Gangrena Part 3, Conclusions
Some Corollaries and Conſectaries drawne from the Errours, Hereſies, Blaſphemies and Inſolent proceedings of the Sectaries laid down in this third part.
HAving made fourteen Corollaries in my firſt part of Gangraena and ſixe other in my ſecond part, I had thought of fourteen or fifteen more for this third part, with many enlargements in moſt of them, but becauſe I ſee if I ſhould give that liberty to my invention upon every one of thoſe heads as I at firſt intended, the Corollaries would take up divers ſheets, I ſhall therefore (this Book being already almoſt forty ſheets) give the Reader but 6. or 7. of them now, and that in as contracted a way as I may, referring the reſt, with all further enlargements to the fourth part of Gangraena.
1. Corollarie. Hence then from what I have laid downe in this third part of the Errours, Hereſies, Inſolent proceedings of the Sectaries of our times, we may ſee thoſe places of Scripture in 2. Tim. 3. chap. from 1. v. to the 10. 4. chap. 3. 4. v. 2. Epiſtle of Pet. 2. and 3. chapters, and Epiſtle of Jude made good and fulfilled in our Sectaries; and that in all particulars as if they had been written and prophecied a purpoſe of them▪ As face anſwers face in glaſſe, ſo do our Sectaries theſe Scriptures, they being the full accompliſhment of thoſe places and thoſe Scriptures; the expreſſe and lively characters of our Sectaries: I do not know any one particular among thoſe many ſet down by Paul, Peter and Jude, in thoſe forenamed places our Sectaries faile in, but are in all points as like to thoſe as one egg is like another; and therefore though divers other places of Scripture in the Epiſtles of Paul and the Revelation of St. John do ſpeake of the Papacie, as the 2. Theſſal. 2. chapter, 1. Tim. 4. chap. 3. firſt verſes, 11. chapt. of Revel. 17. and 18. chap. of Revel. yet theſe doe point out the Anabaptiſts, Antinomians, Libertines, and Separatiſts, as diſtinguiſhed from Papiſts; and if I ſhould but barely tranſcribe thoſe places of Scripture, without any application, as men ſhall be lovers of their own ſelves, covetous, boaſters, proud, blaſphemers, diſobedient to parents, fierce, despiſers of thoſe that are good, Traytors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleaſures more then lovers of God, having a forme of godlineſſe, but denying the power thereof: For of this ſort are they which creepe into Houſes, and lead captive ſilly women laden with ſinnes, &c. as through Covetuouſneſſe ſhall they with fained words make Merchandiſe of you, as that there ſhall come in the laſt daies ſcoffers, walking after their owne luſts, there ſhould be mockers in the laſt time who ſhould walke after their owne ungodly luſts, as likewiſe alſo theſe filthy dreamers defile the fleſh, deſpiſe dominion, and ſpeake evill of dignities, as there are certaine men crept in unawares, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into laſciviouſneſſe, as theſe are murmurers, complainers, walking after their owne luſts, and their mouth ſpeaketh great ſwelling words, having mens perſons in admiration becauſe of advantage, Theſe be they who ſeperate themſelves, ſenſuall, having not the ſpirit, with many other paſſages in thoſe Scriptures, yet they that runne might preſently read them as written in great Letters in the foreheads of the Sectaries: For was there ever in our times a generation of greater ſelfe-ſeekers, boaſters, proud, blaſphemers, Covenant-breakers, unthankfull, make-bates, heady, deſpiſers of thoſe who are good, mockers and ſcoffers walking after their own ungodly luſts, deſpiſers of Dominions and ſpeakers evill of dignities, having a forme of godlineſſe, but denying the power thereof, and ſo in the reſt, then our Sectaries: let the indifferent Reader but remember what I have written upon moſt of theſe heads in this and my other Bookes, what ſpirit breathes daily in many of their own Books, as Arraignment of perſecution, Martins Eccho, Englands Birth-right, Thirty eight Quaeries upon the Ordinance againſt Hereſies, Toleration Juſtified, a Demur to the Bill againſt Hereſies, Lilburnes and Overtons Books, the Engliſh Scottiſh game and what they have done and do daily againſt our Brethren of Scotland, the godly Miniſters, the City of London, &c. and then I believe hee will confeſſe there never was a more deſperate, ungodly, falſe, hypocriticall, unthankfull, proud, ambitious, covetuous, uncleane, cruell, atheiſticall generation then many of our Sectaries in England are. It would be too long now to paraphraſe upon all thoſe Scriptures quoted, to compare our Sectaries with every character of thoſe Scriptures, and to give proofes in divers inſtances and facts. I ſhall conclude this Corollary, that they are ſcoffers and ungodly men, walking after their owne luſts, by relating a paſſage or two of ſome Sectarian Souldiers belonging to Colonell Whaleyes Regiment. A chiefe Diſputant of the Sectaries ſaid that he would not keep out of Ale-houſes for five hundred pound a yeare for the good wits that he met there, yet objecting himſelfe by way of ſcorne, that if it offended his weake Brother he muſt not doe it: Being by way of reproofe told of one that ſaid it was beſt going to Hell, for the brave wits were there, he replyed that if that were true, he would goe thither for then God was there, ſaying that God was as much in hell as in heaven: anſwer being returned him, that God would be found in Hell in power; he replied that his preſence in power and in grace could not be diſtinguiſhed. A Woman being occaſionally ſpoken of in the company of ſome of theſe Sectaries that ſhe was ſaid to be a whore, they ſaid God had ſo ordered it, and if ☞ſhe were a whore it was as well with her as if ſhe were honeſt.
2. Coroll. Hence then from all that Libertiniſme and looſeneſſe of life in our Sectaries, we may ſee what unſound and corrupt Doctrine will produce and bring forth ſooner or later, viz. wicked life and looſeneſſe of manners, and though many of the firſt Broachers of Hereſies and Schiſmes, at firſt have beene outwardly holy and ſtrict in their lives, as Pelagius, Schwenckfeldius, Thomas Muntzerus, and their firſt Diſciples too, ſome Pelagians, Ana baptiſts, &c. becauſe elſe their opinion; would not ſo well take; and indeed upon pretences of holineſſe and greater ſtrictneſſe many well meaning and weake people, eſpecially women fall to them, yet after a time Errours in life and corrupt manners generally attends errours in Doctrine, and that both as a puniſhment and juſt Judgement of God upon men for not receiving the truth in love, and in the nature of the thing: for as a foule moiſt head cauſes diſtillations of corrupt matter upon the lungs and ſtomack, ſo looſe corrupt principles diſpoſe men to a looſe and corrupt converſation; 'Tis impoſſible (ſaith Luther) but that a bad life will follow falſe Doctrine; for if men make Shipwrack of faith they will of a good conſcience; and therefore the Scripture, Hiſtory of times and our own experience ſhewes us the truth of this, Peter and Jude ſpeaking of falſe Teachers and falſe Doctrines ſet down at large their wicked and abominable lives, their uncleanneſſe, filthineſſe, covetuouſneſſe, walking after their own ungodly luſts, having eyes full of Adultery and that cannot ceaſe from ſin, alluring through the luſts of the fleſh, promiſing liberty, ungodly men turning the grace of God into laſciviouſneſſe, trees whoſe fruit withers, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the rootes, ſo Paul ſpeaking of the ſeducers and the Teachers of falſe Doctrine, 2. Tim. 3. that ſhall reſiſt the truth as Jannes and Jambres did Moſes, deſcribes them to be foreign prophane and wicked men, lovers of pleaſures more then lovers of God, men of corrupt minds, evill mon, &c. Donatus and his followers who would not acknowledge Caecilianus and his company for a true Church of God becauſe they were not pure and holy enough, but thereupon fell into ſchiſme and divers errours, yet he and his followers fell to all wicked manners, as Auguſtine ſhewes in many of his writings againſt the Donatiſts, yea in time they grew ſo▪ inſolent as to commit many rapes, robberies and murthers, and to proceed ſo far in offering violence to the Orthodox, that Honorius the Emperour was forced to ſend Dulcitius with an Army of ſouldiers to reſtraine their injury and violence. Auguſtine in his third Book againſt Creſconius Grammat. cap. 42. &c. ſhowes that the facts and courſes of the greateſt robbers and Theeves were far leſſe and lighter then of the Circumcelliones among the Donatiſts. *Danaeus in Auguſt. de haereſibus. c. 70.Priſcillianus a Biſhop who held many opinions of ſeeming holineſſe, condemning all ſort of fleſh, and their eating as polluted and unlawfull, condemning Marriages, and perſwading his followers to divorce from their wives, this man confeſſed before his death that in his conventicles he had often committed filthineſſe, and violated the chaſtity of women of his Sect, among whom one was Euchrotia the wife of Delphidius the Rhetoritian. The *Span…emii Diatribe Hiſtorica de Origin: Progreſſ. Sectis & nom. Anabapt. pag. 4. 5. Hinc. & publicarum concionum & privatorum congreſſuum themata ordinaria erant, deteſtandum eſſe peccatum, carnem macerandum, ex…ltandum ſpiritum, Charitatis officia exercenda, crucem Domini feren dum, je juniis vacandum, &c.Anabaptiſts of Germany at their firſt ſpringing up were full of ſeeming holineſſe, mortification, full of devotions, faſting, prayer, ſo that they were offended with the Evangelicall Churches, becauſe many wicked livers were in their Aſſemblies, and becauſe their preaching had no more power to make thoſe good who heard it, which made Luther and ſome other worthy men of thoſe times at firſt to favour them, write in their behalfe when queſtioned, pity their miſtakes, but within a few yeares they fell into all kind of uncleanneſſes, murthers and wickedneſſes, as Sleidan, Bullinger and divers other learned Authors have laid down. *Danae. Prolegom. cap. 5. foreign vero morum & omnis diſciplinae contemptus eſt etiam haereſeon per…etua comes. Qui enim doctrinam De…ſpernit, idem fac…lè & diſcipl…m.Danaeus in his Commentaries upon Auguſtine de Haereſibus ſhowes what ſinnes accompany hereſies, and how a looſe life followes alwaies upon errours, The diſorder of manners and contempt of all Diſcipline being the perpetuall companion of hereſies. For he who deſpiſes the Doctrine of God, will alſo eaſily contemn the Diſcipline. Danaeus enlarges upon this ſubject, quoting places out of Tertullian, Theodoret, Bernard, that prove the wickedneſſes of the lives of Hereticks and Sectaries, as their familiarity with conjurers, ſtarregazers, their uncleanneſſes, hypocriſie, which from their common Maſter Simon Magus, whoſe Diſciples they are, they have all learned. And as Scripture and Hiſtory ſhowes us this, ſo our own expetience plentifully proves it, many men who before they were Sectaries, or upon their firſt entrance that were famous for the power of godlineſſe, being now Libertines and licentious, making no conſcience of the Sabboth, Family duties, &c. Tis evident that with the errours of the times a flood of ungodlineſſe is come in upon us, iniquity abounding and the love of many waxing cold, and I have in divers places of this Booke given many pregnant examples of the Atheiſme, Uncleanneſſe, Drunkenneſſe, prophaneneſſe of the Sectaries. There's no queſtion, but many of thoſe Sectaries who heretofore were outwardly holy and ſtrict, having ſome ſecret luſts and ſinnes which they were no longer willing to forbeare, (however new light, free grace Chriſtian-liberty, Spirituality were pretended) fell to thoſe opinions and entertained thoſe Doctrines of Antinomianiſme, Anabaptiſme, Independency, as a way wherein they might freelier enjoy thoſe luſts, and caſt off ☞that yoake of ſtrictneſſe they had ſo long taken upon them: The Apoſtle Paul ſhowes the reaſon how thoſe who creep into houſes, prevaile to lead captive ſilly women, becauſe they are laden with ſinnes, the opinions and errours vented are ſuitable to the luſts of their heart, and ſo carried captive by them: many in our times who profeſſed Religion were luſtfull ſilthy perſons, though this was covered under a profeſſion of Religion, and therefore ſo ſoon as they heard of an opinion of baptizing grown perſons, and that by dipping of naked women, they preſently fell to it, as the beſt way to enjoy their luſts by, as the faireſt opportunity (and that held out now as a matter of greater perfection in Religion) to feed their wanton eyes, by looking upon young women naked, to ſatisfie their unchaſt touching, by handling young women naked. It were eaſie to demonſtrate how the love of ſome luſt or other in mens hearts (though at firſt not perceived) hath been a great cauſe of ſo many in our times falling into the errours of Antinomianiſme, Anabaptiſme, Libertiniſme, Independency, and ſo indeed in all times ſome wickedneſſe or other hath been the ſpring and mother of Errour and hereſie, as pride and vain glory, covetuouſneſſe and filthy lucre, a deſire of contention, an evill conſcience, and when ſome luſt (though ſecret) hath brought forth an errour, this and that falſe doctrine, then thoſe Doctrines fully received daily ſtrengthen and nouriſh thoſe luſts, yea daily increaſe unto more ungodlineſſe, as the not being liable to be queſtioned by ſuperiour Aſſemblies as Claſſes Synods, emboldens men to broach and ſpred ſuch errors, as holding that God ſees no ſinne in his Children, that all our ſinnes cannot hurt us, nor all our good workes further our ſalvation, encourages men to ſinne more freely, as believing that the ſoules dye with the bodies, or elſe ſleep till the reſurrection, yea that there is no reſurrection, makes men ſay let us eate and drinke for to morrow we ſhall dye, that is ſince the ſoule dyes with the body, and the body ſhall riſe no more, therefore let us take what we find here, enjoy our pleaſures and ſatisfie our luſts whileſt we may.
3. Coroll. Hence then we may clearly ſee from many of the ☜principles and practiſes laid open in this booke, that many of the Sectaries of our times, Anabaptiſts, Libertines, Independents, are not onelyonly againſt Government in the Church, all Authoritative * 2 Pet. 2. 12. Jude.power of Claſſes, Synods, but againſt Civill Government too. Monarchie and Ariſtocracie, both Kings and Lords have been cryed downe in many Books, Speeches, yea and in Sermons of the Sectaries; and for Democracie, though in divers Pamphlets they ſeem to contend for that, as in oppoſition to all Kingly and Lordly Government, yet in pleading for it, they have laid downe ſuch poſitions, as are not conſiſtent with any Civill Government at all, but what neceſſarily would bring any Common wealth (the moſt popular) into a chaos and confuſion: and had they any reaſon or wiſdome, they could not but ſee the weakneſſe of their owne Principles, and the dreadfull conſequences that muſt neceſſarily follow thereupon, but as the *Thomas Muntzer boaſted of himſelfe and his Doctrine as ſpirituall, but ſtiled Luther as carnall, earthly, and that had publiſhed only a carnal Goſpel, ſavouring nothing but the fleſh, and … as worſe then the Pope. vid. Span…e… Diatri…. Hiſt. p. 5. Melch. Adam. vit. Luther. p. 128. Liber adverſus Lutherum à Munccro ſcriptus, dedicatus eſt Chriſto principi illuſtriſſimo, Lutherum flagellat, quod enthuſiaſtic… Spiritu carcat & nihil niſi carnalia ſapiat. So Mr. Dell in his Sermon called Right Reformation, in the Epiſtle Dedicatory and the Reply to M. Love, vapours of himſelf and his Doctrine as ſpirituall, in the power of the Spirit, &c. but makes t…e Aſſembly, Mr. Love, and all Presbyterians carnall, worldly, worſe thē Papiſts & PrelatesApoſtles Peter and Jude ſpeake of the Hereticks of their times, upon occaſion of ſpeaking evill of Dignities, and deſpiſing Dominion, ſo may we of ours, Theſe as naturall bruit beaſts made to be taken and deſtroyed, ſpeake evill of the things they underſtand not: In a word nothing pleaſes them, not the Government nor any part of it; not the Lawes, their deſigne is to have all pull'd downe, to have a totall change made, that being abraſa tabula they might write in it what they pleaſed, and might come to have the new modelling of Church and▪ Common-wealth. O how like are our Sectaries to the old Anabaptiſts of Munſter and Germany! their very ſpirit having entred into our men: O how like is John Lilburne to John of Leyden, as if he had beene ſpit out of his mouth, M. Dell to Thomas Muntzer! and ſo others of them to ſeverall great Sectaries that I could name! I dare be bold to ſay, and can prove it, that the old Anabaptiſts never delivered or held principles more deſtructive to humane ſociety to all kind of Government, both Politicall, Eccleſtaſticall and O economicall, to all godlineſſe and Religion, then many of our Sectaries; nay I believe no inſtance can be given of them whilſt they were under command, and in the hands and power of the civill Magiſtrate, that ever they carried themſelves ſo ſcornfully and contemptuouſly to the ſupremeſt Courts and Judicatures of Kingdomes and States, and committed ſuch outragious actions publikely even in the worſhip of God againſt the Religion eſtabliſhed, the faithfull friends of the States, as our have done.
4. Corol. Hence then we may plainely ſee, by what's laid down in this Book, our evills are not taken away but onelyonly changed, or rather ſome perſons and inſtruments removed, not the evills. There are other men now under other habits and names, do the ſame things, and farre worſe; for inſtance, one of the great complaints againſt ſome Biſhops was the *One of the main things againſt the Biſhops in the Miniſters Remonſtrance preſented to the Houſe of Commons in the beginning of the Parliament was that.putting men into the Miniſtry and to preach, who had been Serving-men, Barbers, and ſuch like; behold it is now in faſhion, worſe are now ſuffered, and that in ſuch a way as the Biſhops Lay-preachers never attempted, viz. to put by painfull Orthodox men from their places, whilſt they with their ignorance and errours ſtarve and poyſon the peoples ſouls. Another great evill under the Biſhips was the corrupting of Religion, and deſtroying it in time by countenancing corrupt men, and diſcountenancing the zealous Orthodox under the name of turbulent violent men, who made diviſions, &c. and is no… the ſame in uſe among us now? Is it not more apparent by many Bookes written, Speeches, and Actions, which hundreds and thouſands are witneſſes of, that a Toleration and the ruine of the Proteſtant Religion is intended and deſigned now, then that the Biſhops intended to bring in Popery? Another great evill was the ſpeaking againſt and reproaching the Reformed Churches, and ſpeaking evill of ſome of the great Reformers, as Calvin, Beza, Knox, &c. which ſome of the Prelates and their Chaplains in ſome of their Books, Sermons, Diſcourſes, or Diſputations in the Univerſities, as Canterbury, Wren, Pocklington, Martin, Coſens, Duncombe, Mountague had done, and O how were theſe cried out on for ſo doing, but alas, now the Reformed Churches, particularly Scotland, whom we have covenanted to defend, and according to the example of the beſt of them to reforme, yet after ſuch a Covenant, both Churches and the prime Reformers, as Calvin, Knox, &c. have been a thouſand times worſe reproached. And ſo I could go over all the reſt, and that not onelyonly in Religion, but in the matters of Juſtice, and the Liberty of the Subject: but I muſt take off manum de tabula.
5. Coroll. Hence we may ſee by all the Errours, Hereſies, ſtrange Practiſes diſcovered in this booke, into what a condition we are fallen, and from what fallen, that we can do and ſuffer ſuch things as we do: I knew the time when it might have been ſaid of us as of the Angell in the 2. Revel. 2. we could not have borne them that were evill, and this we had when we were at ☞worſt, we hated the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, but now wee have left our firſt love zeale, are become a people that can ſuffer any thing, the twentieth part of what we now make nothing of, but have pretences, excuſes and pleas for, ſeven yeares agoe would have made us cry out bitterly, kept daies of faſting and prayer for (though with the hazard of our lives and Liberties) made complaints and ſpoken one to another, looked for the judgments of God to have come upon us, but now we beare all; nay what was moſt evill in the Biſhops and their Chaplains, for which they (wicked men as they were commonly cal'd) have been caſt out, as Popery, Arminianiſme, prophaning the Lords day, countenancing Papiſts, Arminians, &c. is new light and new truth in Sectaries and Independents, prophaneneſſe ahd ungodlineſſe in them, is now become conſcience, ☞godlineſſe, Saintſhip. Now the groſſeſt Arminianiſme without making mince meat of it can go down, we can ſwallow without any trouble Popiſh Arminian Pills, and that without being wrapt in gold, yea Arrian Socinian Tenets, and what not: We ☞heare of no Remonſtrances, famous Speeches, plain home Sermons now againſt errours in doctrine as heretofore, no Committees ſitting upon Books, to deale with Mr. Dens, Mr. John Goodwins, M. Burtons, and divers others, as with Mountagues, Dr. Jackſons, and Coſens Books: Magiſtrates, Miniſters too ſilent, the people alſo too contented and quiet, yea many inſtead of crying out and being pained at heart love to have it ſo, will prefer a man and give a great deale for ſome to preach errours among ☞them and diſturbe their faith, when as they will give nothing for an able man every way qualified to preach the truth: God may take up that complaint of our preſent times which he doth by Jeremie; My people have committed two evills, they have forſaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed to themſelves broken Ciſternes that can hold no water, hewe and be at a great deale of coſt and paines for puddle poyſonous water, but reject and ſlieght a fountain of pure and living waters.
6. Coroll. Hence then we may ſee from all the Errors, Hereſies, Inſolencies of many Sectaries in our Armies and among the Souldiers laid downe in Gangr…na, what a great plague and judgement of God to this Land ſome of our Armies and Souldiery have been, and are now more then ever; namely in that ſo many Commanders and Souldiers diffuſed throughout the Body of the whole Army, yea ſome whole Troops and Regiments ſhould be deſperate Sectaries and Hereticks. We muſt needs be under a great plague to have thoſe who ſhould be the Inſtruments of our ſafety, and have the ſword in their hands, to be ſuch kinde of men, and to do as they do: Hereſies and Errors in any men are a great evill upon a Land, a ſad matter, but in the Souldiery 'tis armed impiety, who by power and force may propagate and ſpread all kinde of errors and opinions without controle, and by marching from Countrey to Countrey, have opportunity of infecting all parts of a Land: Certainly the Sectaries in the Armies (I ſpeake now as a Miniſter of the Goſpell, judging of things according to Scripture, and not according to carnall policy and outward appearance) are the greateſt plague and judgement of God that hath been upon this Kingdom this hundred years: when I heare daily of the errors they ſcatter, the inſolencies they commit, and ſee what great evills they are the cauſe of in Church and State, I often thinke of a paſſage in a famous Speech, made by Sir Edward Deering in the beginning of this Parliament, ſpeaking of the corruptions in Religion among us, to be firſt remedied before the Scots Army then in the Land to be conſidered of, uſed theſe words, or to this effect: Let the ſword rage from North to South, or 'tis better it ſhould rage from North to South, rather then the corruptions in Religion not be taken away; ſo ſay…, it had been better the Sword of the Enemy had raged from North to South, then this Sword of Hereſie, and Plague of Error like a Gangrene ſhould over-run the Kingdome as it doth: T…is deſtroyes the precious ſoules, and I am fully aſſured, the Sectaries in the Armies have deſtroyed more ſoules, and overthrowne the faith of more with their hereſies and wicked opinions, then they have killed the bodies of their enemies with their Swords. The conſtitution of our ſouldiery, ſo many Sectaries being in our Militia, duplicate page duplicate page beſides, that 'tis a great and fearfull plague of it ſelfe, 'tis a great cauſe of all other evills, 'tis that which emboldens the Sectaries all the Kingdome over, and encourages that party to do ſo many ☞wicked things as they doe daily, affront the Houſe of Peers, abuſe Scotland▪ the City of London, Miniſtery, publikely print preach all kind of abominable errours. 'Tis that which awes the good party, o… at leaſt out of policy makes them not ſo zealnus and o…ſolute againſt the errours of the t…. 'Tis that keeps the Church Government from going on a pace, that is a great remora to the puniſhing of Hereticks, &c. 'tis that indeed which hath infeſted and infected the Kingdome ſo generally. There are few of our E…iſſaries and not … ▪ Sectaries but are o… have been Souldiers, belonged to the Armies as Chaplaines, or one way or other have followed the Campe, they all ſmell of the Army, Hich, Knollys, Erbury, Dell S…ltmarſ… Peters, … cheler, &c. we …ay truly ſay … a B…: Our Ar… the N… of all … and a … evills, and … we may ſee the true cauſe why all the Sectaries are ſo … warre and keeping up the Armies, can not abide to he … of …ing becauſe their Kingdome is in larged and maintained thereby▪ but certainly it will never be well with the Kingdome▪ till the Armies be disb…ded, or at leaſt … …delled, the Sectaries put … God be me…ifull unto … we … in ſtrange hand…, and things are come to a ſtrange paſſe, and all wiſe men who have read Hi… ſtories underſtand any thing, and by together many of the Sectaries Speeches and Practiſes, conceive it cann… but be very perillous to have the ſword in ſo many ma…mens hands, and ſcare a new Tiragedy to be acted like that in G… and at M…ſter by the old Anabaptiſts, yea worſe … The godly Orth… Miniſters and Chriſtians, and all true hearted Engliſh men may … out and ſay as in 10. Pſal. Helpe Lord, … wicked walks …n every fid…, when the vi…, and with the Prophet▪ M… lachie … Mal▪ 15. … the proud happy, y… they th…, yea they that … God are … delivered. The Sectaries of our Armies invading the Pulpits, abaſing the godly Miniſters, laying waſt and prophaning the publike places … apart for Gods worſhip are like …, and like … … … the Houſes of God in poſſeſſion, nay they are like to thoſe husbandmen in the 20. of Luke, that reaſoned among themſelves ſaying; This is the heire, come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours: So they caſt him out of the vineyard, and killed him: The Sectaries knowing that ſo long as the godly Miniſters and ſuch a Miniſtry continues in the Kingdome, they ſhall never doe their worke bring in all hereſie and confuſion, the inheritance ſhall not be theirs, therefore they ſet themſelves to deſtroy the Miniſtry and Miniſters, that the inheritance may be theirs. The Apoſtle Paul 2. Tim. 3. bids Timothy know this that the perilouſneſſe of times ſtands in falſe Teachers, ſeducers creeping into houſes to lead captive ſilly women, and in men reprobate concerning the faith reſiſting the truth, and not in ſo much in *Calvin. in 2 Tim. 3. 1, 2. Notandum in quo aſperitatē vel duritiem temporum conſtituat, no… in bello ſcilicet, nec fame, nec …orbis, nec aliis calamitatibus, vel incommodis quae corpor… accidunt, ſed in malis & pravis hominum moribus. Vide ibid. plura.war, famine, nor other calamities which happens to the body, and therefore makes this preface before it; this know alſo, implying it was not ſo well known, and ſtirring up Timothy the better to attend to what he ſhould …ay and now to know it. Now if thoſe times be of all others the moſt perilous where there are falſe teachers venting errours and here…ies but in a way of creeping into houſes, how perillous and dangerous are thoſe times where there are falſe Teachers and ſeducers (holding all ſort of errours) armed, being Commanders and Officers of Regiments and Companies, who creep not into houſes, but openly command houſes and abide in them, and by their power can and do drive away the faithfull ſhepheards that ſhould defend the ſheep, that ſo the Wolves and Foxes may the more freely devoute them; and that when they have …avened and made havock in one place can march to another, and ſo go into all places by their power, forcing and commandi…g what they pleaſe. All which clearely ſhewes us we are in a far worſe condition then when the enemy was in the height of his ſucceſſes and victories at the taking of Briſtow, or ever ſince the Parliament began: God is more diſhono…ed, pretious ſoules more deſtroyed, all things tending to Anarchy, Confuſion and new Broyles worſe then before; Certainly in God have any delight in this Kingdome, or purpoſe to do it good, he will deliver us from this wicked generation of Sectaries one way or other: They have, theſe three laſt yeares been encreaſing and growing very bad, but this laſt yeare they have been outragious: I am confidently perſwaded if a Commiſſion were iſſued out from both Houſes to faithfull godly men (and they backed with ſuch power not to fear the Sectarian ſouldiers) to ſit in the ſeverall Counties to examine and enquire out the inſolencies and enormities of the Sectarian ſouldiers and Chaplaines that were in the noble Earle of Mancheſters Army, and now in Sir Thomas Fairfax'es Army, with aſſurance of protection to the complainants and witneſſes; there would be the dreadfulleſt and abominableſt things found out both in opinions & practiſes that ever were heard of in any Army of Chriſtendom, and moſt of the Cavaliers would be found Saints to them, ſo that tis evident there's more need of disbanding and caſhi…ring the Companies and Regiments conſiſting moſt of Antinomians, Anabaptiſts, Seekers, Antiſcripturiſts, &c. then of Vand…sks Regiment, of which there were ſo many outcryes; and that juſtly too as I believe.
7. Corollar. Hence then by what is laid down in this Booke of the. Errours, Hereſies, Practiſes, inſolencies of the Sectaries we may ſee that never in any age or in any Chriſtian State or Kingdom, whether Orthodox or Hetrodox Proteſtant or Popiſh hath there been ſuch a ſufferance and Toleration of thoſe who have been contrary minded to the Religion eſtabliſhed by civill Authority, as hath been and is in our Kingdome. The Sectaries talke much upon all occaſions of Toleration and liberty of conſcience in Holland, Poland, Tranſylvania, France, Switzerland, Turky but let any man look into thoſe Countries and but underſtand aright what is allowed in thoſe places, and then conſider what is daily practiſed in England and ſuffered without all queſtioning, and he muſt needs confeſſe there's no ſuch liberty nor Toleration in any of thoſe places: enquire and aske after Holland, France, Poland, &c. where there are Tolerations, whether, Sectaries, or Diſſenters from what's ſetled by the civill Sanction, do come into publike Churches, cauſing tumults and riots, and by violence put by the Miniſters from preaching, pulling them out of their Pulpits, abuſing them groſſely, and preach openly with all kind of reproaches againſt the eſtabliſhed Religion? whether Books are ſuffered to be printed with licenſe and ſold openly, …enting all kind of errours, blaſphemies, yea branding with moſt odions names the Religion eſtabliſhed, and the ſupreme Authority who ſettles it? yea daring to preſent into the hands of, and at the doores of the houſes where the ſupreme Judicatories ſit, Bookes and *Cornewells vindication of …ng Ieſus his Commiſſion, Conf…ſſion of Faith of the Anabaptiſts.Pamphlets, with *A Proteſtation atteſted before Anthony Luther Iuſtice of Peace.Proteſtations againſt what themſelves have enacted? whether great numbers of Emiſſaries, Mechanicks of all ſorts are ſuffered to be daily ſent forth into all parts of their Countries and Kingdoms to draw away the people from their Religion? and if any man in authority dare be ſo bold to moleſt them, though they abuſe Magiſtrates to their faces, yet they are one way or other delivered, and preſently fall the faſter to their work again, whether the way to preferment and places of honour, profit, truſt, command be in thoſe Countries to oppoſe and to be moſt active againſt the Religion and Government eſtabliſhed? and the ready way to be kept out of all ſuch places, and by one device or other to be turned out, yea to be brought in trouble be for a man to be zealous for the Religion and way of worſhip ſetled in that Country? whether in any of thoſe Countries if thoſe who be Hereticks and Schiſmaticks, or Diſſenters only from what the Magiſtrates of the Countries have eſtabliſhed being cal'd in queſtion by thoſe in higheſt place for writing againſt and reproaching their Ordinances and Lawes, and thereupon affronting them to their faces and writing Bookes publikely againſt them, have they notwithſtanding continuing in all contempt eſcaped without puniſhment? and received thoſe favours and priviledges which none before them (though never ſo conformable to the Lawes and State) have received, and ſo I might inſtance in many other like particulars: Now I challenge any man in all his reading or travelling, to give me any ſuch inſtances in Holland, France, Tranſylvania, Turky, &c. but I can give many proofes in all theſe kinds within theſe three laſt yeares in England. In the Biſhops times before this Parliament there was great favour ſhewed towards Papiſts and perſons Popiſhly affected, but did they come into our Churches eſtabliſhed by Law and bringing their Prieſts put by our Miniſters from preaching and celebrating the Lords Supper, and ſet up againſt the will of the Miniſters and Pariſhioners their owne Prieſts to preach points of Doctrines, and to ſay Maſſe; or did the Biſhops when Popery was moſt countenanced, ſuffer Popiſh Books railing againſt our Miniſtery, Church, &c. to be licenſed by their Chaplains and ſold openly: In the Kings late Armies where (as it hath been reported) there have been many Papiſts and Popiſh Commanders, yea and Prieſts, did they ever where they were quartered drive away by force the Proteſtant Miniſters, and in the midſt of the publike exerciſes on Lords dayes come with their ſouldiers and diſturbe them in Prayers, preaching, and put up their Prieſts in their rooms▪ I never heard of any one ſuch example in this kind; O what outcryes would theſe things have made if done either by Biſhops or Papiſts, but theſe things are ordinarily and daily practiſed by the Sectaries; Indeed the liberty the Sectaries now have in England is rather a Domination then a Toleration, a Raigne rather then a ſufferance, yea their Raigne and Domination is ſwel'd ſo high that the godly Miniſters and Chriſtians who are for the Church-Government and way eſtabliſhed by Parliament have much a doe to be tolerated and ſuffered, nay in many places they cannot ſerve God quietly, nor live in peace but are affronted, moleſted, thereatned, yea their lives hazarded: The Dommation and Inſolencies of the Sectaries in England both in City and Country are unſufferable, and beyond all example; and let but all things be conſidered, the nature of the Lawes and civill Government of England that all the people are ſubject to the ſame Lawes, and all the Countries of this Kingdome under the obedience of King and Parliament, none exempt, not ſome parts under one, and ſome under another, as in the Cantons and ſome other Countries, as alſo that great and ſolemne Covenant taken for the neareſt uniformity in Doctrine, Government, &c. and the extirpation of all hereſie, ſchiſme, &c. with ſome other ſuch like conſiderations, I am ready upon my life to make it good at the Barr of both Houſes, that there is in England the greateſt ſufferance and countenance of a Diſſenting party from what is held out and eſtabliſhed by Authority, that ever was in any age where there was a Chriſtian Magiſtrate, or that is in any part of the world whatſoever at this day: the Toleration in Holland, France, Tranſylvania, &c. in many things falling ſhort of that liberty the Sectaries here enjoy. I had thought upon and drawn up twelve pregnant particulars with the proofes wherein the Toleration here is greater then in thoſe Countries, but I muſt defer them till the fourth part of Gangraena, having enlarged this part already ſo much beyond the former parts, and my intentions, and ſhall conclude this ſeventh Corollarie, that if the Sectaries ſhall be ſtill ſuffered to go on and all kind of errors and opinions vented for the future, as they have been for theſe three or foure laſt years, this will be ſuch a thing as never was read or heard of in any age, or among any people, that the end and iſſue of a ſolemne Nationall Covenant made with God another Kingdome ☜and one another for Reformation, ſhould end in a univerſall Toleration and Confuſion both in Church and State.
8. Corollar. Hence then we may plainly ſee by many ſpeeches, paſſages in Letters, facts, inſolencies of the Sectaries related in this Book, that the Sectaries hold not to their principles of Toleration and Liberty of Conſcience, but only in receiving it, they will not give it (when and where they have the power of giving it) unto others: The Sectaries in all their Bookes, Sermons, Speeches, Diſcourſes contend for liberty of Conſcience, and that no man ſhould ſuffer any thing from another for his differing in opinions from him, or be hindered in printing and ſpeaking his conſcience, and yet if the Reader do but remember the ſeverall paſſages I have laid down of the Sectaries dealings with godly Presbyterians in City and Country, Army and Miniſtry, and in all places, he muſt neceſſarily conclude when they are grown ſtrong enough, and where they can they will ſuffer none but themſelves. In all ages Hereticks and Sectaries at their firſt riſing, when but a few and weake have cryed for Toleration, liberty of Conſcience, but when by being let alone they have grown to great numbers, and by their induſtry, ſubtilty and activity have got power in their hands, then they have been the greateſt perſecutors of all others, denying all liberty to the Orthodox, and this the Eccleſiaſticall Hiſtories of all times both ancient and moderne ſhow. Thus the Donatiſts, Arrians, Anabaptiſts of …, … in Holland with other ſuch like maintained and pleaded for a Toleration …anquam pr… aris & focis, and yet after a time that either they got Princes and Magiſtrates … their …, or being increaſed in number got the ſword into their …, they killed, baniſhed, ſpoiled of their goods, threw out of offices and places all thoſe who were not of their opinions.Socrates Scholaſtic. lib. 2. c. 21. 22. 23. relates at large the Arrians, and Sebaſtianus a Manichee fearfull perſecutions a…d unheard of cruelties againſt the Orthodox Biſhops and people: The violence truly was no leſſe then that of old, practiſed towards the Chriſtians, when they were compelled and drawn to ſacrifice unto Idols. For many endured ſundry kinds of torment, men racking and diſmembring of their joynts, confiſcating of their ſubſtance: Some bereaved of their native ſoile, other ſo…e departed this life under the hands of the tormentor; ſome dyed in baniſhment, and never ſaw their Country again, They baniſhed divers Biſhops, and being bereaved of their native ſoile they handled ſo roughly, that ſome of them dyed by the way, ſome other in exile never returning again. They put to death above 30. Biſhops. They followed the ſteps of wicked Ahab, imploying all their care and induſtry for the rooting out of the truth from of the face of the earth. Danaeus in Auguſt. de Haereſib. cap. 69. ſhowes, when the Donatiſts were increaſed in number, and head infected all Affrica, ſo that many whole Cities fell to that way, they then grew inſolent and offered violence to the Orthodox till Dulcitius a Tribune of Souldiers being ſent againſt them by Honorius the Emperor reſtrained their violence and injuries againſt the Chriſtians. Thomas Muntzer preached that all things ſhould be in common according to the example of the Primitive Church▪ and thoſe of the richer ſort who would not be perſwaded by Arguments, he by force and fear of worſe compelled them thereunto: At Munſter community of all goods is commanded by the Anabaptiſts John of Leyden, Knipperdolling, &c. upon paine of death: John of Leyden rageth againſt thoſe that diſſented, and by the ſlaughter of a great many ſtrengthens his Tyranny; ſo that upon the pleaſure of this man depended not only the eſtates, but even the lives of every one of the Citizens. Whoſoever durſt but ſpeak a word in jeſt of the Prophets, was accuſed of Treaſon, and made a ſacrifice to the lu…s of thoſe miſcreants; and all divine and humane right trodden under foot. Spanh. Diatr. Hiſtori. Hence 'tis an obſervation of Vedelius in his Arcan. Armin. par. 4. lib. 2. cap. 8. that the diſpoſition of Hereticks is ſuch, that 'tis impoſſible for them when they have got ſtrength, to moderate themſelves from perſecuting of the Orthodox.
And thus our preſent Independents and Anabaptiſts notwithſtanding all their pretences of liberty and conſcience have and do (where they are in power and can by any way or means ſuppreſſe) proſecute Presbyterians to the utmoſt, and indeed for this very end plead for liberty, and worke night and day too get into all places of power and command both military and ….
It w…re too long to relate all the inſtances of godly Miniſters and other worthy men troubled and complain…d of by them to Committees, of honeſt Chriſtians troubled by the… means for diſcharging their conſciences in petitioning the Parliament, and Common Councell, of all the godly Miniſters put by from preaching in their owne Churches by Sectaries, and of their retuſing to let godly Miniſters of the Presbyterian judgement preach in any Chappels and Churches where they have power, of the many threatning ſpeeches ſpoken by them againſt the godly Miniſters, that they would leave never a Preiſt in England, that the Presbyterians ſhould be dealt with as Malignants, ſequeſtred ere long, and ſuch like, of their not licenſing any books or matters of Intelligence, but ſtopping the Preſſe all they can to men not of their judgement, of their incenſing and ſtrring up the Parliament in printed books to puniſh godly Miniſters for laying open the Errors of the times, of their labouring to keep out of all places in Parliament, Armies, Livings, &c. Orthodox godly men, of their putting affronts upon, hindring of pay, turning out of places by one trick or other the faithfulleſt and worthieſt men, if Presbyterians, yea going againſt all principles of Juſtice, Honor, Rules of Warre, Gallantry: What ſhould I ſpeak of all the affronts, ☜neglects, complaints of, troubles, vexations, which have happened to many gallant, valiant, faithfull Commanders, and all becauſe Anti-Independents, by meanes of the Sectaries, as Sir Willam Waller, Major Generall Maſſey, Major Generall Skippon, Colonel Harvey, Colonel King, Colonel Whaley, Major Fincher, Adjutant Generall Gray, Lieutenant Colonel Kempſon, Lieutenant Colonel Jackſon, &c. beſides the putting by of ſome from their places; what gallant man almoſt is there, but hath beene heaved at, complained of ſome way or other, affronted by ſome Sectaries, and neglected by having men put over their heads into commands, and they unpreferd, though places void: There are ſtrange, but true ſtories in the Army in this …ind, and ſome keepe a Regiſter of them, and when time ſhall ſerve, may make them knowne, though for the preſent, becauſe they ſee how ſtrong the ſtreame runs, and for the quietneſſe of the Army they are ſilent, though they cannot but ſpeak to their friends of theſe things. I have been told from duplicate page duplicate page a good hand upon the occaſion of Adjutant Generall Grayes being queſtioned at a Councell of Warre for reading the City Remonſtrance, that a great Commander of that Army writ a letter to another great Commander to this effect, that he wondred that they who were ſo much for liberty of conſcience, and a Toleration for themſelves, would not afford the ſame to other men; but that Adjutant Generall Gray, becauſe he was a Presbyterian, and that according to his conſcience ſhould have Articles put in againſt him, and be ſo violently proſecuted: And if the Sectaries dare do thus whilſt they are a labouring for a Toleration (as they ſay) before they know whether they ſhall prevaile and have the upper hand, when tis evident the Houſe of Peeres, the Kingdom of Scotland, the City of London, the Miniſtery of the Kingdome and the body of the people are againſt them, yea and whatever they vapor the greater part of the Houſe of Commons too, what will they do if ever they ſhould get their way eſtabliſhed by a law, and come to have all the ſtrength of the Kingdome in their hands, what will they doe when they are maſters of the Presbyterians, that thus perſecute them whilſt they are Probationers? Q…id facient Domini, a…dent cum tali… fures? and therefore by theſe beginnings of Perſecution, theſe Kingdomes of England and Scotland may judge what to truſt to, and look to finde, if ever theſe men come to have power in their hands: they will be as bad as the Circumcelliones among the Donatiſts, as thoſe Anabaptiſts to the Citizens of Munſter, they will be deſperate perſecutors of the faithfull Miniſters of Chriſt, thinking they ſhall doe God good ſervice in killing them. The Lords may know what to truſt to if ever the Sectaries prevaile, The Scots had beſt look to it alſo, they will finde them worſe neighbours a hundred times then ever the ☞Biſhops were, all the reformed Churches had need contribute their help againſt them, for if they prevaile, they will all ſuffer and be much diſturbed in their place. The Aſſembly of Divines ſhall feele their liberty of conſcience, The City of London and Citizens ſhall be reckoned with, and paid for their Petitions and late Remonſtrance; The Houſe of Commons alſo may aſſure themſelves, they ſhall feele their power when they are grown ſtrong enough, as is evident by many threatning paſſages in Pamphlets of the Sectaries, eſpecially thoſe Members of the Houſe who are not theirs, but have vigorouſly appeared againſt them, they will ☜pull them out by the head and ears, and kick them out of the Houſe: Certainly the Houſe of Commons ſo great and underſtanding a body, notwithſtanding many flattering Petitions of late to them, crying them up in late Pamphlets above the Houſe of Peers, and proteſting deeply to be at their ſervice and command againſt all the world, cannot be ſo weak as to beleeve them, and to think if the Sectaries get power into their hands, and overthrow the Houſe of Peers, Miniſters, City, that they ſhall eſcape and not follow after: they have written, ſpoken, done as much againſt them as the Houſe of Peers, Miniſters, Citie, and no queſtion will again as they ſee their advantage, or are diſcontented, or upon ſome new light that they were not choſen by all the free-men ☜of England, but only by the Prerogative men the Freeholders: No man knowes where theſe Sectaries will ſtop or ſtay, or to what Principles they will keep, and is there any ſafety then in adhering to ſuch a party, and caring to pleaſe them who are off and on: Tis evident even in thoſe Books made againſt the Houſe of Peers, and in which the Commons and their Power are ſo cried up, that many things are laid down deſtructive to that Houſe, and in the midſt of flattering the Houſe of Commons, they brand them with in juſtice, medling with what they have nothing to do with, as matters of Religion: As the fit takes them they now will cry crucifie them, crucifie them, but what may they expect from that party if once all the Militia and ſtrength ſhould be in their hands? To conclude this Corallary, I ſay, God keep me and all true Presbyterians from that liberty of conſcience the Sectaries would give us if we lay at their mercy, and liberty of conſcience were theirs to give.
9. Corall. Hence then from what I have laid downe of the Sectaries, as in a Mirrour and Chriſtall Glaſſe we may with open face behold the true bottome cauſe of all our evils and miſcheifs both in Church and State, the maine reaſon of the obſtructions of all good things, why Religion and Church Government not yet ſettled, why Ireland not releived, peace not attained, and the great ground of all the miſeries upon us, why ſuch jealoſies and differences have beene betweene England and Scotland, ſuch diſcontents taken at London, why the Aſſembly and godly Miniſters of the Kingdome ſlighted, many well-affected Counties offended, Petitions not regarded, the well-affected diſcouraged, many great greivances not remedied, many Delinquents protected and not call'd to an account, ſtrange Articles given to ſome in Armes at ſome places contrary to Ordinances of Parliament, illegall elections of Members of the Houſe of Commons taking place, ſo many ſcandalous pamphlets againſt Monarchie, the Houſe of Peers and Houſe of Commons ſold openly, ſuch high inſolencies committed againſt the Houſe of Peers as never were in any age, with many more, namely that great love and favour of Sectariſme and Errors in too many perſons of our times: This is the ſpring that feeds all our evils, the primum mobile, or great wheele that turns all the reſt about: Hence tis no matter though Ireland be loſt, England and Scotland embroyled, Parliament and London at a diſtance, the godly Miniſters hearts loſt, the Kingdome offended, Armies and great Taxes continued, &c. rather then any thing be done againſt Sectaries: Sectaries muſt not be diſ-eaſed or diſpleaſed what ever come of it, they muſt be nouriſhed and increaſe, Eraſtian principles muſt be maintained and cried up, prophaneſſe let alone, open wicked men joyned with, and all to further Sectariſme and Liberty of Conſcience ſo called. Whoſoever knowes and hath obſerved the preſent affairs and ſtate of things cannot but ſee the truth of what I now ſay; and I challenge any man to inſtance in any one thing at leaſt for theſe laſt twelve months, wherein ſo many evils have been and are upon us, but I will rationally reſolve into that, and though other pretences have been held out, as ſometimes priviledges, ſometimes the liberty and ſafety of the ſubject, ſometimes godlineſſe, ſometimes unſeaſonableſſe an unfit time, &c. many things folded together, and indeed the love of Sectariſme ſometimes ſo wrapt up in them that not diſcerned by all, as in all ages men have not wanted pretences, yet …is apparent to all wiſe men that this is the very cauſe. Is it not evident whatever hath been pretended, the true cauſe of all the jealoſies, differences and faults found with the S…ots, to bee a great love and care of Sectaries whom we know the Scots ſo hate, and therefore have done it out of revenge? Is it not evident the true and only reaſon of the Cities being ſo ſlighted, reviled, ſuch a change of carriage towards them to ariſe from their appearing againſt the Sects and Errors of the times, and ſtriking in with the Miniſters to joyne for a thorough Presbyteriall Government? have not all the alterations towards the City beene ſince that time, and began at that time? Is it not evident whatever is pretended, as want of time, the feare of the Tyranny of Miniſters, &c. the cauſe why Religion and the Church Government is no better ſettled to be the love of Error and Hereſie which they know the Government would deſtroy? And ſo I might go thorough the reſt, and therefore we may ſee to whom, and to what to attribute all the miſcheifs and evils that are upon us, and further hang over us. Canterbury, Strafford, or whom elſe you will name, out of deſignes of Popery or abſolute greatneſſe, or what elſe you will imagine, were never greater cauſes of all the evills and miſcheifs in their times, of differences with the Scots, of invading the liberties of the ſubject, &c. then ſome men among us are of our preſent evils, and all to uphold the faction of Sectaries and Opinioniſts and to make way for a Toleration, which to advance and bring about and themſelves by that to greatneſſe of place and eſtate, and to ☜licentiouſneſſe of living, they are ſo madly ſet upon it, that they care not to run the hazard of ruining three Kingdomes, and reducing all into a Chaos of confuſion in Church and State, that ſo they man have the creating of all new, and erect their Babell. But it may be ſome will ſay, tis wonder there ſhould be ſo great a party loving and favouring Sectariſme and Error, as to be able to hinder things thus, and to diſturbe the Kingdomes, and if there ſhould be ſo, what may be the true reaſon of the exceeding great favouring of all kind of Sectaries and Libertines. 1. I anſwer, there are ſome men who have beene and are but meane in outward eſtate, birth, and place, and others though richer in the world, yet below in the vallies in compariſon, and being exceeding ambitious, proud, covetous, and withall ſubtile, apprehending alſo by reaſon of theſe deep diſtractions and troubles in the State, an opportunity of becoming great and raiſing themſelves by being the heads of a great party, and getting an intereſt and great power in many people, and knowing ☞the corruption of mens hearts, how pleaſing liberty and to have a mans ſwinge is, and obſerving which way the pulſe of the preſent times beat, thereupon have ſet themſelves to ſtand for, countenance all kind of Errors and all kind of men whatever they be that doe walke in irregular wayes: Theſe men being Politicians know that the appearing for any one Sect two or three, and reſtraining the reſt will not doe their work, make them the heads of ſuch a conſiderable party as be able to deale with the ☞oppoſition they may likely meet with in their ambitious deſignes, but if they would doe good upon it, they muſt let looſe the rains to all Errors whatſoever, Errors againſt the Scriptures, againſt denying a God, the Trinity, &c. they muſt preferre all ſorts of men of thoſe principles one as well as another, conſtantly ſtand by, and appeare for all that are queſtioned in that way let their opinions be what they will, their carriages never ſo inſolent in the ſpreading of them, and their perſons never ſo unworthy and contemptible, on the contrary oppoſing, undermining and breaking all thoſe who are active againſt their party, and by thus doing, proclaiming as it were open liberty to all men according to their ſeverall wayes and luſts, Papiſts, Atheiſts, Libertines, &c. they are in a faire way in ſome convenient time (keeping off any thing too from being ſettled) to have ſo many freinds as to be able to help them into the ſaddle, eſpecially at a time when others are juſtled out. Jeroboam to keep the people to him, and to ſtrengthen the Kingdome, fearing leaſt they ſhould returne from him to Rehoboam, took counſell and made two golden Calves, and ſaid to the people tis too much for you to go up to Jeruſalem, and inſtead of the ſonnes of Levi made Preiſts of the people, for the Calves which he had made, and whoſoever would might become one of the Preiſts: So there are too many in our dayes that they may get the people to them, and ſtrengthen their power have made golden Calves, ſet up the Doctrine of Toleration of all Religions, a worſhipping of Calves, and give liberty to whoſoever will the loweſt of the people to be Preiſts, Coblers, Shoe-makers, Tinkers, Taylors, to preach, adminiſter Sacraments, &c. and that becauſe tis too much for the people, as Jeroboam ſaid, too much ſlavery, ſubjection to depend upon Miniſters, too much for the people to pay Tyths and part with ſo much of their meanes, they ſhall enjoy all freely, and thus by prophecying …alſe Doctrine, and allowing whoever will to propheſie they may come to beare rule by that means, as Jeremie ſpeaks. 2. Though there ſeeme not Sectaries, viz. formall Sectaries, ſo many as to be able to carry things thus to the diſturbance of the Kingdome, yet if we conſider whom they make uſe of, and ſtrike in with, and by their policies and activities, pretences have drawne in to their party; no wonder Sectariſme hath ſuch a power and influence upon affairs, for with the Sectaries are joyned the looſeſt and wickedeſt men, whom they tell they will let enjoy their luſts, not force them to go to Church, or any Government, the men who have got good offices and places of profit, who before they had ſuch were ☜known (divers of them) to go contrary, but now ſtick cloſe to them to keep their places, needy meane men, that ſo they may get ſomething by fiſhing in troubled waters, guilty obnoxious men, that they be kept from being called to account, men unduly and illegally choſen into places, that ſo they may not be turned out, ſome ſimple weak men who are by the Sectaries cunning, putting fair gloſſes upon ſoule things, and jumbling other things of intereſt of the Kingdome, publick ſa…ety, liberty, &c. meerly cheated: Now all theſe joyning with them, and they to gaine and keep them, applying themſelves in ſuitable wayes to every one of theſe ſorts, every wiſe man may eaſily conceive how Sectaries may prevail as they do, here's a chain ☜conſiſting of ſo many links as may draw a great weight after it, though all this while the firſt link is the love of Sectariſme and errors unto which all the other are faſtned, and that which drawes all the reſt, this is the Head Faction, the others only ſubſervient, this firſt raiſed and now upholds all the reſt to uphold it ſelfe, and theſe others without that could not ſtop all the good, and be the cauſe of ſo many miſchiefs and evils that are upon this Kingdom.
10. Corall. Hence then from all this Diſcovery of the Sectaries laid downe in this Book, their Errors, ſtrange wayes, inſolent proceedings, many middle men well-meaning people drawne in by them, meerly co…oned by their faire pretences and ſpecious ſhowes, ſhould upon this making them ſo naked, and pulling the Sheeps skins over the Wolves yeeres, come out from them, and inſtead of ſiding any longer with them, turne to the Ortho …ox godly party, to help the Lord againſt them; as alſo ſuch Presbyterians who know the Sectaries well, ſhould from all this be ſtirr'd up to ſhake off their dulneſſe, lazineſſe, and become active, vigilant, diligent, naturally caring for the ſtate of things, contending and ſtriving earneſtly for the truth of God againſt the Sectaries of theſe times; and now in the concluſion of this Third Part I will hint a few things both to thoſe who have beene deceived by the Sectaries, and to the Presbyterians who well know them. To the firſt ſort, conſider, have you not beene too long cheated and carried along with faire pretences almoſt to the utter ruine of Religion and the Kingdome? have you not, and doe you not ſee in many affaires one thing pretended and another intended? doe you not ſee evidently that their godlineſſe is gaine and great places, that their zeale for preaching and ſpreading the Goſpell, ☞is to have all Errors and Hereſies of a ſuddaine ſpread over the Kingdome, and ſo in other things, and will you ſtill ſuffer your ſelves to be deceived by them? there are ſome who were courted and complemented with, and doe confeſſe they were deceived by them, and have left them, doe you ſo likewiſe, and deliver your ſelves and the Kingdome thereby out of this Babell. Secondly, conſider you had as good leave them at firſt as at laſt, for either you muſt reſolve to go thorough with them in all their deſignes, and to the higheſt, which I ſuppoſe midling well meaning men intend not, but abhor to think of, or elſe if not, then when they have by your help effected and brought about their ends, they will caſt you off, and you ſhall be ſerved with the ſame ſauce as the zealous Presbyterians, thus the Prelats ſerved divers whom they made uſe of, and would not go on with them in every thing, and ſo will the Sectaries ſerve many well-meaning men who know not the depths of Satan, therefore 'tis better for you to leave them, then that they being made ſtrong by your meanes ſhould in the end ruine and deſtroy you; and let ſuch moderate well-meaning men know, that if they will ſtill adhere to that party after all theſe diſcoveries of them, God will look upon them as partakers of all their ſinnes, will deſtroy them with the Sectaries, and they are like to periſh in the gain-ſaying of Core; and therefore I beſpeak▪ them in the words of Moſes, Numb. 16. 26. Depart I pray you from the Tents of theſe wicked men, touch nothing of theirs, leaſt yee be conſumed in all their ſinnes; feare, ſuſpect every motion that comes from that party, though it ſeeme never ſo good, though propounded by others not of their way, and if it be not a thing exceeding cleare and certaine to thee, take heed of cloſing in with it, rather ſuſpend and adviſe upon it: for theſe Sectaries often act by other men, get good men who ſee not their depths to promote their cauſe, hiding alwayes the hook of their deſignes under the bait of priviledge, liberty, ſafety, godlineſſe, all which are not regarded by them, but the doing of their work, the increaſe of Sectariſme and Error. For the other ſort the Presbyterians, conſider, what a ſhame 'tis that a handfull of men in compariſon ſhould by their activity, diligence, minding their work, bring things to that paſſe they are, in our Armies, Councels, City, Country, and the Presbyterians of both Kingdomes ten times as many …it ſtill (as it were) and ſuffer them? Oh if ſo few have done ſo much, and that in a ☜bad cauſe, what might not we doe in a good cauſe, if courageous, zealous, and intent upon it? certainly we might in a ſhort time break the hearts and the neck of that faction; and in ſpeciall, if the City of London and the Government of it would appeare as ☜they might, and when they have begun, follow and proſecute it in beginning to put the Lawes in execution againſt thoſe who come not to Church, in puniſhing thoſe Sectaries who live under their juriſdiction and government for abuſing them in print, in taking care that no Sectarie have any office or place of government in the City, in petitioning the Parliament againe and againe, they might by the bleſſing of God quickly remedy all: If I ſhould but mind the City of the ſolemne Covenant they have taken to endeavour in their places the extirpation of Hereſie and S…hiſme, of what the Kingdome, all good and honeſt men expect from them in this kind, of all the affronts and injuries they have ſuffered from that party, and by meanes of that party, and of all they ſhall ſurely ſuffer from that party if they prevaile, be trampled upon ☞and made ſlave…, uſed as the poore Citizens of Munſter were by the Anabaptiſts; theſe and many ſuch other would make them take heart, ariſe and be doing; but I ſhall conclude all with turning my ſelfe to Chriſt, and that in the words of Ve…elius in alike caſe againſt the Arminians of Holland, *V…d…l. Arcan. Armin. Par. 4. page 260.Ariſe O Lord Jeſus, have mercy upon theſe Kingdomes, vindicate thy owne glory. To thee who with the Father and the holy Spirit art that one and only true God, be honor, glory and praiſe for ever,
Amen.