Some New Blazing Stars Styling Themselves New Lights, Section 4
Section IV.
Containing ſundry ſcurrilous, ſeditious, libellous, railing and blasphemous Invectives againſt the Aſſembly of Divines, the Preſbyterian Members of it, and their proceedings, though ſummoned, nominated, continued and directed in all things by Ordinances of both Houſes of Parliament.
BEfore this Aſſembly met by Order of both Houſes, or had given intimation what kind of Eccleſiaſticall Government they intended to fix upon, our Independent ſectaries not only petitioned for ſuch an Aſſembly to be called, but made meanes that as many of their party as poſſible might be elected Members of it. But when at laſt they diſcerned the Aſſembly and Parliament to diſ-affect their anomolous, abſurd Independent way, as having no foundation in Divinity nor Policy, and tending to utter confuſion in Church, State; and thereupon to incline to a Presbiteriall government, embraced by all reformed Churches in the Chriſtian world; upon this they preſently begin to declaime againſt the Aſſembly and their proceedings in private, and ſoon after to libell againſt them in-publike, with ſuch unchriſtian, uncivill, approbrious, Billingſgate termes, as (I am confident) no Oxford Aulicus or Satyricall cavaleere is able to paralell, their very tongues and pens, being doubtleſſe rJames 3. 6.ſet on fire of hell: And not contented herewith, they lately conſpired together to exhibit a petition to the Parliament, for preſent diſſolving the Aſſembly and ſending them hence to country cures (to prevent the ſetling of any Church-government,) to which end, they met at the Windmil Taverne, where Lievteu. Col. John Lilbourne (a fit inſtrument for ſuch a ſeditious deſigne) ſate in the chaire, and Maſter Hugh Peter ſuggeſted the advice, which was accordingly inſerted into the Petition; but the Common counſell-men (ſmelling out the deſigne) when the Petition came to their hands, moſt diſcreetly left out that requeſt, as ſeditious and unjuſt; which yet the libellous Author of Martyns Echho. page 15. hath ſince in wiſh renewed in theſe ſcandalous termes.
You have as neere as you can made a third party, in labouring by your Jeſuiticall machiavilian ſubtilty, to divide the Parliament, contrary to the truſt repoſed in them from the godly party, who have aſſiſted them with their eſtates and blood,…. and to deny thoſe their faithfull friends of their juſt deſervings, their purchaſed freedomes, which ſhould they doe, they would be branded as infamous to poſterity, even unfaithfull, ungratefull, &c. at meliora ſpero, I hope better of them if your wicked Machiavilian Aſſembly were but taken from them and ſent to their particular charges.
In what ſort they have libelled againſt them, hath partly appeared in other Sections, but I ſhall give you a more particular account thereof in this.
I ſhall begin with that moſt infamous, ſeditious, railing Libell, intituled, The Arraignment of perſecution, the whole ſcope whereof againſt the Aſſembly, is thus boldly expreſſed in the very Title page, The Arraignment of Maſter Perſecution, preſented to the conſideration of the Houſe of Commons, and to all the Common people of England: In the proſecution whereof, the Ieſuiticall deſignes and ſecret encroachments of his Defendants, Sir Simon Synod, and the John of all Sir Johns, Sir John Presbiter, upon the liberty of the ſubject, is detected and laid open, by reverend young Martyn Marprieſt, ſonne to old Martyn the Metropolitan; printed by Martyn Claw-Clergy, Printer to the reverend Aſſembly of Divines, for Bartholinew Bang-Prieſt, and are to be ſold at his ſhop in Toleration-ſtreet, at the ſigne of the ſubjects liberty, right oppoſite to Perſecution-court, 1645.
The ſeigned Licenſe and Epiſtle Dedicatory to the Aſſembly before it are altogether libellous, as is the whole book, againſt the Aſſembly and its Members: I ſhall give you only a taſte of ſome phraſes and epithites in it, viz. Such a holy ſuch a reverend Aſſembly, ſuch a Quagmire of croaking, ſkip-jack Presbiters, A reverend ſynodian, diſguiſed with a ſophiſticall paire of breeches, ſaving your preſence in Bocardo, Sir Simon Synod: New upſtart frisking Presbiters, Synodian Cormorants, the Synodian Whore of Babylon; the traiterous Synod, called the Aſſembly of Divines, presbiterian horſe-leeches, blood thirſty Cattle; this great gore-bellied idoll called the Aſſembly of Divines, Arch-Jeſuiticall traytors; the Jeſuiticall and traiterous deſignes of the Synod; our diſſembly Doctors, a Conſiſtory of devils, and the like. Theſe be the charitable, modeſt, Independent Epithites which this libeller beſtowes upon them. See next his libellous and blaſphemous ſpeeches againſt and cenſure of them, and the good end his charity wiſheth to them.
Page 1…. The Synod is guided by the holy Ghoſt ſent in a cloke-bagge from Scotland, as of old from Rome in the Councell of Trent:Note. Becauſe the Aſſembly have ſadled the Parliament, it is unlawfull for the Presbiters to goe on foot: page 29. The traiterous Synod called the Aſſembly of Divines, labours with might and main to eſtabliſh and ſettle this traiterous ſpirit (of perſecution) in the land.
page 35. 36. It is moſt certaine that this fellow, whoſe name Sir Simon faineth to be Reformation, is abſolute Perſecution, ſo that had theſe Reformers but as much power as Queen Marie's Clergy, their reformation, would conclude in fire and faggot.
Judg. Oh inſufferable Aſſembly! I ſee, 'tis dangerous for a ſtate to pin their faith upon the ſleeve of the Clergy.
J. Reaſon. Further my Lord, whereas others are impoveriſhed, ſpend their eſtates, engage and looſe their lives in this Quarrell they are enriched and advanced by it,A moſt Independ…nt falſe calumny. ſave their purſes and perſons, cram and fill their greedy guts, too filthy to be carried to a Beare, heap up wealth to themſelves, and give not a penny, while others (againſt whom they exclaime) venture and expend all; yea my Lord, this great gorebelly Idol, called the Aſſembly of divines, is not aſhamed in this time of ſtate-neceſſity, to gull up and devour more at one meale, then would make a feaſt for Bel and the Dragon: for beſides all their fat Benefices, forſooth they muſt have their foure ſhillings apeece by the day for ſitting in conſtollidation, and poore men, when they had filled all benefices with good Trencher-men of their owne presbiterian Tribe, they move your Lorpſhip, that all Miniſters may be sA groſſe ſcandall, they never de…red, but to be moderately taxed in equa…ity with others:wholy freed from all taxations, that now the trade of presbiter is the beſt trade in England; all are taxed, and it goes free; poore men that have no bread to ſtill the cry of their children, muſt either pay and goe in perſon to the warres, while theſe devouring Church lubbers live at eaſe, feed on dainties, neither pay nor goe themſelves, but preach out our very hearts; they make it a caſe of conſcience to give all, but wiſe men they'le give none: Let the ſick, the lame and maimed ſouldiers, and thoſe that have loſt their limbs and begge in ſtreets; let women that have loſt their Husbands, let parents that have loſt their children, let children that have loſt their parents, and let all that have or ſuffer oppreſſion and miſery in and for the publike Cauſe conſider this, and be no longer ridden and jaded by Clergy maſters; but to give the devill his due, one thing to their commendations I have obſerved, that they are ſo zealouſly affected with the honour of their Cloth, that 'twere pitty to diſrobe them of their caſſock Garbe, to be led in a ſtring from Weſtminſter to Algate in Leatherne Jackets, and Mattockes on their ſhoulders: and my Lord, though ſome thinke they would doe the State more good in leatherne jackets and Mattockes, then in long cloakes and caſſockes, yet my think they would doe the ſtate better ſervice with their canonical girdles, were the knot tyed in the right place.
page 36. 37. Primacy, Metropolitaniſme, prelacy, &c. are ſhrunk into the presbytery, and our High-commiſſion turned into an Aſſembly of Divines.
My Lord, they have ſate even till they have runne mad, you might doe well to adjourne, them to Bedlam; for my Lord, they are raging mad to have the innocent blood of the Anabaptiſts, Browniſts, Independents &c.
My Lord, they have over-ſtudied themſelves & even wracked their wits to find out a Religion for us; poore men they have beene mightily puzled about it, it hath coſt them the conſumption of many: fat pig, chicken, capon, &c. the infuſion of many a cup of ſacke to bring it to birth, and after ſuch dolorous pangs and bitter troubles for almoſt theſe two yeers, who would have thought they would be delivered of ſuch a ridiculous vermine, called a Presbyter; parturiunt montes, naſcitur ridiculus mus: And now my Lord, after this montanous delivery, they are at their wits end,… their. what dreſſing to put it out in; all the Taylors in the Kingdome are not able to content them, what to doe they know not, and now the matter's worſe then ever it was; they had thought to have ſhewne the world it in the godly ſhape of Reformation, but upon examination, 'tis found to be Perſecution; a ſad event! there is no way now but Bedlam for our Doctors, it may chance to chaſtiſe them into their wits againe, and then upon their ſecond thoughts, it may be, they're bethink themſelves to put a blew bonnet upon'…, and then it will paſſe from England to Scotland, and Scotland to England againe without queſtion or controle.
Page 93. Good my Lord have mercy upon me; I beſeech your honour even for the Clergy ſake have mercy upon me; conſider my Lord, that in my death is their ruine, it will be the greateſt inroad upon the Divines of Chriſtendome, that ever was made: Oh!
I beſeech you my Lord. by the Myſtery of their holy Convocation, by their agony and bloody ſweat, by their croſſe and paſſion, at my ſhamefull approaching death and burial, Good Lord deliver me.
By their glorious reſurrection and aſſention from the Pulpit above the State; by the comming of the holy Ghoſt to them in a cloak-bag from Scotland, Good Lord deliver me.
By the late ſolemne League and Covenant; by the 400. and 50. l. for the Copy of their Directory, becauſe they could get no more, by all the fat Benefices and goodly revenues of the Clergy, Good Lord deliver me.
Page 43. 44. It is the ſentence of this Court concerning Sir Simon and Sir Iohn Presbyter, who have thus Jeſuitically endeavoured to pervert the Juſtce of this Court, That Sir Simon be committed cloſe priſoner to King Henry the eights chappell, there to be kept in Parliamentary ſafe custody, till the Great Aſſiges, held in the firſt yeere of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Lord Chriſt (when the Kingdom and the greatneſſe of the Kingdoms under the whole Heaven ſhall be given to the Saints of the moſt high) there and then to be arraigned with the reſt of his holy Tribe▪ whether univerſal, national, provincial or conſistorial counſels or Synods, whatſoever before his Highneſſe the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; and my Lord in the meane time to keep his Holineſſe in action, I beſeech your Honour that he may Synodicate, a full reſolution to theſe enſuing Queries, 1. Whether it doth not as much conduce to the ſubjects liberty ſtill to be ſubjected to Epiſcopal uſurpation, as to be given over to Preſbyterian cruelty? Whether Saint Peters chaire doth not become a Presbyter, as well as a Biſhop? &c.
As for Sir John Preſbit…r, this Court hath voted him to the uncleane, filthy, impious▪ unholy dark and worldly Dungeon, called jure Humano, &c. as for Perſecution, the ſentence of this Court is, that thou ſhalt return to the place from whence thou cameſt to wit the noyſome and filthy Cage of every uncleane and hateful bird, The Clergy of Chriſtendome there to be faſt bound with inquiſition, ſynodical, claſſical, Preſ…byter, al chains, untill the appearing of that great and terrible J…dge of the whole earth; who ſhall take thee alive, with Sir Simon and his ſonne Sir John and caſt thee with them and their Confederates into the Lake of fire and brimſtone, where the Beaſt and the falſe Prophet are, there to be tormented day and right … ever and ever.
Here is the Independents incomparible charity to the Aſſembly, Preſbyters and their Adherents, to adjudge them thus to eternall torments in the fiery Lak…; I fear their New-Lights originally ſprung upthence, without more charity, ſobriety, will undoubtedly be extinguiſhed in this fiery region which they allot to others: the reſt of the Invectives againſt the Aſſembly and Presbytery in this perſecuting Arraignment. I ſhall paſſe by in ſilence and proceed to ſome freſher ſcurrilites of this kind.
I find another moſt ſcurrlous Libell againſt the Aſſembly and their proceedings thus intituled; A ſacred Decretall, or Hue and Cry from his ſuperlative Holineſſe Sir Simon Synod, for the apprehenſion of reverend young Martin Ma…-prieſt; wherein are diſplayed many witty ſynodian conceits, both pleaſant and commodious; printed by Martin Claw-Clergy, Printer to the reverend Aſſembly of Divines, for Bartholmew Bang-Prieſt, and are to be ſold at his ſhop in Toleration-ſtreet, at the ſigne of the ſubjects Liberty, right oppoſite to Perſecution… Court, and it concludes thus, Given at our Court of Inquiſition in King Henry the ſevenths Chappel June 6. 1635.
William Twiſſe, Prolocutor.
Cornelius Burges Aſſeſſor.
Iohn White, Aſſeſſor.
Adoniran Byfield
Hen. Roborough
S…ibes.
This Libell brings in the Aſſembly, blaſphemouſly abuſing the ſacred Scripture Names of God (as El, Eloim, Jah, Theos, Adonas, &c.) in Synodicall Convocation, claſſicall and Presbiteriall Exorciſmes: & pag. 2. Gives the Aſſembly and Presbiters theſe moſt ſcurrilous, railing Epithites; claſſicall Bore-p…gges, divine, white-faced Bull-calves; Presbyterian Turkey-cocks, bidding them advance their learned Coxcombs, &c. Church-owles, Jack-dawes, blind Bats, Presbyterian Wood-cockes, Presbyterian Hangmen cruell executioners, terrible tormenters, ſynodian Canibals, the ravenous tythe-panched numerous headed Hydra of Divines: The holy ravenous Order of Syon-Jeſuits, abſolute Jeſuites, onelyonly a little worſe: It begins thus, page 1. We the Parliament of Divines now Aſſembly in holy Convocation at Westminſter, taking into our grave, learned and pious conſideration, all the goodly fat Benefices of the Kingdome, the reverend eſtimation, honour and ſupremacy due unto the Clergy, and out of a godly care and pious providence as becommeth Divines▪ for our owne guts, having uſed all ſubtilty and policy we in our divine wiſdomes could deviſe, to take a goodly poſſeſſion of the dearly beloved glorious inheritance of our Fathers the late Lord Biſhops, their divine ſupremacy, their ſweet, their wholſome and nouriſhing revenues, their deare, delicate, toothſome tythes, moſt ſupernaturall and pleaſant to a divine pallate: After which it cals them The p…iſſant Aſſembly of Divines (Lords Paramount over Church and State) in Parliament Aſſembled at Weſtminſter, divine Merchants, &c. Avers p. 18. That the Order. Jeſuits may become Diſciples to the Order of presby…ers for equivocations, mentall reſervations, dispenſations of Oathes, Covenants, &c. Chargeth the Aſſembly, p. 6. For dealing craft…ly with the Parliament and cheating the State. Adding this moſt ſcandalous, ſeditions paſſage, extreamly derogatory to the Parliaments honour.
As the way of a ſerpent upon a rock is unknowable, ſo have our circumventions, underminigs and ſubtill contrivances beene ever inviſible, inſenſible to them, and ſo ſilently, ſecretly and gradually, have intic'd them with the bait of Religion; and caught them with a ſynodian hooke; we held out the League and Covenant, the Cauſe of God, and the like, to the Kingdome, and at length plucks up a fiſh called a Parliament out of their proper Magiſteriall Element, into our ſynodian ſpirituallity; and thus neatly wreſted the Scepter out of their bands, that they neither know nor perceive it; ….that in truth the Aſſembly is Diſſembled into the Parliament, and the two Houſes made but a ſtalking horſe to the deſignes of the Clergy: They ſay it is decreed and ordained by the Lords and Commons, &c. but in plaine Engliſh, it is the Aſſembly of Divines; 'tis true, 'tis the Lords and Commons in the History, but the Aſſembly of Divines in the Myſtery, as Martin wiſely hinted in his Licenſe before the booke of the Arraignment; for we are become the whole directive and coercive power both in Church and State, a ſupremacy due unto us, as well as to the Pope; and though we give them (as men doe bables to children) the title of making and judging of Lawes, to pleaſe them, yet with ſuch diſtinctions and limitations (to ſpeak this under the Roſe) that we intend for our ſelves, that which we give unto them, even as our Brethren of the ſociety of Ieſu doe concerning his Holineſſe the Pope, in the infallibility and temporall power: this honour and priviledge was of divine right given, and anciently enjoyed by our reverend Fathers the Biſhops; and why ſhould not we be heires unto it by our legitimate lineall deſcent? All Lawes, Statutes and Ordinances, both concerning Church and State, were Decreed, Ordained and enacted by the Lords ſpiritual and temporal, &c. And why not now by the Aſſembly of Divines and Parliament now Aſſembled at Weſtminſter? this is not yet in the Hiſtory, for indeed our matter is not yet ripe for ſuch a diſcovery, &c.
As all other wicked men, ſo theſe ſeditions Libellers grow worſe and worſe; their next moſt ſeditious Libell againſt the Aſſembly and Parliaments proceedings being intituled, Martins Eccho, or a Remonſtrance from his holineſſe reverend young Martin Mar-prieſt, responſory to the late ſacred ſynodical Decretal; in all humility preſented to the reverend pious and grave conſideration of the right reverend Father in God, the univerſall Biſhop of our ſoules his ſuperlative Holineſſe Sir Simon Synod.
It begins thus.
Whereas his Holineſſe reverend young Martin Mar-prieſt; taking into his grave and learned conſideration the inſufferable arrogance of our ambitions, aſpiring Presbytery their ſuper-prelaticall ſupremacy, their ravenous blood-thirſty malice againſt the poor Saints of the moſt high God, their inordinate, inſatiable covetouſneſſe after the fat things of the Land, their unparallel'd hypocriſie, their plauſible pretences▪ their incomprehenſible policy, craft and ſubtilty; their cunning inſenſible encroachments upon the priviledges of Parliament, the juſt liberties of and freedome of the people;…. their inchanting deluſions wherewith they bewitch both Parliament and multitude, the cruell thraldome, inhumane ſlavery, inſufferable bondage they would reforme us and our Children unto from generation to generation; their powerfull endeavours to make the Parliament betray their truſt, break their Oathes, pull downe old Courts of tyranny and oppreſſion, to ſet up new; free us from Epiſcopall perſecution, to devour us with presbyterian cruelty; convey our naturall rights and freedome to the pontifical uſurpation of the Clergy, that neither we nor our children after us (notwithſtanding the expence of our eſtates ruine of our families, effuſion of our blood to redeem them) may live in the land without the hazard of impriſonment, loſſe of goods, baniſhment, hanging &c. except we be presbiterian: theſe and many other things of high concernment, reverend young Martin taking into his ſerious and deliberate conſideration▪ and ſeeing this eminent, irrecoverable ruine ready to devour both Parliament and people hang over their heads, threatning certaine deſtruction to us and our poſterity, if not timely and ſodainly prevented: Hereupon his Holineſſe reverend young Martin, out of ſincerity to God, and naturall love unto his diſtreſſed Country, moſt willingly became ſervant to your ſuperlative Holineſſe, to eaſe your burthen in this your toylſome time of Claſſical exaltation of a little State ambition and ſpiritual ſupremacy & as much as in him lyeth, to vindicate the priviledge of Parliament, our birth-rights and native freedome from your divine ſpirituality, that you may have the more time to ſtuffe your guts extend your panches eram your bellies, farcinate your ventriclestA very modeſt Chriſtian Phraſe. ſ…ort out Directories, blurt out Ordinances, grin at Chriſt, ſwell at his Sectaries, and for his meritorious pious endeavours Martin expected a reward, as very juſtly he might; but to cloake your covetouſneſſe and ingratitude, you pick quarrels againſt him for ſome ſmall failings in his Treatiſe; I hope you will deale better with Maſter Prynne for his midnight dreames his diſtracted ſubitane apprehenſions, I can tell you he expects it: But Martin might have conſidered your ingratitude to the Lord Biſhops, from whom formerly you received the holy Ghoſt with all your ſpirituall preferments, and were firſt put into a capacity of Lording it, as you now doe over the people; whom, like ungracious children, viperous vermine, inhumane Canibals, notwithſtanding their grace and favour; you have devoured up, and ſhare their inheritance amongſt you. (O divine pilage! gratefull children!) &c.
page 4. 5. Yet that his Holineſſe (like yours) might appeare immaculate and infallible to the whole world; Martin proclaimeth and demonſtrates to all perſons Eccleſiasticall, by what name or title ſoever dignified or distinguiſhed, whether Arch-biſhop Calamie's, or other inferiour ſingle-ſold Presbyters; That his Holineſſe, reverend young Martin Mar-prieſt, freely offerereth plenary pardon and remiſſion to that traiterous, blood-thirſty Man-eater Sir Simon Synod, for his foule ingratitude, his malicious, miſchievous, murtherous debates, conſultations and concluſions, to ſhed the blood of his Holineſſe reverend young Martin Mar-prieſt, and deliver him as a prey to the monstrous huge iron faings and venomous boariſh tuskes of his ſonne Jocke, and his bloody crue (breake their teeth o God in their mouth; Pſal. 58.break out the teeth of the young Lyons o Lord;) if the ſaid ſavage, barbarous Caniball Sir Simon Synod, the next day of humiliation after the publiſhing hereof, ſhall very penetentially (as if he were to preach a faſt ſermon) come in unto reverend Martin, and humbly ſubmit himſelfe to his Holineſſe, at his ſanctuary in Toleration-ſtreet, right oppoſite to ſtate-opreſſion and ſynodian tyranny; and there humbly before reverend young Martin confeſſe his evill, acknowledge his errors, a…d be heartily ſorry for the ſame; live ſociably and quietly amongſt his Neighbours, never moleſt or injure any man for Conſcience, ſuffer his teeth and nayles to be pluckt out and pared by an honeſt Independent barber, that hereafter he may never bite nor ſcratch; and then peaceably returne to his Parochial Charge, render up all the goodly fat Benefices in the Kingdome to ſupply the neceſſities of the State, pay their Arreares in the Army gratifie their ſicke, ſame and maimed ſouldiers with a reward more honourable (according to their deſerts) then a tiket to begge; ſupply the calamity, poverty and miſery of poore Widowes and Orphans, whoſe deare Husbands and Fathers have been ſlaine in the ſervice of the State, and not (out of ſynodian ſtate-policy) to ſave their charity, ſubject the innocent Babes to be led by the ſpirit into Indian deſerts and Wilderneſſes, and under pretence of Authority, rob the tender mothers of the fruit of their wombs (a wickedneſſe inſufferable in a Common-wealth) and to ſend the free-borne out of their native protection to forraigne destruction, leaſt the cry of the fatherleſſe and Widowes ſhould call for reliefe out of their fat Benefices pontificiall revenues, &c. O the covetouſneſſe of the Prieſts and the mercy of God (as the Germane ſaith) endure for ever: If he ſhall hereto aſſent, renounce the Ordinance of tythes, be content with the good will of the vulger, lay downe his ſtate-ambition and uſurpation of the Civill power, ſuffer the Commons of the Land (both rich and poore) which are free-borne people, to enjoy quietly their owne nationall freedome, &c. he will not deride you any more. But if Sir Simon ſhall reject this grace and favour freely offered to him and to all the Sir Iohns in the Kingdome by his Holineſſe, reverend young Martin Mar-prieſt, out of his divine clemency thus graciouſly extended from his holineſſe proclaimeth to the whole aſſembly of Sir Iohns and to the whole Kingdome, … well … Kingdom ….that come bondage, come liberty, come life come death; come what come will, by the grace of God, young Martin is reſolved to u…mask your vilany to poſterity, and lay a foundation for a future; it not for the preſent recovery of the priviledge of Parliament, and liberties of the common people from your ſynodicall, claſſicall Presbyterian predominancy; and therefore Sir Simon be adviſed betime, accept of this grace and favour offered, harden not your hearts as in the dayes of the Biſhops, leſt the fierce wrath of the Lord, even ſodaine deſtruction fall upon you as it did upon them; for be aſſured, ſwift and fearfull deſtruction and ruine does attend you and the Lord will avenge his quarrell at your hands and as it is done unto your Fathers the Biſhops, ſo ſhall it be done unto you; and if your riſing ambition be not ſodainly repel'd your riſe…reign and fall will be terrible to the Kingdom: you may delude the people a while, but the time haſteneth that the x….people wil cal you to an account the Lord grant it be not, as I fear y…By the Sword. He addes p. 5. 6. Well Sir Simon, if you will not mend your manners, Martin will obſerve all your poſtures, and tels you plainly, that hee'l not only fall upon your bones himſelfe, but heel ſet his celeſtiall brother. Christopher Scal…kie his catechiſticall brother, Rouland Rattle-prieſt, his divine Brethren Martin Claw-Clergy. Bartholmew Bang-prieſt, all upon your back, and amongſt us all, we ſhall in time turne up the foundation of your claſſicall ſupremacy, and pull down your Synod your Spheare about your ears; behold a troop commeth Sir Simon, Martin is of the Tribe of Gad, though a hoſt of Sir Iohns overcome him, yet he ſhal over come at laſt, yea, heel'e jeere you out of your black Cloaks, and make you aſhamed of King Henry the ſeventh's Chappell, and he glad to work with your hands, or to be content with the good will of the vulgar, and then it will too late to compound with reverend MARTIN and his divine Brethren, therefore conſider with your ſelfe Sir Simon before the mighty Acts of the houſe of Martin be come forth againſt you; we do not intend to dally with you, wee'l handle you with Mittins, thwack your Caſſocks, rattle your Jackets, ſtamp upon the panch of your villany, and ſqueze out the filth and garbidge of your iniquity, till you ſtink in the noſtrils of the common people; yea, wee'l beat you and your ſonne JACK, guts and all, into a Mouſe-hole. There's no one of MARTINS Tribe, but is a man of Mettall, and hates a Tithe-devouring perſecuting Prieſt, as he hates the Devill, ſcornes their bribes, and bids defiance to their Malice.
Theſe are to adviſe you, Sir Simon turne ye to MARTIN in Tolleration-ſtreet, ye ſtiffe necked generation of Prieſts, leſt the fierce wrath and ſore diſpleaſure of mighty MARTIN fall upon you, confound you and your whole, Sir Johns generation, Root and Branch; hearken ye rebellious Aſſembly unto MARTIN, perſecute no more, take no more Tithes, be content with the good will of the Vulgar.
Whether theſe moſt ſeditious menacing paſſages and railing Libels againſt the Aſſembly, Presbytery, and all Eccleſiaſticall Parliamentary proceedings, be not publiſhed in print by ſeditious Seectaries to ſtirre up the people to mutinie againſt the Parliament, Aſſembly, Miniſtery, to fire us into new Civill warres and commotions among our ſelves, and that by the underhand plots of ſome Jeſuiticall ſpirits, and Malignant Royalliſts, I ſhall humbly ſubmit to the ſaddeſt thoughts of our ſupreame Councell, which is beſt able to judge of them, and moſt able to prevent the eminent dangers which they doe portend.
I ſhall cloſe this Section with a new printed Libell, intituled, The Nativity of Sir Iohn Preſbyter; Dedicated, To the Right Worſhipfull the: ASS: of Divines, aſſembled at Westminſter; with a moſt rayling libellous Epiſtle; to which theſe Verſes in deriſion of it are ſubjoyned.
Reverend Aſſembly up, ariſe, and jogge,
For you have fairly fiſht and caught a Frog.
Now have you ſet two years, pray can you tell
A man the way that Chriſt went downe to Hell?
In theſe two years what can a wiſe man think
That ye have done, ought elſe but eat and drink?
Presbyterie (climb'd up to the top of fame)
Directory and all from Scotland came;
O monſtrous idleneſſe! alack and welly,
Our learned Rabbies minds nought but their belly.