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

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

p. 44But they have a ſingular faculty in making every portion of Scripture ſerve their purpoſe: as where Chriſt ſaith, in Luke chap. 13. verſ. 24. Strive to enter in at the straight gate, from thence they conclude, That the Independent-way is that ſtraight way, and that all Presbyterians being out of it, are in p. 45the broad way that tends to perdition. But I will not abuſe the patience of the Reader with relating their dotage, as they abuſe the Scripture, to maintain their faction, and to ſpeak the truth it is no better: for they boaſt of ſuch a party in the kingdome (if their own words may be credited) as they now think by the ſword to be able to make their own Laws; and have been frequently heard ſay, That they had many abettors in the Aſſembly, and in both Houſes of Parliament, and in many parts through the Kingdome, beſides in all the Armies; and they were all reſolved to have the Liberty of their Conſciences, or elſe they would make uſe of their ſwords, which they have already in their hands. So that moſt certain it is, that the Religion of too to many of them, is a meer faction.

And now I will take a little liberty to ſpeak ſomething upon my own experience about this buſineſſe: for at my return from my laſt Impriſonment, I having declared my different opinion from them in the point of Independency to many of that fraternity; and profeſſing that I looked upon many that went that way, as upon people truely fearing God, and ſuch as were his deer ſervants, (who I pittied to ſee ſo miſled) and yet for the way in which they went, I ingeniouſly told them, that I ſaw no ground for it in Gods Word; and that I purpoſed (God willing) to write ſomething concerning that ſubject, and that I doubted not to prove the Presbyterian way of Government to be Gods Ordinance, and not Independency: notwithſtanding ſome of the Independents reported about the City, that I was of their judgement, and agreed with them in their opinion (which was not fairely done of them) but all this was acted to ſtrengthen their own party.

But for ſuch of them as really beleeved that I intended to write ſomething, ſlighted it and made a meer puſh at it, exceedingly vilifying, and under valuing, what I could either ſay or doe againſt their Tenent; depending it ſeemes on their Champions ſtrength in the Aſſembly, who they magnified for ſuch great Schollers, as if nothing could bee ſet forth or written by mee, that they would not ſpeedily confute, and gloried as if the field were already wonne, and all the Preſbyterians vanquiſhed: and by ſuch expreſſions as theſe the party grew dayly more powerfull, and into that numeroſity it p. 46now is. But in fine, ſome of their worthies who had a more honourable opinion of me, profeſt unto ſuch as were ordinarily accuſtomed to ſlight me (for I had very good information of their underhand dealings) that if I did write againſt them, they were fully perſwaded that it would be more prejudiciall to their cauſe, than any thing writ before: and they pleaſed to ſpeak ſomething in the praiſe of my ſchollerſhip, that howſoever two or three Doctors in the town made nothing of me, yet they knew very well that if I undertook and buſineſſe, I would mannage it with more learning than they that traduced me were able to judge of (and for their praiſes I was beholding to them) but they ſayd, the onelyonly courſe would be for them, to take me off from that imployment and put me upon ſome other ſubject, or at leaſt to perſwade me to ſtand Neuter. All which was neither Chriſtianly nor candidly done of them. For if they had indeed had a deſire that the truth ſhould come to light: and if they had any reall opinion (as they pretended) either of my integrity in my religion, or of that learning God had given me, they would have came to me rather, and have importuned me to write ſomething of that Subject, that they might ſee what reaſons I had to convince them, or to perſwade them, to have better thoughts of the Presbytry; for hitherto they had not received ſatisfaction from any that had formerly writ about it. But none of all this, but on the contrary, ſome of them very churliſhly and loftily demanded of me, what calling I had to meddle in Divinity, and to put my ſelf upon that imployment? Which I muſt confeſſe, was a queſtion that did not beſeem them of all other men: for they think that any gifted man, as they call them, may diſpute, write, and preach, not onelyonly privately, but in a publike way; and glory that the very boyes and women in the Congregations can confute the learnedeſt of the Presbyterians; and many of them, as it is well known, that were none of their Paſtors, have ſet forth many ſcurrilous and blaſphemous pamphlets in defence of their Independency, which have been allowed of by them with great applauſe; and that theſe men now ſhould demand of me, what calling I had to defend any truth in Religon againſt the errors of the times, I ſay it may ſeem ſtrange to any rationall man. But for anſwer in brief, though I am not ſolicitous to pleaſe them in all things; let them take notice of this: That if it be lawfull in any of their fraternities to maintain their p. 47erronious opinions, it is likewiſe lawfull in any other Chriſtians to oppoſe them and to defend their truth: for they alſo muſt give an account, how they have imployed all thoſe ſeverall talents of knowledge, learning, or any other thing God hath beſtowed upon them: and this they alſo in their Pamphlets frequently make mention of, to warrant their ſcribling in divinity. But Saint Paul in the fourth of the Coloſſians verſ. 6. Saith, Let your ſpeech be alwayes with grace, ſcaſoned with ſalt, that you may know how to anſwer every man. And Saint Peter in his firſt Epiſtle chap. 3. v. 15. Saith, ſanctifie the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready alwayes to give an anſwer to every man that asketh you a reaſon of the hope that is in you with meekneſſe and fear. And Saint Paul in his Epiſtle to the Philip. chapt. the 1. ver. 27. OnelyOnly (ſaith he) let your converſation be as it becommeth the Goſpell of Chriſt: that whether I come and ſee you, or elſe be abſent, I may hear of your affaires; that ye ſtand fast in on ſpirit, with one minde, ſtriving together for the faith of the Goſpell. And Saint Iude in his Epiſtle Generall ver. 3. Exhorteth all Chriſtians, That they ſhould earneſtly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints. And many other places to this purpoſe might be produced which warrants Chriſtians, that they may ſtrive for the faith, and earneſtly contend for it againſt what enemies of it ſo ever; and in ſpeciall we are command, that we ſhould be alwayes ready to give an anſwer to every man that asketh us a reaſon of our hope, and that we ſhould know how to anſwer every man. Now then when many of the Independents came to me, and asked a reaſon of my faith concerning the Presbytery, I demande of any well-grounded Chriſtian, whether or no I have not a very good calling to anſwer them; which when they are ſo much diſpleaſed at me, and ſo highly magnifie it in their own party; I have very good reaſon to believe that they contend not for truth, but for victory, and to make a faction and diviſion in Church and State. And Saint Paul in Phil. 3. verſ. 2. ſpeaking of the falſe Teachers of his time, that but urged the ceremoniall Law, Cals them Dogs, and bids them take heed of them, Beware, ſaith he, of Dogs, beware of evill workers, beware of the conciſion; all ſuch were to be taken heed of, as made diviſions, and cut the Church into little pieces, and ſucking congregations, and therefore are called, them of the conciſion: for they indeed made ſeparations; and therefore Saint Paul bids them beware p. 48of them, as of a company of doggs that are ever ſnarling or biting; and as of evill workers, that ſpoyled the work of the Goſpell; which was to unite men firſt to God, and then one to another; that they might be of one ſpirit and one minde; and theſe evill workers divided them all one from another and made factions: and therefore they and all ſuch as they are, are to be deteſted and abhorred, that make ſtrifes and diviſions in all Churches and Countries where they are, while they contend for their own novelties and new born truths: and all thoſe that oppoſe them have a call from God and his Word for their warrant, in their ſo doing. But others of them carried themſelves as more craftily, ſo more gentily, and ſeemed to come to me in the way of love, pretending they honoured me; and they demanded of me, Whether or no I intended to practice Phyſick again? and told me, that if I had ſuch a purpoſe, they would yeeld me their beſt furtherance for the procuring of me Patients; for which their love, I returned them many thanks, telling them withall; that for practiſing of Phyſick, I had little hopes of doing any good that way in the City; for ſome Independent Doctors of Phyſick and others, had ſo villified me amongſt all good people, and had made ſuch a peece of ignorance or nothing of me, in that faculty, as they had taken away my reputation, in as much as in them lay: ſo that were my skill or knowledge in that Art, never ſo great, yet I might not in this place ever expect to regain any eſteem in it: (ſo powerfull all black-mouths are to darken any mans credit) though I bleſſe God, I had known, as well what belonged unto that faculty, as they that maligned me; and had through his aſſiſtance, done as great cures as ever they did any; and added farther, that I doubted not in time to make it appear, that thoſe that had ſo abuſed me, had neither honeſty nor learning in them: whatſoever the world eſteemed of them for their ſeeming Religion, which they had ever made uſe of, but for their baſe and covetous ends. And they demanding the names of thoſe men; I told them ingenuouſly, and that their calumnies were one of the chiefe cauſes of the ruin of me and my poor family; as I could prove by a cloud of witneſſes, if that could do me any good: to which they replyed, they were very ſorry, and confeſt that thoſe men were never heard ſpeak well of any, and that which makes me wonder, I never came in the company, nor never changed a word p. 49with them that thus traduced me. But then they offered their ſervice unto me, and profeſt they ſhould be very willing to do me any curteſie that lay in their power, to get me ſome honourable imployment by which I might comfortably ſupport my family, for they thought that my means was not great (and they thought truly in that) and they knew that the charity of many was now waxed cold, and that ſince my being at London there was a great change of mens mindes, and thoſe that were formerly my friends went now another way; and they heard that I was for the Preſbytery, which they conceived would be worſe then the Prelaticall government; and if I ſhould write any thing in the defence of that cauſe, that then I would totally loſe thoſe that as yet were well affected to me (as afterwards they reported I was utterly loſt) and they would perſwade me to imploy my ſelfe any other way, then in writing about that ſubject, for it would give great diſcontent unto Gods people. And if I intended any publick imployment, ſuch men, they told me, with one word of their mouthes could gratifie me, and get me into ſome honourable way of advancement, that I might comfortably ſupport my family: withall they told me, that they were moſt aſſured, that I ſhould obtaine any reaſonable requeſt of them, for they had heard them ſpeak exceeding well of me, and were ſorry to ſee that as yet there had been no recompence or ſatisfaction made me, for all my loſſes and ſufferings; for which their good reſpects towards me, I told them I was exceedingly beholding unto them: Now all theſe they would have had me applyed my ſelf unto, were Indedendents. And for that time I told them, that I never as yet had hunted after promotion, and if any could do me any good, I conceived that the Parliament it ſelf was as likely to doe it as any other; and although I had not hitherto ſolicited the honourable Houſe, neither of the Peers or Commons, yet I would rather petition the houſe, then go by private wayes, and told them that as I ſaw opportunity, I ſhould more willingly make my addreſſes to the Parliament then to any particular perſons, though I ſhould count it a great favour to injoy any mans good opinion and furtherance, and for the which I ſhould ever be thankfull. Notwithſtanding they exceedingly urged me to make uſe of thoſe men they had nomitated to me, as men moſt powerfull with the Parliament. Now I perceived very well their drift in it: for if I had p. 50applyed my ſelfe to them (which I never did) and if they had done me any favour, and if I had afterwards writ againſt their fond opinion, then I ſhould have been counted the moſt ungratefull fellow in the world; and then alſo they would not only have defamed me, but as they had the power to advance me, they would have uſed the ſame to have caſt me down againe, which I very well foreſaw. Againe, if I had intreated their aſſiſtance; and if they upon any falſe information had refuſed it; if then I had writ againſt Independency, they would have accuſed me, that it had been out of diſcontent, becauſe I could not attaine to my own ends by them, and becauſe they would not ſatisfie my humour; and that I did all I did, out of ill will and malice, and then they would have laid a load of calumnies upon me; in regard of all which reaſons, I would no way be induced to make any Independents a meanes and way of my preferment. But ſtood unmoveably to my reſolution, to write in defence of the truth, againſt the novelties of the Independents, and told them ſo. Then they ſet upon me with freſh incounters as often as they came to me, and whereſoever they met me, and importuned me againe and againe, that I would not meddle, but that I would ſtand a neuter: and that I ſhould conſider withall, that all thoſe that went that way had been my very good friends and contributed to my neceſſities, and ſtuck cloſe to me in all my diſtreſſes, and that they were the deer ſervants of God; and that if I ſhould now write in the defence of the Presbytery, which they ſo much hated, that I would ſad the hearts of the Saints; and therefore they did earneſtly deſire me that I would not be ſeen in that cauſe. My anſwer to them in this regard was this, that I would not with Eſau ſell my birth-right for a meſſe of Porrage: if any of them had done me any curteſie, they had my thanks for it, and my prayers, and my readineſſe to gratifie any of them againe in what I could: and if I could never requite them here, they were to have their reward in Heaven for it, which would recompence all; but I further added, that when they ſhewed me all thoſe favours, they were of my minde, and were in the very way that now I am in, and relieved me under that notion. So that I ſaw no reaſon why they ſhould be ſo much diſpleaſed with me for my conſtancy, as I might juſtly be offended with them for their inſtability and levity, notwithſtanding their curteſies: and withall I related p. 51unto them, that it was an unreaſonable thing in any man, and an unjuſt thing to goe about to ſtop the mouth of truth with a bribe; or to retard any man from doing his duty, with the memory of former curteſies: for no ingenuous man will ever do any a curteſie, to captivate him or make him a ſlave to him for ever for it: and if any ſhould be ſo baſe, as by any favour to go about to ſilence truth, yet it was the honour of any man ever to preſerve his chriſtian liberty, which is more to be prized then all worldly things: and therefore I deſired them, that if they tendred their own reputations, and the honour of their cauſe, that they would never any more make mention of what favours I had received, as if that ſhould hinder me from my dutie, or deprive me of my libertie, which I preferred before my life: and I further related unto them, that many of the Independents already had often caſt in my teeth their former curteſies, and againſt all the lawes of civility had abuſed me and Mr. Prynne; telling me to my face, that neither he nor I ſuffered for the cauſe of God, but for our own ends; and that we had forgot all that the people of God had done for us; and were now turned perſecutors of the wayes of God, and ſhewed our ſelves very ungratefull to our Benefactors; and a thouſand ſuch uncivill and injurious things they have told me to my face in a violent and unchriſtian manner: ſo that the very upbraiding of us with their former favours is a ſufficient payment for them (though by the way I will take liberty to ſpeak it, and that in the preſence of God) that their favours, though more then ever I expected, were not a quarter of that they were reported, nor never equalized my very loſſes: ſo that at this day (as ſome of that ſociety can tell, that knowes my eſtate to five ſhillings) I have not in the world by ſome hundreds of pounds, ſo much as my father left me, for the ſupport of me and mine, whatſoever men may ſpeak: but this is one of the greateſt ſlaveries upon the earth, that theſe men would bring upon people, that by their curteſies they think for ever to make them their Vaſſels, and that they muſt neither ſpeak nor write any thing in defence of any knowne truth, that is diſpleaſing unto them; and ſuch a ſervitude as I will never be brought unto, for the enjoying of whatſoever the world can afford me. I know many that has forſaken the truth, and changed their religion for bread, and deſerted their friens for a thing of naught. But whereas they told me withall, that I would ſad the p. 52hearts of the Saints, if I write in defence of the Presbytery: I replyed, that I had thought that all the Independents had hated Impropriations, and how now they were come to impropriate and to attribute unto themſelves only, the name of Saints, I ſaw no good ground or reaſon for it: yea, I told them it was both unchriſtian and Phariſaicall; unchriſtian, in regard that the Presbyterians were their Brethren, and redeemed with the ſame price, and were believers as well as any Independents; and ſerved their Lord and Maſter with as much ſincerity as any of them; & ſhould be as willing to ſuffer for the Goſpell, or any truth of it, as any Independents, and ſtand to it when they would run away; and therefore they did very unchriſtianly to un-Saint their Brethren, and Phariſaically boaſt of their own Sanctity, magnifying themſelves, whileſt they vilified others: but they might remember what our Saviour told them, that what was prized amongſt men, was not eſteemed of by God, and that ſuch as advanced themſelves ſhould be brought downe, and thoſe that juſtified themſelves before men, were not juſtified before God: and therefore I counſelled them to lay aſide all high thoughts of themſelvs, and to think a little better of their Brethren the Presbyterians, and to conſider that they were Saints alſo; and wiſht them to take heed that they did not by their ſcurrilous and blaſphemous writings in defence of their novelties and Independency, ſad the hearts of thoſe that were Saints indeed: but for a ſatisfactory anſwer I told them plainly, that if the defence of the Goſpell or any truth of it would ſad the hearts of either Saints or Angels, I would not deſert it, for I was to pleaſe God and not men; for as Saint Paul ſaith of himſelf Gal. 1. verſ. 1. So I may ſay in this cauſe, If I yet pleaſed men I ſhold not be the ſervant of Chriſt, & therfore in maintaining of truth, I told them I would only aime at the glorifying of God, and how it might pleaſe him. And notwithſtanding my reſolution, upon all occaſions they ſolicited me that I would ſtand a Neuter, and uſed ſome more reaſons to move me to it; telling me, that Mr. Prynne by medling in that buſineſſe, had loſt the love of all Gods people, and was now grown odious amongſt them; inſomuch that they called all his former ſufferings in queſtion, and doubted of the reality of his religion; and therefore they feared if I ſhould intermeddle in that quarrell, it would be very prejudiciall unto me; and therefore they deſired me as I tendred mine p. 53own good, and the good of mine, I would not appear in that cauſe but ſtand a Neuter. To all which I thus anſwered: that to ſtand as Neuter in this buſineſſe I ſhould make my ſelfe hatefull to God and man: for God himſelf ſaith, he will ſpew out of his mouth all thoſe that are Luke-warme, that are neither hot nor cold, in the number of which are all Neuters; and by this I ſhould make my ſelf liable to Gods wrath, whiles I ſhould gratifie them: withall I told them, that I had learned ſomething of the brave Gentlemen in the Kings Armie (whileſt I was a priſoner amongſt them) who were wont ordinarily to ſay, that of all men in the world they hated thoſe that plaid the knaves on both ſides, as Chomley, Grinvile, and the Hothams did, who for their own private ends would betray their countries and the truſt committed to them, and of all men they would have ſuch hanged: and next unto them they would have all thoſe that now are or have beene Neuters through the Kingdome, whoſoever came to get the day, proclaimed the verieſt Rogues and baſe Villaines in the world; and all ſuch men, as when they were amongſt the Cavaliers, would be for the King, and when they were amongſt the Parliamenteers, would be for the Parliament: all ſuch men, I told them, amongſt the moſt brave Gentlemen in the Kings Army, and ſuch as were worthy of honour, were proclaimed the very Vermine of the world, and ſuch as in their opinion they thought unworthy of any conquerours favour, or to be eſteemed any otherwiſe of, then of a company of knaves and cowards to all poſterity. And I told them, that I thought thoſe Gentlemen in their opinion err'd not: for I ſhall ever believe, that all thoſe that are Neuters through the kingdome even in theſe civill broyles, and that are of no ſide, are the worſt of men; and that by their neutrality of all ſides, they are the mundungos and garbige of man-kinde: and much more are they deteſtable before God & the world, that are Neuters in Religion, or for baſe ends either hold their peace, or make profeſſion of any religion: & therefore I was reſolved ſincerely to go to work, and to declare my minde in that way I conceived to be the truth, and to live and dye in it, though I were expoſed by it to the greateſt myſerie that ever man underwent. And whereas they told me that M. Prynne had ſo loſt the favour of the people for declaring of his opinion againſt Independency, that they called in queſtion all his ſufferings, and could not give him ſo much as a good word: p. 54I ſaid in that they ſhewed their levity and vanity, not knowing either wherefore they loved, or wherefore they hated him; for he was ſtill the ſame, that ever he was, and notwithſtanding all their malice and reproaches, for the good ſervice he had done to his God, and to his country, he hath deſerved an immortall name to all future ages; and is as truely at this day beloved and honoured by all ſuch as know what to honour and love men for, as ever he was; and in ſpight of all the calumnies of the Independents, he will walk like a noble Lyon, when they ſhall go like a company of Moon-Calves, bleating out their own folly and vanity and changing their opinions and affections every monethmonth. It is obſerved, and that ordinarily that the generality of all the Independents, never love without doting; nor never praiſe without admiring, but as they are won with an apple ſo they are loſt with a nut; no man knows were to finde them in one minde for a moneths ſpace, for as the hornes of any new light appears, either to the praiſe or diſ-praiſe of any, they muſt follow that light; ſuch a generation of Moon-Calves, and ſuch an unſtable Sect never appeared in the world before; and therefore I told them I ſhould never be terrified with what they had either ſpake or writ againſt Maſter Prynne, from my duty in defence of the truth, which I reſolved never to bauk, neither for hope of the favour nor fear of the anger of all the Independents in the world: for whatſoever could be prejudiciall to me for doing any duty in regard of them, it muſt be either in reſpect of name or means: and I told them that whatſoever ſhould be prejudiciall unto me undeſervedly, it ſhould never trouble me, whether it were in regard of my reputation or of my eſtate: as for infamy and reproach I ſaid there was no fence againſt them in the ſchool of wit or Art, and that I had already had my ſhare in all manner of calumnies, and had been ſo often wounded with them by all ſorts of people, as I beleeved there was ſcarſe a narrow left in the quiver of malice, that they could now ſhoot at me, or ſcarſe any reproach or contumely that ever was coyned in the mint of mens hatred, that had not paſt as currant through the world againſt me, ſo that now I was ſo uſed unto it that there was no leſſon more perfect unto me, and I had learned quietly to go through good report and bad report: and I knew it had been the lot of all the Prophets, ſome of the which confeſt that their hearts were broke with reproaches: yea, the Lord of p. 55life himſelf eſcaped not free from prodigious and blaſphemous reproaches, who was counted a wine-bibber and a friend of ſinners, and one that had a devill, and all the Apoſtles had taſted and drunk of that cup; and all the Primitive Chriſtians had been abuſed after the ſame manner, and that Luther and his followers in that age of the world, had his Cocleus to rail of him; and Calvin had a Bolſecus to abuſe him: and all our holy Martyrs here in England, had thoſe that moſt impiouſly traduced them; and ſo had the poor Puritans and all that ſtood up for Reformation in their ſeverall generations, thoſe that both maligned and reviled them, as all the precious and godly people at this day, by the Independents and all Sectaries, and all manner of Malignants are cauſeleſly traduced; and therefore I muſt never look for better meaſure at their hands, then all the godly that ever lived; who all went to heaven through many afflictions: And all they (ſaith Paul) that will live godly in Christ Ieſus, muſt go through many afflictions; and it is not the leſt, but indeed one of the greateſt to be reproached and railed on; yea, it is worſe then death it ſelf: for he that takes away a mans good name, is worſe then Cain, for he in killing his brother, made him live for ever and eternalized his name; but they that take away mens reputations kill them alive; and ruin them and their poſterity; which as it is a fearfull ſin, ſo the frequenteſt in the world, every man making it his occupation to reproach and vilifie thoſe they bear a malice to, as all the Independents and Sectaries dayly to the Presbyterians, and againſt any that ſtand forth to oppoſe their Novelties, and I being in the number of thoſe that reſolve to the laſt period of my life to maintain truth againſt falſhood, expect and look for no leſſe favour at all Malignants hands and tongues then all the generations of the juſt have found before me: and therefore I bleſſe God, I have before-hand, ſate down and counted with my ſelf, what my love to the truth will coſt me, from all the enemies of it, in reſpect of my reputation and name; and have learned of my King and Maſter, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt to rejoyce and be exceeding glad; yea, to leap for joy, when I am reviled and ſuffer reproach for his names ſake, for ſo he hath commanded me, Mat. 5. Luke 6. And if I ſuffer in regard of my eſtate by this my diligence, I know in whom I have ever truſted, and in whom now I beleeve, and that I came naked into the world, and that naked I p. 56ſhall go out: and if my God gives me food and raiment, I have learned to be content: for the riches of this world are but like the Mannathat fell about the Tents of the Iſraelites, thoſe that gathered more of it had but enough to ſerve their turn, or if they gathered more it was but a trouble and annoyance to them, and they that gathered leſſe had no want. And truely he that would but look upon the world at this time, and behold with attention the inſtability of all theſe things under the ſun, he would have little cauſe to confide in uncertain riches; for they may dayly ſee many men rich in the morning, and all beggers at night, and they that were beggers in the forenoon made rich in the evening, and within two dayes after, they ſhall ſee the ſame men lye naked and dead upon the ground, and deprived of all and life it ſelf; ſo that there is no man can promiſe unto himſelfe proſperity or the ſtability or poſſeſſion of any thing a day, neither by ſea nor land, and therefore he that is inamored with the world cannot be a friend to God, For the friendſhip of the world is enmity with God, as Saint James ſaith, and therefore through Gods goodneſſe I have learned Saint Pauls Leſſon, To be contented in every condition, for, I am crucified unto the world, and the world to me: and will not for the love of that, deſert my love to the truth or fear to defend it, for fear of loſing any thing in my eſtate, but will roul my ſelf upon Gods Providence, and commit my ſoul and my wayes unto him who is the Preſerver of all, eſpecially of thoſe that beleeve in him, 1 Tim. 4. Theſe and many ſuch paſſages did I relate unto many of thoſe that would have deterred me from writing in defence of the Presbytry againſt Independency, and yet they ſtill continued dayly to ſollicet me not to ſet forth my book againſt that way: and although I told them again and again that I was reſolved to publiſh my opinion, they intreated me then that I would tarry but till the Reaſons and Grounds of their way were publiſhed, which they ſay would be in a ſhort time: and all this was contrived to ſtrengthen their faction, and to anticipate the people, and ſettle them in their Novelties againſt whatſoever ſhould be publiſhed againſt their doctrine of Independency. And when they heard that my book was gone to the Preſſe, it would exceed beleef, if I ſhould recite all the paſſages of their under-hand dealings in that buſineſſe, and how diligent ſome of them were about the Preſſe, and how they went about reproaching p. 57me and it, and all to make it hatefull and odious to all, and to deterre the people from reading of it, or regarding of it: and whereſoever any of them met me they told me it ſhould be anſwered; yea, ſome of them reported that there was already an anſwer prepared to come forth as ſoon as mine. It ſeemes theſe men are reſolved with themſelves be it right or wrong to maintain their Faction, and uphold their party: yet I am confident through the ſtrength and power of my God, that I ſhall ever be able to reply to whatſoever they can ſay: but this I will ſay for them, as the Jeſuits in ſubtilty and cunning craſtines, exceeded all the other Monks and Fryers that went before them; ſo the Independents in their generations, are more cunning then ever any Sectaries in former ages, for they have got into their hands the prime Lectures of the Kingdome, and run through all the Towns and Cities through the Realm, and through all the Armies, to make Proſelites, and have ſo ſcattered their Independent phantaſies, that now there is ſcarce a Town or City, where their leavon hath not ſowred the whole lump of true and ſound doctrine: and they have got the ſtart of all the Puritans in all the foregoing Generations; for they were of ſuch auſtere lives and men ſo alineated from the world that you might know them by the hair of the heads and faces, and by their habits from all other men, whereſoever you meet them, for commonly they were ever out of faſhion when others were in it, and they had all their haires clipt as cloſe to their heads as a company of fighting cocks have their feathers, and they uſually went in a great Patriarchicall beards, and for ſilks, and velvets, and pluſh, and ſattin, and brave aparrell, they thought they were for Kings houſes; and contented themſelves with their rurall weeds: which auſterity of theirs made them leſſe eſteemed by the great men of the world, and their doctrine leſſe regarded, and as it was in our Saviours time, That the poor received the Goſpell; ſo in our fore-fathers dayes, the Puritans commonly were by the worldlings and prophane, counted but a company of obſcure and beggerly fellows: but our Independent Miniſters, as they ſay, they have learned the leſſon of their Chriſtian liberty, and tell their Diſciples that the Saints are the right owners of all things beneath, and that it is for the honour of Religion to go brave and gallant, and that this is a great grace to the Goſpell and for themſelves, whereas the ancient Puritan Miniſters went with their hair as cloſe p. 58clipt as cocks of the game, and their wives went in plain and modeſt attire and both they & their wives very humble, and never came in a rich coach: the Independent Miniſters are very finicall and go in their hair and in their habits, out of town like Cavaliers, ſo that none that meets them would take them for miniſters, but rather thinke them a company of ruffians: and for their wives they ordinarily go as brave as the daintieſt dames in the Kingdome, and both they and their conſorts are commonly as proud and ſupercilious as any of the ſecular race: and for their company for the moſt part, they are very great and honourable perſonages or at leaſt very rich, and they are all their familiars, for poor folke, they may in private accoſt them, and perhaps they will grace them with a little communication, but this muſt be accounted of, as a high favour. And if at any time theſe Independent Miniſters meet but with a poor aged Presbyter, riding to the Aſſembly but on a Horſe worth ſix ſhillings, they will ſalute him with, Good morrow my Lord Biſhop; whereas they can ride thither mounted upon ſtately Geldings; and ye ſhall frequently ſee them amongſt Lords and Ladies both they and their brave wives carried about in Coaches with four Horſes, in great ſtate; whereas a Wheele-barrow, ſuch as they trundle White-wine-vinegar on, were a great deale fitter for them, except they deſerved better from Church and State. But it is a wonderfull thing to ſee the vanity and levity of the people how they run after theſe men, and neglect their moſt faithfulleſt, laborious, and orthodox Miniſters, and by whoſe diligent paines they have been begotten to the faith, and how now in compariſon of the Independent Miniſters they are ſlighted: whereas there is not one of a hundred of them, but has more reall and true learning in them, then all the Independents put together; for, excepting Mr. Grinehill and Mr. Carter, who I have ever honoured, as grave, godly, learned Miniſters, and which is their honour, humble Gentlemen, I never ſo much as heard of any fame of the other either at home or abroad for any learning of eminency, or any thing but pride, that makes men famous; and if they had not been accidentally Members of the Aſſembly, and Fautors of this new Faction, they would all of them have gone out of the World in obſcurity: and yet ſuch is the vanity and levity of the people, that they in mighty crowds runne after them, and flight their owne pious and painfull Preachers, p. 59from whom they might ever: be ſure to heare nothing but orthodox and true doctrine, & that that tended to peace, not to faction. And I can truly ſay, though many of them now are caſt behinde the doore as broken Veſſels, yet in all the time of the Prelates domination, they continued conſtantly in their miniſtery, and many of them ſuffered impriſonment and bonds, and moſt of them perſecution, when theſe ran all away. And I can ſay more; that if we examine their Sermons either as they preach them or as they are in print, ſince the Apoſtles times there was nothing more divinely preached or penn'd, whether for information of judgement or reformation in mens lives and manners; and for the convincing of all Hereſies, Errors, or Schiſmes, and that more tended to ſanctification then that they both preach and print: and for inſtance, to omit many of their learned works, let any man but with judgement reade that Treatiſe of M. George Walker Miniſter in Watlin street, intituled, The Doctrine of the Sabbath; and ſhew me ſuch a piece of Divine Learning writ by any Independent Miniſter; nay, I dare boldly ſay, if they were all put together they cannot make ſuch a piece for excellent learning; the ſame we may ſay of his orthodox preaching in his ordinary Miniſtery: and the ſame may be ſaid of Learned Mr. Jackſon and Mr. Fiſher, both Miniſters in Woodſtreet, and of many hundred more through the City and Country; who for their moſt godly, learned, profitable, and painefull miniſtery, equalize any almoſt ſince the Apoſtles time; yet all theſe men under the name of Presbyterians, are ſlighted, neglected, and now made nothing of in compariſon of our Independent Noveliſts; who have got an art, not only to diſgrace all other Miniſters under the name of Presbyterians, & Baals Prieſts, Perſecutors, &c. but alſo to ſtrengthen their faction, as if authority be not ſpeedily carefull to ſuppreſſe their Independency and novelties, they wil make the whole Kingdome depend upon them, and be their ſervants ere long. They have of all Miniſters before them, got the way of pleaſing great perſonages, and eſpecially the ſilly Women; for they preach unto them liberty of conſcience and liberty of the creature, in a moſt ample and large manner; ſo that all bravely which amongſt the Puritans in times paſt was thought a ſcandall to religion, is now thought a grace and honour of the Goſpel; inſomuch that all the gallant Ladies are all, or moſt of them Independents; never were there any Miniſters p. 60that pleaſed Ladies better: ſo that whereas in Chriſts time the poor received the Goſpell, and the Phariſees were wont to ſay, that none but the curſed people followed Chriſt, meaning the poor; and Saint Paul ſaith, not many mighty, but the poore and mean things hath God choſen; and the Proteſtants of France were uſually called the poor men of Lyons, and the Puritans were all counted a company of poor fellows; now the Independent Miniſters they have got all the rich ſheep from out of their fellow Paſtors folds, it ſeems they are the beſt Purvey ours for the kingdome of Heaven; they have already got abundance of rich Saints in theſe latter dayes; ſo that when the World groweth pooreſt, the Independent-churches and congregations and their Paſtors, grow all richeſt; and I am afraid they will make merchandize of a great many more ſimple Ewes, if their Watchmen and Paſtors be not the more carefull and vigilant to look to their flocks; for they have a ſingular faculty of plundering, and have their Emiſſaries for that purpoſe in all the parts of the Kingdome, and yet the World is ſo blinde they cannot diſcerne into the juglings of theſe men. They blame in the Papiſts, as it is blame-worthy indeed, that they not only Lord it over Gods heritage by their own tyrannicall traditions, but for that they moſt ſacrilegiouſly mutilate the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and take away the Cup from the people, and they notwithſtanding are guilty of both theſe crimes in a more deep manner then the Papiſts: for they impoſe in a moſt Lordly manner their traditions and novelties, as Gods own lawes upon the people, and not as traditions; and they take not away the cup only from the people, but take away both the bread and wine from them alſo, and that from the deer ſervants of God, and from ſuch as againſt whom either for their knowledge or converſation they have no juſt exception: and debar both men and women through beleevers and ſuch as are baptized from the Sacrament, and deny baptiſme the feal of the Covenant to their Children; then the which, ſhew me in the world either a greater and more Lordly tyranny, or a more horrid ſacriledge! And this and many more ſuch inſolencies of their Lording it over Gods heritage, might be inſtanced to the diſhonour of God and the Goſpell, and yet the people have not eyes to ſee it, nor hearts to conſider, what a yoak of ſlavery they have voluntarily now put themſelves under, when by the exceeding p. 61kindneſſe of God towards us, and through the wiſdome and help of this Parliament, we were freed from the unſupportable yoak and tyranny of the Prelates. Truely when I read their railing and blaſphemous Pamphlets, and when I hear their bitter expreſſions, both againſt the Parliament and Presbytery, and all their Chriſtian brethren whom they ſtile Presbyterians and perſecutors of the wayes of God: and when I conſider their Lording of it over their brethren, and their under-hand practiſes, for the upholding of their Faction, and their unchriſtian dealing in all reſpects; I have admired the patience of the great God, and the humanity of the people: I ſay I have admired the patience of the great God, that hath no more ſeverely puniſhed this Nation, for their ſo great ungratitude towards him for his longanimity and ſo many deliverances of us, both from our Enemies and from our feares, and for thoſe unheard of blaſphemies both againſt his Divine Majeſty and all authority, they dayly utter; beſides their deſpiſing of his Miniſters and Ordinances: and I have alſo wondred to ſee the lenity and curteſie of the people towards theſe men, that although both in their preachings and in their writings they proclaim them all enemies of Jeſus Chriſt and his Kingdome, and thruſt them all from the holy things, and count of them all as a company of Infidels; they yet endure all their abuſes with moderation, neither do I think that the humanity of this Nation towards them, can be parallell'd by any other country under heaven; who, I am moſt aſſured, would never have ſuffered half thoſe inſolencies they dayly exerciſe towards them. And yet I dare ſay, for all the godly Presbyterians in England whom they count ſuch perſecutors, there is not one of them that deſires a hair of any of their heads ſhould fall to their detriment, or that would not be as ſorry that any evill ſhould betide any of them as they would be glad and rejoyce to ſee them return again into the boſome of the Church, that they might live in love & unity as they ought, and formerly they have done, and joyn all their prayers and forces unanimouſly againſt the common enemies of Chriſt and his Goſpell, and ſo take away the ſcandall they have already given, and heale up all thoſe breaches, that by their wantonneſſe in opinions have been made to the great diſhonour of God.

And if there were any ſpark of godly love, or any bowels of compaſſion in our brethren towards their Chriſtian brethren p. 62and towards their countrey, they would eaſily be induced now to make up all breaches, and lay aſide all thoſe novelties that have proved ſo pernitious already to us all. For what is it that any thankfull Chriſtian can deſire that God hath not done for us? He hath delivered his people in this famous City, and in many other parts of the Kingdome from the Antichriſtian yoake, and from all the ceremonies and what ſoever was really offenſive to tender conſciences, and by his Divine providence has put it into the hearts of the great Counſell to make ſuch Ordinances as by which the Miniſters are inabled through the Kingdome to admit of none to the Sacrament, but ſuch as for their knowledge and godly life, ſhall be thought ſit communicants; ſo that now there is no juſt cauſe of ſeparation from our Aſſemblies, ſeeing all ſcandals are taken away, and the Goſpell is preached in ſuch purity as it never was ſince the Apoſtles times; and that by as godly, orthodox, painfull, and able Miniſters as any are in the World. Why therefore ſhould our Brethren ſo ſlight what God hath done for us, and count all that nothing without they may eſtabliſh a bondage unto themſelves more heavie, then ever yet lay upon any mans ſhoulders as ſurely their Independency will prove? For the people, of themſelves I have that confidence in them, ſuch is my opinion of their moderation, that when they ſhall duly and upon deliberation conſider the ſad effects theſe Noveliſts have already brought forth, they will relinguiſh them and give God thanks that the danger of them was ſo timely diſcovered, and they will againe returne into the boſome of the Church and follow their own Miniſters, and by whom they ſhall be built up in their holy faith, and continually fed with the ſincere milke of the Word, and with ſuch wholſome doctrine as tends both to the peace of their own ſouls, and the quiet of Church and ſtate. But that they may at laſt get their feet out of the ſnare, and free themſelves from their ſlavery and bondage; I ſhall deſire them but to conſider a little the practiſes of the Independent Miniſters both in former times and in theſe our dayes, and how faire we offer them, and then I am moſt aſſured they will ſee juſt cauſe of changing their opinions, and returning againe with love and amity into the fellowſhip and communion of that people who are as truly fearers of God, and thoſe that deſire Chriſt may be ſet up as King upon his Throne, and may for ever rule and raigne in all mens hearts, as any of thoſe that p. 63make the greateſt noiſe of it, as if they were the only men that advanced Chriſts kingdome; whereas on the contrary in as much as in them lyes, they have rent the ſeamleſſe garment of the Church in pieces, and rejoyce at nothing more then to hear and ſee diviſions amongſt Brethren. For if we conſider their former practiſes, and the mutability of many of the Independent Miniſters (a very few of them excepted) they either ranne away when they ſhould have ſtood to the cauſe, or elſe temporized, and that deeply; a crime they lay upon their Brethren the Presbyterians: and ſo changeable they were in their opinions, as they manifeſted unto the world, that they were unſtable in all their wayes, and this many of their followers have themſelves confeſt, although they now palliate it over, that whatſoever they have formerly done, was in regard that the truth was obſcured and darkned, through the cunning of the Popiſh and Prelaticall faction, and that all men were kept hood winckt and could not rightly diſcerne it in its full glory and luſtre, till this ſunſhine of liberty had now againe returned and ſent its raies amongſt us, by means of which they ſay they are ſo illuminated, as now they have got the ſpirit of diſcerning; and by vertue of their New-lights they well perceive their former errors and miſtakes; and have found that the way of Independency is that way of Church-government that God has appointed in his holy Word. This many of their Diſciples plead in defence of their Miniſters, which to ſay the truth is nothing: for the ſame may be alleaged and pretended by all Hereticks and Sectaries whatſoever, who will never want the ſame or the like anſwer, and ſo there will ever be a way for the broaching of all new doctrines, be they never ſo pernicious to the truth, and never ſo diſtructive to all governement. But notwithſtanding, what either they or their Diſciples now can ſpeak in their behalfe, it is very fit that their former practiſes in their ſeverall places in reſpect of their religion ſhould be conſidered by all judicious and godly men, who know that conſtancy and perſeverance in the faith is that that crowneth all; for he that perſevereth unto the end, he ſhall be ſaved, ſaith Chriſt; not ſuch as ſtart back like a broken Bow and are never ſtable: and as for ſome of them, it is well known they have been in one ſit great conforming Proteſtants, and in another mood great favourers of the Socinian tenents; and for their factious ſpirits and oppoſition to the Puritanicall way, were highly p. 64favoured and countenanced by the Prelates; and then at another time they were Puritans, and that trade growing out of date, and Independency beginning to be in vogue, they are now of that occupation, and are as great ſticklers in defence of it, as the ſilver-Smiths of the godeſſe Diana in Epheſus, were for the upholding of their craft, and what next they will be, the God of heaven onelyonly knoweth, for they will ever be following their new lights. Others of them were very Prelaticall, and as much aſpired to Church-preferment, if the greateſt men in the Kingdome be not deceived, and ſome of their own party miſtaken, as any other; but failing of their expectation, and falling into diſcontent, turned Puritans; and that weather-beaten Religion, being now with too too many grown ſtale, they are at this inſtant great Independents, and amongſt the ſupream Champions for that Faction: and there is ſcarce a man of them, but has been on all ſides (whatſoever they make the world now beleeve) according as their occaſions ſerved, and have ever been attempting to bring in one Novelty or other, or have laboured to revive ſome hereſie, or ſome miraculous ceremony, and all to the diſturbance of the Church, and for the hinderance of Reformation. And therefore all judicious and godly Chriſtians, ought duly to weigh and conſider with themſelves, that ſuch unſtable men as theſe are, and have been, are no guides to be followed: for as our Saviour ſaith, If the blinde lead the blinde, they will both fall into the ditch. They ſhould therefore remember what Chriſt ſaid to the people concerning John the Baptist: what (ſaith he) went ye out into the wilderneſſe to ſee? a reed ſhaken with the wind? Luke 7.24. intimating unto the people, that ſollid, ſtable, and Orthodox Miniſters in their judgements, ſhould be ſuch as the people ought to follow, and liſten unto, and not thoſe reeds and unſtable men, that are turned about with every new winde of Doctrine, and moved with every ſtream of opinion, and ſuch as follow every new light, and that many times for baſe and wordly ends. So that when moſt of the Independent Miniſters are, and have been ſuch, they ought not any longer by the people to be followed. They ſhould alſo conſider their inſtability not onelyonly in Religion, but in the publike affaires; they may remember how zealous theſe men were for the Parliament not long ſince, and how forward they were to promote the publike good, and to advance the honour, dignity, and priviledges p. 65of the great Councell, and what admirers and lovers not many years ſince, they were of our brethren the Scots, and of our noble and brave Generalls: and yet now all that reade the ſcurrilous Pamphlets, or are but a little familiar with them, ſhall hear nothing but revilings againſt the whole Nation of the Scots, and traducing of all our gallant Commanders, to whom next under God, we owe moſt of that good we now enjoy, and hope hereafter to enjoy. I lay nothing to their charge, but that every man that is acquainted with them can witneſſe. I know not any one Ordinance the Parliament maketh that pleaſeth them; but for that pious Ordinance they lately ſet forth, concerning the ſilencing of all ſuch Preachers and teachers as were not for knowledge and ſoundneſſe of doctrine thought fit to inſtruct the people: wherein the prudent Councell ſhewed the religious care they had of the peoples good, and for which they ought ever to be had in veneration: this Ordinance I ſay ſo diſpleaſed the generality of the Independents, as they brake out into contumelious ſpeeches, ſome of them affirming, that the High Court of Parliament was worſe then that of the High Commiſſion, and thoſe of the Biſhops: others of them in diſcontent ſaid, that the recruting of the Army had ſtood the ſtate in an hundred thouſand pounds; and by this new Ordinance, the whole Army would ſpeedily be diſſolved, for now all the brave Commanders of the Independents would lay aſide their Armes, and leave the wars. It ſeemes that all the Independent Officers, went rather to preach than to ſight, and to ſet up their new Lights and vent their new doctrines, then to exerciſe their valour; by which it may evidently appear that all the projects of the Independents, in getting prime places by Sea and Land, and in the Armies and in the Towns, Cities, Forts, and Caſtles, and all other places and in all Committees; is onelyonly for the advancement and fomenting of their faction, and this I conceive to be the onelyonly cauſe of all the liney-woley Committees through the Kingdome, by reaſon of which no hereſie nor novelty in opinion or religion can be ſuppreſt, where they are joyned in Commiſſion; nor no true heroicall vertue be rewarded in any by their good wills, but in thoſe of their faction, who are generally well paid and grow brave and rich ſuddenly, and are highly eſteemed, when other noble Spirits and brave men, are caſhered and outed that have done excellent ſervice. But the Independents p. 66perceiving that that Ordinance of the Parliament would be ſome hinderance to their deſigne, they moſt temerariouſly and undutifully traduced the great Councell for it, as they alwayes have done whatſoever hath been performed by our gallant Generalls, either by Sea or Land that were not of their faction, which was ever accounted as a thing of nothing amongſt them: and whatſoever the Scots have done, it is made but little and not worth the ſpeaking of; and they affirm that all the Scots have done, was for their own ends: as if the Independents ever did any thing but for their own ends, or as if ever any man did any thing of labour or danger, that among other brave intentions that he might have, he aymed not alſo at his own ends; or as if the Labourer tooke not paines for his hire, which was his own ends; or as if any went to war, but for both honour & pay, as well as for the defence of himſelf and Country; and as if the Saints themſelves ſuch as Moſes was, had not the eye of their faith, next unto Gods glory, to the recompence of reward; or as if any brave men might not fight for their own ends, with the preſervation of their Country: and yet there is nothing more common in the Independents mouths againſt the Scots, and againſt all our Heroicall men, then that they have all their own ends, and ſo have all the Independents, who undervalue all other mens both abilities and actions, to advance their own ends & to ſtrengthen their party, as all men may eaſily gather by all their proceedings; for if at any time God gives any victory, where in compariſon of the reſt there is but a very handfull of them in the Army, then they aſſume all the glory of this action to themſelves, that their Faction may be magnified amongſt the people. And if there happen any ill ſucceſſe unto any Army in which there is any companies of the Independents, then all the fault muſt be laid upon all the other gallant Generals and Commanders, to the very obſcuring and darkning of their reputation, and taking away of all the honour their former actions had juſtly merited. And I have ever obſerved, that in all ſucceſſefull imployments where any of their Commanders have been, all the glory is aſcribed to the Independents, and is ever ſet forth with all manner of expreſſions of Rhetorick, and that in every Pamphlet (for fear it ſhould be forgot) as if the ſafety of all the kingdome depended upon them, and as if they had done all; and that all the other Commanders had done nothing, or not any thing worth the p. 67thinking of or ſpeaking of; and all this to bring their own faction into a high eſteeme, and make all the other Officers and Commanders to be ſlighted, or not valued in compariſon of themſelves. For my ſelf, I ſhall ever give any Commander of that faction his due praiſes, for any good he ſhall doe unto his countrey by his valour and skill; yet he muſt give me leave ever to render the prime glory of any victory or deliverance to God, and to look upon the means in the ſecond place, whoſoever they be that God makes the inſtruments of it. And yet I muſt tell the Independents, it concernes them much to re-gaine their reputation, and to doe good ſervice by their valour for their countrey; for the gallant men in the Kings Army, before the battell in Yorkſhire, had never any eſteem of the valour of the Independents, and would often ſay, that they were beholding to them for Briſtoll, Oxford, and Banbury, and many other places that followed by reaſon of the loſing of them: and it is thought by the judiciouſeſt men in both the Armies, that if thoſe Townes had not been loſt, the warres would have been at an end before this time. Now whether all theſe places were loſt by the valour of the Independent party, or by their cowardize rather, I leave that to the conſideration of the Independents themſelves, who may alwayes ſet thoſe Townes before their eyes, to put them upon brave atchievements, for the recovering and redeeming of their reputation; and if it ſhall pleaſe God to make them inſtruments of re-gaining all thoſe fortified Cities and places into the Parliaments hands, though it will never recompence the loſſe that is come upon the whole Kingdome by it, yet all that wiſh well unto their countrey will give them that honour and applauſe that ſuch a noble action can challenge at any gratefull peoples hands and mouthes: but I ſhall ever deſire the Independents not to ſacrifice unto their own nets, and to aſcribe the glory unto themſelves, as they have too often done to my knowledge: and therefore I wiſh them rather frequently to reade the 9. of Deuteronomy, where the Lord giveth a ſpeciall charge unto his people, that they ſhould not ſay it was for their own righteouſneſſe that God had given them the victory over their enemies at any time, and this caution was thrice reiterated in the ſame Chapter, to teach them and in them all people to give God the glory of all victories, who goes before his people as he is the Generall of their Armies as a conſuming fire; and that it is not their p. 68Bow, nor the Sword, that procures victory without God go out before their Hoaſts to conquer and deſtroy; let them not therefore conceive that any victory was given to them for their owne righteouſneſſe, much leſſe for their Independency, and that therefore they ſhould ſo puffe up themſelves and ſo clamour amongſt the people, what ſervice they had done to the State, becauſe ſome of the Independents ſtood to it in the battell of York, when other of them ran away: for they ran as well as others, and if they be not lyars, all the other Independents had ran away too and left the field if they had knowne what had hapned in the other parts of the Army; but they being ignorant of what was done, and preſuming of a mighty party, came on with the more animoſity, and God gave them the victory, and to God in the firſt place belongs the glory of that action: and our brethren the Independents might have had a great deale more honour then they had, had they not ſo vilified all the other Armies, and applauded themſelves, to ſtrengthen their faction and make their party more great and powerfull; that then they may in time be maſters of the Presbyterians and give lawes to them all, who we know they bear as mortall a hatred to, as the very Papiſts and Cavaliers; as all their words, preachings, and Pamphlets witneſſe; for their malice it is notoriouſly known, and it is ſo exceeding great, as it is expreſſed every day againſt any that but diſſent from them in opinion; and their very looks ſhew it, for moſt of them carry envie and malice in their faces towards the Presbyterians, ſo that I can ſpeak by my own experience, I know not any Independent in England (a Kinſman of mine and his Wife excepted that was alwayes a true Nathaniel, and through their hypocriſie miſlead) that do not as maliciouſly and implacably hate the Presbyterians as the mortalleſt enemies they have in the world: and as for my own particular, I could not hitherto, being in any of their companies (ſince they perfectly knew my reſolution) enjoy the very lawes of civility amongſt them; ſo that I have been both privately & publickly reproached by them, without offending of them in thought, word, and deed: by which I may boldly conclude it is a meer faction, and the moſt Phariſaicall, proud, envious, and malitious Sect that ever ſprung up: for they hate all the Presbyterians for no other cauſe but that they differ from them in opinion; which neither the old Browniſts nor the ancient Anabaptiſts either did or do: for p. 69they are the ſame to me that ever they were when we were fellow priſoners, many of which were by the Prelates caſt into the Gatehouſe where I lay, and they neither then nor now thought the worſe of me for my differing opinion from them, but at this day ſhew me the ſame curteſie when I either go to them or they come to me, that ever they did; and have defended me often againſt the Independents, when they rayled of me that I was a Presbyterian: and affirmed to their knowledge that I had ever been of that minde ſince they knew me, and that was as they ſaid twenty years; and they told them they ſaw no reaſon, I ſhould not be left to the liberty of my conſcience as well as they were to theirs, neither did they ſee any cauſe why the Independens ſhould be offended with any that differ'd from them; and all this the Anabaptiſts and the Browniſts have ſpoken in my behalfe: ſo that a man may well perceive thoſe poore people do what they do out of a conſcientious ignorance; and that the Independents doe all out of an arrogant faction, who are as cunning as Gypſies, and all to make a party, by which they may attaine to their own ends, which I am afraid will tend to the ruine of us all if the Lord prevent it not. And I am the more induced to believe it, becauſe I ſee all their preaching tends to faction: for at ſome times (ſo unſtable they are) they would ſeem in their Sermons to be as meek as Lambes, and they tell the people how glad they ſhould be of a good agreement and accommodation between us, and then they relate unto them alſo that the difference is very little, and ſo ſmall, that one would wonder that there ſhould be ſuch a contention, and ſo great a feud about it, & this they ſpeak in great Aſſemblies. Now let all men conſider the genious of theſe Independents. They make the difference very little. What contentious ſpirited men then are theſe that go about to make a faction through three Kingdoms, yea through the world, for that which they proclaim themſelves a thing of nothing? And notwithſtanding what they have preacht but a Sermon before in a moderate way, in another Sermō they are all fire and toe, ſpeaking nothing but Daggers and daring; and all their diſcourſe tends to no other end but to ſtrengthen their faction & to ſet up Independency, and to exaſperate the people againſt the Presbyterians as ſo many Eſaus & Perſecutors. And for ought I can underſtand, their private meetings tend to nothing elſe but to ſtrengthen their party, where they ordinarily pray for the p. 70of the Presbyterians, of whom they uſually ſay, if there be any children of the Devill in the Kingdome, they are the Presbyterians; and one of their fat Paſtors not long ſince, in one of their Conventicles amongſt his joyned Members, being in his prayer, brake out into this expreſſion; We bleſſe thy name, holy Father, ſaith he, that thou hast kept us hither to out of the hands of our Brethren, meaning the Presbyterians, who they look on like ſo many Perſecutors and Eſau's, out of whoſe hands Jacob prayed God to deliver him: ſo that their uncharitableneſſe is ſeen in their very prayers. And nothing, as I ſaid before, pleaſeth theſe men more then to hear of any breaches amongſt the Presbyterians, and of differences betwixt Nation and Nation, and of the multiplication of their faction: for not long ſince in one of their private meetings where they pray for the ſubverſion of the Presbyterians, one of their ſociety ſaid unto an Independent Miniſter, that was come to officiate amongſt them, Sir, ſaith he, I will tell you ſome newes; What is that, replyed he? There were Letters intercepted going into Scotland from ſome of the Committee of that Nation, wherein they made a great complaint, that Independency daily increaſed in England, and that there was mighty multitudes of them in London, and through the kingdome. Oh brave (ſaith he) oh brave. Nay, ſaith the other, I will tell you more. What is that? replyed the Gentleman, The Scots and the Engliſh (ſaith he) are like to go together by the eares, about the ſhipping and coales of Newcaſtle. Better and better, ſaith he, now it begins to work. So that whereas David ſaid, What a joyfull thing it is to ſee Brethren live together in unity, theſe Independents rejoyce and glory to ſee and hear when Brethren are like to fall together by the eares. And therefore if ſuch as theſe be men of God, or Angels ſent from Heaven, they are much unlike and different from that Ho…ſt that appeared unto the Paſtors in the ſecond of Luke, who after they had preached unto them the good tydings of great joy, in their Doxalogy and praiſing of God, they ſaid, Glory vntounto God in the higheſt, and on earth peace, and good will towards men. But the Independents rejoyce at ill-will amongſt men, and at diviſions and wars and that among chriſtian-brethren.

And a great man of that fraternity, not many moneths ſince, in a Knights Chamber, gloried to me, as of a matter of triumph, to think they had hindred the work of Reformation thus long; Ye ſee p. 71(ſaith he) that a little handfull of Independent Miniſters in the Synod, have given three Kingdomes imployment theſe two yeares, ſo that they can do nothing: and boaſted of this wicked act as a matter of vantation and triumph. So that if men well conſider the whole negotiation of the Independents in the Reverend Aſſembly, it is to hinder the work of reformation; then the which there cannot be a more diabolicall deſigne. And then they ſpread it abroad among the people, that they have not liberty to ſpeak, when it is moſt notorious, that one of them ſpeaks more than half a dozen of the other Miniſters. And they have publiſhed it alſo all over the Town, that the Presbyterians durſt not let their reaſons be ſet out in Print, to the view of the world, for they knew very well, that as they were unanſwerable, ſo that all the people would forthwith have been of their judgement; and by this their babble it is incredible how they have ſtrengthned their Faction, and gained diſciples, for their followers beleeve all they ſay as Goſpell. And truely, if there were nothing but theſe their under-hand dealings and malicious practiſes, and rejoycing at evill, it were enough to make all men abhor their wayes; but the truth is, they have no certainty in any thing they beleeve to day, and by their practiſes they contradict all their doctrine and tenents. And that all men may be yet a little better acquainted with the Independent Miniſters juglings, I thought good to inſert here theſe ſixteen Obſervations, ſent me by a learned and godly Gentleman, who is very well verſt in all their doctrines and manners: They are theſe.

1. THey hold themſelves the principall Labourers and Pillers of faith, when as they profeſſe that their preſent judgements ſhall not binde themſelves for the future, but that they beleeve all things with a reſerve, to alter their thoughts, faith, and judgements, upon new or better Light.

2. They pleade for liberty of conſcience, yet will impoſe a Covenant upon every mans conſcience they admit into their congregations, elſe exclude him.

3. They plead against toleration of any corrupt members, &c. in a Church, and yet plead for a toleration of all Religions in a State, under the notion of liberty of Conſcience.

4. They plead against the Magiſtrates Coarſive power in matters of Religion, and yet baniſh men in New England, and expell all p. 72out of their Congregations that are not of their way.

5. They pleade againſt Synods, and yet they profeſſe themſelves members of the preſent Synod.

6. They ſpeak againſt Parochiall Congregations as againſt the Kingdome and Law of Chriſt, and yet ſome of them accept of ſuch, and yet will neither Baptize nor adminiſter the Lords Supper to their Pariſhoners, though they take their tithes.

7. They write againſt Tithes, as Jewiſh, Popiſh, &c. yet ſome of them take them and ſue for them as greedily as any others.

8. They condemne all ſet formes of Prayer or Preaching, and yet themſelves plead for a ſet forme of Church-Government Jure Divino, in all particular circumſtances whatſoever.

9. They condemn non-reſidency and pluralities, yet many of them have divers Livings and Lectures of good value, and yet are reſident and keep hospitality at none of them.

10. They call ſome Presbyterians Lord Biſhops, becauſe they ride now & then on horſe-back by reaſon of age or infirmity to the Aſſembly, yet many of them ride thither in Coaches; and ſome of them can ride 6. or 7. miles, on the Lords day in a Coach and 4. horſes to Preach an afternoon Sermon, which Chriſt and his Apoſtles never did, and no Presbyterian practiſeth.

11. They condemn Presbyterians of harſh language, and bitterneſſe in their writings againſt them; yet none are ſo desperately Libellous, Satyricall, and ſcandalous in their writings, as many of them againſt Presbyterians.

12. They profeſſe nothing but truth, and yet many of their writings ſavour with malicious miſ-informations, ſcandals, forgeries, untruths, invented by themſelves, to defame their innocent Chriſtian brethren.

13. They pretend themſelves the onelyonly propugners of the Parliament Priviledges and Juriſdiction; yet none more oppugned them in the hight of oppoſition as they.

14. They profeſſe themſelves more eſtranged from, and mortified to the world, yet none more covetous, oppreſſive, ambitious of honours, preferments, and hunting after all manner of gainfull Offices and imployments as they, nor none more unfaithfull, unconſcionable, in them then ſome of them.

15. They pretend the Scripture to be the onelyonly rule of their way and Diſcipline, and yet can produce no one Text or Example of p. 73Scripture for any thing their Church warrants, or they hold, wherein they differ from the Preſbyterians.

16. They dare not undertake to binde themſelves for the future by any thing they held or concluded touching Church government, much loſſe any of their party; therefore it is vaine to diſpute with, or receive any thing from them in matter of government or diſcipline, who will neither be bound by their own mother-judgements or practice, but hold and practiſe all things only duranti bene placito.

Out of all the which, as out of my former diſcourſe, it is eaſie for any man to gather, that of all the Seducers that have yet appeared in the world, theſe are moſt to be taken heed of, whatſoever ſeeming holineſſe they may make ſhew of to the people. But that I may now draw to a concluſion of this my Poſtſcript, leaving the narration of many other paſſages of theirs till their Anſwer comes out (which their followers ſay is ready for the Preſſe) let me ſay this to all ſuch as deſire the knowledge of the truth in ſincerity, and that love peace, that all men may ſee how fair we offer the Independents, and all ſuch as are affected to their novelties: whereas the Independent Miniſters have perſwaded the people, that their Arguments by which they have laboured to prove, That in the Church of Jeruſalem there were no more Believers then could all meet in one congregation, to partake in all acts of worſhip, were unanſwerable; and have affirmed withall, that if it could be made evident or proved unto them, That there were more Chriſtians in the Church of Jeruſalem then could all meet in one Congregation, that then they would relinquiſh their opinion of Independency. I, and Mr. William Prynne Eſquire, my Brother in affliction, who the Independents have cauſeleſly maligned and reproached (not to take the work out of any learned and godly Miniſters hands, who we honour for their ſingular erudition and worth, and far prefer before our ſelves, for all ſufficiency and accompliſhed learning) ſhall with all humility undertake to maintaine and make good theſe enſuing Propoſitions.

The firſt. That there were more particular Aſſemblies and Congregations of Believers in the Church of Jeruſalem then one.

p. 74The ſecond. That all thoſe ſeverall Congregations made but one Church.

The third. That thoſe ſeverall congregations were all under one Preſbyterie.

The fourth. That the government of the Church of Jeruſalem is to be a patterne of government to all ſucceeding ages.

The fifth. That the gathering of Churches after the Independent way, together with their Church-covenant, and all other their proceedings, wherein they differ from the Preſbyterians, hath neither precept nor preſident in the whole Word of God.

All theſe poſitions we undertake to make good againſt all the Independents in the Kingdome, not out of any contention for victory, but truth, and that in the ſpirit of love, and not in our own ſtrength? but and in the Name and in the Power of the King eternall, immortall, the mighty Potentate the Lord of Hoſts. And if we ſhall not by the grace of God and his bleſſed aſſiſtance be able to make good what we undertake; we ſhall not refuſe to undergoe the greateſt cenſure for this our temerity. But if we make good our tenents, and evince and prove their Independency, and the manner of the gathering of their Churches to be but their own inventions, and meer novelties; all the perſecution that we ſhall then wiſh may be exerciſed againſt our Brethren; for the great diſtractions and breaches they have made among us, is this, that we ſhall deſire all the godly people of the City to be humble petitioners with us, unto the great Councell of the Kingdome; that as they lately made a pious and a godly Ordinance for the ſilencing of all ſuch as undertook the miniſtery without ſufficiency of abilities and a lawfull call: ſo they would now ſilence all theſe novelties, and command the Independent Miniſters hereafter to preach the Goſpell purely and ſincerely to the people without thoſe mixtures of their own traditions annexed to it: by which they ſhall bring a great deale of glory to God, honour to themſelves, and procure, if not peace to the whole Kingdome, yet love, amity, and unanimity, amongſt the people; which ought to be the prayer of all thoſe that wiſh the peace of Zion, and the ſalvation of their Brethren, and the welfare of the Nation.