Gangrena Part 1 and 2, Preface 2
THE PREFACE.
Christian Reader,
ALthough there be already at the Presse a full Reply to the pretended Answers made by Mr. Saltmarsh, Mr. Walwyn, and Mr. Iohn Goodwin, against my late Book entituled Gangraena; yea, and some part thereof printed; yet considering not only the three bodied Monster Geryon, and the three headed Cerberus, which for present I have to grapple and conflict withall, but that Hydra also, ready to rise up in their place, therefore that I may both mortally wound the heads of these Dragons, and cut off others as they are springing, and strike once for all in defence of Gangrena: my Reply cannot but be somewhat large, and so of necessity must take up more time for the perfecting and publishing of it (especially considering my imployments in frequent constant preaching, besides all other occasions) then at this time I am contented to be kept from coming abroad in Print.
And therfore for preventing the Sectaries glorying, and triumphing too much in their Answers, and their possessing many people against my Book, as if it were a Book of lies, and that I could not make proof of, or give a good account to the world of what I have written; as also from interpreting my silence (though but during a time simply necessary to give a full Answer) a repenting of writing my late Book and a retreating from that cause wherein I have so much appeared (as Master aA word more to Mr. Edwards pag. 1. Sir, untill I perceive the contrary, I cannot but hope that I have prevailed something with you towards a change of your mind, and that you have begun to repent you of the evill you have done by publishing your Book entituled the Gangraena.Walwyn seems to do) I have thought it necessary in the Interim, till my larger Reply can come forth, to set forth a few sheets to declare my mind to all the world, and to take away all just occasion from men of speaking against my late Book: Now this Book being of the same nature and kind with Gangraena, besides a breif Answer to some main Objections made against it, is not only an Addition of more Errours to the former Catalogue, a higher Discovery of the wayes and Practises of the Sectaries, a further confirmation of the truth of things contained in Gangraena, but an assurance to the Reader of my Resolution and Constancie, by the grace of God, in opposing Errours and Sects maugre all the malice, wrath and power of Hell; as also a satisfaction in part to the most materiall things objected by Master Saltmarsh, Mr. Walwyn, Mr. Goodwin, against my Book; and as I am perswaded this Discourse will not be without its use for the present, so I question not when my full Reply to these three Pamphlets shall come abroad (of which this Book is the fore-runner, and prepares the way) not only all rationall and unprejudiced men, who shall read and consider, will be satisfied by it; but my Antagonists will be laid so open and bare, as their folly and shame shall be manifested to al men, and themselves and their friends for them will wish a hundred times they had been asleep in their beds when they medled with Gangraena; yea Gangraena, and this defence of it will prove so incurable a Gangren to them, that they shall never be cured of it by all the Mountebanck quacksalving drugs and tricks of all the Sectaries of this time; and though for a short time confident lying may please and take with many, yet as Solomon speaks, the lip of truth shall be established for ever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment; and as Hierom. Mendacia ad modicum placent, sed diu non durant.
A Fresh and further DISCOVERY OF THE ERROURS and Pernicious Practises of the SECTARIES in ENGLAND.
HAving laid down in my Book entituled Gangraena, 180. Errors vented in these times, besides an Addition of some Errours mentioned in the Appendix, and not enumerated in the former Catalogue. I do here further present the Reader with a Catalogue of more Errours not before named, neither, in the first, nor second Edition of my Book: As also a Relation of more Stories and Practices, together with some new Letters concerning them; by all which it will appear that the plague of Sectarisme rages more and more, putting forth Symptoms presaging death and destruction both to Church and State, if not timely prevented.