The Danger of Tolerating Levelers in a Civil State, Observations

The Danger of Tolerating Levelers in a Civil State · Observations

p. 38Certaine Observations collected out of both their LETTERS.

I. Their reproachfull and reviling Speeches of the Government and Magistrates of the Massachusets.

1.THey say our Magistrates did lay their Wisdome prostrate,Pag. 9. in sending Letters to them, which they scornfully call an irregular Note.

2. That they bare them causlesse enmity, the proofe whereof every occasion brings forth.

3. They flily call them the seed of the ancient mother; i. of the enmity of the Devill.

4. That they know it is the name of Christ call'd upon them, against which our Magistrates doe strive.

5 That they goe about to hide their sin, as Adam, bearing the world in hand, that they desire not to contend, but to redresse something in point of Civill peace.

6 That they stand on tip-toe to stretch themselves beyond their bounds, to seek occasion against them.

7 That those who accuse them, are accusers of the Brethren, Satan being a lyer, and the father of it; which thing our Magistrates cannot know though they be told of it.

8 That this act of theirs to treat about their land,Pag. 10. is a mappe of their spirituall estate.

9 That they delight daily to eate of the forbidden fruit (which they call mans wisdome) out of which our Churches and Common-wealth is formed) to gaine conformity with their maker.

10 They scorn at their purity and godlinesse, telling them that Cole and Arnold their dissembling subjects, are full of the spirit of their purity.

11 They doe not say plainly that our Magistrates are dogs, but compare them to dogs in resuming their vomit into its former p. 39concoction, by receiving Cole and Arnold under our jurisdiction.

12 That the whole structure and edifice among us (i. the Churches and Common-wealth) is raised up in the spirit of an hireling, and that by submission to the Word of God in fasting, feast-sting, retirednesse for study, contributing, treasuring (i. for Church uses in severall Churches) they doe nothing else but bring forth fruit unto death.

13 That farther then the Lord Jesus agrees with riches, honour and ease, our Magistrates minde him not, nay, renounce, and reject him.

14 That they plainely crucifie Christ,Pag. 11. and put him to an open shame, which the Apostle, Hebr. 6. applies to the worst of men, who commit the unpardonable sin, and for whom men are not to pray.

15 That our Magistrates are as farre from yeelding subjection toPag. 12. Christ, as Cole and Arnold from being honourable and loyall-subjects, whom they call the shame of Religion, the disturbance and disquiet of the place, dissembling subjects, Pag. 10. as also deboist, rude, inhumane Nabals, il-bred, apostatised persons, and fellonious, Page 23. with many such like speeches.

16 That the things of Gods kingdome are infinitely beyond the reach of their spirit, nor can they heare the lively Oracle, and therefore are dumb in telling Justice.

17 That the Magistrates are Jewes according to the flesh, and stout maintainers of the man of Sin.

18 That they know our Magistrates eyes are dazled with envy,Pag. 13. and their ears open to lyes.

19 That they judge them before their cause be heard.Pag. 15.

20 That in inviting them to their Courts for their equal-ballanced Justice (as they scornfully call it) they thereby strike at Christ their life.

21 That our Magistrates are like Herod, whom God smote withPag. 16. wormes, for seeking by an out-reaching and circumventing policy to subdue Tyrus and Sidon, and like Pontius Pilate, and the people who out of the Judgement hall are all for mercy, but in it nothing but crucifie him, bee their accusations, and witnesses never so false, so (say they) in your dealings with men in way of the Jewish brotherhood, your law is all for mercy, to redresse, reforme, for preservation of soule and body, doe but enter into the p. 40Common-hall, then if witnesses bee but brought in, and oath taken though never so untrue, your Consciences are purged by law, and your power must have tribute paid it, so far as to brand mens names with infamy, and deprive women and children of things necessary.

22 That the professed clemency and mercy of their law, is as much as in them lyes, to send both soule and body downe to Sheol (i. the grave and hell) for ever, without redresse and all hope of recovery.

23 That their houre and power of darknesse is knowne, what it is either to have mens persons in admiration because of advantage, or else to seek all occasions against them, with all manner of reproach and ignominie.

24 That their wayes are wicked,Pag. 17. and to bee abhorred, because in their professed course the two witnesses are slaine by them, and put to death; and that all their glory is to keep their corpse unburied; and these two witnesses are the life and death of the Lord Jesus.

25 That the light appearing among them,Pag. 18. is nothing but the light of Balaam, so that in seeing, they see not, but communicate onelyonly in the light of that Beast who put the witnesses to death.

26 They tell our Magistrates, that they never come amongst them, but they see themselves in a regiment of grosse and palpable darknesse, and discern you to scrabble on the wall for the door of Lots house.

27. That they know not what a true witnesse is.Pag. 19.

28 That the whole Word of God is a parable to them,Pag. 22, 23. as their conversation in all points daily declare it.

29 That they will not come neare our Magistrates, until they know they beare another minde from their neighbours, whom they call robbers, grosse dissembling hypocrites, who doe nothing but goe about to establish such wayes as may maintaine their owne vicious lusts, whose laws are pretended and devised, and whose practises (they say) they renounce as diabolicall.

30 Yee blind guides (say they to our Magistrates) as your fathersPag. 24. have ever done, so do you.

31 You set up Segnirim (i. as themselves interpret) feare andPag. 25. horrour, or the devill, by, and for the which you hope to bee saved.

32 That their carriage towards them,Pag. 26. is farre worse then that of p. 41the Indians, whom themselves cry out of to bee thieves and robbers; Pag. 32.

33 That they are despisers; Behold (say they) yee despisers, the vanity and abominations of all your baptismes.

34 Yee think (say they) that the crosse of Christ is nothing but bowing down the back to every burden, and cringing and crouching to the lust of every man.

35 They call the generall Court,Pag. 28. the great Idol Generall, whose pretended equity in distributing Justice is a meer device of man according to the sleights of Satan.

36 They tell the Court, that out of the kingdome of darknesse and the devill, they had writ another Note to adde to their former pride and folly.

37 For taking Pumham and Sachanonoco (Indian Sachims) under their protection; they tell the Court they might have done well to have proved themselves Christians before they had mixt themselves with the heathen; but this was too hard for them to doe.

38 They advise the Court (in scorn) to keep the Indian with them,Pag. 29. where he and they might perform that worthy work of distributing Justice.

39 They tell the Court that they live by bloud.

40 They tell the Court, they renounce the kingdom of darkness, and the devill, wherein the Court delights to trust.

41 They call the Court, Oye generation of Vipers.

42 They tell the Court,Pag. 30, 31. they are not a cup fit for their appetite, but a cup of trembling either to make them vomit up their owne eternall shame, or else to make them burst asunder with their fellow confessor Iudas Iscariot.

43 That the Court is either blind or audacious in desiring them to come for their parc…lls of Justice, and that they disdain to come to them.

44. They professe they cannot sufficiently vilifie the promise of the Court, that they shall come down to them and return in safety; which they call a verball and perfunctory offer.

45 They tell the Court, that if their lusts had not prevailed over them, they might thinke they had better employment then to trot to Massachusets as their factors, and ordinary hackney… doe.

46 They tell the Court that their lawes and proceedings withPag. 32. p. 42the soules and bodies of men, is nothing else but a continued act of accusing and excusing (like the horse in the mill) which (say they) you doe by circumstances and conjectures, as also your fathers have done before you, the Diviners and Necromancers of this world, who are gone to their owne place, and have their reward.

47 They accuse our Magistrates for maintaining Indians inPag. 33. their lying, sabbath-breaking, grosse whoredomes, stealing, &c.

48 That they are hypocrites,Pag. 34. having eyes and see not, eares and hear not, mouths and speak not.

Now had these men returned a rationall answer, it might have been meet perhaps by a few marginall Notes to have returned some short Reply; but both their Letters being fraught with little else then meer raylings, and reproachfull language, it may be sufficient thus to present them in one view together, that so the wise and prudent may take a taste of their spirits, and learne from what fire it is that their tongues are thus highly inflamed. If our Courts and Magistrates had been in any thing to blame, what a faire and easie way had it been to have first convinced them, before they had thus bitterly reviled them; but thus to cut and shave, and cast all this filth in their faces without proof or reason, argues a bold and insolent spirit fitted to make combustions and confusions in the place where they live. If indeed the Magistrates had given them any sore provocations of returning ill language, there might have been some excuse, but alasse, all the cause that can bee given of most of this ill language, is nothing but writing friendly unto them, to send some from themselves to clear up the differences between them and the Indians, and to shew their just title to the land they possessed; if they had kept this flood within their owne bankes, or been but moderate in revilings, it might have been winkt at; but to fly out into such extremity on so small provocation against their betters, so as to call them Idolls, blind-guides, despisers, generation of vipers, such as crucifie Christ, men that serve their owne lusts, hypocrites, the seed of the Devill, Necromancers, Judasses, men that live by bloud, robbers and thieves, men without mercy, among whom Justice is dumbe, delighting in the kingdome of darknesse and the devill, like Herod and Pilate in administring Justice, whose eyes are dazled with envie, and eares open to lies, s…out maintainers p. 43of the man of Sin, whose wayes are wicked, and to bee abhorred; worse then Indians, like dogs, &c. This language speakes loud to what Countrey they belong, and of what race they come.

II. Their reviling Language not onelyonly against the Magistrates and Government here in particular, but also against Magistracy it self, and all Civill power.

IF any shall say for them (as themselves now for their owne advantage doe) that this ill language is directed onelyonly against our particular Government and Magistrates, but not against all Civill power it self, the contrary may appear (notwithstanding their dark language, under which sometimes they seek to conceale it) in these particulars.

I They expresly affirm that the Office to minister Justice,Pag. 16. belongs onelyonly to the Lord: and that therefore (from their instance of Herod) men make themselves Gods, (which themselves interpret to be onelyonly from the God of this world, and to be in flat opposition against God, Pag. 26.) by ruling over the bodies and estates of men; and that the people receiving Herod to Government, & crying out that this was the ordinance of God, and not of man, that he was immediately smit…en of God for it: As also they tell us, p. 26. that to set up men to Judge of good and evil, for which all men are set up in that kinde; that this is re-acting that ancient spirit of the Serpent, If yee eate, yee shall bee as Gods.

Now this strikes at all Magistracy, for if the office of ministring justice and righteousnesse belongs to God onelyonly, then not unto any man, for that is to make Gods of men; and if to judge betweene good and evill bee to act over againe the ancient spirit of the Serpent, then 'tis not onelyonly unlawfull, but diabolicall, to make Judges of what is right and wrong, good or evill by any man.

If it bee objected, is it possible that any men should bee so grosly blind and wicked, as to abolish all ministration of Justice and righteousnesse?

Answ. 1. These men seeme to acknowledge some way of ministring Justice, but the mysterie lies in that word Office, they would p. 44have no man set up in the Office of Magistracy, distinguished from other men, but would have such a power common to the Brethren, so that a man may judge as a brother, but not as an Officer, and therefore they slily justifie him, who called one of our chiefe Magistrates in the open face of the Court, Brother, and condemne all our Magistrates, because every man doth not sit there to judge as a Brother, Pag. 16. and their reason seems to bee drawne from this, because that to bee a Brother, and consequently a co…eire with Christ, is a higher sphere then to bee a Civil Officer, as their owne words intimate, Pag. 16. Now the rule is evident à quatenus ad omne, that if ministration of Justice and judgement belongs to no officer, but to a man as a Brother, then to every Brother, and if …o every Brother, whether rich of poore, ignorant or learned, then every Christian in a Common-wealth must bee King, and Judge, and Sheriffe, and Captaine, and Parliament man, and Ruler, and that not onelyonly in New-England, but in Old, and not onelyonly in Old, but in all the Christian world; downe with all Officers from their Rule, and set up every Brother for to Rule, which the godly…wise may easily discerne to bee the establishment of all confusion, and the setting up of Anarchy worse then the greatest Tyranny.

2. Although these may beare the world in hand that they allow ministration of Justice and righteousnesse by men as Brethren, yet some Cakes of these mens dough have been so farre leavened and sowred against all Civill power, as that in our Publike Courts, being demanded how murderers, theeves, and adulterers should bee punished if there should bee no Civill power coercive, they openly and roundly answered before many witnesses, that such persons must be left to the judgment of God, both which not long after God himself sate Judge upon, being suddenly and barbarously slaine by the bloody Indians in the Dutch plantation.

First,Pag. 18, 19. they exclaime against us for choosing men that are honourable, learned, wise, experienced, and of good report, or else they may not rule among us, and this, they say, is of man, and by man, and putting the second witnesse to death, viz. the death or weaknesse of Christ, or in plaine English, 'tis a killing of Christ.

Now however the application is made unto our Civill State, yet it manifestly strikes at all Civill States in the world, who shall p. 45choose any Officers for rule and government, and administring of Justice, although they bee never so honourable, learned, wise, experienced, and of good report, and consequently most fit for government; and that in so chusing them they doe put Christ himself to death. So that these men still harp on that string to have every man judge as a Brother, whether honourable or not honourable, whether wise or foolish, whether of good report or evill report, otherwise Christ weaknesse is slaine.

3. They affirme that they who can create,Pag. 22. make void, and remove offices and officers at their pleasure, are of that evill one, (i. the devill) and not of Jesus Christ, but of Shedim that waster and destroyer of mankind for ever. Their proofe is from that monstrous interpretation of Yea, yea, and Nay, nay, and they instance not onelyonly in Church-officers, but in Common-wealth-officers, whether Rulers or Captaines. Their words are these, viz. Hee with whom it is yea, I am a Ruler, but it was nay when I was none at all, renounceth the spirit of him that rules in righteousnesse, professing the spirit of him that is Prince of the power of the aire, who is working now so effectually in the children of disobedience; so also hee with whom it is yea, I am captaine, or chief-slaughter-man, but it was nay, time was that I was none at all, renounceth the victory and slaughter made by the Captaine and High-priest of our profession, professing himselfe to bee a superfluous Giant made in the host of the Philistims, to defie the host of the living God.

By which speeches 'tis evident that they doe not onelyonly oppose, Civill officers chosen amongst us here, but all such as are chosen Rulers, Captaines, and Officers at any time, in any place, and were not so before; and such they say are of the Devill the destroyer of man.

4 They say men limit, and so destroy the holy one of Israel, Pag. 18.whose life is infinite, and without circumscription and containment (as they call it) if men acknowledge that Christ rules on earth onelyonly by his Deputies, Litvtenants, and Vicegerents, (i. by persons invested with Civill authority and office, for so they are called by Orthodox Divines) and therefore they say that his putting Christ to death, when onelyonly wise, and honourable, and learned, and experienced, and men of good report, are chosen to rule, because they would have the Power to rule common to p. 46all Christians, but as for the office of rule to bee peculiar to none, and therefore Pag. 24. they tell us that none shall see Christ come into his kingdome with comfort, untill the authority and power of man appeares to be as the building of Babel, and the name and authority of God onelyonly to bee that wherein the blessing consists; meaning that 'tis Babylonish building which God misliked, and confounded, for any man in office to rule and governe, because this is to limit the power and life of Christ (which is in every brother as well as in any officer) and so to kill the life of Christ; so that if any of them say that▪ although they distaste officers, as Kings and others by election, yet not such as are so by hereditary succession, they are but words to sute their owne ends for a time, and to delude others, for if it bee limiting the holy One of Israel, a circumscribing and so destroying the life of Christ which is infinite, for to make him rule by his Deputies and Vicegerents on earth, then not onelyonly Kings and Princes, whether by election or no, but all other civill officers must bee abandoned, because the life and power of Christ is limited in successive as well as in elective Princes, in inferiour as well as in superiour governours, who are Christs Deputies, and Vicegerents, and therefore called Rom. 13. 4. the Ministers of God either for good or terrour.

5. They call our generall Court the Idoll generall,Pag. 28. which is nothing else but a device of man by the sleight of Sathan to subject and make slaves of that species or kinde which God hath honored with his owne Image, and they do not onelyonly speake thus of our Courts as Idols, but they cry out woe unto the world because of the Idols thereof, for Idols must needes bee set up, but woe be unto them by whom they are erected, and their reason reacheth to all civill power, (for say they) a man may be as well a slave to his belly, and make that his god, as be a vassall to his owne species, or kinde, or to any thing that man can bring forth even in his best perfection.

There are other evidences of their corrupt minde herein from other passages in their letters which they speake under more obscure cloudes and allegories, but these may bee a sufficient witnesse against them before men and angels, that they abandon all civill authority, although for to serve their owne turnes of others or their owne lusts, they say they do not: the Apostle Iude long since, tels us of such persons expresly who despise Dominion and speake evill of p. 47Dignities, 1. They doe not only despise these or those particular persons or states that are invested with Dominion; but they despise Dominion it selfe and Dignities themselves, and would have all that power abandoned, whom he calleth v. 8. filthy dreamers, defiling the flesh, murmurers and complainers walking after their owne lusts, their mouthes speaking great swelling words, v. 16. And that it may yet more fully appeare that these men doe abandon all civill authority, (although this secret they will not impart unto all, but rather professe the contrary) there is extant to bee shewen if need were, the writings betweene a prudent man in this Country, and one of the chiefe, and most understanding of this peculiar fellowship (as they stile themselves) wherein hee doth stoutly maintaine these three assertions, 1. That there are no Ordinances, 2. That there are no relations neither in the Common-wealth betweene rulers and subjects, nor in the Church between officers and brethren, nor in the families betweene husband and wife, master and servant, father and sonne. 3. That there are no inherent graces in Christians. By which principles the world may see what these men goe about, viz. as much as in them lies to bring in a disorder and confusion in all states and families, and to open the sluce to all violence, injustice, and wickednesse, by not only abandoning, but reproaching and revilingall civill rule and authority upon earth, which they therefore scornefully call a meere device of man, Idols, to be of the Devill, the destroyer of mankinde, and to bee a crucifying of Christ in his life and death, and all this when honourable, wise, learned, experienced, well reported persons are chosen and invested with Civill power, whom therefore they would not have maintained, and to whom it is as unlawfull to administer any oath for the ending of civill differences, as to lust after a woman to commit adultery, Pag. 20.

III. Their blasphemous speeches against the holy things of God.

1. AGainst the Churches,Pag. 26. they call them devised platformes Pag. 26. and that the wisedome of men is the whole accomplishment (or that which gives the whole being) of Churches and Common-wealth. Pag. 10.

p. 482. Against the calling of Ministers,Pag. 11. they say, that to make their calling mediate and not immediate, is to make a nullity of Christ, and to crucifie Christ, and to put him to an open shame, and that such Ministers are Magicians, Pag. 34.

Now this reflects upon all the O…dinances and ordinary Officers and Ministers of Christ, that either are or have beene in the Church at any time, for although the offices bee immediately from Christ, yet their call to exercise this office hath beene ever accounted mediate.

3. Against the word of God,Pag. 36. they call the Sermons of God… Ministers tales, or lies and falshoods, now had they thus spoken upon proofe against any particular Sermons, or persons, the accused might have spoken for themselves, but indifferently to revile all Sermons as tales or forgeries, the doctrine generally taught here amongst us, being no other then that which Paul preached at Ephesus for three yeares space and upwards, viz, repentance towards God, and faith towards the Lord Jesus, Act. 20. being also no other then what agrees generally with the harmony of confessions of all reformed Churches: to call these tales is a word which the Lord Jesus will certainely remember, unlesse they repent; the Sermons of the Apostles of Christ, as well as the doctrine of all reformed Churches, being reproached hereby.

4. Against the Sacraments:Pag. 26. as for baptisme they doe not onelyonly make the baptizing of Infants as abominable as the crosse, but all our baptismes, behold (say they) the vanity and abomination of all your baptismes, and they doe not meane all those baptismes which are in use amongst us, but in any Churches of the world at this day; for they acknowledge no other baptisme then that which is spirituall, and hence they say, that when ever you see the baptisme of Christ truly in use according to the word of God, you doe as truly see that party partaking and communicating with the crosse and sufferings of Christ, for these are coaparant, now communicating in Christs sufferings in their meaning is onelyonly spirituall, and so is therefore all baptismes. 2. As for the Lords supper scarce a greater heape of blasphemies in fewer words can come from the mouth of man against that blessed Ordinance, wherein Christ is so manifestly and sweetly present, for they call it your disht up dainties, turning the juice of a sillie grape that perisheth in the use ofit, into the bloud of the Lord Jesus, by the cunning skill of p. 49your Magicians, which doth make mad and drunke so many in the world.

5. Against repentance and humiliation for sinne,Pag. 26. they speake somewhat obscurely, but they that know them may soone understandEx. 1. pag.Exod 1 their meaning,They say out of the forbidden …uire i. e. mans wisdom our Churches and Common-wealth is formed▪ 2. That the whole edifice amongst us is raised up in the spirit of an hireling▪ 3. That by submission to the word of God in fasting, feasting, retirednesse for study, contributing, treasuring, i. e. for Church uses so much in severall Churches, they doe nothing but bring forth fruite unto death. which if it be this, that in a way of compunction and sorrow for sinne, a Christian is not to seeke for consolation and comfort from Christ, and to affirme that this is to make the sonne of God Belial and Segniri…, the Devill himselfe, (as they interpret it) then tis most grosse blasphemy against not onelyonly the preaching, but practise of repentance and godly sorrow, for which the Apostle rejoiced to see in the Corinthians, ch. 7 v. 9. 10. and which Iames and Peter command and commend, Iames 4 v. 9. 10. 1 Peter 5. v▪ 6. and which way not so much Moses in the law but Christ in the Gospell hath sanctified to finde pardon of sinne 1 Iohn 1. 9.

6. Against Christ Jesus himselfe: they condemne our doctrine for affirming that Jesus Christ actually dyed and suffered onelyonly in the dayes of Herod, and Puntius Pilate, when hee hanged on the Crosse, and that hee was crucified in truth and substance onelyonly when hee appeared borne of the Virgin Mary: and for this doctrine wee are condemned as Wisards and Necromancers.

Now what is this but to overthrow not onelyonly the being of Christ in the flesh, making him no other then such an one as actually suffered from the begining of the world, and shall doe to the end of it, but also overthrowing all faith and hope of salvation in the messiah who was incarnate in the dayes of Herod and Pilate, and in his death and sufferings, and that one perfect offering, then once for all Heb. 10. 14. The reader may therefore be pleased to take notice thatPag. 11. being asked in open Court what was that Christ who was borne of the Virgin and suffered under Pilate? one of them answered that hee was a semblance, picture, or a shadow of what was and is done actually and substantially in Christians; and hence the meaning of the words may bee gathered Pag. 11. which otherwise the wise reader may thinke to bee non-sence. viz. that they are Wisards and Necromancers who raise a shadow without a substance (viz. to make Christ to bee slaine in types since the world began) or who raise the substance of him who dwels in light without a shadow, (making no more of Christ but a semblance and shadow, as themselves call it) for further explication of which they affirmed p. 50in open Court that as the Image of God in Adam was Christ, (for God they said had but one Image) so the losse of this Image by man was the death of Christ, and therefore 'tis no wonder if they deny Christ to dye actually onelyonly when crucified under Pontius Pilate because man sinned actually (which they make to be Christs death) long before; meane while the reader may take notice with a holy astonishment and horrour of the heavy curse of God in blinding these bold men with such a palpable and grosse spirit of delusion and mad phrenfies, who will make mans sinne and fall, which is the cause of perdition of men, to be the cause of the Salvation of man, for so Christs death is which they blasphemously make mans sinne to bee.

For further proofe that they make little use of Christ and his death, then as hath been said, their owne interpretation of the slaying of the two witnesses, Pag. 17. 18. seemeth to confirme, for they make these two witnesses the life and the death of Christ in men, the life of Christ they call his strength, and the death of Christ they call his weaknesse, viz. as it is, and appeares in weake, foolish, ignorant, unexperienced, and ill-reported of men, and therefore they blame us for killing of Christs death (for it seemes it is such a death as may bee killed) in that wee chuse honourable, wise, learned men, and of good report to place of rule, excluding others.

Now some of these blasphemies might have been the better borne if they had let Christ and his death alone, and his word alone, but to call the holy word and Sermons of Salvation tales, the Sacrament an abomination, madding and making drunke the world, to call the Ministers of Christ who dispense Word and Sacraments, Necromancers and Magicians, and they who hold and beleive him to bee the Messiah and Christ who suffered under Pilate, Wisards, and all this in coole bloud, in the open face of the Court, obstinately refusing to alter a title of what they had writ, let the world judge if ever Antichrist that beast spoken of Rev. 13. 5, 6. did ever speake greater blasphemies against God, his name, and tabernacle, and whether such men deserve to live, that live thus to blaspheme; may not such civill states that tolerate such, feare that sentence of God against them as was pronounced against Ahab for letting blasphemous Benhada… escap with his life, thy life for his life? however mens charity may enlarge it felse this way, yet let wisedome preserve us and make the wisehearted wary of such impostors, who want not their wiles to say p. 51and unsay, as may best sute their advantage, for they can hold forth at some time and to some persons, wholesome and orthodox truths and beare them in hand that this is all that they hold, but they have depths of abomination to give to drinke when they see their seasons, in such golden cups; they have hidden secrets, which their young Proselytes shall not presently see, much lesse others; for so they tell us Pag. 17. that tis not their purpose to open to every one the house of their treasures, the silver and gold, and spices, and precious ointment, nor the house of their armour, because they may take them all as execrable and put them to a prophane use, nor can every spirit comprehend the breadth of the land of Emanuel, (as they call it Pag. 12.) nor know the Cherubims of glory, nor the voice of the oracle from the Mercy-seate: and indeed their uncouth, tumorous and swelling words (as Iude cals them Iude 16.) like swellings, and tumours of the flesh, are the undoubted signes of a secret and seducing humour, whereby they are fit to deceive the simple and infect the strong, if men bee not watchfull.

The Publisher to the Reader.

THE reason wherefore nothing is answered to the great charge in his voluminous Postscript, is because it hath been answered already by a former treatise printed: but more especially because many of the friends, children and kindred of the dead are in good esteeme with us, whom I am loath to grieve.

But since by course thou art next to cast thine eye Gentle Reader upon the summe of a Presentment which the Court at Road Iland received from their Grand Jewry being present when Samu…l Gorton had so much abused their Government in the face of the Country, yea in open Court, their owne eyes and eares bearing witnesse thereunto, they I say presented these abuses to the Court, as such which they conceived ought not to bee borne without ruine to their Government, and therefore besought the bench to thinke of some one punishment for examples sake as well as otherwise to bee inflicted o… the Delinquent.

And therefore that thou maist see the occasion thereof, take notice that an ancient woman having a Cow going in the field where p. 52Samuel Gorton had some land. This woman fetching out her Cow, Gortons servant maid fell violently upon the woman beating and notoriously abusing her by tearing her haire about her, whereupon the old woman complaining to the Deputy Governour of the place, hee sendeth for the maid, and upon hearing the cause, bound her over to the Court. The time being come and the Court set, Gorton appeares himselfe in the defence of his maid, and would not suffer his maid to appeare or make answer, but said expresly she should not appeare, and that if they had any thing against her they should proceed with him. And though hee was lovingly disswaded by some of the Bench not to engage himselfe but let his maid appeare▪ yet hee refused: but when hee could not bee prevailed with, the action was called and witnesses produced, sworne, and examined: which being done, hee moved for another witnesse to bee called, which hee perswaded himselfe and the Bench was an honest woman and would speake the truth. Now shee being sworne, said, Mr. Gorton, I can speake nothing will helpe your maid. And indeed her whole testimony was against her and for the old womans cause, whereupon hee openly said, Take heed thou wicked woman, the earth doth not open and swallow thee up. And then hee demanded of the Court if hee should have equity and justice in his cause or no? To which was answered, if he had either plea or evidence to produce in his maids cause it should be heard. Then hee nominated one Weekes who could say something to it. Weekes was called and required to take his oath before hee spake; at which Gorton and Weekes both of them jeered and laughed and told the Court they were skilled in Idols, and that was one, and stood stoutly a long time to makeit good. Hereupon some of the Court put him in mind how they had forewarned him of such carriages fearing he would fall into some extreames. At length the Governour gathering up the summe of what was witnessed, commends it to the Jewry. At which time Gorton said, the Court had perverted Justice and wrested the witnesses, with very many high and reproachfull termes; and in the midst of his violence throwing his hands about, hee touched the Deputy Gove…nour with his handkerchiefe buttons about his eares (who it seemes sate at a Table with his backe towards him) whereupon the Deputy said, what will you fall about my eares? To which Gorton▪ answered I know not whether you have any eares or no? and if you have, I know not where they stand; but I will not p. 53touch them with a paire of Tongues. The Governour often calling upon the Jewry to attend the Cause, was as often interrupted by him. Where upon many of their Freemen being present, desired the Court they would not suffer such insolencies, professing they were troubled the Court had borne with them so long. For which in briefe, hee was committed, but when the Governour bade the Marshall take him away; hee bade take away Coddington, which was their Governours name: a thing I thought meet to explaine, lest thou shouldst not understand it by the Heads of the Presentment here following, abusing all and every particular of the Magistrates with opprobrious terms. But note when hee was committed upon his mutinous and seditious speeches, Weekes, Holden, &c. his abettors, stopped the way with such insolency, as the Governour was forced to rise from the Bench, to helpe forward the Command with his person, in clearing the way, put Weekes in the stocks, and was forced to command a guard of armed men to preserve themselves and the peace of the place: And this they did because of some fore-going jealousies; and now taking occasion to search the houses of that party that adhered to him, they found many of their peeces laden with bullet: and by meanes hereof they were forced to continue their guard, whilst upon their banishment they were forced from the Island.

And however it were enough for a Book alone to relate all the particulars of his insolent carriage, yet take notice onelyonly of two or three particulars: … When hee was censured to bee whipt and banished, he appealed to England; they asked to whom? Hee said with a loud voice, To King Charles. They told him, hee should first have his punishment, and then afterwards hee might complain. To which hee replyed, take notice I appeale to King Charles, C…lv, or Selah; the party who was present told mee hee could not tell which, but that word was spoken with an extraordinary high and loud voice.

A second thing to be observed, was, that after hee had been so deservedly whipt, some of his faction said, Now Christ Jesus had suffered.

And thirdly, although the weather was very cold, the Governour going away after execution of Justice upon him, yet he ran a …od way after the Governour, drawing a chaine after one of his …gs, the upper part of his body being still naked, and told him, He had p. 54but lent him this, and hee should surely have it again. All this I had from a man of very good repute, who then lived with them, and was an eye and ea…e witnesse to all these proceedings.

In the next place take notice good Reader, that when hee went from hence well whipt, as before, and entred upon his banishment, the place hee went to (in a sharpe season) was a Town called Providence, where Mr. Roger Williams, & divers others lived, who in regard of the season, entertained them with much humane curtesie, but the Gortonians, answered all like AEsops snake, as thou maist read by the severall Letters of the chief Inhabitants of that place, by a notorious faction there also by them raised, to the great distraction and amazement of the Inhabitants, as appeareth by their dolefull complaints in their own Letters, a true Copy whereof I present unto thee.

The sum of the Presentment of Samuel Gorton at Portsmouth in Roade-Island, by the Grand Iury.

FIrst, that Samuel Gorton certaine dayes before his appearance at this Court, said, the Government was such as was not to bee subjected unto, forasmch as it had not a true derivation, because it was altered from what it first was.

2 That Samuel Gorton contumeliously reproached the Magistrates calling them Just Asses.

3 That the said Gorton reproachfully called the Judges, or some of the Justices on the Bench (corrupt Judges) in open Court.

4 That the said Gorton questioned the Court for making him to waite on them two dayes formerly, and that now hee would know whether hee should bee tryed in an hostile way, or by Law, or in sobriety.

5 The said Gorton alledged in open Court, that hee looked at the Magistrates as Lawyers, and called Mr. Easton, Lawyer Easton.

6 The said Gorton charged the Deputy Governour to bee an Abeeter of a Riot, Assault, or Battery, and professed that he would not touch him, no not with a paire of tongues: Moreover he said, I know not whether thou hast any eares, or no: as also, I think thou p. 55knowest not where thy ears stand, and charged him to be a man unfit to make a Warrant.

7 The said Gorton charged the Bench for wresting witnesse, in this expression, I professe you wrest witnesse.

8 The said Gorton called a Freeman in open Cou…t (saucy Boy, and Jack-an-Apes;) and said, the woman that was upon her oath, would not speake against her mother, although she were damned where she stood.

9 The said Gorton affirmed that Mr. Easton behaved himselfe not like a Judge, and that himself was charged either basely or falsly.

10 The said Gorton said to the Bench, Ye intrude Oaths, and goe about to catch me.

11 The said Gorton being reproved for his miscarriage, help up his hand, and with extremity of speech shooke his hand at them, insomuch that the Freemen present said, Hee threatens the Court.

12 The said Gorton charged the Court with acting the second part of Plymouth Magistrates, who, as hee said, condemned him in the Chimney corner, ere they heard him speak.

13 The said Gorton in open Court did professe to maintaine the quarrell of another being his Maid-servant.

14 The said Gorton being commanded to prison, imperiously resisted the authority, and made open Proclamation, saying, take away Coddington, and carry him to prison; the Governour said again, all you that owne the King, take away Gorton and carry him to prison; Gorton replyed, all you that own the King, take away Coddington, and carry him to prison.

William Dyre Secretary.

Mr. Roger VVilliams his Letter unto Mr. VVinthrop, concerning Samuel Gorton.

Providence 8. 1^st. 1640.

MAster Gorton having foully abused high and low at Aqutdnick, is now bewitching and bemadding poore Providence, both with his uncleane and foule censures of all the Ministers of this Country, (for which my self have in Christs name withstood him) and also denying all visible and externall Ordinance in depth of p. 56Familisme, against which I have a little disputed and written, and shall (the most High assisting) to death: As Paul said of Asia, I of Providence (almost) All suck in his poyson, as at first they did at Aquednick. Some few and my selfe withstand his Inhabitation, and Towne-priviledges, without confession and reformation of his uncivill and inhumane practises at Portsmouth: Yet the tyde is too strong against us, and I feare (if the framer of Hearts helpe not) it will force mee to little Patience, a little Isle next to your Prudence. Jehovah himselfe bee pleased to bee a Sanctuary to all whose hearts are perfect with him; In him I desire unfainedly to be

Your Worships true and affectionate Roger Williams.

Providence this 17. of November, Anno 1641.

To the Honoured Governour of Massachusett, together with the Worshipfull Assistants, and our loving Neighbours there.

VVEe the Inhabitants of the Town abovesaid, having faire occasions, counted it meet and necessary to give you true intelligence of the insolent and riotous carriages of Samuel Gorton and his company, which came from the Island of Aquednick; which continue still as sojourners amongst us; together with Iohn Greene, and Francis Weston, two which have this long time stood in opposition against us, and against the fairest and most just and honest ways of proceedings in order and Government, that wee could rightly and truly use, for the peaceable preservation and quiet subsistence of our selves and families, or any that should have faire occasion to goe out or come in amongst us. Also six or seven of our Townsmen which were in peaceable Covenants with us, which now by their declamations doe cut themselves off from us, and jointly under their hands have openly proclaimed, to take party with the afore-named Companies, and so intend for ought wee can gather, to have no manner of honest order, or government either over them or amongst them, as their writings, words, and p. 57actions doe most plainly shew. It would bee tedious to relate the numberlesse number of their upbraiding taunts, assaults, and threats, and violent kinde of carriage daily practised against all that either with care or counsell seek to prevent or withstand their lewd licentious courses. Yet in briefe to commit some few of them to your moderate Judgements, lest wee our selves should bee deemed some way blinded in the occurrences of things, here is a true Copy of their Writing inclosed, which Francis Weston gave us the 13. of this present MonethMonth, they having also set up a Copy of the same on a tree in the street, in stead of satisfaction for fifteene pounds, which by way of arbitration of eight men orderly chosen, and all causes and reasons that could bee found, daily and truly examined, and considered jointly together, when hee the said Francis Weston was found liableto pay, or make satisfacton in Cattle or Commodities, but on the 15. of this present monethmonth, when wee went orderly, openly, and in a warrantable way to attach some of the said Francis Westons Cattle, to drive them to the Pound, to make him, if it were possible, to make satisfaction: which Samuel Gorton and his company getting notice of, came and quarrelled with us in the street, and made a tumultuons Hubbub; and although for our parts wee had before-hand most principally armed our selves with patience, peaceably to suffer as much injury, as could possibly be… born, to avoid all shedding of blood, yet some few drops of blood were shed on either side: And after the tumult was partly appeased, and that we went on orderly into the Corne-field, to drive the said Cattle, the said Fran…is Weston came furiously running with a flayle in his hand, and cryed out, Helpe Sirs, helpe sirs, they are going to steale my cattle, and so continued crying …ll Randall Holden, Iohn Greene, and some others came running and made a great o…tcry, and hollowing and crying, Theeves, theeves, stealing cattle, stealing cattle, and so the whole number of their desperate company came riotously running, and so with much striving in driving, hurried away the cattle, and then presumptuously answered, they had made a rescue, and that such should bee their practise if any men at any time, in any case attach any thing that is theirs. And fully to relate the least part of their such like words and actions, the time and paper would scarce bee profitably spent, neither need wee to advise your discretions what is likely to bee the sad events of these disorders, if their bloody currents bee not either stopped, p. 58or turned some other way. For it is plaine to us, that if men should continue to resist all manner of order, and orderly answering one of another in different cases, they will suddenly practise, not onelyonly cunningly to detaine things one from another, but, openly in publike, justly or unjustly, according to their own wills disorderly take what they can come by; first pleading necessity, or to maintaine wife and family; but afterwards boldly to maintain licentious lust, like savage brute beasts, they will put no manner of difference between houses, goods, lands, wives, lives, blood, nor any thing will bee precious in their eyes: If it may therefore please you of gentle curtesie, and for the preservation of humanity and mankinde, to consider our condition, and lend us a neighbour-like helping hand, and send us such assistance (our necessity urging us to bee trouble some unto you) to helpe us to bring them to satisfaction, and ease us of our burden of them, at your discretions; wee shall evermore owne it as a deed of great charity, and take it very thankfully, and diligently labour in the best measure wee can, and constantly practise to requite your loving kindnesse, if you should have occasion to command us, or any of us in any lawfull designe: And if it shall please you to send us any speedy answer, we shall take it very kindly, and bee ready and willing to satisfie the Messengers, and ever remaine

Your loving Neighbours, and respective Friends

Ioshuah Winsor

Benedict Arnold

William Mean

William Hawkings

Robert West

William Field

William Harris

William Wickenden

William Reinolds

Thomas Harris

Tho. Hopkins mark

Hugh Bennit

William Carpenter,

p. 59Providence the 25. of the 3. month, 1641.

To the rest of the five Men appointed to manage the affaires of our Towne aforesaid,

These are further to give you to understand; Viz. That

I Doe not onelyonly approve of what my neighbours before me have written and directed their Reasons… to a serious consideration with us, concerning Samuel Gorton and his Company: but this much I say also, that it is evident and may easily bee proved, that the said Samuel Gorton nor his Company are not fit persons to bee received in, and made members of such a body, in so weake a state as our Town is in at present.

My Reasons are, Viz.

First, Samuel Gorton having shewed himselfe a railing and turbulent person, not onelyonly in and against those states of Government from whence hee came, as is to bee proved; but also here in this Towne since hee have sojourned here; Witnesse his proud challenge, and his upbraiding accusations in his vilifying and opprobrious terms of, and against one of our Combination most wrathfully and shamelesly reviling him, and disturbing of him, and medling with him, who was imployed and busied in other private occasions, having no just cause so to revile and abuse him, saying also to him (and that of another state) in a base manner, they were like swine that held out their Nose to suck his blood, and that now hee and the rest of his Company would goe and wallow in it also; which are indeed words unsufferable; and also despitefully calling him Boy, as though hee would have challenged the field of him, in such an inhumane behaviour as becomes not a man that should bee thought to be fit by any reasonable men to be received into such a poor weak state as we are in at present.

Secondly, another of his Company, one who is much in esteem with him, who openly in a scornfull and deriding manner, seeing one of the five men that was chosen by the Towne, and betrusted in the Towne affaires, comming towards him in the street, hee asked of one that stood by him, who that was, the other answered him, it was one of the five men appointed for managing of our Towne p. 60affaires, or the like: Yea, said hee, Hee lookes like one of the five, which words import not onelyonly a scorning and deriding of his person of whom then hee spake, but also a despising and scorning of our Civill State, as it were trampling it under foot, as they had done by other States before they came hither, who were of greater strength then wee are; for which cause I cannot see such persons to bee fit to bee received into such a State as our Towne is.

Thirdly, I cannot finde these men to bee reasonable men in their suite unto the Towne, to be received in as Townsmen, seeing they have already had a plaine denyall of their request, and that by the consent of the major part of the Towne, or very neare, &c. and are yet unanswerable; and also that they seeing that their comming to our Towne, hath brought the Towne into a hurry, almost the one halfe against the other, in which estate no Towne or City can well stand or subsist; which declareth plainly unto us, that their intent is not good, but that their abode so long here amongst us, is in hope to get the victory over one part of the Town, but specially of those that laid the first foundation of the place, and bought it even almost with the losse of their lives, and their whole estates, and afterwards to trample them under their feet, as some of their words hold forth, or else to drive them out into the same condition, to seek out a new Providence, and to buy it with the like hardnesse as they first bought this place; these, and many other like reasons that may be shewed, declare that they are not fit persons to be received into our meane and weake State.

Fourthly, and seeing hee who is so well knowne to bee the ring leader unto the breach of peace, that have been so notoriously evill to bee a trouble of Civill States where hee hath lived, that are of farre greater force then wee are of, specially that State who have their Commission and Authority from the Higher Powers; what may wee then expect if he could get himself in with, and amongst so many as wee see are daily ready to tread us under their feet, and his, whom he cals friends, &c. Surely, first a breach of our civill peace, and next a ruine of all such as are not of his side, as their daily practise doth declare; Ergo, they are not fit persons to be received into our Towne, &c.

Object. If it bee objected, as some have blasphemously said, that wee are per…ecutors, and doe persecute the Saints, in not p. 61receiving of them into our Towne-fellowship, &c.

Answ. To this I answer, there cannot bee proved the least shew of any persecution of those persons, either by us, or by any other amongst us to our knowledge. For 1 they have quiet abode amongst us, none molesting or troubling of them, nor any thing they have. 2 It cannot bee proved but by their owne relation, the which hath been disproved; that they were sent out from those places from whence they came for Religion, neither are they medled with here for any such matter, but rather that they themselves in their bravery are more ready to meddle with others. 3 They themselves and others of their followers, have rather been troublers and persecutors of the Saints of God that lived here before they came, and doe but waite their opportunity to make themselves manifest in that they intend; Ergo, it cannot bee truly said of any, that any persecution is offered by us unto them, if it could possibly be said of them that they are Saints.

Obj. But if it be further objected, that we doe not give them the liberty of men, neither doe wee afford them the bowells of mercy, to give them the meanes of livelihood amongst us, as some have said.

Answ. To this I say; 1 there is no State but in the first place will seeke to preserve its owne safety and peace. 2 Wee cannot give land to any person by vertue of our combination, except wee first receive them into our state of combination, the which wee cannot doe with them for our owne and others peace-sake, &c. 3 Whereas their necessity have been so much pleaded, it is not knowne that ever they sought to finde out a place where they might accommodate themselves, and live by themselves, with their friends, and such as will follow after them, where they may use their liberty to live without order or controule, and not to trouble us, that have taken the same course as wee have done for our safety and peace, which they doe not approve nor like of, but rather like beasts in the shape of men to doe what they shall thinke fit in their owne eyes, and will not bee governed by any State. And seeing they doe but here linger out the time in hope to get the day to make up their pennyworths in advantage upon us, we have just cause to heare the complaints of so many of our Neighbors that live in the Town orderly amongst us, and have brought in their complaints, with many reasons against them, and not to admit them, but answer them as unfit p. 62persons to bee received into our meane State, &c.

Now if these Reasons and much more which have been truly said of them, doe not satisfie you, and the rest of our neighbours, but that they must be received into our Towne-state, even unto our utter overthrow, &c. then according to the order agreed upon by the Towne, I doe first offer my house and land within the liberty of the Towne unto the Towne to buy it of mee, or else I may, and shall take liberty to sell it to whom I may for mine advantage, &c.

William Arnold▪