Independency Not Gods Ordinance Part 2, Postscript (1 of 2)

Independency Not Gods Ordinance Part 2 · Postscript (1 of 2)

p. 1The Poſtſcript.

SAint Paul in 1 Cor. 10. ſetting before the Chriſtians of his time the ſins of the Jewes, and their often rebellion againſt God, and how frequently they had provoked him; ſpecifies alſo, the judgements that came upon them for their diſobedience and ingratitude; and tels the Corinthians (and in them all Chriſtians) that whatſoever hapned unto the Jewes, it was for our learning, upon whom the ends of the world are come: ſo that if we take not heed by their example, and ſhun not thoſe ſinnes that they provoked God by, we ſhall likewiſe make our ſelves liable to the ſame puniſhments. And as no Nation had God ſo nigh unto them as the Jewes, nor no people upon the face of the Earth that God had ſo freely loved and miraculouſly delivered out of the hands of their enemies, when at any time under their great oppreſſions they cried unto him; and continued ſtill to be their Saviour and Redeemer out of all their captivities, and ſlaveries (with the ruine and overthrow many times of their enemies) and ſent his Prophets and Wiſe men early and late to inſtruct and teach them his Statutes and Ordinances, commanding them to ſeek the old way and the good way, that they might finde reſt unto their ſoules, Ier. 6. and had in all reſpects been ſo abundantly gracious, that he himſelf ſaith Iſaiah 5. What could I have done more to my Vineyard then that I have done? Yet notwithſtanding they left him, the fountaine of living waters, and digged unto themſelves broken ſiſternes that could hold no water. Ier. 2. So that in Chap. 5. verſ. 30, 31. the Lord ſaith, A wonderfull and a horrible thing is committed in the land. The Prophets propheſie falſely, and the Priests bear rule by their means, and my people love to have it ſo: and what will ye do in the end thereof? In the which words the great ſinne of rebellion and ungratitude in that people is ſufficiently ſet down, they liſtned unto the falſe Prophets, and yeilded obedience unto what they preached unto them (the ſame complaint Saint Paul makes in 2 Cor. and in his other Epiſtles p. 2concerning the falſe Apoſtles of his time) and caſt off the Lord, and ſlighted his true and faithfull Miniſters, and ſet up their own inventions for Gods worſhip, and ſervice, and his wayes; by which they ſo provoked God againſt themſelves; that howſoever they had been the glory of all Nations, and the admiration of the world, through their often rebellions and unthankfulneſſe, they became the ſcorn of the Earth, and the hiſſing of all Kingdomes round about them, and a by-word among the Heathen: ſo that the Prophet Ieremy in his Lamentations complaining of the miſerable condition in their captivity, ſaith, That never any people groaned under greater miſery, and that moſt deſervedly: for as our bleſſed Saviour ſaith, He that knows his Maſters will and doth it not, ſhall be beaten with many stripes. The people of Iſrael of all the families of the Earth, were moſt honoured by God; toward the which he had extended and ſhewed his free and undeſerved favour, and betruſted them with the lively Oracles of his will: but they rebelling againſt him, and not liſtning unto his voice, nor yeilding obedience to his commands, but giving eare to falſe Prophets and vaine deluſions, and ungratefully and undutifully behaving themſelves towards him, and alwayes reſiſting his Spirit; the Lord did often more ſeverely afflict them then any other Nation, and at the laſt caſt them off, as the dung and offſcouring of the world, ſo that they are at this day the moſt miſerable people on the Earth, and an object of pity and of the prayers of all ſuch as truly wiſh their converſion. And all this evill is come upon them for their rebellion and ingratitude, as the whole Scripture relateth; and to teach us, on whom the ends of the world are come, to take heed by their example; leſt provoking God as they have done, we partake not of the ſame plagues. And truly, if we do compare Nation with Nation, and take notice of Gods gracious dealing toward the Jewes, and of his fatherly and favourable dealing towards us, there is not a people under Heaven, the Jewes only excepted, that God has done more for, then this our Nation. So that the Lord may ſay unto us, as he ſaid unto his people the Jewes, What could I have done more to my Vineyard then that I have done? And yet there is not a people under the Heavens more like the Jewes in their rebellions and ingratitude to a heavenly Father, then this Nation hath been and now is: ſo that we may cry out with the Prophet Jeremy with admiration, p. 3It is thy mercy we are not conſumed, but that thy compaſſions are renewed every day! For what hitherto hath God done for us that can pleaſe us? But we are ever rebelling and repining as the Iſraelites were, both in Egypt, and in the Wilderneſſe, and in the very land of Canaan that flowed with Milk and Honey, nothing could pleaſe them. In the very ſame manner it is with us, in what condition and ſtate ſoever we are in, we are never content, but alwayes repining. And even as they rebelled againſt Moſes and Aaron their deliverers, and told them to their face, they took too much upon them, and that they were all a holy people, and murmured againſt Moſes, and were ſoon weary of him; and deſired rather to be at their Onions and Fleſhpots againe in Egypt, then to be fellow-commoners with Angels; and wiſhed rather to be under the tyrannicall government of Pharaoh and his cruell Taskmaſters, then under the ſweet yoak of God and the government of his ſervants Moſes and Aaron, who they moſt reproachfully abuſed and rebelled againſt; and were ever murmuring upon all occaſions againſt their deliverers, and only, becauſe accidentally they met with ſome difficulties, and groned under ſome preſſures, notwithſtanding they were but temporary and for a time, as it happens in all alteration of governments and reformations. After the ſame manner is our dealing at this day generally towards God, and towards our Moſeſes and Deliverers, who riſe early and ſit up late, & go through the heat of Summer and the cold of Winter, and eat the bread of carefulneſſe, and watch for our good that we may ſleep in quiet: and yet the wicked and ungodly out of covetouſneſſe and prophaneneſſe, and others out of faction and ſtudy of novelties, moſt ungratefully reproach and abuſe them both in word and deed, as all their carriage doth daily manifeſt, and their ſcurrelous and railing Pamphlets declare; by which they ſhew their unthankfulneſſe to their deliverours, and their ungratitude to God himſelf, to the provoking of his wrath and jealouſie againſt a Nation unworthy to be beloved. Not ſeven years ſince, the whole Kingdome lay under ſuch intolerable preſſures both for ſoule and body, and had to do with ſuch unreaſonable Judges in all Courts, as no man could either ſerve God or the Devill for them, but he was puniſhed for it: ſo that there was not any through the whole Dominion that could promiſe himſelfe ſafety from oppreſſion a moment, or ſay any p. 4thing was his: For they made a man an offender for a word, and laid a ſnare for him that reproved in the gate, and turned aſide the juſt for a thing of naught, Iſay 29.21. And truth failed, and he that departed from evill made himſelf a prey, Iſay 59.15. So that this Nation was every way in as miſerable a condition as the Iſraelites were, under their tyrannicall Judges: ſo that the moſt faithfull ſubjects were the chiefeſt objects of their greateſt cruelty, though none were free from it if they had any eſtates, that their oppreſſors might inrich themſelves by them: they were all tyrannized over both for ſoule and body, as the whole Kingdome can witneſſe. And then we cryed unto God and he raiſed us up deliverers from abroad and at home; and freed us by their meanes from the unſupportable cruelty of our Taskmaſters, both in Church and State; and from the ſlavery and unjuſtice of all their tyrannicall Courts, and from the whole yoke of the Hierarchy; and ſet up the Ordinances of God in ſuch purity, and made ſuch a bleſſed Reformation, as our forefathers would have rejoyced to have ſeen but the half of it, and enjoyned alſo the ſanctifying of the Lords day: neither did our Deliverers reſt here and were now ſatisfied with what they had done, but they endeavoured alſo to ſet up ſuch a Church-government as Chriſt the King of his Church hath appointed: ſo that if we had but thankfull hearts to God and our deliverances, and could diſcern what God had done for us by them, we might be the happieſt Nation under Heaven. But on the contrary, and contrary to our Covenant and Proteſtation (I mean not the Proteſtation proteſted) thoſe that have deſerved beſt from us, we think worſt of; and thoſe that a few years ſince there was nothing thought too good for, nor no entertainment too little for, nor no praiſes ſufficient to extoll them with; as our Brethren in Scotland, the Parliament it ſelfe, our brave Generals and Commanders, all the diligent and painfull Miniſters of the kingdome (as they all deſerved) they are all now murmured againſt as Moſes and Aaron were by thoſe Bricklayers, as ſoon as they were delivered from their fiery furnaces; and with them we deſire to returne into Egypt, and wiſh our old Maſters againe, and think their tyranny a good government: and all this is done not by the Malignants and the ordinary Proteſtants only, but by thoſe that ſeem the greateſt promoters of reformation, & ſuch as would be thought the only Chriſtians & Saints, as they term themſelves, p. 5bidding all others depart from them, as being more holy than they: and flye in the very face of one of thoſe men, who they had with ſingular encomiums a few years ſince magnified as one of the worthies of the kingdome, and predicated as one of the witneſſes ſpake of in the book of the Revelation, and whom they had received in his return from baniſhment with their acclamations of joy; I mean that learned Gentleman Maſter William Prynne Eſquire, my brother in afffiction and fellow ſufferer, who is now the ſame that ever he was, and one that for the teſtimony of Jeſus, I am moſt confident, would dare to ſuffer more then many that now traduce him; dare thinke. And if any fiery tryall ſhould indeed really come, he would, (I doubt not) undauntedly ſtand in the defence of truth, when they would flye and take their heels as formerly they have done; or ſqulke in holes, or play leſt in ſight, or temporize, howſoever they now vapour when there is no danger: yet of this very man whom they idolized before, they now ſpeak of, as of one inſpired with the devill, and as of a man of no religion, and profeſſe that they are ſorry they ever prayed for him; and wiſh that when he had loſt his eares, he had loſt his head; and athouſand ſuch expreſſions they dayly utter, and not only againſt all thoſe I have above ſpecified do they vent their paſſion by their railing lauguage, but they abuſe any man whatſoever, that oppoſeth their Novelties, although they had never ſo honourable thoughts of him before, & conceived never ſo well of him for his godly life, by w^ch they declare their unconſtancy, and the ficklenes of their unſtable minds; ſo that we have juſt cauſe to remember that of David, Pſal. 146. Put not your truſt in Princes, nor in the ſon of man, in whom there is no help: his breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth, in that very day his thoughts periſh: So unſtable creatures are men, won with an apple and loſt with a nut, imitating the Jews, one day crying Hoſanna, and another day crucifie him; one day with the fooliſh Galathians, they would put out their eyes to do Paul good, and another they counted him their enemy. But what I pray is the cauſe of this their ſo great diſpleaſure, againſt our brethren in Scotland, againſt the Parliament, againſt our noble Generalls, againſt all the godly, learned, and painfull Miniſters of the Kingdome, and againſt Maſter Prynne, and indeed againſt all their faithfull brethren, for they rail and murmur againſt all, but p. 6thoſe of their own faction, as it is well known. It is becauſe forſooth they would ſet up a Presbytery and deſire to eſtabliſh that kinde of Government in the Church, which is Gods Ordinance (which they ſay to the precious Saints, for ſo they terme themſelves, will be more unſupportable then the Prelaticall Government) and becauſe they would have the people enter into a publike Covenant for the bringing in and ſetting up a through reformation; and becauſe they have appointed a ſet day of faſting and humiliation through the Kingdome (which they in no ſort allow of, becauſe, ſay they, there may be an occaſion of rejoycing that very day: and ſo there might have been a cauſe alſo of mourning amongſt the Jews, at ſuch very times as they had their appointed ſeaſons of rejoycing and feaſting) but that is not all, why they are offended with the Scots and with the Parliament, and with the godly Miniſters, and with all their brethren; but this diſpleaſeth them exceedingly, Becauſe they have made a late Order, that none ſhall Preach publikely but ſuch as for their ſufficiency and learning, and ſoundneſſe of Doctrine, are able rightly to inſtruct and teach the people the right way both of ſerving God and obeying men, and how they may live comfortably here and be uſefull and profitable to others, and be kept from hereſies and ſchiſms, and ereonious doctrines, which tend to nothing but faction and deſtroying of their own ſouls, and the diſturbing of the Church and State, and for the bringing in of a confuſion of all Religions, and for the alienating of the affection of brethren one from another, and for the overthrowing of all order in Families, Villages, Towns, Cities, Countries, and Kingdomes: and for the bringing men in time, that they ſhall neither know what to beleeve nor what to practiſe, as by ſad experience we already finde to be frequent. Now becauſe our brethren of Scotland, and the Parliament, and the godly and faithfull Miniſters, and thoſe that as truely fear God as any of them, deſire ſuch a reformation and ſuch a Government, as by which Truth and Peace may be eſtabliſhed amongſt us; and hereſies, and ſchiſms, and factions may be rootedout, the diſturbers of Peace; that we may all live happily here and gloriouſly hereafter: This kinde of government not ſuiting with their humour, nor with their opinion, therefore they abhor it, and all ſuch as indeavour to eſtabliſh it, and deſire and wiſh rather that all the old trumpery were brought in again, p. 7and profeſſe it, that they had rather have the Government of the Prelates, then this kinde of Government; yea, ſome of them have not been aſhamed to proteſt unto ſome Malignant and Prelaticall Prieſts (with whom they can very well comply when occaſion ſerves) that before the Presbyters ſhall rule over them, they will cut all their throats, and joyn with them for there-eſtabliſhing of the Hierarchy: and this the Prieſts themſelves with great joy have related: And there muſt needs be ſome great Miſtery of Iniquity, that is not yet brought to light in theſe new factions, for it is notoriouſly known to many thouſands in the Kingdome, that the Malignants at home and abroad, as their words and Letters do declare, confide as much in theſe Sects, for the attaining unto their deſignes, as they do in all the Cavaliers. So that it is high time for the great Councell of the Kingdome, and for all that love the true Religion, and wiſh the peace and welfare of both Church and State to ſtand upon their guards at home as well as abroad; and to ſhew their vigilency and care for the preventing of the intended evill againſt us all. And truely it might awaken any man, if he take but notice, of the great diſtractions and of the ſad effects theſe new opinions have produced, not onelyonly in London and in the Counties round about it, but alſo in Yorke-ſhire, Lincolnſhire, and in all other places where they are imbraced; and how in a ſhort time Chriſtians minds are alienated one from the other, and from the Parliament, by reaſon of the difference of their opinion, to the great rejoycing of the common enemy, whoſe eſpeciall hatred is againſt all thoſe they call round heads, that is, the old Puritans of England, and all the towns wherein they dwell, who are and ever were ſince the dayes of reformation, the onelyonly upholders of the true reformed Religion, and are at this day the onelyonly bulworks of it under God; and amongſt thoſe Towns that have kept out theſe new Factions by their care and providence Leiceſter, Darby, and Cheſterfield, deſerve high commendations, who through the prudence of their Miniſters and Magiſtrates, and through their own knowledge and the well-groundedneſſe of all the good Chriſtians there in their Religion, have hitherto kept out all manner of Schiſms and Factions, where the poor people (to their immortall honour be it ſpoken) under all their ſufferings by reaſon of the common calamity, ſerve their God night and day with the twelve Tribes of Iſrael, and live in love and amity p. 8amongſt themſelves without any variance, and in the midſt of war; and in theſe diſtracted times enjoy peace one with another, and ſubmit themſelves with cheerfulnes & without repining at all Ordinances of Parliament, for the Common good and ſafety of the Kingdome; and are moſt active & conſtant friends to the uttermoſt of their power, yea above their abilities, unto the Parliament. And becauſe they are ſo unmoveable in their Religion, and continue in their ancient integrity, after the manner of the old Puritans of England, they are more hated by the Cavaliers then any other towns, and by all the Noveliſts: for all the old Puritans and them they call Presbyterians, are equally hated by both: yea this is generally obſerved; That all Papiſts and prophane perſons in generall, and all Sects whatſoever, although they diſagree amongſt themſelves, and differ in their manners, opinions, and affections too, one from another as Herod and Pilate did, yet to perſecute Chriſt, as they did then agree; ſo all theſe Sects can accord and joyne together in a common amity, and with the Pontificians and Malignants, perſecute the Presbytery which is next unto the Word of God, an Argument to move me, to beleeve that it is Gods Ordinance, becauſe it is ſo hatefull to all men; for as our Saviour ſaid of his Diſciples, That they ſhould be hated of all men for his names ſake, ſo generally all Gods conſtitutions finde little favour amongſt all ſuch as leave the high way of Gods Commandements, and follow the by-way of errours and Novelties, and continue in the pathes of irregeneration or new-fangleneſſe, the ſin of theſe times: when Hereſie is Religion and Schiſm the beſt trade in the Kingdome, and the onelyonly way of preferment. And truely the contemplation of the change of all mens minds and manners, within theſe few years, and thoſe rents and diviſions in the Church, makes me call to minde the old plot that the Jeſuits and their complices, and all the Popiſh crew have been long a laying, and contriving for the undermining of the State and overthrowing of the true Proteſtant Religion which was dividie & impera.

The Jeſuites had nothing more common by heart and by book, then that, the way for the alienating of theſe three flouriſhing Kingdomes to a forain juriſdiction, and for the extirpating of the true Religion in them, and reducing again of popery, and for the advancing of the Papal uſurpation, was firſt to make ſects and diviſions p. 9among our ſelves, and then to foment them by ſome of their crafty companions, who want neither wit, learning, nor induſtry; and know very well how to perſonate every man in ſaying, doing, counſelling, and complying with all ſorts of Sects, as if they themſelves were the moſt zealous defenders of thoſe conceived truths, and the greateſt abettors of them, when under that vaile they hide themſelves; and do not only maintain thoſe that are on foot, and ſuch as they have already hatcht, but daily bring forth new ones, and every one more monſtrous then other; and all this for the ſubverſion of the three Kingdomes, and the true Proteſtant Religion eſtabliſhed in them, and which is the cauſe of all the calamities that are now amongſt us. But for the effecting of all this they ſeem to pretend a ſingular holineſſe and more then ordinary piety, and put themſelves therefore in ſheeps-clothing in all their actions, and plead for a chriſtian liberty: and therefore they eſpecially labour to hinder any ſetled government in the Church; but ſuch an one as they well know will bring confuſion upon us all, and which no wiſe ſtate can tolerate, and yet none but this will pleaſe their humour: and therefore they labour principally to make odious the Presbyterian government, which the Ponteficians and all prophane men, and all Sectaries and Hereticks have ever hated; and therefore have alwayes indeavoured to make it odious to all people, as a government tending to inſlave Kings and Princes and diſtructive to all well ordered Common-weals and to the liberty of the ſubjects, and to the deſtroying of the Nobility and Gentry in kingdomes, and for the making of a parity amongſt all men, and a community of all things; and by this means in a ſhort time to bring in a confuſion in Church and State. And by ſuch ſuggeſtions as theſe, they have for many generations, as in theſe our times made the Presbyterians hatefull to all men. And it is the ſtudy at this day of all the Malignants, and of all Libertines, & Male-contents and Sectaries, and of all the Independents, to make diviſions betweene people and people, and between Nation and Nation; and to render thoſe men deſpicable that they ſeemed but a few years before highly to honour, love, and magnifie, as now they do our Brethren of Scotland, whom they ſeemed not long ſince greatly to eſteeme; and who yet ought, and that deſervedly, to be exceedingly honoured for their love to us; who expoſed their own lives and welfare, p. 10yea, their whole country to danger, for our aide, aſſiſtance, and defence; and yet theſe men now, with our Noveliſts and all unſtable creatures, thoſe Reeds ſhaken and turned with every winde of doctrine, and every ſtreame of new opinions (as much as in them lies) are made as hatefull as any common enemies, to the diſhonour of God and our Nation, and ſhews great unthankfulneſſe in us all, to the deterring of any Nation to come to our ſuccour or relief; and all this their malice and hatred is, becauſe they have ſet up the Presbyterian government amongſt themſelves; and deſire for the more uniting of the three Kingdomes to gather in a more nigh affection, to eſtabliſh it here; wherein they have done God and the Kingdome good ſervice, and will finde a reward in Heaven for it, if they fail of it here: and it will not be for the honour of our Nation to ſuffer any black mouthes to contaminate the reputation of thoſe that have deſerved ſo well from us; and therefore all ſuch as have neither a bridle for their tongues nor their unruly paſſions, ought to have a bit put in their mouthes to teach them better manners, more humanity and gratitude. But this has ever bin the practice of all the enemies of God, & his government in all ages, to make all his Servants, the holy Prophets, yea Chriſt himſelf and his bleſſed Apoſtles, hatefull to the people, under that notion of diſturbers of all Kingdomes, enemies of Caeſars and of all government. And this made the Popiſh faction in Qu. Maries dayes, when they heard that thoſe Miniſters that fled out of England to Frankford in Germany, and into other places, intended to ſet up the Presbyterian government in England if the Lady Elizabeth ever came to the Crown, ſo to beſtir themſelves and ſet their wits on work, to hinder and fruſtrate that their intention: for they ſaid among themſelves, if that government were once eſtabliſhed in the Kingdome, their Catholick Religion could never get place or take rooting here any more: and therefore ſeeing they could not take away the life of that moſt excellent Lady, nor any way keep her from the Crown after her Siſters deceaſe; now all the policy would be to hinder that work. Whereupon they ſuborn'd many of the moſt famous wits out of both Univerſities, that under pretence of religion and zeale to the Proteſtant profeſſion ſhould flye over to Frankfort, and to the other places where thoſe Miniſters were, as if they had done it out of conſcience and pure love to the Proteſtant religion; and ſeemed in all points of p. 11doctrine to be as zealous as any of thoſe that were there, and the only deſirers and advancers of the true Proteſtant Religion: but they profeſſed unto them, that for the manner of government the Hierarchicall way of ruling the Church, in their opinion (the purity of religion being once eſtabliſhed) would moſt tend to the preſervation of it, as being moſt powerfull for the ſuppreſſing of Sects and Schiſmes, and for the upholding alſo of the Kingdome; and that the Presbytery would tend to nothing but the bringing in of Anarchy: and what with their craft, ſubtilty, and wranglings (as the Independents now do in the Aſſembly) they ſo interrupted their proceedings, as they could not then bring their good deſigne to perfection, and ſo hindered that glorious work of Reformation for that time, and all under the pretext of piety and good, to the peace of the Church and Kingdome. And as ſoon as Queen Mary was dead, and that the Lady Elizabeth was preclaimed Queen of England, then they all repaired home; and having a ſtrong party in the Court, all ſeeming zealous Proteſtants (though Papiſts in their hearts) they commended theſe men as wiſe and moderate men, and ſuch as were lovers of Monarchies, and regall government to the Queen, and diſgraced all thoſe that ſtood for a Presbytery, as ſuch as were factious and affectors of innovation, and ſuch as were no way to be preferred to eminent places in the Church; but becauſe as they ſaid, they had ſuffered for their conſcience, they were willing they ſhould have good Parſonages and Benefices through the Towns and Villages where they might preach to the people, but they were all ſet in the Black Bill, as men not fit to preach in Courts, and as men uncapable of great places and high promotion in the Church, & were ever kept under as thoſe that were ſeditious and not fit for Eccleſiaſticall honours. And all the other that were either Papiſts in their hearts, or ill affected to the Proteſtant Religion, though ſeeming Proteſtants, were advanced to all Church-dignities, and made Archbiſhops, Biſhops, and Suffragates, Deans, Archdeacons, and the Queens and Noblemens Chaplains. And in a very ſhort time they eſtabliſhed their High Commiſſion Court, under pretence of ſuppreſſing Popery; whereas they intended nothing, but the rooting out in time of all true Religion; and the re-eſtabliſhing again of their old worm-eaten and rotten profeſſion. And they had in a good meaſure accompliſhed this their diabolicall plot, and had p. 12really effected it, had it not pleaſed our God to call this Parliament and Aſſembly, who by their vigilancy and care fruſtrated this their deſigne. And all this they then brought about by bringing the Presbytery into hatred and diſgrace, as the Papiſts themſelves have often gloried and bragged among their Companions, when they would ſhew how they had ever out-witted the Puritans. And at this inſtant of time, they have their complices that foment all theſe factions, by whoſe means they labour to hinder the Presbyterian government, knowing very well, that if it ever be eſtablied, the Kingdome of Antichriſt will never get head againe amongſt us, nor none of their abominable Sects have rooting in theſe Kingdomes, but that the truth by that means will flouriſh (maugre all the maligners of it) and be propagated through the world; which is the only cauſe, that not only the Devill but all ungodly men and ſtraglers, are ſo inraged againſt the Presbyterian-government, which they know is ſo prevalent for the ſuppreſſing of all Hereſies and eronious opinions; and for the curbing of all vice, wickedneſſe, and all prophaneneſſe, as that they will never be permitted to rooſt in theſe dominations. And whereas they look upon all the Presbyterians, as they tell us in their writings, as the enemies of JESUS CHRIST and his Kingdome; I look upon all the Sticklers againſt the Parliament and Presbytery (by what names and titles ſoever diſtinguiſhed, & what ſeeming piety ſoever they make ſhew of) as on a company of Juglers. And truly as the Juglers in Saint Pauls time bewitched the fooliſh Galathians, ſo theſe by their cunning craftineſſe have infatuated too many well meaning and godly people; who, howſoever they have learned to forget the very lawes of civility and common charity, and to condemne all thoſe of a different opinion from themſelves, as enemies of Chriſt: yet I ſhall ever learne to diſtinguiſh between the people that are miſlead, and they that ſeduce them: for I conceive of many of them, as ſuch as deſire to ſerve God with all ſincerity, and in the pureſt way of worſhipping him: and becauſe their Teachers perſwade them that theſe their new wayes, are the wayes of God, and they not being able to diſcern truth from error, and to diſcover their hypocriſie are all deceived by them, as the poor Widows were by the Scribes and Phariſees in Chriſts time, who our Saviour ſaid devoured their houſes under pretence of p. 13long prayers: and as they brought in the leven of their own doctrine and inventions into Gods worſhip and ſervice, ſo do the falſe teachers of theſe our times bring in their own grolleries and Baggatellies, & prefer their own traditions before the Commandements of God, and violate all the lawes of love and charity for the eſtabliſhing of the ſame. And as ignorance in all people is the cauſe of error, for ſo our bleſſed Saviour ſaith, Matth. 22. Ye erre not knowing the Scriptures; ſo in theſe perilous and dangerous times, theſe deceivers creepe into houſes and leade captive ſilly Women and ignorant Men, to the danger of their own ſoules and the hurt of others. And lamentable it is, that ſuch multitudes of Men and Women ſhould none of them take notice, how they are deluded: for whiles their Paſtors (as they call them) ſeem to give the congregation and the Church ſuch power and authothority, as if they could do nothing without their conſent and good liking; yet all this is to make themſelves Lords over them, and as very Popes in their Conclaves, who if they be crafty and cunning, make their Conclaves ſay Amen to their own wills; and doe whatſoever they have a liking to, and a purpoſe to bring to paſſe.

For what man is there, that hath any diſcerning ſpirit, or is but of any ordinary capacity, that doth not by dayly experience finde, that the Paſtors of their new gathered Churches, do whatſoever pleaſeth them in their ſeverall Congregations; ſo that howſoever to humor the people, they ſay, they can do nothing without the conſent of the whole Aſſembly, it is a meer jugling to my own knowledge; for the poor people count all that their Miniſters ſpeak as an Oracle, and take for truth whatever they ſay; and if they do at any time diſſent from them in their thoughts, they dare not declare it openly, eſpecially the poor members, for incurring their Miniſters diſpleaſure: for they ordinarily have the chiefeſt hand in the diſtribution of all the collections that are made for the releeving of the indigent, and can at any time either pleaſure or diſpleaſure them: and therefore they endeavour to keep in favour with them, to avoid their frowns, which they know may be very prejudiciall unto them: ſo that their teachers upon all occaſions, do what they themſelves think fit, eſpecially when it makes for their owne advantage and gain, which the moſt of them have alwayes an eye unto (or elſe they are extramely p. 14abuſed by ſome of their own fraternity.) And if at any time any in their Churches ſeem unwilling to comply with them in their proceedings, yet commonly they have ſuch a party in their Congregations, as they carry all before them; and if for ſome ſhort ſeaſon the greater part oppoſe them, if their paſtors be learned and cunning, what with their Policy, Rhetoricke and fine Art of perſwaſion and ſeeming reaſons, they will ſoon turn the whole Congregation which way they pleaſe: So that howſoever they amuſe the people and tell them of the great priviledge the Church hath, both in chooſing of Officers, and admitting of members, and in tranſacting all things; in fine, all is as they will have it, and all the ignorant people follow their ſeverall Paſtors, as a company of ſilly Goſlings do the old Gooſe. And the truth is, they make their Congregation but a company of ninnies (as the falſe Apoſtles uſed to do, as Paul affirmes in 2 Cor. 11.) and all for their own baſe ends (as will ere long be ſufficiently proved) and exerciſe as great a domination, lordſhip, and power, over them, in reſpect of ording things in their ſeverall Churches, as Popes in their Conclave, and Kings and Princes in their ſeverall Councells; who if they be wiſe and Politicke and be Maſters indeed in their Art, and King-craft, as they call it, they will turn their Councells which way they pleaſe; and make uſe of them no farther then ſtands with their own deſigns, and uſe them onelyonly as a ſcreen between them and the people, ever for their own defence and ſafeguard, ſo that if at any time upon extraordinary preſſures and grievances their ſubjects grow into a heat or diſcontent, and begin to murmur; then one or two of the Councellors, muſt for faſhion-ſake be in diſgrace and frown'd on for ſome ſpace, as if they had given bad councell, to ſatisfie the people: when in the mean time, there is nothing but colluſion, the King and they remaining very good friends, as who did nothing nor councelled nothing, but what they knew the King himſelfe would have done, and uſed them onelyonly as his inſtruments for the effecting of it; and all this to delude the people, and to regain their good opinion: for all wiſe Princes ever ſhew themſelves favourably to the people upon any complaints, ſeeming to greeve at nothing more that their ſubjects (who they look on as children) ſhould in the leſt thing ſuffer under their Government, and eſpecially by their own ſervants, and p. 15this method of dealing gives great content to ſubjects in all kingdomes, and that Princes know well. After the very ſame manner do the crafty Independent Paſtors deal with their Churches upon all occaſions; and when they deſire to bring any plot of theirs to paſſe that may be advantageous and profitable unto them, then they put the people upon it; ſo that if any diſgrace be like to come by it, then the congregations muſt have that lye upon them, as who have the chiefe ordering of things in their ſeverall aſſemblies, for they profeſſe themſelves all ſervants of the Church, and to be at their diſpoſing, and to go and come at their appointment, and to do nothing but by their good liking, and Pope-like, they ſay they are Servi Servorum. And then for the colouring of all their juglings, they tell them of the Church in Jeruſalem and that of Corinth, who had the power of Chooſing their Officers, and caſting out of offenders, and doing whatſoever they pleaſed within themſelves; and they ſtand, they ſay, as ſingle perſons, and may not in the leaſt infringe or impeach the rights and priviledges of the Church; when notwithſtanding nothing is done, but according to their own direction, and by their ſpeciall inſtigation, and ſo they ever preſerve their own reputation, and ſeem to be friends to ſuch as they mortally hate, and lay all upon the Church of Jeruſalem whoſe example they affirm all Churches are to follow, and whoſe pattern they muſt imitate: now that being but one Congregation and Aſſembly (for ſo they perſwade the ignorant people) ever having had plenary power within it ſelf, as all the other Churches; the ſeverall congregations through the world (as they aſſert) have within themſelves the ſame power and authority, of ordering and tranſacting all things that concerne the Church, as the Church of Jeruſalem, and thoſe other ſeverall Churches had, and from the which there is no appeal; and all this is but miſerably to abuſe the people, and cunningly to make themſelves Lords over them, whiles they ſeem highly to honour the profeſſing to be their ſervants: & for my part I ſhal ever pray, that all the Independent Miniſters through the world may be indeed the ſervants of the Churches and States wherein they live, and never become their Maſters; for all men may ſee by the very beginning of their domination, how they would Lord it over all congregations, if they were once eſtabliſhed by authority, when they ſpeak ſo big in their childhood and infancy, and doe thoſe p. 16daring actions againſt the great Councell of the Kingdome they dayly exerciſe: abuſing all authority that is not of their own moddell, in word and deed, in writing and preaching, to the very ſcandall of Religion: all which they could not be ſuffered to do, if there were once a learned Presby try ſet up as they well know and ſuch a Church government as was in Ieruſalem and in all thoſe Primative Churches, the which were ſo many ſeverall corporations, every one of them conſiſting of ſeverall Congregations, and all governed by the joynt conſent and common councell of their ſeverall Colledges of Presbyters, to the which every particular member, and every ſeverall Congregation and Aſſembly in their particular Precincts and Juriſdictions, had their appeals upon all occaſions, and that by divine inſtitution, and ſtood to the arbitration of every ſeverall Presby try, or elſe appealed upon non ſatisfaction or conceived wrong, to their ſeverall and more generall Claſſes, higher Presbyters or Synods, as we ſee in Mat. 18. and Acts 6. & 15. where we have both precept and preſidents of ſo ordering and ruling the Church to the end of the world; for Chriſt who is the Law-giver of his Church hath ſo appointed it: and whatſoever the Apoſtles did in the ordinary way of governing the Church, they did it for example to future ages as they in their writing declare and invite all Miniſters and people to their imitation. And if Chriſtians under the New Teſtament had not ſeverall places to appeal to, and higher Courts of judicature then their particular Congregations and Churches, they ſhould be inferiour to the Synagogues of the Jews, and to that Nation in many reſpects: for it is well known to thoſe that have ever read the holy Scripture, that they had ſeverall Courts to appeal to, upon conceived wrong and in all difficult buſineſſes, and this was no ceremoniall way of Government, but a morall and permanent way of ordering things to the end of the world: and our bleſſed Saviour conſtituted the ſame manner of Government Eccleſiaſticall (the Leviticall Prieſt-hood and that Order being aboliſhed with all their Ceremonious ſervices) that was in all the Cities of Judaea and Iſarel, and through all their Synagogues who were all Ariſtocratically and Presbyterianly governed, who were moderated and Ordered by ſeverall Colledges of Judges in their ſeverall Precincts cal'd Rulers, of which there were ſome inferiour and ſome chiefe Rulers or Judges, as it is in all Courts p. 17of judicature through the world: and this manner of government is that that was eſtabliſhed by Chriſt and his bleſſed Apoſtles, and was continued in the Primitive Churches, till Antichriſt that Man of Sinne began to put up his hornes; and who advancing himſelfe above all that is called God, not only puſht down that Presbyterian government and manner of ruling, and trampled it under his poluted feet; but moſt tyrannically inſlaved all Kingdomes and Nations, and brought them under his unſupportable yoke. And now through the goodneſſe of God, his power is abrogated and aboliſhed, the Independent Miniſters with Diotrephes would uſurpe the ſame over every congregation; which ought to be managed by the joynt conſent and common-counſell of every Presbytery, to which every Member in every Church, and every particular congregation under their ſeverall Presbyteries, ought to make their addreſſes, and to which they ought to have their recourſe upon all occaſions. And if the Gentlemen the Independent Miniſters, had that knowledge in Divinity, Hiſtory, or very politicks, that they would perſwade the world they were ſo great Maſters in, they would never have ſpake, preached, and writ that they have done againſt common reaſon, all antiquity, and the expreſſe Word of God it ſelf in defence of their fond opinion. For what man of ordinary judgement ever read, what the word or a name of a City meant, and what is underſtood by it, was ſo ſtupid, as to conceive where Paul appointed Titus, cap. 1. That he ſhould ordaine Presbyters in every City, that the Apoſtle there meant by City, one congregation or particular aſſembly in every City; when if we take notice of that word, we ſhall finde in all Hiſtories both Divine and Humane, that by City is meant not only the compaſſe of ground and houſes and ſtreets incloſed within the wals of any place, and the inhabitants dwelling in it: but by City the whole country is to be underſtood and comprehended, whoſe inhabitants are governed by the ſame law that thoſe within the City are. And this manner of ſpeaking is ſo frequent in all Hiſtories both ſacred and prophane, as nothing is more common, as all learned men know, and therefore I cite not authorities to prove it, with which I might fill a Volume. So that when the Apoſtle Paul commanded Titus to ordaine Presbyters and Biſhops in every City, he then eſtabliſhed a Presbytery or Colledge of Miniſters, that might with wiſdome and in knowledge governe all p. 18thoſe ſeverall congregations and particular aſſemblies of Believers that then were in theſe ſeverall Cities, and as many as in future time ſhould be converted to the faith by the preaching of the Goſpell within theſe Cities, and Villages about the City, as far as the juriſdiction and limits of the ſecular government did ſtretch and extend it ſelf: for the Secular government and the Eccleſiaſticall went alwayes together, as it doth at this day through the world in all well ordered Principalities and Common-weals: and therefore as far as the Teritories of every City in thoſe dayes extended it ſelfe, ſo far did the Presbyters authority ſpread and extend it ſelf: and therefore when the Apoſtle enjoyned Titus to ordaine Preſbyters in every City, he eſtabliſhed there a Councell, Senate, Court, or Colledge of Presbyters, and an Eccleſiaſticall Magiſtracy, to the which he gave power to exerciſe their authority over all the particular congregations and ſeverall aſſemblies that were then already converted, and that ſhould be converted afterward, both within the wals of the City, and within the circumference and bounds of the whole juriſdiction to the end of the world; and ordered that that Presbytery and Colledge by joynt conſent and common counſell ſhould governe all thoſe ſeverall congregations. And this is Gods Ordinance. And as all the Cities in Judea and Iſrael under their ſeverall Kings were notwithſtanding governed by a ſecular Presbytery, as all Corporations are here in England, ſo they were alſo by an Eccleſiaſticlal, and had their Rulers of their Synagogues and appeals from inferiour Courts to ſuperiour upon all juſt occaſions, and that by Gods appointment, and by Chriſts own ratification, as the Scripture doth frequently ſpecifie in many places. And indeed if any man of mature judgement, and with deliberation would but conſider what all Hiſtories relate concerning the originall of Cities, and the cauſe of their building, and how farre their Territories and their Lines (if I may ſo ſay) of communication extended, with their inhabitants which were alwayes counted Citizens, they could never be induced to believe that grolliſh opinion of Independency. For when the Lord divided the whole Earth to the ſeverall families of the ſame, he alwaies reſerved a portion for his own children, for he is the preſerver of all, eſpecially of the Believers, as it is related Deut. 32. and Acts 17. and 1 Tim. 4. Now as the Families of the Earth multiplied and increaſed, they extended their habitations further and p. 19further, from countrey to countrey, till they had repleniſhed all places according to Gods command and bleſſing, Increaſe and multiply: and as they ſeated themſelves in any new Plantation, for their ſafety and more ſecure habitation, and to free themſelves from incurſions of any enemies, they built themſelves Cities and great walled Townes (having learned that leſſon of Cain, the fruits of ſin, that made man both naked and afraid of every thing) and that they might be furniſhed with all proviſions and neceſſaries, they allotted unto every City ſuch a circuit and compaſſe of ground as out of the which they might have all their neceſſaries ſupplied, and be accommodated with all things needfull for food and raiment and their bodily preſervation, which required a large extent of ground, and of which they might take at pleaſure, there being enough, and for this very end they ſtocked the grounds about their ſeverall Cities with cattell, and ſent out as their families increaſed, their Colonies and Semenaries, as Bees uſe yearly to do their Swarmes; and thoſe they ſeated in the moſt convenient and fertileſt places, and fitteſt for habitation through the countries, who manured and tilled the ground, and planted Vineyards, and built Villages and Towns; all the which ſtill were accounted Citizens: & as Merchants here in London that are Citizens & that have houſes and habitations in the countrey, loſe not their former denomination by their countrey habitation; no more did the people in thoſe dayes, but were alwayes with all the inhabitants within the limits of that countrey, reputed Citizens, and call'd by the name of ſuch a City, becauſe they were governed by the ſame lawes the City was, and were derived from it, and were under the command of the chiefe of thoſe families, who all lived as Kings at firſt. And therefore into whoſe hands ſoever thoſe Cities fell, either by ſucceſſion, donation, compact, mariage or victory, thoſe that were the owners or conquerours of them, ſtill for the moſt part continued and preſerved the diviſions formerly made, and kept all thoſe Villages and Townes as far as the juriſdiction of thoſe Cities extended under their command, and all by the name of ſuch Cities as at firſt, and all the dwellers and inhabitants within that circumference or circuit were ſtill accounted as part of the City as all Hiſtories do relate both ſacred and humane. So that they that were Maſters of thoſe ſeverall Cities, were alſo Lords of all thoſe Villages, which were under the juriſdiction p. 20diction of thoſe Cities, and as far as the ſecular power of thoſe ſeverall Cities did extend, ſo far did their Eccleſiaſticall. And as thoſe ſeverall cities we read of in the holy Scripture under the Kings of Juda and Iſrael, had all their ſeverall civill Presbyters and Elders, or a Councell and Senate of Presbyters in them to govern them under their ſeverall Kings; ſo they had their Eccleſiaſticall or Synagogicall Presbyters, or a Colledge of Elders alſo, whoſe authority extended over all their ſeverall congregations, Synagogues, or aſſemblies, as well within the Cities as without, through all the Villages and Townes that were within the compaſſe and circumference of their ſeverall juriſdictions, as all imperiall Cities through the chriſtian world were in the Primitive times governed, and are at this day in many places. And therefore we cannot conceive any other of the ſeverall Presbyters placed in every City by Apoſtolicall inſtitution, as of thoſe of Jeruſalem, Epheſus, Corinth, Galatia, &c. but as of ſo many corporations: for we reade that both in Jeruſalem and Epheſus, they had both many Presbyters and many congregations under every ſeverall Presbytery, and as men in thoſe ſeverall Cities, Pariſhes, Townes, and Villages were daily converted to the faith, ſo thoſe ſeverall Colledges of Presbyters ordained them more Presbyters by common conſent, and took them continually under their government; which congregations, though many, as far as their juriſdiction extended, were all joyned together under one Presbyterie, and made ſtill in every ſeverall Precinct but one church, as that of Jeruſalem and Epheſus, and were all governed and ordered by the joynt conſent and common-counſell of their ſeverall Colledges of Presbyters; the miſtaking of the which kinde of government, and the miſ-underſtanding of the Scriptures, was the cauſe of all the confuſions in the Chriſtian world, and of thoſe ſad differences here in England at this day, and the only occaſion of that vaine opinion of Independency, for ſo I may call it for divers reaſons. For the tenent of the Independents is this, That in the Church of Ieruſalem and in that of Epheſus, and in all the other Churches ſpoken of in the New Teſtament, there were no more Believers in each of them, then could all meet in one place, and in one congregation to partake in all acts of worſhip, and that they were abſolute within themſelves, and from the which there was no appeals: which I affirme is a vaine and fond opinion, contrary p. 21to both Scripture and reaſon, and all antiquity; and that it is both againſt Scripture and reaſon, I have ſufficiently as I conceive proved it in the foregoing diſcourſe. But for a further confirmation of it I ſhall here adde ſome other arguments, that may if it be poſſible undeceive thoſe that have by the falacies and craft of their Teachers been miſled and ſeduced. I muſt confeſſe, it has been a wonder often to me, to ſee that ſuch multitudes of godly people, and thoſe that I had thought had been ſo well grounded in Religion, ſhould be ſo carried about with every winde of new doctrine, under pretence of New-lights, when they have ſo often been forewarn'd to take heed of deceivers, by Chriſt and his Apoſtles; and that in ſuch a violent manner, and with ſuch exaſpirated ſpirits againſt their Brethren, that cannot aſſent unto thoſe novelties. For if they had ever read the holy Scriptures with underſtanding, or been but a little acquainted with the Eccleſiaſticall Hiſtories, they could never have been ſo ſuddenly deluded. For if we but reade the Acts of the Apoſtles with attention, or the Epiſtles of Paul, and all the writings of the New Teſtament; we ſhall finde in them all, that by the powerfull preaching of the Goſpel and by the wonderfull working of miracles of the Apoſtles, whole cities and countries were converted unto the faith; and that the Goſpel was generally imbraced, and whole Nations converted and brought to the obedience of the faith by it, in a very ſhort time: and Saint Paul ſpeaking of the Romans, chap. 1 ver. 8. ſaith, that their faith was spoken of through the whole world: and in chap. 10. verſ. 18. he ſaith, That the ſound of the Goſpell went into all the earth, and their words (meaning of the Apoſtles) unto the end of the world. And in the 15. chapter and verſ. 18, 19. he affirmeth, That Chriſt ſo wrought by him, as he made the Gentiles obedient by word & deed, through mighty ſignes & wonders by the prower of the Spirit of God, ſo that from Jeruſalem and round about all Illericum, he had fully Preached the Goſpell, and that he had ſo ſtrived to Preach the Gospel, not where Chriſt was named, leaſt he ſhould build upon another mans foundation. And in his 1. Epiſtle to the Theſſalonians verſ. 8. He teacheth That from them the Word of the Lord ſounded, not onelyonly in Macedonia and Achaia, but alſo in every place, ſaith he, your faith to God-ward is ſpread abroad, ſo that we need not to ſpeak any thing. Here we ſee whol Cities and Countries were converted and became Chriſtians. p. 22And in the Acts of the Apoſtles there is frequent mention of whole Cities and Countries converted by the miracles and Preaching of the Apoſtles: who the people thought of and looked upon, as gods come down from heaven; ſo that all Aſia in a ſhort time was converted by the Apoſtles Miniſtery, for the people ſeeing the Apoſtles raiſe the dead and cure all diſeaſes, and that by their very ſhaddows, and by touching but the garments and handcarchiefs, or any thing that came from the ſick; and obſerving that they were by and by reſtored unto their former health, and beholding their godly life and holy converſation, and hearing them preach nothing but thoſe things that tended to make them eternally happy: they came in, in mighty multitudes, through Cities and whole Countries, to beleeve the Goſpell, and were made Chriſtians dayly; ſo that by ſome one of their miracles they converted more then could meet well in any one Congregation to partake in all acts of worſhip and to edification; and there was ſtill dayly increaſe upon increaſe of Chriſtians through both Cities and Countries, as both the Scriptures and all the Eccleſiaſticall hiſtories relate: ſo that all reaſon dictates unto any intelligible man, that in a ſhort time there muſt of neceſſity in every City, and through the ſeverall Countries be many Congregations and Aſſemblies, and many Presbytors, ordained over them for the ruling and governing and dayly inſtructing of them and for the building of them all up in the holy faith: for all theſe the Scripture ſpeakes of, were ſuch as were really converted, or at leaſt made profeſſion of the ſaith as Simon Magus, and were therefore admitted into the boſome of the Church, and into the fellowſhip of the Saints. And all good reaſon will teach men, that the Apoſtles and thoſe Primative Miniſters, had a more excellent faculty of converting men, then our Independent Paſtors & teachers, by whoſe Miniſtry yet, I never heard of any that were converted; for their Congregations al of them conſiſt of ſuch as were converted to their hands: but if a few of them without miracles, have been ſo powerfull through City and Country to gather ſo many congregations and ſeverall Churches here in London, and through all the Cities and Towns where they have been preaching their Novelties, ſhall we be ſo blockiſh and ſtupid to think that all the Apoſtles together, and ſo many other famous Miniſters as were for many years, alwayes reſident in Jeruſalem, p. 23they could all convert no more Chriſtians then could meet in one place or congregation? and that at Epheſus and in the other Cities and Countries where the Scripture relateth that there was ſuch infinite multitudes dayly converted, and additions of new beleevers upon new beleevers added to the Church, that they might ever meet in one Congregation and in one Aſſembly to communicate in all the Ordinances? no reaſon will perſwade this to any man, that hath not promiſed to himſelf to beleeve nothing but what he ſeeth with his own eyes. But that I may again return to the Church in Jeruſalem, the pattern of all Churches for government; I affirm that in that great and mighty city, there were more beleevers than could meet in any one or a few places, to communicate in all acts of worſhip, and that there were many Congregations of Chriſtians there in the Apoſtles times, and many years after. And beſides the many reaſons I have in the foregoing Treatiſe ſpecified, for a further demonſtration of the truth of that Aſſertion, I ſhall here adde a few more. And amongſt other that out of Paul in the firſt of the Galathians, which I onelyonly touched in the foregoing Tractate; where he ſignifieth to the Galathians, that he received not the Goſpell from the Apoſtles, but from Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, that they might the more cheerfully imbrace it, and give credit unto it: For, ſaith he, I preached the Goſpell in Arabia, to the heathens before I ſaw the Apoſtles, and had continued my Miniſtery three years before I went up to Ieruſalem to them. Indeed after three years, ſaith he, I went up to Ieruſalem, to ſee Peter, and aboade with him fifteen dayes, but other of the Apostles ſaw I none ſave Iames the Lords brother, (not that they were abſent) and therefore I received not the Goſpell from them, but from Chriſt himſelf. In the which words we have not onelyonly a ſingular Argument to confirm the Preaching and writing of the Apoſtle Paul to be the Word of God againſt the Papiſts, but we have alſo an excellent reaſon againſt the new opinion of the Independents, to prove many congregations in the Church of Ieruſalem for Paul was a diligent frequenter of the Synagogues and Aſſemblies of the Jews and Chriſtians whereſoever he came (as it is often ſpecified in the Scripture) where he Preached the Word and Goſpell unto the people: and it is alſo cleer and evident by the ſame Scripture, as in the Acts of the Apoſtles, and in the Epiſtle of Saint Iames, and many other places, p. 24that Synagogue and Church were Sunonymaes, and are often taken one for another, as Biſhops and Presbyter are for the ordinary Miniſters and Preachers of the Word. Now by the very light of reaſon, all men that have not reſined their underſtanding, will gather, That if there had been but one meeting place or one congregation of Believers in the Church of Jeruſalem, that Paul remaining there fifteen dayes, in all that times he would have frequented the Aſſembly of Believers, at leſt if he had not preached unto them, who was ſo diligent both in hearing and in preaching in al other places were he came: and if there had then been but one meeting-place in Jeruſalem, and but one congregation, without doubt the Apoſtles would daily have been at their imployments, which were, to pray with the people, and preach unto them, for they never were idle nor deſerted not their charge. Now when they were alwayes imployed in their ſeverall miniſteries, it is manifeſt that there were ſeverall aſſemblies or congregations of Believers in Jeruſalem, that hindred the Apoſtles from viſiting one another; for if there had been but one congregation, then of neceſſity Paul and the other Apoſtles ſhould have met there in ſo long a ſpace: and therefore it ſtands with all reaſon that there were many congregations of Believers in Jeruſalem, if we had no teſtimonies of holy Scripture for to prove it.

For if any credit may be given to the Hiſtorians that write of theſe times, there were above three of four hundred Synagogues in Jeruſalem (I ſpeak within compaſſe) and common underſtanding dictates that there were ſome hundreds of aſſembling places, where there was ſo many hundred thouſand people, and ſuch multitudes of Teachers. And in thoſe Synagogues the people met together, to hear the Law and Prophets both read and interpreted unto them: and the Synagogues both in Jeruſalem, and through all Judea and Paleſtine, were the places of the morall worſhip, as the Temple was the principall place of the cerimoniall ſervice. And as here in London, Pauls was the place, where after the Jewiſh, or rather Heatheniſh faſhion and manner, they had their ceremoniall imployments, which conſiſted in outward performances, as crouchings and cringings, capings and kneeings, pipeing and tooting, in Popes, Surplices, and their four ſquare Cowturds and crotchets, windings and turnings, Altars, Croſſes and Crucifixes, and a thouſand other ſuch trumperies; the acting of p. 25all which made the judicious Chriſtian-beholders think themſelves rather in the ſchool of Numa Pompilius, or in the Colledge of the old Roman Prieſts then converſant in the Church of God: ſo the other Churches through the City, were the places where the Morrall worſhip was chiefely exerciſed; as the reading, preaching, and hearing of the Word, chatechiſing, exhortation, admonition, prayers, thankſgiving, &c. So after the ſame manner it was in Jeruſalem. The Temple was the principle place of the Ceremoniall Worſhip, and the Synagogues were the places of the Morrall Service; where Moſes and the Prophets were read and interpreted unto them, every Sabbath day. And it followeth of neceſſity, that there muſt needs be a very great number of Synagogues in Jeruſalem, where there were many hundred thouſand people, and ſuch multitudes of Rabbies and Doctors and ſuch a number of Prieſts, Levites, Scribes, Phariſees, and Lawyers, all Interpreters of the Law, and ſuch as ſat in Moſes his chair, who our Saviour commanded the people to hear.

Now, as in the dayes of King Edward and Queen Elizabeth, after their Latine Service, and their Idolatrous Maſſes were caſt out of all the Churches; and the reformed Religion was ſet up in the ſeverall Congregation in place of that falſ Worſhip, and all the people repaired ſtill, and more willingly and more abundantly unto their ſeverall Pariſh Churches, and Chappels, to hear the Word Preached; and as the meetings and meeting-places were ſtill continued, whereas they onelyonly heard Maſſes before, which they underſtood not, now they heard the Goſpell purely preached unto them in lieu of that; and the people came more abundantly unto thoſe aſſemblies. Even ſo whereas before the comming of John the Baptiſt, and of our bleſſed Saviour, they had the Law, Pſalms, and Prophets, read and Interpreted unto them in all their Synagogues, after the Goſpell began to be publiſhed; to the Law and the Prophets, the glad tidings of Peace was Preached by Chriſt and his Apoſtles, and the other Primative Chriſtian Mininiſters, and by many of the Prieſts that imbraced the faith; and that in all their Synagogues every Sabboth day, eſpecially where the people upon all occaſions in great multitudes met together: for it is ſaid, That the Kingdome of heaven ſuffered violence, and the violent tooke it by force. Now to any man that will not reſolve to ſhut his eyes, and refuſe to ſee the Sun-ſhine of the truth, it p. 26may appear that all the Synagogues in Jeruſalem, as in all other Cities, after the Chriſtian Religion was ſo generally imbraced, and the Jews were turned Chriſtians; were the places where they ſtill continued to meet in, to hear the Goſpell as formerly they had done to hear the Law, and there is many teſtimonies out of holy Scripture, to prove this Aſſertion: neither can we in charity think that they being made Chriſtians, were leſſe zealous to hear the Goſpell, then they were to hear the Law; yea, their diligence in that good work, is often mentioned in the holy Scripture to their praiſe and honour; as that they met dayly in the Temple and in every houſe, to hear the Word and to partake in all the Ordinances. And it is well known, that Paul into what City ſoever he came, was as diligent in preaching as the people in hearing. Now when he remained in Jeruſalem fifteen dayes, he would not be idle: and it is to be beleeved that the other Apoſtles were as diligent in their ſeverall Miniſtries as Paul was, as I ſaid before; ſo that their much imployment without doubt, was the onelyonly cauſe that hindred the Apoſtles from comming unto him, and retarded Paul from ſaluting of them: for we may not conceive, that ſo famous an Apoſtle as Paul was, could lye hid in Jeruſalem or be unknown ſo long from the other Apoſtles; neither in charity may we think, that there was any love wanting either in Paul towards them, or in the Apoſtles towards Paul; but we moſt impute their not viſiting of each other, to the multiplicity of their imployments, that ſo hindered them, that they could not finde convenient time, each to ſee other. So that by this I have now ſaid, it is evident to any rationall man, that there were more Chriſtians and beleevers in the Church of Jeruſalem, then either could or did meet together in one place for all Acts of worſhip: for they met every Sabbath day together in their Synagogues to hear Moſes and the Prophets read and Interpreted, as the Scripture affirmeth, yea from houſe to houſe dayly: and therefore we may eaſily gather, that as many Synagogues and meeting places as there were in Jeruſalem, to ſay nothing of the Temple, ſo many Churches and Congregations of beleevers there were in Jeruſalem; for Synagogue and Church are all one in Gods dialect, and they that were Jews before the preaching of the Goſpell, were now made Chriſtians and beleevers. Neither had the Chriſtians and beleeving Iews any cauſe to ſeparate themſelves from p. 27the congregations, for there was nothing in their Synagogues to ſcruple them, without the law of Moſes ſhould offend them, and that the Scripture teſtifies they were very zealous of; and many of them that were converted, perſwaded the Gentiles after their converſion and illumination, to joyn the Ceremoniall Law to the Goſpell, which although it was not permitted unto them, yet for a time it was connived at and tollerated in the weak Jews; yea, in the tenth of the Hebrews the Chriſtians are blamed for forſaking of the aſſembling of themſelves together, and it was counted a fault in them: and therefore it may without any error be concluded, that there were as many, if not more Aſſemblies and Synagogues of beleevers in Jeruſalem after the preaching of the Goſpell and in the Apoſtles times, as were before of the Jews: for they after they were Chriſtians continued ſtill to aſſemble themſelves, if not dayly, every Sabbath day at leaſt in their Synagogues, as they were wont to do, where the Apoſtles were all ſo taken up in preaching, as they had no leiſure for reciprocall ſalutations: and therefore of neceſſity there were more congregations in the Church of Jeruſalem, and a greater multitude of Chriſtians them could all meet in any one or a few places: even as it was here in England in King Edwards and Queen Elizabeths dayes, as I ſpecified before: there was no fewer congregations and aſſemblies of Proteſtants in London, then was before of Papiſts: for as many Pariſh Churches as there were in the city of London ſo many ſeverall congregation of Proteſtants there were then through the city; and they that profeſt Popery before, did now imbrace the Proteſtant Religion, and made ſo many congregations and ſeverall Churches of Proteſtants, as there were congregations of Papiſts before: and as it would be accounted great abſurdity, yea a ridiculous thing in any man to affirm that there was but as many Proteſtants in London, in King Edward his time, or in Queen Elizabeths dayes, as could all meet in one place or in one congregation; ſo to any underſtanding and intelligible man, it is as abſurd to conclude that there were no more chriſtians and beleevers in Jeruſalem then could all meet in one place and congregation, when the Scripture it ſelf affirmeth that all Jeruſalem was turned Chriſtians, and had their meetings and aſſemblies in the Temple, and in every houſe; and that there was many aſſemblies there, and it ſtands with all reaſon, that if there had been but one p. 28Congregation of beleevers in Jeruſalem, when Paul went to viſit Peter, that then he of neceſſity ſhould have ſeen ſome, at leaſt of the other Apoſtles beſides Peter and Iames; for without doubt Paul was dayly among the Chriſtians a preaching to them in their Synagogues or meeting places; and the other Apoſtles alſo whoſe duty it was to be continually taken up in praying and preaching amongſt them, would not ſo long a time have layen idle and private: but in that neither Paul ſaw them, not the Apoſtles Paul, it is a ſufficient Argument to prove there were many congregations and aſſemblies of beleevers in Ieruſalem, which ſo imployed them all in their ſeverall Miniſteries as they had no time for mutuall viſits; and that was the onelyonly cauſe that hindred them from ſaluting one another: ſo that I conceive by that which I have now ſaid, all underſtanding men will gather that there were more congregations of beleevers in the Church of Jeruſalem then one; and that all theſe ſeverall aſſemblies made but one Church, and were all governed by the joynt conſent and common councell of one Presbytery; whatſoever the Independent Miniſters perſwade the poor deluded people to the contrary, for the upholding of their imaginary Presbyterian Government, which is againſt all Scripture, Antiquity, Reaſon, and Ordinary ſenſe.

And therefore I may boldly aſſert in their dealing with their ſeverall Congregations, when they ſet before them their Churches of Ieruſalem, Epheſus, &c. as conſiſting of but one Congregation and Aſſembly a peece, they juggle with them for no other end, but to make themſelves Lords and maſters of them, and to get the Soveraignty in time over the people into their own hands, while they would ſeem to be their ſervants.

And therefore it highly concerns all men that deſire the peace and welfare of Church and ſtate, duly to weigh and ſeriouſly to conſider the danger of Schiſms and rents in either, which ought to move them to ſtudy by all means how rather they make up the breaches already made, and how now to unite themſelves together in love and unity, againſt the common enemies of them both; then to follow ſuch blind leaders and guides as by their factions and fractions will bring us all into the pit of deſtruction, and expoſe us and our poſterities to as great miſery p. 29and ſlavery, both for ſouls and bodies, as ever Nation groaned under.

And as it is the duty of every private Chriſtian in his particular family; to teach and inſtruct his children and ſervants in the nurture and fear of the Lord, and with all ſingular care to purge his houſe of all ſuch as may miſleade them, and ſeduce and corrupt them that are in their tender years, and not well grounded in the principalls of Religion, & to give them ſpeciall charge to haunt no ſuch places and company, as by which they may be viciated in their manners, or poyſoned with falſ and erronious doctrines and opinions, as the Word of God commands both in the Old and New Teſtament. So it is the duty of all Magiſtrates and Miniſters in their ſeverall places, who are the Paſtors of the people, the one for their bodily preſervation and the common peace, and the other for their ſpirituall good to joyn together for the ſetting up of Gods true Worſhip, Government, and Service; in all Cities, Towns, and Pariſhes through the Kingdome; the one by their power and authority, and the other by lifting up their voyce like a Trumpet (as all the holy Prophets and Apoſtles did in all their generations againſt all falſe teachers) and to warn the people under their ſeverall charges, to take heed of them and ſhun them as they either deſire Gods glory, their own eternall Salvation, or the publike preſent good and the proſperity and tranquility of their off-ſpring in ſucceeding ages; and to be as ſedulous and diligent in ſuppreſſing errours and ſchiſms, as all the godly Magiſtrates and faithfull Miniſters have been in their ſeverall times, whoſe praiſes for this their good work is frequently recorded in holy writ, and in all the Eccleſiaſticall Records to their eternall honour and renoune, and for our inſtruction. And truely if the examples of the holy Prophets, bleſſed Apoſtles, and godly Magiſtrates, and of all the deer ſervants of God whoſe names and fames are glorious to all poſterity in the holy Word of God; will not move us; then at leaſt let us learn of the very enemies, of the Papiſts, Sectaries, and Hereticks in all precedent and fore-going Generations; for they, as all hiſtories and dayly experience teacheth us, not onelyonly labour to remove all ſuch out of their families and Churches, as be of a contrary opinion to them but ſtudy alſo to exterminate them out of their very territories, if they have ſtrength or policy ſo to do.

p. 30And if none of their examples may yet perſwade us to our duty, then let the example of all thoſe that now differ from us in opinion, but in the matter of government teach us what to do in this point: for they will not willingly entertain any into their families that is not of their own minde and opinion, nor ſuffer their children to be inſtructed in any other way then their own; and ſhun, in as much as in them lyes, the very company of ſuch as they count Presbyterians; and rarely, if ever, come at our aſſemblies. And in New-England it ſelf it is well knowne, that they doe not only caſt thoſe out of their Churches that differ from them in opinion, but alſo expoſe them to baniſhment and to greateſt miſery, and think all they do, to be their duty; and publiſh it to the world for the imitation of all other their Churches and Congregations: and I am moſt aſſured, had they the authority in their own hands here in England, they would be as ſevere towards the Presbyterians, as ever the Prelates were againſt the Puritans. And I am induced ſo to believe, both from their words and writings: for what can be more bitterly uttered againſt them, then that they daily ſpeak upon the leaſt occaſion, if any but preach or write the leaſt thing in oppoſition to their opinions; profeſſing that all ſuch Preachers ought to be hanged: and had they the power in their hands, they would truſſe them up, as many can teſtifie and witneſſe: and in their writings, how prodigiouſly daily they abuſe with all manner of calumnies and reproaches, and with all reviling ſpeeches, the Presbyterians, all that have patience to reade their blaſphemous Pamphlets can tell: ſo that whiles in them they pleade for a tolleration of all Religions, they will not tollerate the Presbyterians to defend their own; by which they ſufficiently declare what favour they would ſhew them if they were in their hands, on whom they look as the profeſt enemies of Chriſts kingdome. Now I ſay, if neither the example of Gods dear Saints and Servants, nor the Word of God can move us to our duty, nor the example of the Papiſts and Hereticks of all ages: then at leaſt let us follow the example of our Brethren both in New-England and Old-England; for they as all men know remove all from them that differ from them in their Church-way; and ſeperate themſelves from us, and gather congregations by by themſelves, Independent, refuſing to communicate with us as an unholy people, and not ſuffering or permitting us to p. 31communicate amongſt them in the Ordinances either of baptiſme or the Lords Supper, but upon their own tearmes; and account us all as unclean things, and to be ſeparated from, which I affirme ſhould move all ſolid Chriſtians, and ſuch as truly and unfeinedly deſire that God may be glorified, and his truth every where ſet up, to oppoſe all their errors and novelties in religion, under what pretenſes ſoever they be brought in, and under whatſoever ſeeming holineſſe they be ſet forth: and ſo much the more care is to be had, and diligence uſed, both by the Magiſtrates, Miniſters, and all the reall godly of the land; by how much they know the craft and ſubtilty of thoſe that ſeduce them: for there was never yet any Sect whatſoever, that came to any riſe, perfection, or name in the Church, of which the firſt venters and contrivers had not ſome ſeeming ſhew of godlineſſe and holineſſe of life, and that more then ordinary, to which they uſually added the bravery of language, and fine alluring ſpeeches, and cunning craftineſſe; as they were many of them men of ſingular elocution, and deep ſubtilty: as the Prophets and Apoſtles through the whole Scripture ſignifie. And Paul in the 16 chap. of his Epiſtle to the Romans, ſpeaking of thoſe that made diviſions contrary to the doctrine that he had taught them, hath this expreſſion, Verſe 18. For they that are ſuch (ſaith he) ſerve not our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but their own belly, and by good words and faire ſpeeches deceive the hearts of the ſimple. Here we ſee the falſe Teachers of his time, made uſe of good words, faire speeches, to deceive the hearts of the ſimple. And in Gal. 4.14. the Apoſtle there exhorting them, ſaith. Henceforth be no more children, toſſed to and fro, and carried about with every winde of doctrine, by the ſlight of men, and cunning craftineſſe, whereby they lye in wait to deceive. In this place the Apoſtle gives all Chriſtians a charge to take heed of all erroneous doctrines; and withall ſets down the manners and ordinary carriage of all ſeducers, that they might be the more carefull to ſhunne them: for ſuch, ſaith he, uſe in the deceiving of you, the flight of men, and cunning craftineſſe. This has ever been the method of all falſe teachers, as Saint Peter alſo in his 2 Epiſtle, chap. 2. verſ. 1, 2, 3. &c. witneſſeth: for ſpeaking of the falſe teachers of thoſe times he lived in, and of thoſe in future ages, that ſhould bring in damnable doctrines, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bringing upon themſelves ſwift distruction: he p. 32foretels alſo, that many ſhould follow their pernicious wayes, by reaſon of whom the way of truth ſhould be evilly ſpoken of. And then alſo he ſets down the manner and cuſtomes of thoſe ſeducers; and amongſt other things he ſaith of them, that through covetouſneſſe, and with their faire words they ſhould make merchandize of the people. So that we may ſee, all falſe teachers clothe their craft with their rhetorick and fained words, for otherwiſe they would prevaile but little. Now by how much more the Chriſtians in this our age have to deale with a generation of cunning and crafty Juglers, who ſeeme to equallize, if not to tranſcend all others in holineſſe and godlineſſe, in their outward cariage at leaſt; it concerneth every one I ſay more diligently to take heed of them, and of all their new-wayes, their new born truths, and their New-lights: for God himſelfe by his holy Prophets and bleſſed Apoſtles has commanded us, not to decline from thoſe wayes we have learned of him, and thoſe truths that he hath taught us in his holy Word, Neither to the right hand nor to the left, Dut. 4.5. Ioſh. 1. Prov. 4. Nay, if an Angell from Heaven ſhould teach otherwiſe then God hath taught us by Chriſt and his Apoſtles, we are to account him accurſed, Gal. 1. And in the expreſſe words above ſpecified, we are prohibited to be carried about with every wind of doctrine. So that all thoſe that vent thoſe new-truths and ſet up thoſe new-lights, which are all indeed new-lights of doctrins, be they never ſo ſeemingly holy, are all cunning deceivers & fighters againſt God. And all thoſe Chriſtian Magiſtrates (for ought I know) that tollerate ſuch; and all thoſe orthodox Miniſters that connive at them, and are ſo meal-mouthed, as they dare not preach againſt them, and forwarne the people of them, neglect their duty; and are not faithfull Watchmen over their flocks committed to their charge, and are blameworthy for it. And all thoſe people that being ſo often taught by God himſelf in the holy Scriptures, to take heed of all ſuch as come to them in ſheeps clothing, and with their fained holineſſe, & with their fair ſpeeches to deceive them, and make merchandize of them, and yet will not take heed of theſe novelties; doe as much as in them lyes reſiſt the Spirit of God: for the Lord has againe and againe commanded all his people to ſhun ſuch men, as in Tim. 1. chap. 6. verſ. 5. From ſuch (ſaith Saint Paul to Timothy, and in him to all Miniſters and people in all ages to the end of the world) withdraw thy ſelfe. Now p. 33if an Evangeliſt, ſo learned a man, ſo well grounded a preacher as Timothy was, to withdraw himſelfo from all ſuch as taught otherwiſe than Paul, & Chriſt himſelf & the other Apoſtles had taught: how much more now ought all Chriſtians that come ſo far ſhort and are ſo inferiour to Timothy, for all indowments and graces of knowledge, to beware and take heed of all ſuch as bring in their new-born truths, their new-Lights, and all their new wayes; when eſpecially we are commanded to enquire for the old and good way, which will indeed bring reſt unto our ſouls? Jer. 6. And to omit innumerable places to this purpoſe; that of Saint Iohn in his ſecond Epiſtle to the Elect Lady, ſhould ever be in our memory, where Saint Iohn in expreſſe words forbids that Lady and her family, and in them all other Chriſtians, To receive any that bring not the doctrine of Ieſus Chriſt into their houſes, or bid them God-ſpeed, and gives a reaſon of this his prohibition; For, ſaith he, he that bids him God-ſpeed, is partaker of his evill deeds. Now all theſe new doctrines are not the doctrines of Jeſus Chriſt; and therefore whoſoever bringeth them, ought not to be received into our families, nor their doctrines into our hearts, no more then ſtolen goods into our houſes and cloſets: for God hath both forbid it, and ſet down the danger that will enſue upon it: for by that means we make our ſelves equally guilty, and partakers with them in their evill: and therefore all ſuch as ſhall ſtill notwithſtanding whatſoever God hath ſpake unto us by his holy Prophets and Apoſtles, follow thoſe new teachers and thoſe new truths, by their ſo doing, in concluſion they will be found fighters againſt God; and partake with them in all thoſe puniſhments the Lord hath threatned againſt all ſuch as will be led about with every wind of Doctrine, which will be the ruin of themſelves and others: and if people will be diſobedient and obſtinately go on to make Schiſms and rents, ſlighting Gods threats and menaces, and caſt his word behind their backs, then it belongeth unto all Magiſtrates, Miniſters, Fathers, and Maſters of Families, that are Chriſtians (for I ſpeake not of ſuch as are without the pale of the Church) ſeeing what already theſe new Sects have with all their Art and cunning, invented, contrived, and with unwearied paines and ungodly policy brought forth into the world, that the Magiſtrates are counted intollerable to the people; wives are taken from the boſomes of p. 34their husbands, or ſo alienated from them as they repute the… a burthen unto them: the Husbands from the Wife, Children from their Parents, and Patents from their children; and the Servants from their Maſters and Miſtreſſes, & Friends from Friends; the Miniſters from the people, and the flocks from their Paſtors; and that all the lawes of God and Nature by theſe means are violated; I ſay in all theſe regards it is high time, if they will prevent thoſe evils that are comming upon the Land by theſe fractions and diviſions, now to quit themſelves like men, not caring for all the reviling languages of Seducers who yet never ſpake well of any but of their own party: for it is againſt the nature of Sectaries to give any a good word but their own complices; and therefore it concernes them all to goe about the work as men of courage and in the fear of God. And truly if men think it (as it is indeed) an unſufferable thing to tolerate thoſe Men-ſtealers, who they call Spirits, or a new generation of Fayries, to ſeduce and carry away their children and ſervants: then much more it is an unſufferable thing to tolerate thoſe that ſteale away not only the bodies of men and children, from Magiſtrates, Miniſters, Parents, Maſters and Miſtreſſes, Friends, &c. but their very hearts and affections; and are no better in ſo doing then a company of ſpirituall Plunderers, and are to be looked on as ſo many enemies of the Church and kingdome. Neither is there any breach of charity in ſpeaking truth with love and an unfained deſire of their reformation: for if they be not reformed, nor their New-lights extinguiſhed and put out, they will in ſhort time dim and darken the truth it ſelfe, and provoke the Lord to give us all over to error, becauſe we imbraced not the truth in the love of it, 2 Theſſ. 2. But I muſt confeſſe I look upon many of the Independent Miniſters, as the moſt dangerous Sect that ever yet the world produced, in reſpect of the conſequences of their doctrines, and the ſad effects they have brought forth already, whereſoever they have ſpread it. For they carry themſelves more cunningly then any other Schiſmaticks or Hereticks that ever yet appeared ſince mortality inhabited the World. For all other Sectaries tenents are recorded in all the ſeverall Councels, and in the Monuments of the ancient Writers, ſo that every man knowes their opinions and doctrines; but what theſe men hold beſides their whimſey of Independency, and the manner of their gathering of Churches (wherein p. 35they doe not all agree neither) no man knoweth nor never ſhall know, for they intend to ſet up many other New-lights, but yet with a reſerve, never to be conſtant to any thing what they either ſay or write: for this I have received from the mouthes of their Diſciples and followers, That if that which ſeemeth a truth to them to day, do to morrow appear otherwiſe by ſome new light, (were it any Article of the faith) and they be convinced by that light, that they were in an error before, they are to relinquiſh their former tenent, whatſoever it were, and to follow that new light that God hath appeared to them in. And this doctrine is taught by all the Independents I ever ſaw or heard of. Yea they count it a great honour unto them to be thus uncertaine in their opinions; as we may ſee in a rayling and rediculous Pamphlet, not only againſt Mr. Prynne, but againſt the Parliament, lately ſet out by an Independent, call'd, The falſhood of M. William Prynnes Truth Triumphing; where pag. 16. Sect. 2. in theſe words, You accuſe the Independents, ſaith he, as believing moſt things with a reſerve, according to their preſent light; with a liberty of changing, as new-lights ſhall be diſcovered unto them; but did ever man ſo overſhoot himſelfe (ſaith he) certainly this is ſo high a character of the Independents compleateſt posture enſuing or growing ſtature in the Schoole of Chriſt, as could be applyed unto them; wherein they glory not a little, and place it as the only ground work and foundation, without which they cannot grow in grace, from one degree of faith to another, untill they become perfect men, and perfect Saints, unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſſe of Chriſt, Epheſ. 4.12, 13. Theſe are his formall words, ſo that the Independents doctrine is this: That there is no growth in grace from one degree of ſaith to another, untill we become perfect men, and perfect Saints, unleſſe they believe moſt things with a reſerve; which tenent of theirs, whether or no it be not to bring a ſceptiſme into Religion, according as M. Prynne doth from them conclude, I refer it to the judgement of thoſe that are more judicious Divines then the Author of that Pamphlet. And this, as men may obſerve, is the profeſt doctrine of all the Independents; and they account it their glory to be ever in uncertainties; which is the only reaſon, as I conceive, that they could never yet be induced to ſet downe what forme of government they would have, and to what doctrine and diſcipline they would ſubſcribe and ſtand to, p. 36with their followers; by which all men may eaſily diſcerne the dangerouſneſſe of theſe men; and well perceive, that they that have to deale with them, will never finde an end: for they will ever be ſtarting of ſome new doctrines. And to ſpeak the verity, all the Shiſmaticks that have troubled the Church in this laſt age of the World, and hindred all reformation, are yet more can did then many of the Independent Miniſters through the Kingdome. For the Browniſts, as M. Ainſworth and M. Robinſon, both learned men, and more orthodox in their Tenents then many of them, yet they with all their ſeveral congregations agreed in their principles; and have ingenuouſly in their Apologies and writings with modeſty (for in hoste virtus laudanda) declared unto the World, both what they held, and what they deſired, and wherein they would reſt contented; if the Magiſtrates would but gratifie them in it. The Anabaptiſts in like manner, though farre more erronious in their opinions then the Browniſts, yet they alſo, many times in word and print, have ſet downe their Tenents, to which they both ſtand; and in the which, if the Magiſtrates will but condeſcend unto them, they will ſit downe and yeild all cheerfull obedience to their juſt commands. The ſame may be ſaid of all other Sects. But, as for our Brethren the Independent Miniſters, they are like a company of Rats among Joyne-ſtooles, every one can ſee and heare them, but none can catch them. No man can tell where to catch or lay hold certainly of any point or tenent they preach, or what they either are in their opinion, or will be: for what they conceived to be a truth to day, may be an error with them to morrow: for certainty in any opinion, is as great a Hereſie to them, as eating of fleſh on a Good-Friday, is to a Papiſt: Neither will they binde themſelves or their followers to any Doctrine they hold to day; for it may be they will both preach and practiſe the contrary to morrow, if it make for their gaine and emolument. So that all men may boldly conclude of them, that they are as the moſt uncertaine; ſo in that, the moſt dangerous Sect that ever came into the World, ſince the Sunne and Moone ruled over the Earth. And this will the better appeare, if we conſider the multitudes and variety of Sectaries that have ſprung from them in a ſhort ſpace, ſince their comming over amongſt us, with their underhand dealings, how ever they themſelves play leaſt in ſight, and p. 37act privately their juglings, and make uſe of others, in venting their ſeverall poyſenous opinions, and can ſay and on-ſay, and affirme and deny any thing at pleaſure, as can be proved. Before their apparition on our horiſon, there were but three or four Sects known among us, and they were few in number, and well conditioned, and ſuch as were full of charity and love one towards another, and carried themſelves humbly towards all men; as the Browniſts, Anabaptiſts, Antinomians, and Familiſts. But out of the Independents lungs are ſprung above forty ſeverall ſorts of ſtraglers, which before their comming over were never heard of amongſt us. And for proof of what I now ſay, I had it from a Brother of mine in tribulation, and a fellow-ſufferer; who though he differ from me in opinion, yet I truly love him, and ſhall never decline any chriſtian office to do him good for ſoule and body; I meane M. John Lilburne, Lieutenant Colonel; who himſelf relathed it unto me, and that in the preſence of others; that returning from the warres to London, he met forty new Sects, and many of them dangerous ones; and ſome ſo pernicious, that howſoever, as he ſaid, he was in his judgement for tolleration of all Religions; yet he profeſt, he could ſcarce keepe his hands off them, and had no patience to heare them, ſo blaſphemous they were in their opinions. So that he gathered, that theſe were now the laſt dayes, wherein ſo many Hereſies abounded. And amongſt other of the Tenants, one of thoſe wicked Sects held, They denied the Scriptures both of the Old and New Teſtament, and accounted them things of nought; whereas by Gods command, They that deſpiſed Moſes his Law, by the mouth of two or three witneſſes were to be put to death: and theſe wicked and ungodly creatures deſpiſe both the Law and Goſpell, and that in the preſence of a Cloud of witneſſes. And innumerable other diabolicall Sects there are, and ſo prodigiouſly impious, that it is not for a Chriſtian to name their opinions. And moſt of them, if not all, were firſt Independents, and ſuch as ſeparated from our Congregations, as from a people unholy, and were of their new gather'd Churches and followers of their Miniſtery. And many of them have jangled ſo long about the Church, that at laſt they quite have loſt it, and goe now under the name of Expectants and Seekers, and doe deny p. 38that there is any true Church, or any true Miniſters, or any Ordinances: and ſome of them affirme, that the Church is yet in the Wilderneſſe, and they are ſeeking for it there: others ſay, that the ſmoke is yet in the Temple, and they are groping for it there, where I leave them: praying God to open their eyes and give them repentance; that they may conſider from whence they are fallen, and returne againe into the boſome of that Church, from which they have, to the great diſhonour of God, and the ſcandalizing of the Goſpel, made ſo fearfull a deſection. But I can truly ſay, without wronging the Independent Miniſters, that they have been one of the principall cauſes of all thoſe new, hidious, and monſtrous opinions, and of all the ſad differences amongſt Brethren: for their doctrines give way to all ſuch errors, and ever will, as long as they give liberty for the finding out of new truths, and the changing of their opinions according to their New-lights. But amongſt all their errors this is none of the leaſt, that all Magiſtracy is by them deſpiſed, and made nothing of, no further then it agreeth with their tenents and humours. And howſoever publickly they ſeem to ſay ſomething in defence of it, yet privately, and upon all occaſions they ſlight it; yea, and bid defiance to it, as all their rayling Pamphlets, and words, & deeds proclaim; and make the power and authority of the Magiſtrates when they exerciſe it for the ſuppreſſing of novelties, a meer tyranny and perſecution, as many could witneſſe, if they would take the office of Informers upon them; for they are not the men they were in the beginning of the Parliament: for then they ſeemed highly to magnifie the authority and power of the Parliament, and appealed unto it, and did very good ſervice in promoting the publick good: but now they ſay they are afraid it will prove but an Arbitrary government, and be more tyrannicall then that of the Prelates, and all the other unjuſt Courts; profeſſing that they had thought they ſhould by their meanes have enjoyed the liberty of their conſciences (this it ſeems they fought for, their own ends, which they ſo much condemne in others) but now they well perceive, that they go about to eſtabliſh a Presbytery, which to the poor Saints (they are afraid) will prove more tyrannicall then the government of the Biſhops: and therefore now many of the Independents that were very zealous at the firſt in the quarrell of the Parliament (as it was their duty to be) are very cold, and have p. 39not only caſt away their armes, and detract their obedience, but can at pleaſure ſpeak againſt the preſſing of men for that ſervice; and profeſſe, that is not lawfull to force men to fight, and that it is unlawfull to fight for Religion (I conceive they mean any Religion but their own: for they have been heard ſay; yea they have frequently bragg'd of their party, and proteſted that they would make hot work before the Presbyterians ſhould have the day) and ſuch like ſtuffe they vent in every corner, to the deterring of many from their duty, which they are bound unto by the Law of God, Nature, and all Nations; and for which there be many preſidents in holy Scripture, and many fearfull threats and judgements denounced againſt ſuch as deſerted their Brethren in affliction: and great and fearfull puniſhments have been impoſed upon thoſe that came not out to aide their Brethren when they went againſt the enemies of their countrey, whether they were forein or inteſtine: and all to teach us not to decline from our duty upon the like occaſions. But that any man that hath but any ordinary underſtanding ſhould ſpeak againſt the preſſing of men, it is a wonder to me to hear it: for if they ever had read the Scriptures with judgement and knowledge, or were but acquainted with the Hiſtories of all Ages, they may finde it ever hath been the practice of the people of God, as well as of the Heathen, to force men out of all their Tribes and Families to go to war againſt any enemy; and that they that neglected their duty being ſummoned to it, were counted enemies, and were ſeverely puniſht for it, and made examples to others for their diſobedience; and there were none exempted from the war by Gods own appointment, that had ſtrength and abilities to fight, but new married people and baſe Cowards: and indeed to all ſuch, God gave a diſpenſation for a time, as till the one for a year had rejoyced with his Wife, and till the other had got the ſpirit of courage, and a more brave and valiant reſolution: but all others if they would not voluntarily come out, were forced to it or puniſhed for their neglect: and for ought I know, all Chriſtian Magiſtrates have the ſame authority ſtill under the Goſpell that they had under the Law. And truly to my poor underſtanding, there is none that can go more comfortably to fight for their countrey, then they that are preſt; & if I were to go upon any ſuch imployment, I ſhould with ten times more alacrity goe into the war, being preſt or call'd to it by the State, p. 40then if I were a meer Volunteere: though I have ever though, Volunteeres brave and gallant men, and worthy of great honour for their good ſervice, and have counted ſuch as would neither by force nor freely, put themſelves upon publike imployment on the one ſide or on the other; eſpecially if they had able bodies, the moſt baſeſt cowardly fellows in the world, and men unworthy the Protection of either King or Parliament; or to enjoy the very benefit of the ayre they breath in. And without doubt they are the verieſt cowards upon the earth, howſoever they may vapour in a drinking-ſchool. Yet I ſay thoſe that go out as preſt men, have in all reſpects a more warrentable calling, and wherein if they keep themſelves from the ſins and pollutions that are too frequent in Armies, they may both fight and dye with all cheerfulneſſe: for in ſo doing they are in their calling, and may challenge pitty and compaſſion from all; and maintenance alſo and ſupport if they be wounded, and by it made unable to get their livings for themſelves and for their families, as long as they live; for they have been the ſervants of the State, and imployed by their ſpeciall command; and if they be taken priſoners, the ſtate ought to exchange or ranſome them, or elſe it will be their diſhonour. Whereas, if they be meerly Volunteers, though they do their duty in ſo doing, and ſhall have the honour of it, if they be hurt, wounded, or captivated; yet the world is wont to ſay, Who required theſe things at your hands, what call had you to this imployment? And all men generally will condemn ſuch: and it was not long ſince objected to a gentlewoman, whoſe husband was taken priſoner in the war, and that in a very Lordly and imperious manner, by an Independent Miniſter; What call, ſaid he, had your husband to take Armes? could not he have followed his own imployment? Thus did this domineering Independent vapour over men in diſtreſſe; who himſelf was never guilty of either learning or humanity, or fit for any thing but to make a faction, being a meer cow-baby coward, and one that ran away, as being more afraid of the biſhops (when they were in power) then he was of God or the devill; and yet this mounſier could ſuperciliouſly demand of this Gentlewoman, what call her husband had to take Armes? And as this Independent, ſo commonly all men for the moſt part, ſlight Volunteers in their diſtreſſes, eſpecially if they deſire their ayde; which they do not only ordinarily p. 41refuſe, but deterre others from doing them any good, ſaying, that ſuch men put themſelves out of Gods protection, in as much as in them is, when they leave their callings; and thus thoſe grolls babble, as if a man had not a ſufficient call, if he ſees his neighbours houſe on fire, to leave his ſhop to go out to help quench it I Such kinds of Puffoyſts as theſe, that abuſe Volunteers, I leave them as a generation of men, not worthy to give guts unto a Bear. But, I ſay, when men are called to the warre by the State, and preſt to that ſervice, they can then appear with joy before all men, and look death it ſelf in the face with courage; whether in the field, or in cold blood, in the hands of their enemies, when they ſuffer as evill doers: for they can then comfort themſelves with their calling, knowing that they were imployed by the State, and it is their duty to obey; and that as they were borne under obedience, with cheerfulneſſe and alacrity they can dye. And therefore all ſuch as the Independents, that go about to diſparage the Parliament, and the great Councell of the Kingdome, for preſſing of men for the publick ſervice, do things derogatory to their authority: and all ſuch as are preſt and able to fight, and do either run away from their Colours, or wilfully or rebelliouſly detract their obedience, ought to be hanged. And as it is lawfull in the Magiſtrate to preſſe men to fight for their countrey, ſo it is law full likewiſe for them to fight for their religion; and to preſſe men for that purpoſe: and he that will not fight for his religion, if he be a Magiſtrate, certainly he has little religion in him: and he that is a private man, that will not ſuffer for his religion, if he be called to it; nor fight for it both voluntarily and when by authority he is put upon it, but flye from either of the imployments of doing or ſuffering, and will not come out to helpe the Lord againſt the mighty, he deſerveth not only the bitter curſe againſt Meroſh, Judg. 5. but to be hanged. What, doe the Brethren the Independents now hold it a thing unlawfull to fight for religion (for ſo they profeſſe to their friends) when not long ſince they ſo animated others to it? It ſeems they are very changeable in all their oopinions: I believe they have found out ſome new-light of direction how to runne away againe, as they did before, if the times change. But yet ſuch as have learned how to performe their duty, and have read the holy Scriptures; and amongſt many other places the two and twentieth of Ioſhua for one, p. 42have been taught, that when the Iſraelites on the other ſide of Jordan had ſet up an Altar, though it was not with a minde and intent to alter religion, yet if they had not given a ſatisfactory anſwer for their ſo doing to Ioſhua and the Elders of Iſrael their Brethren, they would ſpeedily have made warre upon them for it; as any State for ought I know, or any chriſtian Nation by their example may doe, againſt what enemy ſoever they be, whether forein or domeſticall; that ſhall attempt to alter the true religion, and Chriſts government eſtabliſhed in his Church (which is his kingdome) and bring in an Idolatricall one, or an Independent one, or any other that tendeth to the deſtruction of that, that God himſelf hath appointed his people to ſerve him with: and all ſuch as ſhall refuſe to fight for their religion (if they have no bodily hindrances or ſome juſt impediment) when the magiſtrate calleth or preſſeth them to it, ought to be accounted as the enemies of religion, and rebels againſt both God and their countrey. And all ſuch as ſhall endeavour, either clandeſtinly or openly, to ſpeak words tending to deterre men from going out to helpe the Lord againſt the Mighty; or refuſe, being Chriſtians, to fight for the Goſpel (except by their bodily infirmities they be hindred from the duty) I know no reaſon but they ought to be hanged as a company of Rebels againſt both God and men, and as ſuch as are unworthy the name of Chriſtians, that will not fight for the honour of the King of Saints and King of Kings, and for his royalty and dignity that has redeemed them from the ſlavery, not only of Satan, but of Antichriſt. For we have read that Michael the Captaine, and Commander of his Church and kingdome, and his Angels, makes warre againſt the Dragon and his Angels; which is not to be underſtood only in a ſpirituall ſenſe, but in an ordinary way, and litterally alſo; for Chriſt has his ſouldiers, that beſides their weapons of the right hand, their prayers, tears, and humiliations, have alſo their weapons and armes of the left hand, as their ſwords and all warlike inſtruments, to fight for the honour, dignity, and ſoveraignty of their King and anointed Chriſt; who at his departure from his Diſciples, bad them ſell their coats, and buy each of them a ſword; by which he inveſted them with authority as well to fight, if occaſion required, for the honour of their King and Maſter, and for their own ſafety; and although he condemned in Peter the temerarious and raſh uſe of his ſword, and p. 43bad him put it up for that time, yet the left the uſe of it to him and to the other Apoſtles, upon their juſt occaſions. And who knowes not that there is a time for warre and a time for peace, and God himſelf profeſſeth, that he is the Generall of the Armies of his people, and the Lord of their Hoſts; and he taught his ſervants hands, in times paſt, to war and their fingers to fight, as they with thanks acknowledged. And he is the ſame God now to his people that ever he was, and will be nigh unto them, and a preſent help to all thoſe that fight his battels. And what, I pray, are ſo properly his batrels, as thoſe that are made againſt Antichriſt and his complices (by what names or titles ſo ever they be called) whether they be the Kings or Emperours of the Earth, or any other Malignants that have given their power to the Beaſt and make warre againſt the Lambe? Neither ſhall I ever be of an other minde, but that it is the greateſt honour any Chriſtian can be called unto, to fight for his countrey and for the Goſpel againſt what enemy of either ſoever he be. And as I ſhall live and dye by Gods aſſiſtance in this opinion, ſo I ſhall likewiſe ever believe, that all ſuch as will neither fight for their countrey, nor religion, but deter and diſſwade others from it, are enemies of both, and ſo ought to be eſteemed, whatſoever pretences of ſeeming love they make to their countrey and religion: and that ſuch as will not fight for the proteſtant religion, deſerve not the favour of protection from thoſe States and countries they live in, whoſe preſervation or ruine is all to them, ſo they may enjoy their owne ends and become maſters of thoſe they cauſeleſly hate, and unchriſtianly and uncharitably think evill of; and whoſe diſtruction they not only daily wiſh and pray for, but as much as in them lyes, bid defiance to, and proclaime open warre againſt them; and uſe or rather abuſe the holy Scriptures for the maintenance of their authority, in their contending and fighting againſt their chriſtian Brethren, the Presbyterians, for their independency; and to that end in the Frontiſpieces of their books ſet downe Chriſts words, Matth. 10 34.35, 36. where our Saviour ſaith, Think not that I came to ſend peace on earth, I came not to ſend peace but a ſword. For I am come to ſet a man at variance againſt his Father, and the Daughter againſt her Mother, and the Daughter in law againſt her Mother in law, and a mans foes ſhall be thoſe of his own houſehold. Out of the which words miſunderſtood, they would perſwade p. 44the people and make them believe, that they have good warrant and ground to fight againſt their Chriſtian Brethren for the maintenance of their own whimſies; whereas, although they had been Wolves in times paſt, yet being now Chriſtians indeed, and really converted, and in whom there is a through change wrought in their hearts, they would have laid aſide their wolviſh nature; ſo that the Wolfe and the Lambe would have peaceably dwelt together (according to the prediction of the Prophet) they then would be loving and kinde Brethren, and would not come out to fight againſt them: for that Scripture ſpeaketh only of ſuch, as who living and continuing in their naturall ſtate, and in an irregenerate and unconverted condition, and in whoſe ſouls the work of grace was not yet wrought, ſhold hate their very Parents, Brethren, and Siſters, and neareſt allies; that were truly converted to the faith and believed the Goſpell: as the ſeed of the Serpent will alwayes hate the ſeed of the Woman, as Cain did Abel; and that in regard of that enmity God hath put between them; ſo that the righteous is an abomination to the wicked, and the wicked to the righteous; be their relations never ſo nigh together, in reſpect either of conſanguinity or affinity: and this all Gods people by their daily experience finde, according to Chriſts prediction, That their foes and enemies are they of their own houſhold. But doe theſe words of Chriſt give liberty to thoſe that are Believers, and children of the moſt High, the very ſonnes and daughters of God, to come out and make warre againſt their Brethren; and to fight againſt them, and that for their own inventions and traditions? I think not. And yet the Independents from this place of holy Scripture, not the Novices, Yonkers, and freſh-water ſouldiers only, but grave men in their great white basket-hilted beards, with their ſwords in their hands; come out to fight againſt their Brethren, for their Independency; and juſtifie this their grollery from Chriſts words: which if it be not to abuſe the holy Word of God, then nothing ever was an abuſe of divine authority.