The Beacon Flaming, Title page – To the reader
THE Beacon Flameing WITH A NON OBSTANTE: OR A JUSTIFICATION OF The Firing of the BEACON, By way of ANIMADVERSION Upon the BOOK entituled The BEACON'S Quenched, Subſcribed by Col. Pride, &c.
LONDON, Printed by Abraham Miller, and Publiſhed by the SUBSCRIBERS of the Beacon ſet on fire, 1652.
To the READER.
IT is ſaid Revel. 18. one of Babylons names is MYSTERY. It hath been an ordinary custom with Antichriſt, when he hath been unable to do his work in his own appearance, to put on a Diſguiſe. To that end the Romiſh Emiſſaries have ſeveral times come into the Reformed Churches, under pretence of being converted, ſome of them acting the parts of Arminians (as in the Low-Countreyes) to the almoſt ruine both of that Church and State: Some of other Sects, according to their instructions, and as their Deſign required, that they might widen the Breaches, and foment the diſeaſes of Proteſtant Churches, like Sanballat and his Complices, they pretend to joyn in the Building, that they may more effectually hinder it.
Nor hath this Deſign been wanting among us, as is too too evident from their foot-ſteps. They have brought things to this paſſe, that Antichriſt is exalted by railing upon him; while the name is ſpoken againſt, but the thing hugg'd; divers Popiſh Opinions being already embraced by thoſe that would be called Proteſtants. As a skilfull Gameſter is willing to loſe a Pawn at Cheſſe, that he may take a Queen. And in this Deſign we believe many move out of the ſimplicity of their hearts, Like a Bird that haſteth to the ſnare, and knows not that it is for his life: In which rank we place ſome of thoſe with whom we have to do. It is not long ſince, a Book was made A Beacon fired to give notice to the State of divers Popiſh and Blaſphemous Books, printed and publiſhed in England. It was hoped and expected, that the work would not diſpleaſe any ſober Proteſtant, but rather that it would awaken all out of that ſtrange Security and Lethargy wherein they were. But behold there appeared ſome, yea of thoſe that have given up their Name to the Proteſtant Cauſe, that rendered us evil for good, and writ a bitter Anſwer, and took upon them to plead the Cauſe of the vileſt of men, expreſly deſiring an Univerſal Toleration, and as it were making a Proclamation, Ho all ye Jeſuites, Blaſphemers, come into England, preach, write what you will, we fear you not! There are ſome men it ſeems that hate Presbytery worſe then Popery. Thus what was thought to be a ſlander is now verified, That ſtrong endeavours are uſed to tolerate Popery, Blaſphemy, &c. and what not? It was ſtrange to us, that after the Parliament had appointed a Faſt, to direct them in the Suppreſſion of Errours, any of their ſervants ſhould plead for a General Toleration. When we firſt ſaw the Book, we ſtood amazed. But after ſerious conſideration we beheld and adored the wiſdom of God, that hath brought ſecret things to light, and hath diſcovered the Deſign before it was fully effected; we hope in mercy, that our Parliament may have the honour to prevent it, and that all the people of the Land may be the more wary. It was alſo another piece of Divine Providence, that ſo wretched a Cauſe ſhould be managed with as much weakneſſe as could be deſired. We thought it our Duty, that ſuch a Text ſhould not want a Commentary, and ſuch a Deſign of Darkneſſe a Light, that all men may ſee the Myſtery and loath it, and Arm againſt it. This is the great aim of our Anſwer (God who knows our Hearts can witneſſe) and that this may be effected, is the Prayer of
Luke Fawne.
Samuel Gellibrand.
Thomas Underhill.
John Rothwell.
Joſhua Kirton.
Nathan. Webb.
THE BEACON FLAMING WITH A Non Obſtante.
THe Humble Information of divers Officers of the Army, and other well-affected Perſons to the Parliament and Commonwealth of England.
The Authors of this Book could not be the Officers of the Army (in charity it may be thought) becauſe they have, profeſſedly to all the world, fought for the Maintenance of the true Proteſtant Religion in oppoſition to Popery, as the Declarations of Parliament and Commiſſions of Officers do moſt clearly evince.
Nor can they be well-affected perſons to Religion, for they plead for Baal; Or to the State, for they idolize it by preferring the Parliament really or feignedly above God, making it farre more vile to publiſh Books againſt the State and the Lord General, than againſt the jealous Lord of Hoſts, provoked thereby to deſtroy the Parliament and Army, as he did Herod when the people magnified him as God.
Cncerning the Machiavilian Deſign of the Presbyterians now carrying on by the Stationers of London.
We ſhall try how you will make this good, and whoſe ſide Machiavil is on we hope before we have done.
He that ſhall reade Mr Calamy and his party in their late writings, cannot but reade your glorious Titles, to be, Speckled vipers, murtherers, &c. and pag. 14. more particularly M. Calamy in his late Epiſtle before M. Love's Seventeen Sermons hangs out a flag of Defiance to the State, &c.
Why ſtumble you at the Threſhold? a bad beginning preſages no good end; You were very unfortunate in ſoaring ſo high at firſt as to ſtrike at the precious Name, Perſon and Miniſtery (Liberty, if not life) of M. Calamy. That Epiſtle prefix'd unto M. Love's Seventeen Sermons, where you ſay ſuch bad language is uſed, is not M. Calamies; it's not his ſtyle, hath not his name, himſelf hath diſclaim'd both the Imprimatur and Epiſtle to that Book, before the Committee of Plundred Miniſters, and to a ſub-Committee of that, the Bookbinder that printed the ſaid book did affirm, that M. Calamy had no hand in either the Licenſing or Epiſtle thereof: which that it may be fully believed by all that ſhall reade theſe lines, we will ſubjoyn his own confeſſion, as he gave it in writing unto the Sub-committee.
The Humble Acknowledgement of George Everſden Stationer,
Sheweth,
That whereas I placed the Imprimatur of M. Edmund Calamy before the Seventeen Sermons of M. Love, which ſhould have been only before M. Mantons Sermon preached at M. Loves Funeral; and whereas I put the Letters E. C. at the later end of the Epiſtle of the ſaid Book, wherein I gave occaſion to the Reader to believe that it was written by M. Edmund Calamy, and finde it accordingly charged upon him in a late Book, called The Beacon quenched; I do hereby acknowledge that herein I have greatly wronged M. Calamy, that he was not the Author of the Epiſtle, that I added his Imprimatur to the whole, and ſubſcribed the Letters E. C. to the Epiſtle, not out of any malice to him, but meerly and only to make the Book ſell the better, and therefore humbly deſire this Honourable Committee to pardon this great offence.
George Everſden.
By this it appears how farre you have abuſed the Parliament (and wronged that Reverend Miniſter of the Goſpel) as to inform it that M. Calamy called the Members ſpeckled Vipers, Murtherers, &c. For the ſake of your ſouls learn to be more honeſt. And you our dear Countriemen learn from hence not to believe every bold and ſcandalous report that is caſt upon the Miniſtery.
Speckled Vipers, Murtherers, Traitors, Rebels, Blaſphemers, &c.
We wiſh that thoſe who have uſed ſuch Language had better manners, more love to the Commonwealth, and care of their own welfare. But what is all this to the Subſcribers, or to the Presbyterian Party? as for us we know no Presbyterian that hath uſed any ſuch language to or of the Parliament.
Your Honours have lately been Alarm'd with the noiſe of Popiſh Books, Blaſphemous Books, &c. and had we heard and ſeen no more but ſuch fair Graſſe without a Snake, and the Plots of our conſtant Powder-Miners, we had held our peace.
We eaſily believe that had you heard and ſeen no more then the noiſe of ſuch Books, you would have been no more offended at it then you are with the fair Graſſe of Summer; but the Magiſtrates Sword drawn out to ſuppreſſe them you cannot endure to hear of, that's the Snake in the bottom that ſo much ſcares you.
We cannot but in faithfulneſſe tell your Honours the Plot is to amuſe you with the noiſe of Popery and Blaſphemy, and in the interim to ſpring their Mines to blow up your Selves, the Councel and Army, &c.
This you ſay and we deny, and none is the wiſer by either, except to perceive how skilful you are in plotting meer fictions, your proofs are two, viz.
1. For they hope yet for the day to ſteal the Sword out of your hands, 2. For can your Honours imagine that ſuch Licenſers who write ſuch Language above-ſaid will ever ſet your Honours Imprimatur to any lines, but of the ſame unclean and treaſonable Spirit.
We appeal to your ſelves, Whether theſe be clear demonſtrations to prove the Plot, you pretend to diſcover? As for M. Calamy we beleeve he might challenge all his ill-willers to name one Popiſh, Blaſphemous or Treaſonable Book that ever was Licenſed by him, and others can ſay of him that he hath Licenſed as many excellent Books for his time, as any that ever in this Nation were imployed in that truſt.
And for the Stationers ſubſcribing to the Beacon, do all thoſe golden Characters of Zeal and Holineſſe ſpell any more then plain Presbytery?
By your own acknowledgement they ſpell as much: And do the golden Characters of Zeal and Holineſſe ſpell Presbytery? Now well fare your hearts, you have ſaid more in praiſe of Preſbyterie then our modeſtie would permit us. And bleſſed be God that Presbyterie Zeal and Holineſs are acknowledged at leaſt to accord even by our adverſaries themſelves.
Is not the ſale of Popiſh books the greateſt part of the trade of ſome of them? and p. 13. who did lately quarrell with one of their neighbour Book-ſellers, becauſe he would not exchange the Holy Court for ſome of their Presbyterian Books.
No, it is not, nor are Popiſh books in Engliſh ſold by any of them, except very rarely to a learned pious friend whom they know to be ſound in the faith, and able to handle the ſnake without being ſtung: which manner of ſelling may very well ſtand with a zealous deſire that ſuch books might never be publiſhed. And this being true, is anſwer enough about the exchange mentioned.
Who are alſo strongly reported to have a factor in Rome it ſelf.
This charge cannot reaſonably be faſtned on any of the Subſcribers except one, whoſe Trade indeed is partly beyond the Seas, but yet ſo farre from having any Factour at Rome, that neither he nor his Predeceſſours before him in the place and Trade that he is in, ever had any dealings in any part of Italy: Nor is there any need of ſending to Rome for Popiſh Engliſh Books of which the Beacon gives warning, for they are too numerous here at home.
Hath not the moſt treaſonable book that ever was printed againſt the State, been certainly bought at the ſhop of ſome of them, even ſince they fired the Beacon to the Parliament?
They know no ſuch thing. And that any ſuch book was ſo ſold by any of the Subſcribers, or by any for or under them, with their knowledge or conſent, they are ready and willing to deny upon oath before your and their betters, if called; do you prove the contrary if you can.
Do not theſe Mercenaries know, that a faire current for ſober diſputes and writings in matters of God controverſall, ingageth more Authours to write, then a ſtop and ſtifling to the Spirit of God and men?
To make you more charitable then to judge us Mercenaries, we leave you to the ſanctifying Spirit of God to work in you the grace of Charity; and are ſorry you have ſo good an opinion of Idolaters and Blaſphemers (whoſe Arguments are attended, where they are predominant, with Halter and Faggot) as to expect from them any ſober Diſputes and Writings. No man that is but meanly verſed in hiſtory, and hath but competent intellectuals, would expect ſuch things from the hands of Papiſts; witneſs but one paſſage (which Mr. Squire relates in thoſe Sermons, wherein he De Antichriſto, p. 110.proves the Pope to be Antichriſt, among many other ſad inſtances) of the Duke of Alva, who profeſſed publickly that he killed by torment 18000 of the Proteſtants in ſix yeers ſpace, for the very cauſe of Religion. And yet religious Vargas (one of that tribe, that muſt be admitted to diſpute) complained that he had made the Netherlands worſe by ſhewing them too much mercy. And for your laying before us the conſideration of the increaſe of books by ſuch writings and diſputes, to abate our zeal againſt popiſh and blaſphemous books; let us tell you, that we ſo little regard increaſe of Trade by ſuch loathſome ware, as that we were quickned up for fear of that temptation to pray againſt the publiſhing and increaſe thereof. And whereas you call the ſtopping and ſuppreſſing of popiſh and blaſphemous books, a ſtopping and ſtifling of the Spirit of God: We wiſh from our hearts you would (according to the word of God, and judgement of all the Churches that are come out of Babylon, and the practice of the Army, that have ſometimes ſeverely puniſhed Blaſphemers) conſider, the puniſhing of men for their evil deeds, and a ſtopping the courſe of Idolatry and Blaſphemy, the proper work of the Magiſtrate.
And as to books of Hereſie, Popery, Blaſpemy, if there be equall liberty of engaging, &c.
We need no other confutation but the ſence and experience of theſe late yeers wherein this equall liberty hath been uſed. O do not our eyes ſee how ſtrangely Errours of all ſorts and ſizes have prevailed with the multitude; partly through the juſt judgement of God upon thoſe that receive not the truth in the love of it: partly through the craftineſs and hypocriſie of deceivers, and partly through the naturall aptneſs of people to imbrace novelties, carnall doctrines, and will-worſhip? And though God will keep his own, yet there is a neceſſity in reſpect of the weal of a Chriſtian State to keep the multitude to the true profeſſion, by whoſe ſuffrages Councels are form'd, and by whoſe ſtrength the Magiſtrate rules; otherwiſe we ſhall quickly be govern'd by Antichriſtian, popiſh, and blaſphemous Magiſtrates; and then we have brought our Hogs to a faire market! And though it were blaſphemy to deny the power and efficacy of Chriſt in his Word and Ordinances to conquer the greateſt of his adverſaries, yet it muſt be affirmed alſo from Scripture and experience, that he overcomes and rules by the uſe of means, and particularly by his bleſſing upon the Power and Strength of Men, as his inſtruments and in office under him. How otherwiſe did God give to Iſrael, the Land of Canaan, or to any Chriſtian State deliverance from Romiſh Errours, Superſtition, Idolatry, and thraldome? And how otherwiſe then by his two-edged ſword did he pull down Prelacy in theſe Nations, or will he pull down Antichriſt? will it not be by incenſing the Kings of the earth againſt that Whore, and cauſing them to hate her and burn her with fire? By your Doctrine you ſhould have let the Cavaliers alone (who fought for their opinions and way of worſhip, as well as any thing elſe.) Do you think Jeſus Chriſt was not as able to meet them in the field, and quell them without your help, as ten thouſand Popes and Devils? your Doctrine is brave Doctrine, to juſtifie our late war, is it not?
If there be equall liberty of engaging.
Should we have no better champions then you to diſpute with Papiſts and Blaſphemers upon an equall liberty; by your mincing their errours and crimes in your late plea for their more then toleration, we have cauſe to beleeve that no more good will come of it, then did of the great Diſputation at Munſter in John of Leydens reign; which who will may reade in Sleydens Hiſtory, or the extracts of it in Engliſh. Yet perhaps you would be accompted valiant champions againſt Popery, becauſe you do upon all occaſions vent ſo much heat without reaſon againſt Presbytery; for conſidering how the men of your temper uſe to call it Antichriſt, or Antichriſtianiſme, we cannot but think that is one of your Poperies that you mean, when you pray, page 7. line 30. That God would ſtir up able Writers againſt all ſorts of Poperies, which upon the title of your book having painted with the pictures of tyranny and cruelty, you affirm to be worſe then all other wayes of Doctrine and Worſhip, ſaying, Then which nothing is worſe. But let us ask which of you did ever convict the Presbyterian Government aim'd at in England by the godly men therof, to have any tyrannical or heretical principles in it? Its eaſily affirm'd, but when or by whom was it evidenc'd out of the proceedings or writings of the Aſſembly of Divines, or the Petitions or Books of any Presbytery of this Nation, or company of men truly Presbyterian. *Read Jus Divinum. The Aſſertion of the Government of the Church of Scotland. The Provincial Aſſembly of Londons Vindication of Presbyterian Government, and ſee if any tyrannical or heretical principles be in them.And to make you ſo aſhamed for all your bitterneſs againſt the Presbyterians, as never to ſhew your faces more untill you have done penance at leaſt in a printed ſheet of retractation, we do here for the glory of God, and comfort of the Church, challenge any of you to ſhew and declare any one fundamentall errour either in Doctrine or Worſhip, that hath been held forth or owned by any Presbyterie or companie of Presbyterians in any part of this Nation, or ſo much as by anie eminent ſingle Presbyterian; This Crown hath God ſet upon the head of that Partie. To him be praiſe for ever in the Churches. Amen.
Yea, can it without amazement be remembred, that one of their Lords ſhould proclaim that blaſphemous crack Stupor mundi clerus Britannicus, The amazement of the world is the Clergie of Brittain.
We believe it to be true and no crack or blaſphemie, ſo beneficent hath that LORD been to this Iſland, who aſcended up on high to give gifts unto men, as that great hath been the numbers of his Miniſters, Embaſſadours (i. e. Paſtors and Teachers) and (to his praiſe we may ſpeak it) we think through his bleſſing upon their labours, there are not more glorified Saints in heaven, called thither ſince Chriſts Aſcenſion, out of any ſo little ſpot of ground in the whole world, as out of great Britain, and no queſtion the great number of our Miniſters, ſo learned, pious and ſucceſſful, maugre all the malice of men and devils cannot but be the amazement of the world; The good people of the world admire it and praiſe God for it, and thoſe that be enemies are amazed and envie them and the Iſland for it.
And yet our Beacons muſt be fired, and the Alarm given to the Magiſtrates Sword, Arm, Arm, &c. for not a man dare ſtir of our Britiſh Clergie to receive the charge of ſome few often conquered religious Adverſaries.
The viſible ſigns of the enemies approach gives an Alarm to a few that ſaw their motion, thoſe few give warning by ſetting a Beacon on fire, now no man can be blamed for not putting on his Armour, before danger appears; Our Beacon was intended to give warning not only to the Magiſtrate, but to the Miniſter alſo, yea to all the Lords people of this Land: for your parts you'l take none, but quarrel with us, a ſhrewd ſign that you will either be taken priſoners by the enemie, or are reſolved to revolt to them. But for our Miniſters they have given ſuch good proof of their skill and zeal in receiving and repelling the charges of the Romiſh adverſaries in time paſt, that we doubt not of them for the future, but Ill will never ſpeaks well; and the truth is, ſo much hath been ſaid in Print and Pulpit already, as thereby it is put out of all doubt, That the Romiſh Religion in thoſe things we complain of, and to the practice whereof the Papiſts labour ſo much to ſeduce men, is a falſe Religion, made up of Idolatrie, Superſtition, Will-worſhip, and maintained and propagated by helliſh crueltie, and that the practice or promotion thereof is an abomination to the LORD. So that the Miniſters have upon the point done their work, the Magiſtrates only remains. The like may be ſaid of thoſe opinions we call Blaſphemy, as to the undoubted and unſpeakable wickedneſs and publiſhing of them.
We humbly conceive (not preſuming to propoſe) that your (the States) former care of the Printers name and readineſſe to produce the Authors or bringers of their Copies, together with ſome convenient Regulations, cannot juſtly by any juſt man be complain'd againſt.
This Model for Regulating the Preſſe ſuppoſes every Bookſeller and Printer a competent and able Judge of whatſoever matter is printed, which He is not; or elſe ſuffers him to fall into the pit before he ſhall be bid, Stand. It alſo permits any Popiſh, Blaſphemous, Treaſonable Book, to be, 1. Printed. 2. Sold. 3. Read. 4. Complained of. 5. Debated by the State. And laſtly, Adjudged, before it can be Suppreſſed; When the Steed is ſtollen you'l ſhut the Stable door.
Thus we have done with your firſt ſheet, and are come to your ſecond, which begins thus:
The Humble Information of divers Officers of the Army and other well-affected Perſons to the Parliament and Commonwealth of England, concerning ſcandalous Presbyterian Books.
Whether the Authours of this Book could be Officers of the Armie or well-affected we have examined alreadie, we ſhall not meddle with the Subſcribers of it, ſuppoſing Col. Pride, and the reſt of the Souldiers might by ſome ſudden ſurprize be drawn in to do it, concerning which they had done well to have inform'd us that we might the better have vindicated them. But concerning the Information it ſelf, whoſe ever it is, we muſt truly ſay, Gentlemen, it comes too late; moſt of the Books you mention having been inform'd againſt by others long ago, & divers perſons puniſhed though with great tenderneſſe for them, and now (upon our ſetting the Beacon a fire) you would rob thoſe of the credit of the work, who it ſeems were better lovers of the preſent Government then your ſelves: the Books in your Catalogue long ago diſcovered, and for which many have been in trouble, we ſhall note when we come to them in order. And that conſidered, it may be without any uncharitablenes adjudged, that had it not been to ſhew your heat againſt Presbyterie (occaſioned as you pretend by our Beacon fired, though in that we ſpeak not a word for Presbytery, nor againſt Independency, or any Sect or Opinion, but Popery and Blaſphemy) the Parliament had not been troubled with this your humble Information, though proceeding (as you ſay) from conviction of duty, which we can hardly believe; for had conviction of duty put you upon this addreſſe, you would have equally complained of thoſe bitter Books that have been made and publiſhed by others (againſt the State) who have declared both in Preſſe and Pulpit as much Violence and Virulencie againſt the preſent Government, and the chief men in it, as ever any.
Its conviction of Duty that puts us out to this humble Addreſſe.
To move the Parliament to betray their Truſt, forſwear themſelves, provoke God to wrath, grieve the hearts of the generalitie of Gods deareſt ſervants, rejoyce the hearts of Papiſts, Blaſphemers, yea the Infernall Spirits (if ever they rejoyce at any thing) can be no humble Addreſſe, but a grand Preſumption.
We have had a ſad experience of the Plots and Deſigns of a Preſbyterian Party, eſpecially in and about the City of London, who have not only kept a correſpondency with thoſe of Scotland, but alſo contributed moneys and other encouragements to their ſeveral Invaſions.
Name the men, and ſay no more then you know, as you would not be judged by the Lord for falſe witneſſing, and let thoſe perſons, if any ſuch be, anſwer for themſelves. But whether it be true or falſe its nothing to the Beacon, or the Suſcriſcribers of it, and the like we ſay of all your charges.
Affirming that the Army was a Popiſh Army and full of Papiſts and Jeſuites, and that Mr Peters and others were Jeſuites.
That we do not affirm. Only thus much we have to ſay, That though we do not aſſert that, yet that there are Jeſuites in the Nation that foment our differences, we think no wiſe man will denie. 2. Let the Tree be judged by the fruits, and Jeſuites by Jeſuitical operations: 1. Jeſuites have alwaies made it their deſign to ruine the Proteſtant Miniſterie, as a learned man lately obſerved at Pauls, that Adam Contzen a Jeſuite in his Politicks laies that down as one way to bring in the Popiſh Religion. 2. Jeſuites labour to throw down Proteſtant Univerſities. They remember well how they were tormented with the Univerſitie of Wittenberge at the Reformation in Germany, from whence learned men were diſperſed into all parts, who confounded the Popiſh partie and Religion in the ſeveral Provinces. They remember how our learned men have from time to time unravell'd their enchantments. 3. Jeſuites labour to bring the Proteſtant Religion into diſgrace by the confuſions, diſorders, blaſphemies and hereſies of Proteſtants, all which are abetted by a general Toleration, and therefore they labour to hinder any ſettlement in the Church. Now this is all we ſhall ſay to apply it, Wherever the Cup is found, let him be taken. And wherever theſe deſigns are agitated, we may well ſay, Is not the hand of Joab in all this?
And that ſuch Lay-people who had a Call of Spirit, and did diſpenſe their Gifts.
By this Call of Spirit do you mean inward Holineſſe, or extraordinarie Gifts? If the former, Shew us from Scripture, if you can, that the Habits of Grace without the Deſignation or Ordination of either, an Apoſtle, Evangeliſt, or Presbyterie, were a ſufficient Call to the Publick diſpenſing of Gods Word which very odly the Quenchers call diſpenſing their Gifts: If the later, Shew us the man, if you can, among all the Lay-Preachers (as your ſelves call them) in England, that can ſpeak Tongues and Languages they never learned, work Myracles, and then we ſhall ſeriouſly conſider from whence they come, but untill then we know who ſent them.
Without the Formal Humane Ordinances of Presbytery, were Popiſh Prieſts in diſguiſe.
If by this you mean Ordination of Miniſters by a Presbyterie, we wiſh you had forborn thus raſhly to let flie at ſo clear an Ordinance of Jeſus Chriſt.
This Party have oppoſed all along the Proceedings of Parliament.
Not ſo neither: for who then all along adhered to the Parliament, when the Popiſh, Prelatical, Socinian and Arminian partie were againſt them and other Sectaries not yet hatcht?
And that theſe ſix Subſcribers are of the ſame Tribe, will alſo manifeſtly appear, as by the ſequent Diſcourſe, ſo by their ſetting the Beacon on fire.
Here the great charge againſt the Bookſellers, is, That they are enemies to the State; and why is it? Becauſe they are Preſbyterians; ſurely that cannot be adjudged a Crime by thoſe that account Poperie and Blaſphemie none. If we are miſtaken, then we believe Machiavil paſſes the ſentence, and is no Presbyterian this year: No, Its becauſe they fired the Beacon; a ſtrong reaſon 'tis, that does as clearly prove us the Parliaments enemies, as your quenching the Beacon proves you their Friends. But the better to diſcern the ſtrength of your Argument, let us put it into form, and then examine it; You argue thus: Thoſe that inform the Parliament and Commonwealth of England of the Vigilancie of Rome and Hell (the two greateſt enemies to every Chriſtian Commonwealth) to introduce their Doctrine, Worſhip and Government, and pray the Parliament to draw forth the great Sword of Government that is in their hands (not to kill, hang, burn or baniſh any man for his Opinion) but to guard the truth and to repel all the Aſſaults of Romiſh and blaſphemous adverſaries made by Books or other actions, are enemies to the Parliament. But the Subſcribers of the Beacon have ſo informed, &c. Therefore they are enemies to the State. We grant the Minor, that we have ſo informed the Parliament; but denie your Major, which if you make not good, and at the ſame time prove a Hare to be an Owl, your Concluſion fals to the ground, and you may as truly ſay, men are enemies, becauſe they are friends; we pray you to conſider what rare ſtuff flows from your pretended Argument, ſuppoſing it ſtrong, viz. You make the Parliament, Poperie and Blaſphemie to be at ſuch an agreement, that for any to ſeek the Suppreſſion of one of them, makes them enemies to the other; and whether the Pope or the Parliament be moſt beholding unto you for ſuch Doctrine, we leave you to them to determine. But if the Parliament and Armie ſhould (though but by ſilence) appear to be of your minde (which God forbid, and we beleeve not) and cauſe all the Organs and Bels in Rome, and all the Romiſh Churches to make Melodie, yet we for our parts, and many thouſands more, would pray God to give them Repentance, for fruſtrating the expectations of thoſe, who in the ſimplicity of their hearts adventured their Liberties, Eſtates, Lives, All, with and under them, for nothing ſo much, as to have the true Reformed Religion (then in great danger) ſetled in Puritie, and fenced againſt Popiſh and blaſphemous Pollutions.
For they are true Salamanders in a State, and delight in nothing more then in Perſecution of tender Conſciences by Fire and Sword.
It is worth obſerving, how much theſe men ſtretch the notion of a tender conſcience, that it may be applied to Idolaters and Blaſphemers. It is ſtrange that God ſhould appoint that any tender conſciences ſhould be put to death! Why are you ſo bitter? Did we ask any more then Suppreſſion of Poperie, Blaſphemie, and the maintaining the Faith that was once delivered to the Saints? And do you think the Parliament hath not wiſdom enough to do theſe without Fire and Sword (i. e.) burning, heading, hanging? unleſſe men be obſtinately bent to be hang'd.
They are Boutefeux in a Superlative Degree, whoſe chief content conſiſts in making Combuſtions in all well-govern'd Common-wealths.
It is no new think for virulent and malicious men, to raiſe ſcandals and caſt aſperſions upon guiltleſs perſons. And if it were enough to accuſe, who ſhould be innocent? Here is a bold accuſation, as full of rage and paſſion as void of ſenſe and reaſon. The authours of it do not ſo much as offer any evidence or argument to prove it; you muſt take it upon their bare words: It is below them to prove any thing; and therefore we hold it not worth an Anſwer. Only thus much we ſhall ſay; If there were no worſe Boutefenx then we; If all men, Souldiers and others, were as peaceably minded as we, and as reſolved to keep within their bounds and ſtations, there would not be ſuch cauſe of great fear as is all the Land over, of deſtructive Mutations and Alterations in this Commonwealth.
And that the world may the better know theſe Subſcribers, take their Names and places of Abode, as followeth.
The Lord deliver us from wicked and unreaſonable men, for all men have not faith, and keep up our hearts in Gods fear only from fearing man, whoſe breath is in his noſtrils, and ſo a Ruſh for your threats.
Theſe were the Subſcribers of the Pamphlet, but the Contrivers and Councellors of it, we ſhall in due time and upon juſt occaſion diſcover.
We can help you in this Diſcoverie better then any others, and aſſure you that the Subſcribers were the only men that contrived it; but what if others had? was that any crime to contrive (by way of Information and Petition) how the truths and worſhip of God may be continued, and the ſpreading of Poperie and Blaſphemie ſtopt? If you judge this to be criminal, then God be thanked you have not the Helm of the State in one hand, and the Sword of Supremacie in the other, and if ever you ſhould, we muſt change our Thankſgiving into a Praier, and ſay, Good Lord be merciful unto us, and deliver us from ſuch as you. Amen.
Their Preamble is embeliſhed with much ſeeming Zeal, for Exaltation of the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, which were truly commendable if it came from pure hearts, but we have too great an Aſſurance that Self-intereſt is their Aim and Hypocriſie their Zeal.
Oh the helliſh nature of pride, that would not onelyonly get into the Chair of State, but uſurp the Throne of God, and pretend to know aſſuredly the ſecrets of the heart! The Lord judge between us and you, who proclaim us to be Hypocrites and Aimers at our own carnal Intereſt, not his Glorie, in our late Diſcoverie of Popiſh and blaſphemous Books written and publiſhed by the enemies of the Reformed Churches, though you prove us not tranſgreſſors in any thing.
They inſinuate Propoſals for effecting their Deſires, and ſo would fain ſcrue themſelves into ſome Office or Monopoly for Licenſing, Printing and ſelling Books.
Its no Monopolie to have power from the State as their Inſtruments to execute their Laws, yet we deſired no ſuch imploiment. Its more ſutable to the Governors and Officers of our Companie: nor were we ſo fooliſh or preſumptuous as to deſire or ask the licenſing of Books, its a truſt too great for ſuch as we or you either. Is it not ſtrange that a Phyſician cannot uſe means that none may ſell corrupt Phyſick, but he muſt be judg'd one that would monopolize all Medicine into his own hands? But to turn what you ſay into plainer Engliſh, though you world ſeem to ſpeak only of us, yet you plainly inſinuate that the Parliament cannot, ought not (by giving power to any) ſuppreſſe Popiſh and blaſphemous Books, nor authorize Licenſers, though never ſo godly and ſound in the faith. But for theſe things we leave them to the Parliament, let that Power plead its own right.
Their Preamble is embeliſhed with much ſeeming Zeal for the Exaltation of the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt which were truly commendable if it came from pure hearts.
Let the Reader take notice, that this Paſſage adjudges the Beacon fired to be truly commendable, their onelyonly exception is, that it comes not from pure hearts, which we leave to him to determine, whoſe Prerogative alone it is.
The Pamphlet ſayes, the Parliament well knowing that the common People of this Nation will be of one Religion or other, and if by publick Authority they be not kept to the Reformed, they will be eaſily drawn to the Popiſh. Hear they ſpeak plain Engliſh, and would have a coercive Power in matters of Religion, a Presbyterian Claſſis would do well (but let it have ſome new name) that may excommunicate, injoyn penance, &c. What would this be leſſe than a Spaniſh Inquiſition?
Let the Reader judge how true this is by conſidering our own words by your ſelves repeated, And if by publick Authority they be not kept to the Reformed Religion. Here is a coercive Power in matters of Religion, which we from Scripture own to be in the Magiſtrate, and which hath been exerciſed by all the Magiſtrates that ever were in the world to this day, unleſs they were by death or otherwiſe hindred. And it is moſt famouſly known by all that know the Hiſtorie of the times, that there were never any pleaders for a Toleration of all Religions, but they were great perſecutors of the contrary minded, if they once got into the ſaddle. The Hiſtorie of the Arrians is famous, who once Athan.were enemies to all perſecution when they were under the hatehes, but when they got power into their hands, were more bitter perſecutors then the Heathen Emperours. The Donatiſts were great Patrons of a Toleration, till under that Apoſtate Julian, Optatus.they got power into their hands, and then they filled Africa with blood and deſolation. The Storie of the Germane Anabaptiſts is ſo famous that it needs no mentioning.
A Presbyterian Claſſis would do well; but let it have ſome new name, that may pronounce Cenſures, &c. and what would this be leſs then a Spaniſh Inquiſition?
Some new name] to wit, a Parliament; for to them onelyonly we ſeek for redreſs. Here you do more then inſinuate, that if the Parliament ſhall puniſh men for, or but hinder them from common ſwearing, offering their ſons to Molech, open rejection of the Lords daie, worſhipping the Sun, or a golden Calf, preaching up Mahomet, preaching down Chriſt, or maintaining that the Pope hath authoritie to blow up Parliaments, change the Government of this Commonwealth, diſcharge the people of Obedience to their Magiſtrates, or they ſuppreſs Popiſh and Hereticall Books (all which come under the notion of Religion) they are no better then a Spaniſh Inquiſition. We beſeech our dear Countreymen that ſubſcribed The Beacon quenched (whoever were the Authours of it) to conſider what brave Doctrine this is; and whether they are not of another minde, as we are perſwaded they are, whatever they may ſay in a paſſion.
But they know the Parliament and Armie have often declared againſt ſuch proceedings, to wit, (as we ſuppoſe your meaning is) the ſuppreſſing Popiſh and Heretical Books.
The Parliament hath often declared to maintain the Proteſtant Religion, in oppoſition to Poperie; and that they never intended to let looſe the golden Reines of Diſcipline, for men to follow the imaginations of their own hearts, and everie man do that which was right in his own eyes, commit Idolatry, deſpiſe Gods Ordinances, Blaſpheme God, Chriſt, and Scripture.
The weapons of faſting and prayer are more available and Chriſtian, then thoſe of force.
For leſſer matters in Religion, that are not ſo clear, faſting and praying is the beſt: But for Idolatrie, Superſtition, Hereſie, and Blaſphemie. Theſe without controverſie God would have the Magiſtrate exerciſe his authoritie in ſuppreſſing, as manifeſt evils that ſtrike at the foundation, Deut. 13. 6, 8, 9, 11. Zach. 13. Rom. 13.
How ſimple are theſe Subſcribers to imagine that the truth of Chriſts holy Religion needs the ſupport of humane Arms to ſuſtain it.
That Chriſt can ſupport his Church, Truth, and Worſhip, without the Miniſterie of men or Magiſtrate, is true: But that he hath not appointed the Magiſtrate to puniſh evil doers, and encourage thoſe that do well, and that in reference to both the Tables, is falſe; as hath been alreadie proved.
And how diſtruſtfull are theſe men of Gods Providence!
It's no diſtruſt of Gods Providence, for men to do their dutie, and uſe the means that God hath preſcribed; if it were, the charge would lie againſt all war whatſoever, juſt or unjuſt, and all Courts of Judicature; yea, againſt the Magiſtrates cutting off the rotteneſt Branches in the Common-wealth, for the good of the whole Bodie: and indeed againſt all Government whatſoever. For is not God able to avenge his people, make up their loſſes, preſerve a State if he would, without the help of any Government at all?
And doubtfull of our own ſtrength, to imagine that any Papiſt can ſay or write more then we can anſwer.
To do what God requires, is no argument of our doubting either of the goodneſs of our cauſe, or our abilitie to anſwer gain▪ ſayers.
We deſire nothing more then that they and all diſſenters ſhould propound their doubts in a Chriſtian way.
You are verie tender of Papiſts, Idolaters, Heretiques, and Blaſphemers (with none elſe the Beacon meddles) theſe are but Diſſenters with you: We wiſh your charitie were a Scripturecharity. Do you think ſuch as they, will meet in the love of Chriſt for better instruction? Or that thoſe blaſphemers that denie the Merits and Divinitie of Chriſt, will meet the Orthodox in the love of Chriſt? What Grolleries are theſe!
They forget that at the beginning of July laſt, a Petition was preſented to the Parliament, by many thouſand well-affected perſons, one Branch whereof was, That the preſs might be open to all.
What if we had remembred that Petition which moved for ſo wicked a thing as the gratifying the verie Kingdome of darkneſs? muſt not we therefore dare to petition for that which is juſt and good, yea ſo much the rather. And indeed that Petition you mention may well be remembred, for a Julian ſpirit put in this Petition among the reſt, That Tithes might be taken away, and no other maintenance eſtabliſhed in ſtead thereof. Had thoſe Petitioners put in, And that the Tithes might come to thoſe who pay them as their own proper goods, they would not be ſuch deceivers of the poor Countryman, as otherwiſe they will be.
Now if it were worth the examining, we might certainly finde many untruths alſo in a few leaves of that Pamphlet, as that 1500. of each book were printed, is improbable; and that they were all printed in England, is doubtfull.
Have you been thus inraged at us for our Pamphlet, as you call it, without examining of it? more ſhame for you. And that 1500. of each book was printed we aſſert not, but gueſs, becauſe that number is the uſuall impreſſion of a book. But that they were all printed in England, we are readie to make good, if the State ſhould judge it worth the while. We do not gueſs at that, but are ſure of it.
The Subſcribers rank the Chriſtian Moderator among Popiſh books, becauſe it equally rejects Epiſcopall bondage and Presbyterian ſlavery.
We perſwade our ſelves no wiſe man that reades that book, will doubt that he is a Papiſt, though now and then he transform himſelf into the appearance of a Proteſtant (as the Devil ſometimes changeth himſelf into the ſhape of an Angel of light.) It is known, and can be proved if need be, that Sancta Clara, that famous, or rather infamous Prieſt, preſented one of them to a Ladie, who told it to a reverend Miniſter of this Citie; and withall, ſaid that he was the Authour of the book. Beſide, the verie deſigne of the book is to vindicate the Popiſh Religion, it pleads for a generall toleration, and eſpecially for a toleration of Popery, It pleads againſt all ſettlement of Religion: upon which we ſhall propound but one Quaere by the way, Whether the Jeſuites (who are no fools) do not apprehend that a Toleration is their beſt market, and a ſettlement in Religion the onelyonly way to ſuppreſs them? Whereas its ſaid the book hath nothing againſt the State. It ſeems theſe men are of that Religion, that they care not what men ſay againſt God and Chriſt, and the truths of God, if they are but trueto the State. Theſe men would do as the Romane Emperours did: If any man forſwore himſelf by their Genius, they would be ſure to puniſh them; but let him forſwear himſelf by God, they would leave him to God to puniſh. So let a man blaſpheme God, dethrone the Lord Jeſus, call Moſes and Chriſt Impoſtors, there are ſome Gallio's that care for none of theſe things: but let men ſpeak but a word againſt the Parliament, let him but whiſtle againſt the Armie, and theſe verie men would break him in pieces like a potters veſſell. But we hope our State will ſcorn the ſervice of ſuch ſpirited men. We hope they will remember what good Conſtantius did and ſaid, when by a ſtratagem he had found out the indifferency and careleſneſs of many of his Courtiers in the matters of Religion, he preſently diſmiſſed them with this noble ſpeech, He that will not be faithfull to God, will never be faithfull to me, but for his own ends.
And holds forth an abſolute incoertion in matters of inward belief.
See how both the Moderator and you equivocate; what do you tell us of inward belief, when the queſtion is wicked practices, Idolatry, Hereſie, Blaſphemie, and the ſpreading of theſe.
They ſay Chriſtians of a different belief are not tolerated to profeſs their Religion among Papiſts; are they not in France?
Take all we ſay, without clipping off that part which you had no minde to reminde the world of, and let it ſpeak for it ſelf. Our words are theſe: viz. For the world knowes that thoſe vertues never appeared in Papiſts toward Chriſtians of a different belief, who are not (that we know of) tolerated to profeſs their Religion among them, except by the atchievement of the ſword, taken up in their defence againſt popiſh cruelty. Nor doth the Moderator in the leaſt demonſtrate how the Proteſtants may be aſſured of a toleration, in caſe the Papiſts ſhall at any time become the major part, as being impoſſible for him or any others ſo to do, untill a popiſh generall Councell ſhall cancell ſome of their points of Faith about the Popes Supremacie and Churches infallibilitie. We think you were afraid to meddle with us here.
As for the popiſh books mentioned in their Catalogue, we do believe (upon good information) that the greateſt part of them onelyonly hold forth Morall Divinitie, and rules of good life.
Is this Morall Divinity, to aſſert that Rome is the onelyonly true Church, the Pope Chriſts Vicar-generall, and the infallibilitie of both? alſo Traditions, Prayer for the dead, Invocation of Saints, Purgatorie, reall preſence in the Euchariſt, Adoration and bowing to the Hoaſt, Altars, Images, Reliques, a perfect keeping of the Commandments, merit of Good Works, Latine Service, with all the rabble of Popiſh Ceremonies and fopperies, ſtretching their wits to maintain theſe by Arguments; and is all this Morall Divinity? damning all that are not of their belief; and is that a point of Morall Divinity ſo to do? If all this Rubbiſh muſt be ſo called, pray take in with the reſt The Directory for the Maſs, lately put to the Preſs, and call that Morall Divinity alſo.
And if thoſe books have nineteen parts of good matter, and the twentieth part Popery, it were great pity the much good ſhould ſuffer for the little evil; as was excellently ſaid by a worthy Member of Parliament upon occaſion of debate concerning the Racovian Catechiſme, who upon that reaſon paſſed his vote againſt the burning of it.
Wo is us that we live to hear Proteſtants plead for that wicked book, which is indeed a verie ſink of errours. Is it a ſmall thing that it maintains Free-will, denies Paedobaptiſme, Predeſtination, &c. Turn in, and you ſhall ſee greater abominations then theſe. It denies the ſatisfaction of Chriſt, pleads for juſtification by works, It ungods the holy Ghoſt: And above a quarter of the book is ſpent in arguing againſt the Divinity of Chriſt. So that we think theſe men have done a great diſhonour to the Parliament, in publiſhing to all the Nation that there is any there that ſhould either ſpeak in ſo bad a cauſe, or uſe ſuch weak and fallacious arguments. And it is no credit to the Armie, that any of them ſhould ſpeak for ſo devilliſh a book, and that too after the Parliament had declared their hatred of it, and zeal againſt it; for which the hearts of many thouſands in England did bleſs God on their behalf. Whether that Gentleman ſpake excellently in the Parliament Houſe or no, we have learned better then to paſs our cenſure, eſpecially conſidering that his ſpeech was againſt the ſence of the Houſe. Certainly the time will come, that the ſecret debates of the Members of the Supreme Councell ſhall not be commended or cenſured without the walls of the Senate Houſe by private men in publique print. But we ſhall dare to examine in the ſpirit of meekneſs, whether your notion of the twentieth part poyſon be an excellent one or no. Our anſwer therefore is this: Things without life or ſence are not capable of puniſhment or pain, and ſo their ſufferings no matter of pity, further then in relation to the owners or uſers of them; and therefore when nineteen truths of God are tranſcribed or collected out of the perfect Canon of the Scripture, on purpoſe to put off (with them) one damnable errour that is ſhuffled in among them, it is no matter of pity to puniſh the ſpirit of errour, and preſerve people from infection, by burning all that paper and ink (Gods truth for all that as a fountain abides and is not diminiſhed) unleſs the good were ſeparated from the bad and preſerved, and the bad rejected; which may be done no way but by that of Licenſing, which we deſire in our Beacon fired. Your ſelves will grant, that a book containing nineteen parts of excellent Divinity or Policy, having but the twentieth part ſeditious and treaſonable againſt the Parliament or Armie, ought to be burned and ſuppreſſed with a witneſs. If a great mans picture ſhould be drawn never ſo well in reſpect of all the parts of it, except onelyonly one of the members, and that ſhould be ſo ugly, as to preſent that great man a verie deformed man, were it any pity to burn that picture? What madneſs were it to ſuffer the people of a Town to uſe infected water, while there is enough pure water in the common Town-well or Fountain? And if there were true weight and reaſon in what you ſay of your twentieth part of Popery, it would prove it pity and folly to throw away a roaſted apple that hath a dram, or a whole gile of beer that hath a gallon of ſtrong poyſon in it.
For Mr. Hobbs and Mr. Sprig, they are very well able to anſwer for themſelves; onelyonly this we gather, that they are the more violent, as we conceive, againſt Mr. Sprig, for being the Authour of Anglia Rediviva or the Hiſtory of the war while Sir Thomas Fairfax was Generall, by whoſe ſucceſs the Presbyterian tyranny began to be abated.
We are not violent againſt Mr. Sprig, but (we think) zealous againſt his blaſphemy, and that onelyonly becauſe it is blaſphemy; and though it never can pull the ſun of righteouſneſs out of the firmament, yet it indangers the total eclipſing of it in our horizon. And as for the Presbyterian Tyrannie to be begun to be abated by Sir Thomas Fairfax, it's a ſilly fiction; the glorious Reformation that Presbytery purports, though ever ſince the dawning of Reformation earneſtly pray'd for by all the godly judicious Proteſtants, nicknamed Puritans, yet it was never exerciſed publickly before Sir Thomas Fairfax was Generall, and by means of his ſucceſs againſt the great enemies of Presbytery: And not to this day, much leſs while he was Generall, did Presbytery in any part of this Nation do any thing that might have the leaſt ſhew of Tyrannie; a fooliſh picture of a bugbear that you paint upon good and wholſome Order in the Church of God. And pray whence did you gather that we were violent againſt Mr. Sprig becauſe he was the Authour of that Hiſtory? when as one of us the Subſcribers hath the vending of that particular book.
Now the truth is, this party of men make an appearance of zeal againſt Papiſts and popiſh books, the better to diſguiſe their deſignes, when as their malice and ſpleen is againſt the well affected, whom they ſtile Independents and Sectaries.
You cannot forbear being bitter and cenſorious; our zeal with you is but an appearance of zeal, and to diſguiſe their deſignes; and their malice and ſpleen is againſt the well-affected; Is this Chriſtianly done? reade our Beacon fired, do we give you any occaſion of theſe expreſſions, and do we ſo much as name Independency or Sectary in all the book? Your Catalogue of books we ſaid before is ſuch, that the moſt of them were complained of formerly, and one or other puniſh'd for them, viz. The Hiſtory of Independency, Mr. Walker, the ſuppoſed Authour, died priſoner in the Tower. The Plea for Non-ſcribers, complained of, and a Bookſeller impriſoned for it. The ſame was done for Bonds and Bounds. Mr. Loves Sermons, the Epiſtle whereof you ſay hangs a flag of defiance, charg'd upon Mr. Calamy, a notorious untruth; as at the beginning is proved. Manus Teſtium, Lingua Teſtium, with a Narrative of the myſterie of State, long ſince complained of, and the ſuppoſed Authour many months impriſoned for them; with others. And for all theſe books, they are unjuſtly charg'd upon us or the Presbyterian party; let the Authours anſwer for them, if they duplicate page duplicate page have not alreadie; do we deal ſo with you or any others? do we charge the Armie or Independency with popiſh, with Mr. Sprig's, Mr. Hobs's, or the rabble of Ranters books?
Theſe books we ſhould not have mentioned, but through a neceſſity of quenching the fire of this Beacon.
Which does it no more, then if you ſhould throw oyle into the fire, but does make good what we chiefly intended by the firing our Beacon; to wit, the neceſſity of the Parliaments regulating the exorbitancy of the Preſs; as the onelyonly way to prevent the publiſhing of ſuch books as tend to the diſhonour of God, and diſturbance of the State.
And of what more dangerous conſequence ſuch books are then any other ſorts of books whatſoever, we leave to all true lovers of their Country to judge.
Popiſh and blaſphemous books are of more dangerous conſequence (not in the leaſt to juſtifie treaſonable ones) by how much the more God is provoked by them.
We humbly hope the Parliament will not reſtrain any peaceable ſpirit from the liberty of profeſſing, nor ſhut up the Preſs from any godly perſons having due regard to the honour and peace of the Parliament and this Common-wealth.
For your laſt hope, or wiſh, or prayer, we will but mend it a little, and ſo conclude with an Amen, viz. We humbly hope that the Parliament will not reſtrain any peaceable ſpirit, that is a Prophet, from the liberty of prophecying, nor ſhut up the Preſs from any godly perſons while they write godlily, having due regard to the honour and peace of the Parliament and this Common-wealth. Amen.
FINIS.
End of the text · Francis Cheynell, The Beacon Flaming (1652)