replyed, and Mr. Tombes made some short defence.

§ 42. About this time they renewed the talk of liberty of Conscience (for their ordinary ends, to keep people in hopes): Whereupon many wrote for it (especially M…r. Iohn Humfrees and Sir Charles Wolsley), and many wrote against it, as Dr. Perinch…f, and others mostly without Names; for the Conformists were now grown so hardened as not only to do all themselves that was required of them, but also to think themselves sufficient for the whole Ministerial work through the Land, and not only to consent to their silencing of their brethren, but also to oppose their restitution, and write most v…hemently against it, and against any toleration of them: So little do men know when they once enter into an Evil way, where they shall stop. Not that it was so with all, but with too many, especially with most of the young men, that were of pregnant wits, and ambitious minds, and had set themselves to seek preferments.

§ 43. On which accounts a great part of those that were called Latitudinarians began to change their temper, and to contract some malignity against those that were much more Religious than themselves. At first they were only Cambridge Arminians, p. 20and some of them not so much; and were much for new and free Philosophy, and especially for Cartes; and not at all for any thing Ceremonious: But being not so strict in their Theology or way of piety as some others, they thought that Conformity was too small a matter to keep them out of the Ministry. But afterwards many of them grew into such a distaste of the Weakness of many serious Christians, who would have some harsh phrases in Prayer, Preaching and discourse, that thence they seemed to be out of Love with their very Doctrines, and their manner of worshiping God: Of which more anon.

§ 44. In Iune 1667. the Dutch came up the River of Thames, and Sir Edward Sprag, a Papist, that was Governour of our Fort at Sheerness had not fortifyed it, and deserted it; And so they came up to Chatham, and burnt some of our greatest Ships, and took away some, while we partly lookt on, and partly resisted to no great purpose. And had they but come up to London, they might have done much more. This cast us into a great consternation.

§ 45. At this time the King came in person among the Citizens, to perswade them not to desert him, and made a Speech to them at Tower-Hill (not here to be recited): And he had now great Experience of the Loyalty of the Citizens, who after such sufferings, and under such pressures in matters of Conscience, and of worldly Interest, even in such extremity, were neither proved to do or say any thing that was contrary to their fidelity to the King.

§ 46. The firing of London (which was most commonly suppos'd to be done by the Papists, and the Wars with the French, did raise greater Jealousies of the Papists than had appeared before; so that weekly News came to London from many Counties, that the Papists were gathering Horse and Arms, and that some of them had got Troops, under pretence of the Militia or Volunteers to be ready for our defence. The Parliament hereupon declared themselves more against them than was expected; which greatly troubled the Papists. The Royalists in many Countries were almost ready to disarm them; especially the E. of Derby in Lancashire, was wholly true to the Protestant Interest. Whereupon the Papists thought it policy to live more privately, and to cease their oftentation, and to obscure their Arms and Strength, and to do their work, in a more secret way. And some of them Printed an Address to the Royalists, to plead kindness and affinity of dispositions with them, telling them that they hoped that they, that had fought, and suffered in one cause for the King, against the Puritans, should have continued in the same Union and Kindness, and that they would not have been so much against them: This was answered solidly by Dr. Loid. And doubtless the Papists had never so great a dejection and disappointment since the King came in. For they seemed to think that the Parliament and Royalists had been so distracted with malice and revenge, against the Puritans, as that they would have been content that London was burnt, and would have done any thing that they would have them, even against themselves, their Countrey, their Religion and Posterity, so it had but favoured of that revenge. But it proved otherwise.

§ 47. Whilest that all these Calamities, especially our loss and disgrace by the Dutch, must be laid on some or other, the Parliament at last laid all upon the Lord Chancellor Hide; And the King was content it should be so. Whereupon many Speeches were made against him, and an Impeachment or Charge brought in against him, and vehemently urged; and among other things, that he counselled the King to Rule by an Army (which many thought, as bad as he was, he was the chief means of hindering.) And, to be short, when they had first sought his Life, at last it was concluded that his banishment should satisfy for all: And so he was banished by an Act, during his Life. The sale of Dunkirk to the French, and a great comely House which he had new built, increased the displeasure that was against him: but there were greater Causes which I must not Name.

§ 48. And it was a notable providence of God, that this Man that had been the grand Instrument of State, and done almost all, and had dealt so cruelly with the Nonconformists should thus by his own friends be cast out and banished, while those that he had persecuted were the most moderate in his Cause, and many for him. And it was a great ease that befell good people throughout the Land by his dejection. For his way was to decoy men into Conspiracies, or to pretend plots, and when upon the rumour of a plot the innocent people of many Countries were laid in prison, so that no man knew when he was safe. Whereas since then, tho Laws have been made more and more severe, yet a Man knoweth a little better what to expect, when it is by a Law, that he is to be tryed. And it is p. 21notable, that he, that did so much to make the Oxford Law for banishing Ministers from Corporations that took not that Oath, doth in his Letter from France since his banishment say, that he never was in favour since the Parliament Sat at Oxford.

§ 49. Before this the Duke of Buckingham, being the head of his Adversaries, had been overtopt by him, and was fain to hide himself, till the Dutch put us in fear, and then he appeared and rendered himself, and went prisoner to the Tower; but with so great Acclamations of the People in the Streets as was a great Discouragement to the Chancellor: And the D. of Buckingham was quickly set at liberty. Whereupon as the Chancellor had made himself the head of the Prelatical party, who were all for setting up themselves by force, and suffering none that were against them; so Buckingham would now be the head of all those parties, that were for liberty of Conscience: For the Man was of no Religion, but notoriously and professedly lustful; And yet of greater wit and parts, and sounder Principles as to the interest of Humanity, and the Common good, than most Lords in the Court. Wherefore he Countenanced Fanaticks and Sectaries among others, without any great suspicion, because he was known to be so far from them himself. Though he marryed the Daughter and only Child of the Lord Fairfax… late General of the Parliament's Army, and is his heir hereby, yet far enough from his mind; but yet a defender of the Priviledges of Humanity.

§ 50. Before this also the Earl of Bristol had attempted to pull down the Chancellor, and to bring in a Charge against him into the Parliament: But the King soon quelled him; And being a Papist, he hath lain latent or quiet ever since, as unfit to appear in publick businesses; And Buckingham performed the Work.

§ 51. In October following the Parliament gave thanks to the King for removing the Lord Chancellor: But they were vehement in seeking an account of the Moneys which have been granted for the publick service, and also to have an account of the business at Chatham, by whose fault it was that the Dutch were unresisted and surprized our shipping: And Committees were appointed for these purposes, and a great deal of talk and stir was made about them for a long time; but they could never attain their ends; but they that were faulty had friends enow to procure their security; And tho the Parliament grudged at it, and sometimes talkt high, yet this made no alteration in our Affairs.

§ 52. One notable disadvantage which we had by the Dutch attempt was, that it drew down our new raised In-land Souldiers into Kent towards Sherness, where the unhealthful Air cast such abundance of them into sickness, and kill'd so many, as greatly weakened many; Divers of the most forward Gentlemen of the Countrey there lost their Lives; And thus we have taught an Enemy how to undoe us, if he can but force us to keep our Inland-Soldiers who are not used to that Air, about the mouth of the Thames; their bodies are no more able to endure it, than if it were the mortallest of our Foreign plantations.

§ 53. But the great stir of these Times was about Money: The Parliament said, that never had the like summs been laid on the subjects of this Land; and that the old way of payments by five or six subsidies at a time, was such a trisle in Comparison of this, as that it would be scarce observable: After many vast sums granted by way of Land-Taxes, Royal Aid, Poll-money, &c. there was fetled, for continuance, the Chimney-money, and several Excises, and the Customs, and the Wine-Tax for a limited Time, &c. But all was so much too little, that more was still needed and demanded. The Countrey-people cried out, We are undone. The Tenants at Will did so many of them give up their Farms, that the Gentlemen cried out, If we have any more Land-Taxes, we are undone. What the People said of the Parliament, and what of the Court, and what of the Bishops, and what of the Women. I shall not write: But Losers and sufferers will take leave to talk. But the Parliament grew more urgent to have an account of the moneys, as not believing that it was possible fairly to expend so much. The Persons that were made a Committee for examining Accounts, were very eminent for Ability, and Impartiality, and sincerity; (Mr. William Pierpoint, the Lord Bruerton, Col. Thompson, and abundance more) They laid the great blame on Sir Geo. Carteret, Treasurer for the Navy… He was accused deeply in the House of Commons: He excused himself by laying much on the King's Privy-seals; The Parliament said, that those Moneys were not to have been laid out on private Uses. After long time, the King and Council called the Lord Bruerton, Col. Thomson, and some others, and sharply rebuked them, as injurious Persons, and such as p. 22sought to discontent the Parliament, and make Differences, &c. And His Majesty undertook the Decision of the Business, and acquitted Sir George Carteret; and the Parliament grudged, but acquiesced.

§ 54. When the Chancellour was banished, Sir Orlando Bridgman was made Lord Keeper; a Man that by his seeming moderation to the Nonconformists, (though a zealous Patron of Prelacy) got himself a good Name for a time; and at first, whilst the D. of Buckingham kept up the Cry for Liberty of Conscience, he seemed to comply with that Design, to the great displeasure of the Ruling Prelates. But when he saw, that that Game would not go on, he turned as zealous the other way; and now wholly serveth the Prelatical Interest, but is not much valued by either side; but taken for an uncertain, timerous man. High Places, great Businesses and Difficulties, do so try Mens Abilities and their Morals, that many who in a low or middle station, obtained and kept up a great Name, do quickly lose it, and grow despised and reproached Persons, when Exaltation and Trial hath made them known. Besides that, as in prosperous times, the Chief State Ministers are praised, so in evil and suffering times, they bear the blame of what is amiss.

§ 55. About this time, the E. of S (a Papist) having a very fair Wife (Daughter to the E. of C.) a Papist also (with whom lived Mr. Iohnson, alias Terret, the Disputing Champion for Popery); she liked other men so much better than her Husband, that she forsook him, and kept her self secret from his knowledg: But he believing that the Duke of Buckingham kept her secretly, was not content to lose his Wife, but he would also lose his Life. And sending the Duke of Buckingham a Challenge, they met and fought the Duke having Capt. Holmes and Ienkins with him, and the Earl of Shrewsbury, Bernond, Howard, and another: Where Howard kill'd Ienkins, and the Duke wounded the Earl, of which wounds he dyed; And the King pardoned the Duke; but strickly prohibited Duels for the future. The Duke also and the Marquess of Dorcester had a skuffle at boxing in an open Committee of Parliament.

§ 56. When the D. of Buckhingham came first into this high favour, he was looked on as the chief Minister of state instead of the Chancellor; and shewed himself openly for Toleration or Liberty for all parties in matters of God's worship: And then others also seemed to look that way, as thinking that the King was for it. Whereupon those that were most against it grew into seeming discontent. The Bp. of Winchester Morley, was put out of his place of Dean of the Chappel, and Bp. Crofts of Hereford (who seemed then to be for moderation) was put into the place: But it was not long till Crofts was either discouraged, or as some said upon the Death of a Daughter, for grief did leave his place and the Court; And the Bp. of Oxford **Dr. Blandford.was brought into his place, and Dr. Crew (the son of that wise and pious Man the Lord Crew) was made Clerk of the Closet.

§ 57. At the same time the Ministers of London who had ventured to keep open Meetings in their houses, and preached to great Numbers contrary to the Law, were by the King's favour connived at; So that the people went openly to hear them without fear: Some imputed this to the King's own inclination to liberty of Conscience; some to the D. of Buckingham's prevalency; some to the Papists Interest, who were for liberty of Conscience for their own Interest: But others thought that the Papists were really against Liberty of Conscience, and did rather desire and design that utmost severities might ruine the Puritans and cause Discontents and Divisions among our selves, till we had broken one another all into pieces, and turned all into such Confusions, as might advantage them to play a more successful Game, than ever Toleration was like to be. But whatever else was the secret cause, It is evident that the great visible cause was the burning of London, and the want of Churches for the people to meet in; It being at the first a thing too gross, to forbid an undone people all publick worshiping of God, with too great rigour; And if they had been so forbidden, poverty had left them so little to lose as would have made them desperately go on. Therefore some thought all this was, to make Necessity seem a favour.

§ 58. But whatever the cause of the Connivance was, it is certain that the Countrey Ministers were so much encouraged by the boldness and liberty of those at London, that they did the like in most parts of England, and Crowds of the most Religiously inclined people were their hearers; And some few got, in a travelling way, into Pulpits where they were not known and the next day went away to another place. And this, especially with the great discontents of the people for their manifold payments, and of Cities and Corporations for the great decay of Trade, and the p. 23breaking and impoverishing of many Thousands by the burning of the City, together with the lamentable weakness and badness of great Numbers of the Ministers that were put into the Nonconformist's places, did turn the hearts of the most of the Common people in all parts against the Bps. and their ways, and enclined them to the Nonconformists, tho fear restrained men from speaking what they thought, especially the richer fort.

§ 59. Here Ralph Wallis a Cobler of Glocester published a book containing the Names and particular histories of a great Number of Conformable Ministers, in several Parishes of England, that had been notoriously scandalous, and named their scandals, to the great displeasure of the Clergy; And I fear to the great temptation of many of the Nonconformists, to be glad of other Mens sin, as that which by accident might diminish the interest of the Prelatists.

§ 60. The Lord Mohune, a young man, gave out some words, which caused a Common Scandal in Court and City against the Bp. of Rochester, as guilty of most obscure Actions with the said Lord; the reproach whereof was long the talk of many sorts of persons, who then took liberty to speak freely of the Bishops.

§ 61. About this time (Ian. 1668.) the news came of the Change in Portugal, where by no means of the Queen, the King who was a debanched person (and Charged by her of insufficiency or frigidity) was put out of his Government (tho not his Title, and his brother by the consent of Nobles, was made Regent, and marryed the Queen, (after a Declaration of Nullity or a divorce) and the King was sent as a Prisoner into an Island, where he yet remaineth: Which News had but an ill sound in England, as things went at that time.

§ 62. In Ian. 1668. I received a Letter from Dr. Manton, that Sir Iohn Barber told him that it was the Lord Keeper's desire to speak with him and me, about a Comprehension and Toleration: Whereupon coming to London, Sir Iohn Barber told me, that the Lord keeper spake to him, to bring us to him for the aforesaid end, and that he had certain proposals to offer us; and that many great Courtiers were our friends in the business, but that to speak plainly, if we would carry it, we must make use of such as were for a Toleration of the Papists also: And he demanded how we would answer the Common Question, What will satisfie you? I answered him, That other Mens Judgments and Actions about the Toleration of Papists, we had nothing to do with at this time: though it was no work for us to meddle in. But to this question, we were not so ignorant whom we had to do with, as to expect full satisfaction of our desires, as to Church-Affairs: But the Answer must be suited to the Sense of his Question: And if we knew their Ends, what degree of satisfaction they were minded to grant, we would tell them what means are necessary to attain them. There are degrees of satisfaction, as to the Number of Persons to be satisfied; and there are divers degrees of satisfying the same Person. 1. If they will take in all Orthodox, Peaceable, Worthy Ministers, the Terms must be the larger. 2. If they will take in but the greater part, somewhat less and harder Terms may do it. 3. If but a few, yet less may serve: for we are not so vain as to pretend that all Nonconformists are in every particular of one mind.

And as to the Presbyterians now so called, whose Case alone we were called to consider, 1. If they would satisfie the far greatest part of them in an high degree, so as they should think the Churches setled in a good condition; the granting of what was desired by them in 1660. would do it, which is the setling of Church-Government according to that of A. Bp. Vsher's Model, and the granting of the Indulgences mentioned in his Majestie's Declaration, about Eccles. Affairs. 2. But if they would not give so high satisfaction, the Alterations granted in his Majestie's Declaration alone, would so far satisfie them, as to make them very thankful to his Majesty; and not only to exercise their Office with Chearfulness, but also to rejoice in the Kingdom's happiness, whose Union would by this be much promoted. 3. But if this may not be granted, at least the taking off all such impositions, which make us uncapable of Exercising our Ministry, would be a mercy, for which we hope we should not be unthankful to God or the King.

§ 63. When we came to the Lord Keeper, we resolved to tell him, That Sir Iohn Barber told us, his Lordship desired to speak with us, left it should be after said, that we intruded, or were the movers of it, or left it had been Sir Iohn Barber's Forwardness, that had been the Cause. He told us why he sent for us, to think of a way of our Restoration; to which end he had some Proposals to offer to us, which were for a Comprehension for the Presbyterians, and an Indulgence for the Independents and p. 24the rest: We askt him, Whether it was his Lordship's pleasure that we should offer him our Opinion of the means, or only receive what he offered to us. He told us, That he had somewhat to offer to us; but we might also offer our own to him. I told him, That I did think we could offer such Terms, no way injurious to the welfare of any, which might take in both Presbyterians and Independents, and all found Christians, into the Publick Established Ministry. He answered, That that was a thing that he would not have; but only a Toleration for the rest. Which being none of our business to debate, we desired him to consult such persons about it, as were concerned in it. And so it was agreed, that we should meddle with the Comprehension only. And a few Days after he sent us his Proposals.

§ 64. When we saw the Proposals, we perceived that the business of the Lord Keeper, and his way, would make it unfit for us to debate such Cases with himself: And therefore we wrote to him, requesting, that he would nominate Two Learned peaceable Divines to treat with us, till we agreed on the fittest Terms; and that Dr. Bates might be added to us. He nominated Dr. Wilkins (who we then found was the Author of the Proposals, and of the whole business, and his Chaplain, Mr. Burton. And when we met, we tendered them some Proposals of our own, and some Alterations which we desired in their Proposals (for they presently rejected ours, and would hear no more of them; so that we were fain to treat upon theirs alone.)

§ 65. The Copy of what we offered them is as followeth.

I. That the Credenda and Agenda in Religion, being distinguished, no Profession of Assent be required, but only to the Holy, Canonical Scriptures in general, and to the Creeds and 36 Articles in particular. And no Oath, Promise or Consent he required, save only the renewing of the Covenant which in Baptism we made to God, and a promise of Fidelity in our Ministry, and the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy to the King. And for all lesser matters, let it suffice, that the Laws may restrain us from preaching against any Established Doctrine, or against Episcopacy, Liturgy or Ceremonies, and from all Male-Administrations, or Church-Tyranny, or Injustice about the Sacraments; and that we be punishable according to the quality of the Offence.

II. The Fire having now caused a Necessity of many more publick Assemblies for God's Worship, besides those in the yet standing Parish-Churches, we humbly conceive that it would much conduce to the re-edifying of the Churches and City, and the contenting of many, and the drawing off the people from more private Meetings; if a competent Number of the Ruin'd Cnurches be allowed to such sober Protestants, as will repair them, with the same liberty and Security for possession, as the French and Dutch in London have their Churches; the people chusing their Pastors, and maintaining them: Or if his Majesty's Bounty allow them any Stipend, that none have that Stipend whom his Majesty approveth not. And that the Pastors be not suffered to introd…ce there any Heresie or Idolatry; but shall preach the Doctrine of the sacred Scriptures, not opposing the Doctrines or Orders of the Church, and shall worship God according to the Liturgy, or the Assembly's Directory, or the Reformed Liturgy offered by the Commissioners 1660. as they desire.

III. That all such be capable of Benefices, who subscribe and swear as is aforesaid, and being of Competent Abilities, shall be lawfully Ordained; or if already ordained, are confirmed by the late Act, or shall be confirmed by any Commissioned by his Majesty; they being obliged some time to read the Liturgy, and sometimes to administer the Sacrament according to it (abating the Ceremonies). And to be often present when it is read; which shall be ordinarily or constantly done, and the Sacrament administred as oft as is required by Law, by himself, or some other allowed Minister. And that those who will only subscribe and swear as is abovesaid, being ordained also as aforesaid, but cannot so far conform to the Liturgy may be allowed to preach and Catechize publickly, as Lecturers, or Assistants to some others; and to have such further Liberty about the Sacraments, as by just Regulations shall be made safe to Religion and the publick peace.

There is another way which would satisfie almost all; by allowing each party such a Minister whose Ordination and Ministration they do make no scruple at; which would prevent all private Churches, and perhaps all Face of Schism among us; which is, if in every Parish where any party dissenteth from the Established way, the Dissenters be left at liberty, either to communicate with any Neighbour-Parish, or to chuse an Assistant for the Incumbent, which Assistant shall be maintained by themselves; (unless the Incumbent will voluntarily contribute); p. 25And shall officia…e one half of the Day, as the Incumbent doth the other, having leave to do it according to the foresaid Directory, or the Additional Liturgy offered 1660. (or at least to have the use of the Church at such Hours as the Incumbent doth not there officiate): The people receiving the Communion from each, according to their several Iudgments. And though so great a Rupture as ours is, cannot be cured without some inconveniences, which may be here objected, yet such Laws may be made for the Regulation of this Liberty, as may restrain all Faction, Contention, and Mutual Contempt, or Injuries, and even the Naming themselves Members of distinct Churches, as might be shewed:

§ 66. The Copy of the Lord Keeper's, or Dr. Wilkins's Proposals.