The Schismatic Sifted — John Vicars

The Schismatic Sifted · John Vicars

THE SCHISMATICK SIFTED.

HAving, not long ſince, dilucidated and plainly painted forth, to the ſight of All (in my Picture of Independency) the Baſis or Ground of that, as unhappy, as unholy-Schiſme of Independency, to be Spirituall-Pride, Self-Seeking, and moſt groſſe Ingratitude to God and Man: And having of late, and long time indeed, had many ſad and ſerious thoughts, What ſhould be the reaſon of the ſo conſtant and great growth of all-Sorts of Sectaries among us, which, as the Superſtructure, on that triple-foundation, have (according to our old Proverb, too true at this time,Ill weeds grow apace. Ill weeds grow apace) mightily increaſed, and grown marvellous rife and ranke in the Garden of God (for want of ſerious and ſeaſonable Weeding) to the great endangering, choking and ſtifling of the holy and wholſome Herbs and Flowers of Unity, true Peace and Piety; Want of weeding of Gods Garden, the Church.At laſt I found by ſad and bad experience, that beſide the great want of care and ſedulity in the Gardiners and Guardians (under God) of his Garden, the Church, faithfully and effectually to weed and dreſſe it, I mean, through the ſtrange impunity and intolerable Toleration of Sectaries and Schiſmaticks, ſo out-facingly to flouriſh and ſprout out among us) beſide this, I ſay, Satan that old Serpentine-ſeducer, had made uſe of an old ſly Stratagem of his, herein, to wit; That thoſe pernicious weeds ſhould grow-up, and ſhoot-forth exceeding like unto moſt ſweet and fragrant Flowers and wholſome Herbs, whereas, indeed, upon proof and experience, being uſed and ſmelt unto, they were nothing ſo, but, contrariwiſe, exceeding bitter, bad, poyſonous and unwholſome. But, to ſpeak Plain-Engliſh (for,Plain-Engliſh. ſince They ſo crave and cry-out for Liberty of Conſcience, to do what they liſt, unjuſtly: I hope it is much-more lawfull for mee to deſire Liberty or Freedome of ſpeech, (to ſpeak nothing but truth plainly and honeſtly) and to leave allegoricall expreſſions, and (if it be lawfull in theſe doubling days) to call a Spade a Spade, which I am reſolved to do, yet with all poſſible Chriſtian moderation and godly temper that may be, conſidering the ſubject I write of; I find, I ſay, that the two mayn Stratagems which Sathan uſeth, at this time, to cheat & deceive the world,1 Pretended Piety and holineſſe of life one great cauſe of the growth of Independencie. yea, even many of the truly godly-Party; indeed, and to cauſe all ſorts of Schiſmes and Errours thus to increaſe and multiply among us, I mean, eſpecially, that moſt ſly and ſubtile (and therefore the moſt dangerous) Schiſme of Independency; The two mayn Stratagems, I ſay, for the more uncontroulable propagation hereof, are; firſt, a popular appearance and outward habit of Holineſſe, (if there be any more, I beſeech them to let us ſee it by integer practice) of Life and converſation; for, come and talk with any of our moderate (if not neutrall) or tender-conſcienced even Preſbyterians, who (many of them) ſtand, as it were, on tip-toe, wavering which way to ſtand or fall, and ask them how it comes to paſſe, and poſſibly can be, that ſeeing theſe Independents, Anabaptiſts, &c. broach, and preach and practiſe ſuch dangerous opinions and unwarranted Church-ways (as they call them) to the great diſtraction and diſturbance of the godly Peace and tranquility both of Church and State, 2 Pretence of Preaching Sound Doctrine another Cauſe of Independents growth among us.when we have given them cleer Demonſtrations from the fountain of Truth it ſelf, that their ways and opinions are not according to Chriſt and Scripture-Grounds; yet, ſtill, there anſwer is, O, I dare not but think and ſpeak well of them, and hold them to be good Chriſtians, becauſe they walk ſo holtly and religiouſly; And alſo (ſay they, in the ſecond place) becauſe they preach and teach as ſound Doctrines as any of our Preſbyterian-Miniſters. And thus, I ſay, upon theſe two hinges turns the door of Independents growing hopes of impunity, and a continued good opinion, even, I ſay, among our own Preſbyterian Party, whereby, doubtleſſe, they are greatly miſtaken in them, and, I feare, groſly gulled by them, and, ſo, wrong the Truth, in countenancing and encouraging her Enemies, and retarding the work of Reformation. For a briefe anſwer to both which; though I intend not to enter into a Polemicall Diſpute of theſe things (which, I know would prove as endleſſe as fruitleſſe, eſpecially with them who are familiarly known to love to live,Schiſmaticks are like Salamanders. Salamander-like, in the fire of hot and heady Diſputes) yet, I truſt, by Gods gracious aſſiſtance to give the godly, judicious and impartiall Readers ſuch pregnant proofs and Demonſtrative and reall teſtimonies (and that briefly too) of the exceedingly to be feared falſity and great miſtake of both theſe, in our Independents and their Brother-Sectaries, that they muſt in conſcience, certainly, confeſſe the invalidity and weakneſſe of their opinions and aſſertions of them, and ſee and ſay, that they are, ſurely, miſtaken in them, and palpably deceived by them.1 Pretence of Preaching ſound Doctrine a cauſe of Independents growth. To begin, then with the laſt of theſe firſt; Whereas it is pretended by ſome of our own, that they dare not but ſpeak and think well of Independents, becauſe (as they ſay) they preach as ſound-doctrines as any of the beſt-Preſbyterians doe: Hereunto I anſwer, firſt, in generall; That although I deny not, but that oftentimes they preach ſound-Doctrine; yet, they frequently intermix much of their own unſavoury and unfound leven of falſe-Opinions, together with the ſound-Doctrines, which they deliver. Witneſſe, That vehement, pernicious, yea even moſt damnable plea for a Toleration of all Opinions and Liberty of Conſcience, the high-way to ruinate and deſtroy all Religion and Conſcience; Together with their moſt ungodly inveighing againſt, both in Pulpits and Preſſes, that godly Church-Diſcipline, which is regulated, as neere as may be, by Gods ſacred Word, and the pattern of the beſt and moſt purely Reformed Churches in Europe; Sound-Doctrine overthrown by our Independents.and only crying-up a moſt licentious, unlimited and Independent-deſtructive Government of their own ungrounded invention; Whereby (by a cleere and undeniable neceſſary-Conſequence) they moſt undiſcreetly, yea, irreligiouſly-endevour to overthrow and utterly, I ſay, to ruinate all ſound-Doctrine and pure Truth it ſelf.

For,A pregnant S…le. as it cannot be denied by any that the Word of God ſoundly preached, and the Sacraments purely adminiſtred, are Gods Field of Corn, his precious Vineyard, his Garden of fragrant Flowers and wholſome Herbs; The Word & Sacraments are the Vineyard or Garden of the Lord.And, as, a wiſe Gardiner, or provident Huſbandman or Vine-dreſſer, when he hath planted a Garden or Vineyard, or ſown a Corn-field, preſently takes care to build a wall, or make a ſtrong Fence or Hedge about the ſame, to preſerve them from hurtfull Beasts; which otherwiſe would break-in, deſtroy the Flowers or Grapes, and root up and utterly ſpoyle the good Corn: So (although in the firſt place, it muſt be moſt juſtly granted, as I ſaid before, that ſound-doctrines, and the Sacraments rightly adminiſtred, are the Garden of God, and do contein the Body and ſubſtance of Soul-ſaving-Truth, as being the Fountain and Foundation thereof; yet) it is as true, that godly-order, and Scripture-Diſcipline, or Church-Government is the Hedge, Godly Government or Scripturall Church-Diſcipline is the Wall or Fence about it.Wall, or ſtrong-Fence, which God, the moſt prudent and provident Gardiner or Huſbandman, of this his pretious, Garden, Vineyard, or Field of Corn, hath planted and built round about the ſame, both to keep in ſafety and ſecurity the ſpecious and pretious Flowers, Herbs, Corn, and Grapes, for the pious Profeſſours of his Word and Truth to be nouriſht, cheriſht and fed by them to eternall-life; and thus to keep out the noyſome and hurtfull wild-beaſts and Boars of the Forreſt, (I mean, all ſorts of tyrannizing Misbelievers, Hereticks, Papiſts, and prophane Atheiſts) and all crafty Foxes, yea, even the little-Foxes (I mean, Anabaptiſts, Antinomians, Independents, Seekers, and ſuch like Libertines,) who, otherwiſe, all of them (this Wall, Hedge, or Fence being pluckt up or taken away) would ſoon run in, ruinate and root up and deſtroy the pretious Corn, fragrant Flowers, and tender Grapes thereof; even utterly overthrow the Fountain and Foundation of ſound-Doctrine, and put in poyſon of Errours, and blaſphemous and moſt dangerous, yea, damnable Opinions and Hereſies among them, I ſay to the utter undoing and overthrow of the Foundation or Fountain, even of ſound-doctrine and Truth it ſelfe. This, I conceive, is a moſt faithfull and undeniable Truth; and (though I know all ſorts of Sectaries will carp, ſnap and ſnarl at it) ſhall therefore ſatisfie me, and may alſo, (I think) ſatisfie all other godly and moderate Chriſtians, who deſire to be wiſe with ſobriety; But, if it will not, then to come to particulars, and ſo more cloſely to the point in hand. Is not, to broach and preach that moſt wicked and accurſed doctrine of Toleration of all Religions (as I toucht before) yea, of all Hereſies, Falſ-doctrines preached and broached by Independents and other Sectaries.Errours, Sects and Schiſmes, under that ſlie, ſubtile, ungrounded and moſt ungodly pretext of Liberty of Conſcience, forſooth, is not this, I ſay, a preaching of falſe-Doctrine? Is not the broaching and preaching of the Scripture, not to be the Word of God? Of the performance of holy Duties and expreſſion of godly ſorrow for ſin, and penitent praying for forgiveneſſe of ſin; yea, and the performance of all theſe with an honeſt, humble, ſelf-denying and Chriſt-ſeeking broken-ſoul, to be called or counted no better than caſting dirt (as it were) into Gods face? Are not all theſe, my Brethren, together with exceeding many more ſuch like, yea, ſome far worſe (if it may be) blaſphemous and damnable Doctrines and enormous Opinions, ſet forth at large by reverend Maſter Edwards, in his Gangraena, are not all theſe, I ſay, palpable Preaching and broaching of falſe-doctrines? and, if not all of them, yet many of them preached by our ſo admired Independents; and either few or none of all the reſt, are at any time preached againſt (nay are they not countenanced and encouraged) by them? Wherefore,Object. if any ſhall, ſtill, object and ſay, That thoſe forementioned dangerous Opinions, and the reſt related by Maſter Edwards are not the Opinions of the more ſolid and temperate Independents; but,Anſw. are the Anabaptiſts, Antinomians, and ſuch like: I anſwer, They are moderate and moſt ſeeming ſolid Independents which plead and Preach mightily for Toleration, Toleration & Liberty of Conſcience the only Inlets for all other abominable Opinions.and Liberty of Conſcience, which, moſt directly are the Inlets, open ſluces, and wide-gaps for all the reſt to ruſh and guſh in amongſt us; And therefore, diſtinguiſh them as you pleaſe: and call them what you will, hereof I am moſt confident; That though our moſt moderate and ſuppoſed moſt diſcreet Independents may ſeem only in ſome things to differ and vary, and in their Heads or Brains (as I may ſay) to be ſomwhat diſtant from ſome of the reſt of the dangerous Sectaries; Iudges 15. 3, 4.yet are they all like Sampſons Foxes) faſt tyed by their Tayls, Independents and all other Sectaries compared moſt fitly to Sampſons Foxes.with deſtructive Firebrands of Diſſention, Diviſion, and Confuſion between them, to deſtroy (as much as in them is) the good-corn of Gods-field, by their moſt ungodly ſtruglings, ſtudies, plots, and calumnies, to ruinate the Wall, and pluckup the Hedge or ſafe Fence, I mean (as we all too ſenſibly feel at this day) to hinder and oppoſe with all might and malice, power and policy, the Settlement of the godly Government and Scripturall-Diſcipline of our pious and peacefull Preſbyterians. And are theſe, now, the ſound and orthodox men, that are ſo highly commended and blazoned abroad for their ſincerity and ſoundneſſe in Doctrine? Who, thus dare, ſo boldly (yet craftily, I confeſſe) broach abroad ſuch falſe Doctrines, and thus preach and prate againſt Gods moſt pure and ſoul-ſaving Truths? Certainly, then, am I mightily miſtaken.

But, now, to come to the ſecond or other main part of our own Presbyterian friends Common-plea for Independents, & the other cauſe of their great growth amongſt us, viz. their Holines of life, which we have great ground and cauſe to feare, 2 Pretended Piety a ſecond Cauſe of Independents growth among us.(and more than to feare) is but pretended and in appearance; which, indeed, is, I ſay, the main thing I here intend to inſiſt on, and principally to prove againſt them (as I have promiſed) and that, under their own Hands, by moſt undeniable teſtimonies. And, herein, I ſhall firſt deſire briefly to premiſe thus much by way of introduction to what is to follow; namely, that this hath ever been (even in all ages and times) Satans old-Cloke, too well known to be almoſt worne quite thread-bare, by frequent and familiar uſe among Deceivers. For if we look back to by-paſt times, and read Eccleſiaſticall Hiſtories, we ſhall moſt truly know, and unqueſtionably underſtand that thoſe grand and groſſe Hereticks, and Ring-leaders to dangerous and damnable Hereſies, Errors, and Schiſmes in the Church of God,The ſeeming Holineſſe of Hereticks of the Primitive Church. eſpecially in the Primitive Churches, and former times, as Arrius, Pelagius, Arminius &c. were all of them, men of extraordinary outward holy lives, and (to ſee to) of moſt integer converſation, even to generall admiration and approbation for their parts and piety, and to the ſingular love and liking of all the people among whom they then lived; And yet they were, all of them, moſt notorious, dangerous, yea damnable Hereticks. And look up alſo,The outward ſeeming Holy Lives of the Scribes and Phariſees in our Saviours time. even to our moſt bleſſed Saviours time, and there we ſhall finde the Scribes and Phariſees to be outwardly, ſuch demurely ſeeming Saints▪ ſuch pure and holy perſons to ſee to, that it was an univerſally received opinion, among all the common-people, the Jews of thoſe times, That if any two men in the world ſhould goe to heaven and be ſaved, it was a Scribe and a Phariſee; And yet, by our Saviours own Teſtimony, Theſe were moſt notorious diſſemblers, deceivers, and horrible hypocrites; And, indeed, one main foul fault among them alſo, was, a moſt vile perverting of the Law, to their own ayms and ends; and teaching falſe-doctrines, and their own falſe gloſſes and intentions, in ſtead of ſound-doctrine, which very thing made our bleſſed Saviour himſelfe to inveigh moſt bitterly againſt them as notorious hypocrites; as is moſt evident in all the foure Evangeliſts.

The experience whereof alſo made the bleſſed Apoſtle Paul ſay (having found falſe Apoſtles in his times alſo,2 Cor. 11. 13, 14. deceitfull-workers, transforming themſelves into the Apoſtles of Chriſt) That it was no marvail, for, Satan, himſelfe (ſayes he) is transformed into an Angel of light. And indeed there is very great politick reaſon hereof; for, ſhould not Hereticks and Schiſmaticks, firſt, put-on that brave embrodred-cloke of ſeeming holineſſe, to dazle the eyes and underſtanding of their honeſt, innocent Proſelites (as I believe many of theſe to be) Who I pray that had any light and ſight of reaſon and Religion, would ſo eaſily have received their ſo dangerous Opinions, or damnable Doctrines? If Satan ſhould at firſt ſhew his cloven-foot, and the hornes on his head (as fools, formerly, were made to believe the Devill had ſuch,Mark this, ô all yee honeſt and plain hearted Chriſtians, that are apt to be deceived and ſeduced. to be frighted by them) who, I ſay, would not, then fly from him, as, eaſily diſcerning him to be a Devill? So, I ſay, if Heretical, Erronious, & Schiſmatical Deceivers ſhould at the very firſt ſhew the inſide-danger & poyſon of their aymes, plots, ſelf-intereſts and deſignes intended by their Hereſies, errours, and Schiſmes, who would ſo eaſily and inſtantly entertain them, and be ſo miſled and abuſed by them? Therefore, dear Chriſtians take heed, for Gods ſake, of being taken with painted pretences of holineſſe of life, in any man whatſoever he be: ſwallow not down, ſo eaſily, ſuch gilded-pils; or catching fiſh-hooks, which are onelyonly covered-over with deceitfull baits to catch and undoe your poor plain-meaning ſoules. Believe it, my Chriſtian friends, you try your mettalls by a very falſe and deceitfull touch-ſtone, Holineſſe of Life is a falſe Touchſtone to try Sound men by.if you look ſo on mens holy-lives and converſations alone; nay, rather read, ſound, and try men mainly and moſt eſpecially by their ſoundneſſe of Doctrine; for, if this fails, all is naught, I'le warrant you. And that you may ſee 'tis not mine, but the bleſſed Apoſtle Paul's judgement, and right rule of tryall, which cannot deceive, marke what he ſayes, in two moſt pertinent places to this purpoſe.1 Cor. 11. 1. Be yee followers of me, even as I alſo am of Chriſt. No farther, or, no otherwiſe than I folow the Lord Jeſus Chriſt in ſound Doctrine and holineſſe; Soundneſſe in Doctrine is a true Touchſtone to try a ſound man by Gal. 1. 7, 8.firſt and principally ſound Doctrine, and then holineſſe: and to ſtrengthen and back this to be his true meaning, indeed; obſerve what this ſame bleſſed Apoſtle, and faithfull ſervant of the Lord ſayes farther. There be ſome that trouble you, and would pervert the Goſpel of Chriſt. But if either We (even any of us Apoſtles, though ever ſo holy) or an ANGEL from heaven (for ſeeming ſanctity or holineſſe) preach any other Goſpel (or pretended truths) than that which we have preached to you, let him be accurſed to you. See here a time Touch-ſtone, indeed, my friends, ſee firſt, to ſoundneſſe of Doctrine, without which, believe not nay, abominate, the ſeeming holieſt men or Angels, even Angelicall-men that may pretend the greateſt parts and piety that may be; But having firſt, ſeen, by the right-rule, Gods Word, their Doctrine to be ſound, then, on Gods name, ſearch and ſee into their Sanctimonie and integrity in life and converſation, and then you take the right way indeed, cordially to love and like, to follow, affect and imitate them. Nay, I will bee bold to ſay and aſſure,Soundneſſe in doctrine though accompanied with humane infirmities is a ſafer way to try men, than ſeeming-exact walking accompanied with errours in doctrine. and dare undertake to prove and juſtifie, by Gods aſſiſtance, that, There is far more ſafety and ſweetneſſe for the ſoule to love and like, to follow and imitate, a Chriſtian or Paſtor, that is moſt Sound and Orthodox in Doctrine and Judgement, though ſubject to weakneſſe: and humane infirmities: Than him that ſeems to be moſt exact and ſtrict in his outward walking and converſation, if he premeditately and invincibly (againſt all perſwaſions and Scripturall convictions) goe on in the publike profeſſion of Errors and Schiſmes▪ deſtructive to the peace and edification of Gods Church and Sound Doctrine.

But now without any farther digreſſion (having Thus laid down theſe moſt neceſſary and pertinent premiſes) I will by Gods aſſiſtance come up cloſe to the promiſed point, even our preſent main matter, touching the much boaſted Holines of Life, The main promiſed point, now, proved.of our Independent Sectaries, & ſhew how neer they come-up to down-right Deceivers in their reall practice, teſtified, I ſay, by their own undeniable hand-writings. And, here, give me leave, good Reader, in the firſt place for the better making fair way, and that, moſt briefly, for what follows) to give unto Thee, and from Scripture it ſelfe, The perfect Character, Cognizance and Deſcription of a truly Godly-man, a ſure, pure Saint, indeed, and ſacred Citizen of the New-Jeruſalem; eſpecially, in theſe two or three remarkable marks of him among divers others,The certain Characters of a truly Godlyman. viz. Hee is ſuch an One as ſpeaks the Truth from his heart; And having thus ſpoken, promiſed, or ſworn, keeps his promiſe, though to his own prejudice; Pſal. 15. 24, 4.Both Theſe being fully and fairly connected and bound up together, in our bleſſed Saviours moſt Royall-Law, and Golden-Rule: Whatſoever ye would that men ſhould do unto you, Matth. 7. 12.doe yee even ſo unto them: And then alſo, doe but conſider herewith, what the Spirit of the Lord ſayes,Revel. 22. 15. concerning the contrary practiſers. He that loves or makes a lye, ſhall be ſhut out of the New Jeruſalem among Dogs, Sorcerers, Whoremongers, Murtherers, and Idolaters. Now, then, I ſay, if our Independents be found (and that by teſtimonies under their own hands) to be ſuch as ſpeak not the Truth from their hearts; and when they have promiſed and covenanted, break their promiſe and violate their Covenant (witneſſed, I ſay, by their owne hands againſt themſelves) yea, and that when as it could be no prejudice to their livelihood, or eſtates, ſave only (perhaps) to their ungodly private ends; And ſuch as do That to others, which they would not be content ſhould be done to themſelves: Then can any truly-gracious or impartiall Good-man chooſe but, at leaſt, greatly feare that they are not ſo holy-Saints & godly men as they ſhould be, or as the World too vulgarly and eaſily takes them to be? Truly, me thinks, they cannot.

Thus, then, now, to come to the try all hereof; And, here, I will, by way of preamble, tell the Reader one pretty paſſage, not altogether impertinent to our preſent purpoſe, touching Maſter Peters & my-ſelf, which briefly was this, I being occaſionally (about-half-ayeer ſince) at Weſtminſter-hall, A pretty paſſage concerning M. Peters.was there encountred by Maſter Peters, that moſt Pragmaticall Quicquid in Buccam, &c. of whom I will only ſay this by the way, That, Whoſoever loves to laugh at a Sermon (which is Satans Muſick) let him go heare Maſter Peters preach. This Gentleman ſeeing me ſingly walking in the Hall, and being my old acquaintance, came unto me, together with his Independent Brother, Maſter Bachiler, who heard our conference all the while, which was this. O, Maſter Vicars (ſays Maſter Peters) certainly, a great deal of repentance muſt needs lye upon your ſoule. Why, Maſter Peters (ſaid I) what's the matter, what have I done? O (ſayes he) in ſadding and grieving the hearts of Gods Saints, as you have done in your Book, which you call the Picture of Independency. Why Sir, (ſaid I) pray tell me what's amiſs in it? Truly Maſter Vicars (ſays hee) 'tis naught all over, (juſt, like my ſelf, he might have added) Naught all over. Is it naught all over, Maſter Peters, ſaid I? then, I hope you have read it all over; and if ſo; then, I beſeech you ſaid I) ſince, you know, Doloſus verſatur in generalibus, The Deceiver loves to deale in Generals, ſhew ſo much candor and ingenuity toward me, as to tell me one particular paſſage therein, which you can make evident to be falſe or naught, and I aſſure you (ſaid I) I will yeeld you all the reſt to be naught without any farther controverſie; whereunto, here was all his reply; Alas, Maſter Vicars 'tis naught all over, naught all over; which words he uttering in his old, quick bluſtering manner, inſtantly ran away ſwiftly from me, All, which, his brother Bachiler can teſtifie (if he will ſpeake the truth) to be moſt true, who ſtood by, and heard and ſaw all I have related, from the firſt to the laſt. And was not here, thinke you, a brave Independent Champion, fit to finde fault with other mens Works, and then run away, when he ſhould give account of his ſlanderous words? But, now, to come to ſome more ſerious and ſollid matter, and fully to make good and confirme what I have promiſed and affirmed, in the Frontiſpice of this Treatiſe, namely, That Independents (I meane very many of the beſt and braveſt of them) are a Generation of notorious Diſſemblers, Independents a Generation of notorious Diſſemblers & ſly Deceivers.and ſly Deceivers. Moſt ſorry I am, the Lord knows, that I can ſo truly (indeed too truly) ſay and aſſure theſe things againſt them; but in regard of their ſo elated and ſelfe-flated conceit of themſelves and others too-too high opinions of them; and alſo the great injurie which Gods Cauſe receives thereby, many ways, Therefore, for Sions ſake I cannot hold my peace, Iſaiah 62. 1.& for Jeruſalems ſake I will not reſt, until the righteouſnes thereof (and the unqueſtionable innocency & integrity of her Presbyterians) go forth as Brightneſſe. And for this end to add my poor Mite of Zeal (what in me is) to help to vindicate Gods abuſed Churches honour, againſt theſe her cloſe and ſubtile enemies, who have made their great and groſs untruths as ſo many Satanicall ſtratagems and ſtaulking horſes, to abuſe and diſgrace even the godlieſt partie of the moſt innocent Preſbyterians, by thus ſuggeſting and proteſting their palpable untruths to the more moderate, indifferent, and too credulous Presbyterians among us, whereas, themſelves (the Lord knows) are the main (if not onelyonly) offenſive and deſtructiue-partie, and all this, onelyonly to uphold (for ought that can, to this day, be diſcerned, to the contrary) maintain and enlarge their too apparent ſpirituall-pride, and ſelfe-aymes and ends, which I conceive to be moſt vile and ungodly in them. And becauſe Maſter John Goodwin, Cretenſis, p. 5.in his late ſupercilious and unſavorie Treatiſe, Entituled Cretenſis, pag. 5. ſayes, That Maſter Edwards (in his Sectaryſtinging Gangraena) judges, ſo and ſo, onelyonly of ſome few (at leaſt, as hee would have it) of thoſe that are the Retrimentitious-Party or dregs of the Independents and other Sectaries (to uſe his own words and expreſſion) as if (ſayes he) a man ſhould judge of Cheap-ſide, M. Iohn Goodwins Retrimentitious-Party of Sectaries.by the dirtie-channel that runs in the midſt of it. I therefore, here (omitting, purpoſely, the moſt notorious jugling of M. J. G. himſelf moſt properly & fitly termed Cretenſis (that is to ſay a lyer) both by himſelf, and by reverend M. Edwards in his ſecond part of his excellent Gangraena; and pretermitting alſo the moſt unworthy double-dealing of thoſe two Grandees of the Independents, Maſter Burroughs and Maſter Greenhill (and theſe are none, ſure, of Maſter Goodwins retrimentitious partie) in their unfaithfull dealing with Maſter Edwards, as hee hath moſt fully manifeſted to the world, againſt all theſe three, in his ſaid ſecond part of the Gangraena, pag. 86, 87, 88, &c.) to omit theſe I ſay, as being ſo fully ſet forth as aforeſaid, I will here in the firſt place ſhew to the godly and impartiall Reader, diverſe notable paſſages of ſome of the moſt eminent and higheſt prized Independents, The five famous Apologiſts.even of the five famous Apologiſts, moſt cleerely ſetting forth, and that under their own hands, their moſt unfaithfull and deceitfull dealings with God and the world, and with their Preſbyterian-Brethren. Which I have extracted, and briefly culled-out from their ſo mightily magnified, and broadly boſted of Apologeticall Narration, The Apologeticall Narration intended by the Independents for their credit, proved far otherwiſe.atteſted and avouched under their own hands, of purpoſe (as they, certainly, conceived and wee have juſtly deemed) to paint out their own Piety, and unſpotted Integrity to the World: Whereas, contrariwiſe they have, thereby, even with their own penſils, blazoned abroad their own ſhame, and moſt unfaithfull double-dealing. Firſt, then, I will begin with that poor deluſive trick of theirs, of their pretended (falſely ſo called) Exile or Baniſhment out of England, which they themſelves ſet forth In prima fronte libelli, in the very front and face of their Apologie, to make the world take notice of that firſt and fair piece of their Martyrdome, and to believe what rare ſuffering-Saints and Martyrs they were,The Apologiſts are Gods poore Exiles; and How. inſuffering, ſo ſorely, for their tender-conſcience ſake. This you ſhall ſee Apol. Nar. pag. 2 & 3 Where they tell you of their pitteous baniſhment, forſooth; But, withall, fairely confeſſe it was a ſpontaneous or voluntary baniſhment, a baniſhment of their own choice and election, both for Time, Place, and Company, (and I may add, as eaſily undergone as undertaken) for, they went into the choiceſt and fatteſt parts of all beautifull Holland, no way pincht in body or purſe;Antapol. p. 190 191. for (as reverend Maſter Edwards notes in his learned Antapologie, and at large, moſt notably ſets forth) they were able (ſome of them) to ſpend two or three hundred pounds a year, and to doe other expenſive acts beſides. They went, I ſay, in their own time, were fitted with all conveniences for themſelves and their families; had brave company with them, Gentlefolke of none of the meaneſt rank and quality; and yet Theſe call themſelves Gods poor Exiles, Apol. Nar. p. 22.or poor deſpicable, baniſhed creatures: Which, how fairly and fitly, let any godly judicious. Chriſtian, or even meer rationall creature which knows what Baniſhment is, ſpeake and judge by thoſe forementioned premiſes. And now tell mee, good Reader, whither theſe our Independents be ſuch fair dealers and truth ſpeakers as the world deems them, and as the Spirit of God would have them to be, according to the forementioned Characters of the true Saints and Citizens of the New Jeruſelem.

Again,Apol. Nar. p. 5. & 6. In their foreſaid Apologeticall Narration, pag. 5 & 6, they have theſe very words. For the Congregations in England (where, we were by the grace of Chriſt converted, (mark this) and long exerciſed our Miniſtry) both in our own, and multitudes of the Aſſemblies and Parochiall-Congregations thereof (mark again thoſe words good Reader) we make this ſincere profeſsion before God and all the world (mark here again I beſeech thee) that notwithſtanding all the defilements which we conceived to cleave to the true worſhip of God in them, or of the unwarranted power in Church Government exerciſed therein; yet we ever eſteemed and held this opinion of them, That they were the true Churches and Bodie of Christ, and that the Ministers thereof were true Ministers, much leſſe did it ever enter into our hearts to judge them Antichriſtian: yea, wee always have proteſted that in theſe times (pray marke theſe words well) when the Churches of England were moſt actually over-ſpread with defilements, and in the greateſt danger thereof, We both did and would hold a communion with them, as the Churches of Chriſt, and baptized our Children, and adminiſtred the Lords Supper in their Parochiall Congregations, and all this both before and ſince our returne from our foreſaid exile. Now, then, from all theſe premiſes, ſee and conſider ſeriouſly, good Reader, The Independents moſt unjuſt and injurious Separation from us, even under their own hands teſtified, and by ſuch a deep and ſeeming-ſerious Proteſtation, to God and the whole World proteſted againſt themſelves; wonderfull ſtrange it is (me thinks) that truly, holy, and godly men ſhould dare to deale thus, in ſo ſacred and ſerions things; nay thoſe premiſes, touching our Churches or Congregations and Miniſters, being ſo granted by themſelves, how moſt ungodlily and ungroundedly doe they now,See heere the moſt ſtrange & unbluſhing falſe dealing of the Independents with Presbyterians, contrary to their own words and proteſtations. and long time have forſaken our Aſſemblies, as Antichriſtian, and creep into corners, ſhops and chambers, and now adayes alſo ſome of their Schiſmaticall brethren are not aſhamed moſt impiouſly and moſt unjuſtly to preach, print, and prate againſt us and our Aſſemblies directly under ſuch notions, even as if we were abominable Babylonians and Antichriſtians. Now truly my Brethren, if this be to deale ingenuouſly, and to ſpeake the truth from the heart, as becomes the truly godly Saints and Citizens of the New-Jeruſalem ſpecified before to be Davids Character of a godly man, let any impartiall Chriſtian judge and determine.

Again, In the ſame Apologeticall Narration, pag. 24 & 25, Thoſe five Apologiſts and Grandees of the Independent faction, Another notable and undenyable falſe dealing of the Independents with the Preſbyterians.Yea, thoſe high-grown Sauls that are taller then any of their PreſbyterianBrethren, by head and ſhoulders in parts and piety (if we would believe the loud boaſts of their Sycophanticall Proſelites) have theſe very words, in that foreſaid place, evident to all that have eyes and underſtanding and wills, to ſee and read the ſame, viz. Wee call God and men to witneſſe, (ſee how they here begin again with a deep aſſeveration) that through the grace of Chriſt, our ſpirits are, and have been ſo remote from a ſpirit of faction, diviſion, pride, and ſingularity (which are the uſuall grounds of all Schiſmes) that we have expreſſed our conſtant forbearance, either to publiſh our opinions by preaching (although wee had the pulpit free) or to print any thing of our own or others for the vindication of our ſelves (although the Preſſes alſo were more free than the pulpits.) Marke good Reader, I beſeech thee, theſe their own words, and yet conſider, how that moſt inſolent and proud-ſpirited man Mr. Lilburn, in his moſt flaſhy and foul-mouthed Letter, to ever to be honored Mr. Prinne, complains of the reſtraint of Printers-preſſes, as a peece of their perſecution forſooth, pag. 2 of his ſaid Letter) or to act for our ſelves, or for our way. All theſe foreſaid particular branches of their proteſted forbearance, were, indeed, by them, and the Preſbyterian City Miniſters mutually covenanted to be done on both ſides, but how faithfully, religiouſly and conſcienciouſly they have kept and obſerved the ſame, (yea, notwithſtanding their proteſting before GOD and men, neither to write, preach, diſpute, or any way to act for themſelves or their Church-way, and all this, thus promiſed, ſince their laſt returne into England, from their fore-mentioned pretty piece of Baniſhment) now we will ſee and diſcover, I ſay, how faithfully and fairly they have kept their word and engagement herein.Antapolo. p. 213 Although, 'tis moſt true that learned and religious Maſter Edwards hath in his elaborate Antapologie given his impartiall and unprejudiced Reader aboundant ſatisfaction touching theſe things, and I might here multiply many teſtimonies from thence of our Independents ſelf-condemnation touching the premiſes: yet becauſe I maynly endevour brevity in this little Treatiſe, I will content my ſelf with theſe few following moſt true and undeniable ſelf-confutations extant there in Print under their owne hands; namely, that, even, not all theſe Apologiſts (who have thus proteſted, as yee have heard) have not, according to their ſo deep Proteſtation before God and Men, forborn to Preach or Print any thing of their own in the behalf of their Church-way. Firſt, then, take Maſter Burroughs his ſelf-conviction herein;See heere alſo how moſt unbluſhingly the Independents deal falſly with the Presbyterians. Who, in his Sermons and Expoſitions on the three firſt Chapters of Hoſea, hath Preached and Printed ſeverall things about and for their Church-way. As, for example; In his firſt Lecture on Hoſea the ſecond, at, 1, 2 p. 224, 225. And the ſeventh Lecture, Hoſ. 1, at, 11, p. 173. And thirteenth Lecture on Hoſ. 2, 15. Together with many other places in thoſe his Lectures, now extant, in Print. Secondly, Maſter Simpſon, another of theſe ſo deep Proteſters, as aforeſaid; In his Sermon called Reformations Preſervation, on Iſaiah 4, 5. And on Proverbs 8. 15, 16. hath, there, many things for their Church-way, and for a Toleration, p. 25, 26. 27. of thoſe Sermons. Thirdly, alſo, Maſter Bridge, another of them, in his Sermons, Printed and publiſhed and entituled, Babylons Downfall; And, that on Zech. 1, at 18, 19, 20, & 21. Together with many other, to be ſeen, in Maſter Edwards his moſt excellent Antapol. afore-ſaid; But this Truth being thus confirmed under the hands of three ſuch eminent proofs and teſtimonies I think, it may give ſufficient ſatisfaction herein; Beſides, the very many other Books and Pamphlets. Printed and reprinted for their Church-way, ſince this Parl. began, and ſince there Covenant made to the Contrary, all which for brevities ſake, I ſay, and to avoid tediouſnes, I willingly pretermit, and will not ſo much as mention, as, indeed, I need not, they being ſo notoriouſly known (or may be known) abroad to all that know ought herein. And as for their other kinds of acting, by themſelves and others, in and for their Church-ways advantage and advancement, I ſhall, I ſay, to avoid prolixity referre the Reader, to the learned Antapologie, p. 220, 221, &c. very worthy the reading for abundant cleer ſatisfaction in theſe premiſes. Only I cannot forbeare to give thee one particular inſtance more hereof, which may (mee thinks) be Inſtar omnium, to ſhew to the World their faithleſſe craft and ſubtilty, yea, and moſt palpable Double-Dealing with their ſingle-hearted Preſbyterian Brethren, and thus, according to my promiſe, to let all men ſee (that will not obſtinately ſhut their eyes againſt ſuch cleer and known truths) what a godly-party and what holy-Saints theſe Independents are. The thing in brief, is this.

About the beginning of the ſecond yeer of the ſitting of the Parliament, The Preſbyterian Paſtors, in London, and the Independents, met together, at reverend and religious Maſter Calamies Houſe in Aldermanbury, where, with mutuall conſent, they all entred into an engagement one party to the other,A notable paſſage of fallacy, in the Independents acted by Mr. Phil…p Nye, one of their grand Politicians. That (for advancing of the publike Cauſe of a happy Reformation) neyther ſide ſhould Preach, Print, or Diſpute, or otherwiſe act againſt others way; And this to continue til both ſides, in a full meeting, did declare the contrary, and by mutuall conſent ſet each other at liberty, touching theſe things. And for the confirmation of this agreement, a Writing or Inſtrument was drawn, with full and cleer deſire and aſſent of all, and alſo by all, there and then preſent, it was ſubſcribed with every mans name; And, this ſo done, was with a generall conſent to be left, and ſo to abide, with Maſter Calamy, at his Houſe, there to be ſeen at any time, by any of them that would have recourſe unto it, to ſhew and ſee their agreement, all which was accordingly done, and this Writing or Inſtrument was left in Maſter Calamies cuſtody. Heere, now, let me hint this to the Reader, by the way; That, notwithſtanding this Writing or Inſtrument of this their ſo ſolemne agreement; no, nor their own fore-mentioned Proteſtation of their own voluntary forbearance, ſo deeply (but deceitfully) profeſſed and proteſted, in their Apologie, to be ſo ſacred unto them, & to be kept ſo ſtrictly by them, with ſuch deep ſilence (for, theſe are their very words) All theſe, I ſay, notwithſtanding, they, in the interim, immediatly after,A remarkable diſcovery of the Independents notorious ſubtilty & Double-dealing. went on, in a too evident cōtrary practice, as hath bin before ſufficiently declared; and all theſe their Proteſtations proved the moſt advantageous Piece of Policy, on their ſide, of any one that was, or could be done by them for the increaſing of a Party for them. Juſt like the Declarations ſet forth by King CHARLES (by means of the crafty Biſhops, in their late flouriſhing and domineering times) that their ſhould be no Diſputes, no Preaching or Printing on either ſide, for or againſt the Arminian-points, which then were in great controverſie: Which Declarations and Inhibitions, being obſerved by many Miniſters, but not ſo, by the Arminian-faction, was a mighty means to increaſe them, and to ſuppreſſe Orthodox-Doctrines. Even ſo, I ſay, it fell out, heer, for, by this means of the Agreement, nothing was Preached or Printed, or any way acted againſt their way, according to the foreſaid agreement to hinder the growth of Independents, on our ſide, Ours making conſcience moſt honeſtly and tenderly of their engagement. But, in the mean time, I ſay, many things were both Preached and Printed for it, as I have touched before; which, if it were not apparent unfaithfulneſſe and plain Double-dealing, I know not what is.

But now to come to this notable trick of theirs, acted by Maſter Philip Nye, that notable Independent-Politician, and nimble-Agent for their Schiſmaticall Church-way, which was this. The fore-mentioned Writing or Inſtrument of the mutuall Agreement between the Preſbyterian and Independent parties, being as aforeſaid, left in the hands of reverend Maſter Calamy, by him to be kept and ſhewn and ſeen as occaſion was offered;Mr. Nye palpably coozens Mr. Calamy of the Writing or Inſtrument that tyed the Independents to be honeſt. It ſo fell out, that Maſter Nye came, one day, to Maſter Calamy, and pretended ſome reaſons for his deſire to ſee and borrow this Writing of him for a little while; whereupon, good Maſter Calamie, in his courteſie and ſingleneſſe of heart, ſuſpecting nothing amiſſe, but thinking he meant fairly, and would bring it again preſently, as he had promiſed, let him have it. But he, after he had it, carried it away with him into Yorkeſhire, that ſo upon any complaints of the breach of the agreement when ours ſhould have conſulted with that writing, or ſhewn it againſt them, and brought their own hands ſubſcribed thereunto, the Writing was gone, and nothing now to ſhew againſt them; As for conſcience, they (as it ſeem'd) car'd not a ruſh for it (no marvell, then, that they ſo cry out and plead for (Liberty of conſcience) for, this Maſter Nye hath ever ſince kept away this Writing, and having been often intreated to reſtore it, his anſwer ſtill hath been, that hee left it at Hull among his other papers. This Truth, is alſo fully related by reverend and faithfull Maſter Edwards, in his learned and moſt excellent Independent frighting Antapologie, Antapol. p. 243and is backt alſo by the unqueſtionable teſtimony of our moſt grave and godly Aſſembly of Divines, in their moſt excellent Anſwer to the ſeven Independents moſt falſe and ſcandalous Remonſtrance, lately printed and publiſhed by the Independents for the honour, forſooth of thoſe ſeven Authours thereof; but which in the iſſue turned to their moſt juſt eternall, indelible diſhonour. And are not theſe, then (my deare Preſbyterian friends) moſt ſoule blots and blemiſhes in ſo godly apartie, ſo gracious and holy Saints, ſo cryed-up, rare Chriſtians, as Independents are now a dayes hugely boaſted to be? Doe theſe their practiſes, in word and deed anſwer to the Characters of Davids holy Citizens of the New-Jeruſalem, To ſpeake the truth from their hearts, and to keepe their promiſe though to their prejudice? Or, are they like our bleſſed Saviours plain-dealing honeſt men, indeed, Doing unto others, as they would bee done unto? I know not, truly I cannot thinke they are.

But to goe on, and to make their unfaithfull dealings, yet more evident and apparent to the whole world, and that, ſtill, even under their own hands; I ſhall now therefore, here, briefly add ſome few paſſages of their moſt groſs double-dealing & unbluſhing ſlandering of the reverend and religious Aſſembly of Divines, The moſt ſhameleſſe & ſlanderous Remonſtrance againſt the Aſſembly of Divines owned and ſubſcribed by ſeven of the moſt eminent Independents.in a moſt ſcandalous Remōſtrance of theirs touching a promiſed model of their New Church way, moſt marvellouſly brag'd and boaſted of, to be Chriſts onelyonly true and pure way of governing his Church, and for the anſwerable production whereof they had been exceeding often and moſt earneſtly urged and intreated, both by the reverend Aſſembly, and by the religious Paſtors of London; but, wherein all along from the firſt to this day they dealt moſt doubly, falſly and fallaciouſly. For even as at the firſt, when this often and urgent motion was made to them to bring in a Modell of their Church-Government in Writing to the Aſſembly, & they accordingly promiſed it;The Independents Double-dealing about their Apolog. Narration. They were ſo far from faithfull performance hereof, firſt, that they ſecretly & ſedulouſly had prepared Printed, publiſhed & dedicated to the Parliament their moſt proud, ſelf-prayſing (& yet falſe) Apologetic all Narration, never acquainting the Aſſembly before-hand therewith, or tendring any Writing of their Church-Government, to the Aſſembly as they had promiſed, & in conſcience ought to have done: Juſt ſo, ſecondly, here, they again dealt with the Reverend Aſſembly;The ſtrange & moſt urgent & earneſt importunity of the Presbyterians to procure a Modell of the Independents Church-Government. for, wheras, ſtil the Aſſembly earneſtly moved them again and again (for the ſurer and ſpeedier compoſing of differences between them, and happier ſettlement of a bleſſed Church Government, ſo long and earneſtly deſired, as was hoped at leaſt, by all) that they would yet bring forth their Modell of Church-Government; yea, and ſince that alſo they had been earneſtly importuned thereunto by Maſter Dury, a Reverend, Learned and godly Miniſter of the Hague in Holland, (as hath been teſtified by Himſelfe in a Letter of his, ſent to our Aſſembly of Divines, from the Hague, March the ſeventh, 1643, and extant in Print, the ſubſtance whereof was to this effect.Anſwer to the Remonſtrance That he had oft required and intreated of theſe diſſenting Brethren, but never could obtein, to know the true points is difference, betwixt them and the other Reformed Churches. The like alſo had our London-Miniſters often deſired but, could never, to this day, obtein their deſire. But, now at length (to come to the point) with much freſh importunity, even almoſt beyond the bounds of modeſty, they being thus urged, as it were, on all ſides and not knowing how, with any credit, any longer to evade, they ſeemed (now at laſt, I ſay) to condeſcend to the thing;Mr. Tho: Goodwin, at laſt, choſen, by the Independents to frame their new-Modell of their Church-way. And made choice of M. Thomas Goodwin to be the man that ſhould manage the whole work of their promiſed Modell; to which purpoſe, hee alſo (having undertaken the thing) had for the ſpace of at leaſt ſix moneths, ſequeſtred himſelf a part from his attendance on the Aſſembly, and from his publike Miniſtry, into the Country, for his more conveniency to the work; In which interim, ô what vaunts, brags and boaſts had wee up and down by all their Independent Proſelytes, what a rare New-modell was making, by M. Thomas Goodwin, and ſhortly to come forth, and all theſe brags, at leaſt, three moneths before the famous upſhot of all, and therefore great expectation was of it, on both ſides, eſpecially by all that were apt credulouſly to believe it, and all ſtood, as it were, gaping and gazing triumphantly, to ſee it. At laſt, about the end of the faid ſix moneths great and wonderfull expectation, That was rightly fulfilled,Parturiunt Montes naſcitur ridiculus Mus. Parturinnt Montes naſcitur ridiculus Mus. For, in the iſſue of all, no Modell could be produced, but inſtead thereof, they durſt moſt ungodlily (becauſe moſt falſly) and without all feare, or wit, or honeſty (as it may be feared) exhibit to the Aſſembly, a moſt abſurd and ſcandalous Apology or Remonſtrance, owned & ſubſcribed by ſeven of their moſt eminent Diſſenting-Brethren, A moſt ſhameleſſe and ſlanderous Remonſtrance againſt the Aſſembly exhibited to the Aſſembly (inſtead of their New-Modell) by ſeven of the moſt eminent Independents.which was afterward impudently Printed and publiſhed (and moſt craftily pretended to be ſo publiſhed clandeſtinely without the Authours privity or conſent) under the name of a Remonſtrance; Both (as they hoped) to prop-up, if it be might be, the ſaid Authours crackt credit; and alſo even perfidiouſly to diſhonour and diſgrace the whole right reverend Aſſembly, if, I ſay, it had bin poſſible for them. In all this notwithſtanding, both in their Apologeticall Narration, and in this their Remonſtrance, they ſeeme moſt ſeriouſly to profeſſe and proteſt (like cunning Deceivers, indeed) their integer carriage and honeſt meaning, in all the buſineſſe, and their willingneſſe and forwardneſſe,The perfect practice of Deceives. always to make known what ever they held in Church-Government, together with their Reaſons, why, (now, in the upſhot of all) they have not given in a Modell of their Church-Government, laying the whole load (juſt as our Grandfather Adam laid his offence upon God himſelf) and the foul-fault of the only cauſe of their failing therein, upon the Aſſembly of Divines; moſt ſhameleſly and falſly aſperſing and beſpattering the ſaid Reverend Aſſembly, even all over (in that Remonſtrance) with very many intolerable ſlanderous accuſations and imputations, falſe, I ſay, in every point and parcell of them; As in the Aſſemblies moſt excellent and abundantly ſatisfactory Anſwer to the ſaid Remonſtrance (or reaſons forſooth,An Anſwer of the Aſſembly of Divines to the Remonſtrance of the Independents of the Independents or Diſſenting Brethren) lately ſet forth by authority of the honourable Lords in Parliament, may and doth moſt truly and abundantly appear. Wherein pag. 4. they firſt prove the notorious unwillingneſſe of theſe Independents to make known what they hold in Church-Government, both from their own confeſſion, in the forementioned Apolog. Narration, pag. penn'd and publiſhed by themſelves, and alſo by the teſtimonie of reverend Maſter Durie aforeſaid, as alſo of reverend and religious Maſter Apollonins, a learned Divine of Walachria, who alſo ſent to the Independents in London, an expreſſe Letter, deſiring them to informe him what their opinion was in thoſe points, in difference betwixt them and the Presbyterian-partie, that ſo he might not miſtake them (he being then appointed by the Claſſis of Walachria to ſet down the judgement of thoſe Reformed Churches, concerning theſe controverſies, now agitated with us in England) but yet notwithſtanding he could not obtain it from them, as himſelfe hath complained, and as they themſelves too well know, is moſt true againſt them. In brief, who ever deſires moſt fully and exactly to ſee the falſity and notorious halting of that whole Remonſtrance and Apologie of the Independents, even all over, àcapite ad calcem; let him ſeriouſly peruſe that moſt full and fair Anſwer of our learned, reverend, and religious Aſſembly, and he ſhall receive abundant and moſt luculent ſatisfaction, both touching the Aſſemblies moſt tender, fair and faithfull dealings with them all along; and alſo touching the unqueſtionable Truth of what I have herein writ of theſe unhappie Independents, viz. Their moſt unreaſonable and irreligious ſlandering of the Aſſembly, all along, in that Remonſtrance, not having delivered the Truth from their heart, in any part thereof, but altogether ſpoken deceitfully or falſly in every of their aſſertions, or aſperſions (rather) laid upon thē. And now, ſay▪ good reader, Are theſe dealings of theſe prime Independent-Remonſtrants, the practiſes of precious Saints? are theſe fit actions think you, for the Heads of a Godly-Party, ſo bigly boaſted of, and moſt mightily blazed abroad in the world by the trump of flying (I had almoſt ſaid lying) fame? Certainly then am I extremely miſtaken in my poor …udgement and knowledge in Piety and Probity. Concerning which their moſt injurious moleſting of the peace of Gods Church, and their unbridled endeavours to obtrude wayes and rules of governing Gods Church after their own conceited opinions, not having any ground out of Gods Word for the ſame; I ſhall here deſire to minde them of a moſt pertinent paſſage, very fit for this our preſent purpoſe,In Mr. Burton in his Sermon; For God and the King, p. 109. related by my reverend friend M. Burton in his Sermon entituled, For God and the King. Where hee writes thus. Were it a Law in England as once it was among the Loctians; that whoſoever would propound a new Law, ſhould come with a halter about his neck, that if it pleaſed not the Senate, the Hangman, being ready, ſhould doe his office on him. This paſſage Maſter Burton, then, applyed (and I confeſſe moſt fitly) to the Prelates of his time, for their illegall innovations, and this paſſage (I verily believe) I may as properly apply to our Schiſmaticall Independents and the reſt and beſt of their fraternity of Sectaries,A fair tale told by the Sectaries for themſelves. who ſo ſtrive and ſtruggle to introduce (by their new lights forſooth) ſuch new Laws or ways of a Church-Government, which ſo juſtly may, and doe diſpleaſe our honourable Senate, and moleſt the whole Kingdom, becauſe they cannot prove or juſtifie them from Gods Word, If therefore that Law were on foot and in force among us, at this time, and that theſe our Sectaries ſhould be made to come with halters about their necks, on that condition; what a caſe, theſe our Independents, together with their waſpiſh-brethren, the Anabaptiſts, and the reſt of their rabble: of Sectaries,Still, more notorious double dealing, under the Independents own hands. would be in, let all wiſe men judge?

Again, ſee yet farther, I pray thee, good Reader, more of their palpable and apparent halting and Double-dealing, ſtill manifeſted under their own hands, againſt themſelves, For, heretofore Mr. John Goodwin, in his Innocencies Triumph, his Theomachia. pag. 48, 49, 50. and diverſe others of his late Pamphlets;Mr. Iohn Goodwin. Mr. Burton alſo (my old entirely beloved friend,Mr. Burton. for whom my ſoule mournes in ſecret, to ſee him ſo falne off from his former faithfull principles) in his vindication, Chriſt upon his Throne.pag. 49, 50, 51. and pag. 68, 69, &c. Chriſt upon his Throne, Maſter Lilburn, Mr. Iohn Lilburn.alſo, in his frothie and moſt ſcurrilous Letter, to ever to be honoured M. Prinne; The Jeſuiticall Author or Authors of The Arraignment of Mr. Perſecution, Arraignment of Mr. Perſeſecution.together with very many others, too tedious to recite, and to whoſe own abuſive words, in their own writings, in high derogation of the Parliaments honour and authority in Eccleſiaſticall affairs, for brevittes ſake I refer the Reader. All theſe Independents and Sectaries, I ſay, and many others of them did heretofore in thoſe times of their then writings (and, Rebus ſic ſtantibus) when their fears were exceeding ſtrong that the Parliament would certainly eſtabliſh the Preſbyterian-Government, The notorious Double-dealing of Independents touching the power of Parliaments in Church-Government and matters of Religion.and their hopes extreme weake and flat of having their Independent Church-way ſet up, or ſo much as a Toleration tolerated to them: O then I ſay, how was the power of Parliaments in Eccleſiaſticall juriſdiction, or matters of Religion, cryed down, abaſed and abuſed by M. Goodwin, and the reſt? Alas, for the Parliament to take upon it the ordering of Church Government, or Church diſcipline, O this was a moſt high and intollerable preſumption in them, this was a moſt bold intrenching upon Chriſts royall prerogative, with many ſuch like terrible taxations, and heavy imputations of wrongfull uſurping an Antichriſtian Legiſlative power and authority over the conſciences (forſooth) of Chriſts free born Holy-ones: But now adays, of late, the caſe is altered, ſince the election of New-Members of Parliament in the Houſe of Commons, whereby they begin to dream, (and I truſt in God they doe but dream) that their hopes are now upon the wing, and raiſed up to a high-flown pitch of conceit that the Preſbyterian-Government ſhall either quite down, and not be eſtabliſhed at all, or elſe ſo clog'd and clipt with Commiſſioners, and ſuch like ſuppoſed yokes, curbs and reſtrictions, as ſhall like Pharao's Chariots in the Red-Sea, take off the wheels, and make it drive on ſo heavily, that Independents, Anabaptiſts, and the reſt, ſhall have fit and fair oportunities mightily to advance and hurrie on their own deſignes, their crafty ayms and ends, and in time bring them to perfection, and for the preſent enjoy a full allowance of that curſed cauſe of the ruine of all ſound Religion and ſincere holineſſe, Libertie of conſcience for all damnable Sects and Schiſmes whatſoever. O, now, therefore, I ſay, how is the power of Parliament in matters of Religion and ſetling of Church Government, cryed-up and magnified, yea, and wholy and onelyonly, (as it were) appropriated to them as the main maſter builders of Gods Houſe, his Church? And as for the Aſſembly of Divines, they have nothing to doe therein, but ſo far onelyonly as the Parliament pleaſes to uſe or refuſe them. Witneſſe, firſt, The Peacemaker, lately printed and publiſhed, which now ſo ſtruggles to uphold a peaceable-union between the Parliament and the City of London, eſpecially,The Peacemaker, pag. 3. &c. (wherein he does well, if that were all) But why, Ipray, is this deſigne ſo fairely preſt and put on? O, becauſe we in the City may aſſure our ſelves (ſayes this Peace-maker) if through our diſunions the Parliament ſhould miſcarry in the main cauſe in hand, not all our moſt profeſſed friends in the World can preſerve us from periſhing. Marke theſe words well, good Reader, The main Cauſe in hand, and conſider the times, now, and certainly the Peace-maker muſt needs mean Religion and Church-Government (not the buſineſſe of War) to be the main Cauſe in hand, and then take ſpeciall notice alſo of his ſo zealouſly maintaining of the Parliamentarie-Covenant, but with this proviſo, The Proteſtation proteſted.that it be in his ſenſe, and with his gloſſe ſet upon it, which I ſhould wonder how this Author dares thus to doe (but that I now ſee they dare to doe any thing) ſince as he well knows what a moſt deadly danger the Author of The Proteſtation Proteſted was in, in former dayes, for putting his ſenſe, as the Parliaments ſenſe, upon that Parliamentarie-Proteſtation. Beſides, how does this Peacemaker agree with that crafty Caution-contriver, Mr. I. G. in his 12. ſerious.Mr. I. G. in his twelve Cautions againſt the Hot-preſſers of Reformation? Cautions, &c.(as hee flaſhingly termes the pious Presbyterians) who cannot endure a Parliamentary-Covenant-Reformation of Religion, or rather, as I may ſay, a Covenanting-preparative to the worke of Reformation of Religion, as in thoſe his twelve ſerious Cautions, he moſt ſubtilely and ſtily (like himſelfe) inſinuates, and therein paddles, and pleaſes his own contentious humour, pretending indeed onelyonly piety, but ayming (as is moſt eaſie there to be underſtood) at his own moſt dangerous and factious ends, his principall practice and trade for theſe many years.

Beſides this Peacemaker, we have alſo one M. Walwin, a moſt egregiouſly Phariſaicall Whisperer, Phariſaicall, I ſay; For, in his frothy Whisper in M. Edwards his Eare, pag. 4. he takes occaſion (juſt as his Independent Maſters, the five Apologiſts did alſo, in their Apolog. Nar. of themſelves, ſo he) to magnifie himſelfe, not whiſpering (now) but blowing a Trumpet of his own high prayſes, with a long-breath, and a lowd-Stentorian-voice, about two pages long in quarto, and all to paint out his own perſon to be ſuch a Seraphicall and Angelicall-Saint, yea, as it were, of ſuch an immaculate, and ſublimely refined nature and celeſtiall-temper, as if there were Nihil humani, in the man; In ſo much, that, truly for my part, I profeſſe ſincerely I never read or heard of ſuch a notorious Self-flatterer in all my life; yea,Luke 18. 11, 12. certainly far tranſcending the proud Phariſee mentioned in the the Gospell. This Phariſaicall Whisperer, I ſay, being, now, turn'd like a Weathercock, with the winde of temporizing-policy hath theſe words in that piece of his Whispering-ſtuff, pag. 4. As far as it can, in this Nation (there's a juggle) I am certain, it belongeth only to the Parliament to iudge what is agreeable to the Word of God, and not unto the Aſſembly of Divines. Ah, Sir, is the caſe thus alter'd, now? muſt the Parliament only be judge in matters of Religion? Whereas, heretofore, neither Parliament, nor Aſſembly (by our Sectaries familiar ſentence) had any ſuch power. Nay, ſee how hee goes on. And God (ſayes he) hath bleſſed all their undertakings, in a wonderfull manner, by the hands of conſcientious people, becauſe of their juſt and tender regard unto freedome in Religion, notwithſtanding all importunity to the contrary; meaning, in ſuffering all ſorts of Sectaries to doe what they liſt, notwithſtanding all honeſt endevours of pious Preſbyterians, againſt licentious Libertines and Independents. Thus this Whisperer. But, to go on; See, again, the ſtrange boldnes of theſe our Independents, ſet forth yet farther, by that moſt audacious Jeſuiticall-Independent, the moſt ſeditious, yea, trayterous Authour of The laſt Warning to London. The Laſt Warning to London.How, firſt, he moſt impudently quarrels at all Government, both Regall, Civill and Eccleſiaſticall, and then ſcornfully contends with a Government eſtabliſhed by the Parliament, in theſe words, pag. 3. 4, & 5. Others (meaning of the Presbyterian partie) are troubled with another as unreaſonable a humour concerning Eccleſiaſticall Government who are undone, ruined, and torne in peeces with rents and diviſions if all the people may not be compelled to worſhip God as they doe, or in one uniforme way by the State eſtabliſhed. Yet (ſayes he) p. 5. Theſe are they that frame Oaths and Covenants for you in ſuch ambiguous expreſsions (like Delphian-Oracles) that you ſhall ſeem to be bound to doe any thing they ſhall deſire, be it ever ſo abſurd or wicked. Here, now, you ſee, this impudent Independent will not endure a worſhip eſtabliſhed by the State, when he fear'd the fall of his own partie, thereby: But look upon him a little farther, and ſee how notoriouſly he playes the jugler, and palpable Impoſtor, pag. 7. in theſe very words. Minde your own good (this he alſo ſpeaks to the City of London) and cleave faſt to the Houſe of Commons; Let no Sorcerie or Sophiſtrie divide you from them, be not importunate with them for Church-Government, but leave it to their wiſdoms to meaſure-out unto the Clergie, what may be for the quiet and profit of the people. See here now how the caſe is altered with this Independent; now, all muſt be left to the State, to the wiſdome of the Houſe of Commons, now you ſee a Parliamentary Church Government is the beſt. But, ſee again, how this Satanicall-deceiver goes about moſt audaciouſly and ſediciouſly to make a rent and diviſion between the two Houſes of Parliament. The Lords (ſays he) are not to goe before the Commons in determining what concerns the Nations, Their large Anſwer to your laſt City-Petition for Church-Government and ſuppreſsion of Conventicles, inſinuates they would allure you from the Commons, therefore obſerve them watchfully, and truſt them accordingly, and let not any of theſe eſtrange you from that your faithfull Councel, the Houſe of Commons. This is now adays, their tone and tune; now, I ſay, that they ſuppoſe (but moſt falſly I hope) that the Houſe of Commons will either curb, or caſt down the Presbyterian-Government, or at leaſt grant a Toleration to the Independent-Church way. But, in the meane ſeaſon, judge ô my godly Brethren, is not this a moſt Satanicall diſſembler, and abominable Traitor too, to Peace and Truth? And are not all theſe men brave and bold conſciencious time-ſervers and time-obſervers for their own ayms and intereſts? Certainly, I think they are, or elſe I am ſtill mightily miſtaken.

Nay yet again,Our holy Covenant made an enſnaring dangerous Dilemma to our conſciences by the Independents ſubtilties. what a ſtrange trick have they now of late taken up to abuſe us withall? even to make our ſolemne League and moſt ſacred Covenant that happy & heavenly tie upon our conſciences to Almighty God himſelf to be if poſſibly it may be) a mayn ſnare and moſt da… gerous Dilemma (or noſe of wax) to undo us all (in making us abominable and nauſeous Covenant-breakers) by their falſe wreſted Comments and fallacious Gloſſes & Interpretations ſet upon it, for the ſurer and ſubtiller advance of their own wicked aymes and ends; Telling us that the Parliament intended not the ſenſe and acceptation of it, thus and thus, according to the Letter of it, as we the Preſbyterians take it, and undiſcreetly would have it; neither for Conformity to the Church of Scotland, The Peacemaker.or other Reformed Churches; As my old deare, but … unhappy friend M. Burton in his fore-mentioned Peacemaker ſeems to come too neer to ſuch an interpretation of that branch of our Covenant, when he ſayes; And why not rather to the Churches of New-England, & yet he ſees (or may if he pleaſe) the very Church of Scotland nominatim, expreſſed plainly in the Covenant: But the Letter (they ſay) muſt not ſtand for good (but an, &c.) ſenſe, like the Biſhops oath. Much, alſo, to this purpoſe, ſpeaks that moſt wicked and ſeditious, yea, apparently Jeſuiticall Laſt warning to London; And Walwin alſo that Whiſperer, and ſelf-flated-flatterer, before more fully mentioned.

And thus this godly party, theſe precious Saints, willingly forget (as I touched before) or are now adayes (without fear or piety) moſt careleſſe and fearleſſe of the great danger of their lives, or, at leaſt, of ſome ſevere corporall puniſhment, as the Author of the Proteſtation Proteſted, once was in (as I touched before) for daring to wreſt the ſenſe of the Covenants, Orders or Edicts of our wiſe and honourable Parliamentarie Senators, to their own private and moſt pernicious aymes and ends O tempora! O mores! If ever certainly, now, is that of the Prophet Jeremiah moſt truly and clearly fulfilled, and too manifeſt in theſe our Independents:Ierem. 9. 4. Take ye heed, everyone, of his neighbour, and truſt yee not in any brother; for, every brother will utterly ſupplant, and every neighbour will walk with ſlanders.

And for a moſt particular ratification of this Scripture, I ſhall here give the Reader a cleere example in an eminent Independent Paſt…r, now and long reſident in this City, and well known to almoſt all in the City, viz. Doctor Homes, who ſucceeded reverend and religious Maſter Faucet, who being a ſickly Gentleman, and finding hee could not have his health well in the City, contracted with Doctor Homes about exchange of their livings, the one for the City, the other for the Country in caſe of conſent of the Inhabitants of each place.An Independent jugling trick play'd by Doctor Homes with his Pariſhioners. Maſter Faucets Pariſhioners out of their good reſpect and love to him, and for his deſired accommodation, conſented thereunto, and the rather alſo, as knowing the Doctor to be a man of able parts, and perſwaded he would live lovingly, and deale honeſtly and conſcienciouſly with them, as a godly and faithfull Paſtor ought with his own people. After which conſent the Doctor procured a preſentation from the (then) Lord Keeper to the Biſhop, and the next thing to be done was to have an induction from the Biſhop, but there the Doctor made a ſtand, and deſired conference with the pariſhioners about it▪ to whom he declared the tendernes of his cōſcience, and that he could not digeſt ſuch an Induction, he holding it Antichriſtian, and yet without which he could not have the living, as the caſe then ſtood. Whereupon the Pariſhioners having very good thoughts of the Doctor in thoſe dayes, and hoping for much good by his Miniſtry amongſt them, were all of them willing to accept of him for their Paſtor, though he was not (as the manner then was) legally poſſeſt of the living provided, that the Doctor ſhould enter into bond to ſave the pariſh harmeleſſe from the next Incumbent, for delapidations or any thing elſe that might befall them in that reſpect of the living, he not being proper Incumbent. To this the Doctor conſented, ſeald the Pariſh a Bond, for the purpoſes aforeſaid, and ſo the Pariſhioners thought all was well between them, and thus it continued ſome few moneths, the Doctor conſtantly preaching and officiating in his Miniſtry amongſt them; But now at laſt, the Doctor began to flag, and to be diſcontented, and would neither preach, nor doe ought elſe among his people as their Miniſter, or but very ſeldom and diſcontentedly, and told the pariſhioners hee was troubled in minde, and bound in his Spirit, and could not goe on comfortably with them, and deſired therefore a conference with them All together, whereupon a meeting there was, and he then declared to them that he was much troubled in minde by reaſon of his engagement, and that it was a grèat hinderance to his ſtudies, and to his other contentments, and that he could not goe on in preaching to them, till his engagement was taken off from him, making this a great Argument therein, namely, that he had a wife, and that if God ſhould take him away from her, his wife would then beliable to make good what he was bound to, but, that ſhe was utterly unfit to deal in buſineſſes of ſuch a nature, and therefore, I ſay, he deſired he might have in his bond again, or elſe he could not goe on comfortably in his Miniſtry, And that if they would thus far favour and reſpect him, they ſhould ſee how highly he ſhould value their love therein, and how he would ſtudie and ſtrive to deſerve it of them, bidding them truſt him upon his word and promiſe, which accordingly they moſt freely and lovingly did, and gave him in the bond preſently, and ever ſince that, they have paid ſoundly for it, for very ſhortly after hee began boldly to play reexs, to ſtand upon termes on tiptoe, as it were, with his Pariſhioners, gathered an Independent congregation, excluding all his foreſaid loving Pariſhioners from Chriſtian Communion in their own Pariſh Church, except they would enter into a Covenant with him, to walke according to his rule, which they not willing to yeeld unto he having got the keyes of the Church from their clerke, keeps all the Pariſhioners out, and will not adminiſter the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to any of them, not baptize any of their children, nor doe any act of a Miniſter or Paſtor to his people, ſave what he would doe to a very Turke or Pagan, unleſſe they will dance after his Independent pipe; And thus now the Pariſhioners wander as ſheepe without a ſheepherd, glad to run into others paſtures, and this they have gotten by truſting to a grave Independents bare promiſe. And are not now the Prophets words before recited, here too truly verified and confirmed? The truth of all which though not extant in print under the Doctors own hands (as for ſhame is not like to be) yet I am able to juſtifie by the teſtimonie of divers of the honeſt, able, religious, and underſtanding pariſhioners or Inhabitants of that place, to full ſatisfaction.

Again who ever looks upon that peece of Changeable taffatie, for I confeſſe tis finely ſpun (as ſo are all his) and yet interwoven with ſableſilke, that is, much black-ſlander and jettie-jeers, I mean Mr. John Goodwins twelve ſerious conſiderable Cautions about Reformation, together with his ſoft and ſmooth Probationer thereof, his Independent brother Maſter John Bachiler; O what prettie tinkling and tampering ſhall he there finde (to abuſe and blind-fold the underſtanding of their moſt willingly deceived and abuſed Independent Proſelytes) between the Licenſer and the Licentious Author,Ier. 9. 4. both upon the ſerious peruſall of the crafty Cautions themſelves,Mr. Iohn Bachilers approbation of a company of moſt pernicicious & ſchiſmaticall Pamphlets, yet pretends all to be pious, ſound and good. and the Licenſers ſlie proteſtations (there) that he ſees nothing therein contrary to ſound Doctrine and good manners; And thus, in effect, hee alſo deals by his full approbation of my late friend Mr. Saltmarſh his moſt foggie and ſuffocating or choking Smoake of the Temple, Touching which, I think, learned, grave and godly Mr. Ley, a reverend Divine of the Aſſembly hath ſufficiently ſhewn him his groſſe failings and weakneſſes, to ſay no more; And alſo his Grones for liberty out of Smectymnius, in neither of which alſo can Mr. Bachiler ſee any thing contrary to ſound Doctrine nor good manners though they bee full fraught (eſpecially, the Grones for Libertie) with very falſe, falacious, and groſſely miſapplyed parallels, and unſavorie compariſons, between the caſes or conditions and times of the dommeering Prelates, ouer the truly tender conſciences of the (then) truly godly Nonconfommiſts, and our (now) pious Preſbyterians in their gracious and moſt moderate deſire of unity and uniformity in ſound Doctrine, and Scripturall diſcipline, with his Schiſmaticall Sectaries, in their moſt ungodly and ungrounded grones, or rather grunts, for abominable, yea damnable Libertie of conſcience, forſooth. Nor can this tender conſcienced Licenſer, to his deare Independent Authors, ſee ought amiſſe in Maſter Sal…marſhes ſubtile and deceitfull Treatiſe of Free-grace, the glorious and ſpecious deep-promiſing Title whereof (as learned and reverend Maſter Gatakar truly ſayes, in his learned Anſwer to that Book of M. Salimarſhes) on the very Frontiſpeece, were buſh enough of it ſelf, to invite & intice (gueſts) to taſt of ſuch pretended precious liquor; yet very much dangerous drinke of errour to be found therein, as Mr. Gatakar, I ſay, in that his learned and pious reply cleerely diſcovers, together alſo with Maſter Saltmarſhes moſt injurious exceptions and diſcontents at reverend and religious Maſter Edwards his Gangraena, Of whom (I mean Maſter Edwards) I can ſay thus much, from Maſter Saltmarſhes own mouth, on mine own particular knowledge, That I having got Maſter Saltmarſh both to heare Maſter Edwards preach in Chriſt-Church, and afterward to have much particular conference with him at my houſe, I and others have heard Maſter Saltmarſh give Maſter Edwards ſuch high and honourable Teſtimony both for his godly,M. Saltmarſh his ſingular teſtimony of M. Edwards his Preaching and conference. ſound, and ſatisfactory preaching, and alſo for his gravity, ſolidity, & ſweetly tempered moderation in conference, as that I am confident, hee is not able to give more or better teſtimony and commendation of any Independent or Sectarie, whatſoever: yea, and he added theſe words unto me. I profeſſe, Sir (ſays he to my ſelfe) had I not thus heard M. Edwards my ſelf, I could not have believed the half thereof; But, I am now glad I have, thus heard him, and conferred with him, that now I may (as I will) on all occaſions, vindicate his reputation and honour, when ever I heare him traduced or ill-ſpoken of. Or words full, to this effect. And all this, I ſay, I can moſt faithfully witneſſe and teſtifie and ſo can others) on mine own particular knowledge. Truly, therefore, me thinks, had I ſaid no more, in theſe reſpects, than what that worthy Authour (who ever he was) of that, though ſuccinct, yet moſt ſolid piece, entituled Toichoructa, or Independents razing their own foundation. Toichoructa, or, Independents razing their own foundation.Wherein, he moſt ſingularly deciphers how neer the ſpirit of Independents comes to Remiſh Jeſuits, in their Deceits and Diſſimulations, ſtretching their Conſciences beyond the the line of all fair-dealing; Had I, therefore, I ſay, ſaid no more, me thinks, I had ſpoken enough to convince them of deep impiety and moſt foul iniquity, in the very way of their deſtructive Schiſme among us. Nay, yet farther, take ſpeciall notice, I beſeech thee good Reader, of one more even unparalell'd piece of impiety, A remarkable piece of Independents impiety.and (doubtleſſe) of unpattern'd palpable iniquity moſt worthily mentioned to their eternall and indelible ſhame and infamy by the foreſaid Authour of that Toichoructa, which you ſhall finde exactly ſet downe, in that notable piece, pag 4, 5, 6. Wherein hee ſhews how notoriouſly diſſemblingly and unconſcionably the Independents of the Aſſembly at Weſtminſter dealt with their Preſbyterian Brethren, there, about Commiſſioners to judge of ſins not ennmerated in the Ordinance touching admitting or not admitting to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. Againſt which, when our Preſbyterian-Divines deſired their Diſſenting-Brethren of the Independent faction to joyn in a Petition with them to the Houſe of Commons; And although it is a thing which Independents cannot according to their principles allow of; yet, now, upon this juſt deſire of their Preſbyterian-Brethren, they anſwered; The thing the Aſſembly deſired was good, yet they could not joyn with them therein becauſe it might be a hinderance to a greater good which themſelves deſired. Here's policie to the purpoſe, indeed. And (as the ſame Authour goes on) whether the Independents have not had their hands deep in the promoting the buſineſſe of Commiſſioners and obſtructing thoſe wayes which might have prevented it I appeale to their owne conſciences. Now, if any one ask (as well as wonder) upon what principles, the Indep…ndents can, in conſcience, conſent and approve of, yea, promote and farther (as 'tis too evident they have) the laying on of ſuch burthens upon other mens ſhoulders, as themſelves cannot in conſcience ſubmit unto? I anſwer, on what principles of conſcience they thus proceed, I know not, but their prin…iples of policy, are divers and deep; as firſt, Themſelves never meant to be unde… ſuch bonds, but either hoped to get a formall Toleration for their way, and exemption from ſuch a rule, or at leaſt, reſolved to practiſe Toleration in their ſeperated Congregations, whether the Magiſtrate tolerate it or not, unto them; And therefore cared not how ſtraight and pirching thoſe or any bonds were made for others. Thus and more, to this purpoſe, this worthy Authour. Now if all theſe be not prety Independent tricks to play faſt and looſe with their Brethren, I know not what belongs to Fair play above board. And all theſe things being ſo evident and apparent to all truly pious and impartiall Chriſtians, that are not wilfully blinde, and ſo conſpicuous under their own hands (for the moſt part) even all I have hither…o written of them, I cannot but exceedingly wonder how it ſhould come to paſſe, that mens eyes and underſtanding (eſpecially too many even of the intelligent Preſbyterian party) ſhould be ſo blinded or rather beſotted, and that their reaſon ſhould be ſo gull'd and del…ded, as to believe theſe and ſuch like pernitious and perfidious pr…ctices to be conſonant and agreeable to ſuch pious-men and precious-Saints (I mean, I ſay, the Heads and Ring-leaders of them eſpecially) as the world cals and conceives them to be; and therefore, they ſay, they dare not ſpeak againſt them, or think evill of them; Conſidering I ſay in the firſt place (as a ſure ground to build their judgement on) Theſe Scripture-marks and Characters of a truly holy-Saint and gracious Citizen of the New-Jeruſalem; and how D…ame…rally oppoſite thereunto, theſe Independent Sectaries walk, and how egregiouſly diſcrepant and remote they are from them.Mat. 18. 16. And, ſince, as our bleſſed Saviour ſays, In the mouth, or teſtimony of two or three witneſſes, every word or truth ſhall be eſtabliſhed. I hope, this cloud of unqueſtionable ſelf-condemning-teſtimonies, even as it were out of their own mouthes, and under their own hands (the moſt of them) may be abundantly ſufficient, for the future, to ſtop the mouthes of our Independent Antagoniſts, and to ſatisfie the falſe conceits of any Neutrall Gainſayers, yea, and to make (if it bee poſſible) the boldeſt of them to bluſh and hold their tongues, or hide their faces for ſhame of themſelves and their deceitfull and wicked way.

And yet, I muſt confeſſe, I may ſeem, herein, to be much miſtaken (eſpecially in the opinion of Independents, Object. 1 and ſuch as harken or adheare to them) for, they have, moſt cunningly got a brave varniſh to glaze over all theſe objections,A prettie Independent evaſion of all hitherto urged againſt independents. and a fine back-do…e of evaſion to get out at, from all theſe cenſures and ſurmiſes of Preſbyterians touching all theſe the Independents ſeeming miſcarriages; namely, that all this which I have hitherto urged againſt them, as ſubtilties and deceivable Errors, Schiſmes or Enormities, they finely and fairly call and count Glorious New-Lights,New-Lights. and rare-Revelations. And, hence it is (they will aſſure you) that at the firſt they told us (in their Apologeticall Narration) that they would poſitively determine nothing in their Church way or Church-Government, but forſooth, wait in expectation (ſtill) of New-Light, and ſo keep a Reſerve, to help themſelves at a dead lift, Vindication p. 58. Donec ad Triarios redieritres.for ſo are Mr. Burtons own words in his Vindication. But hereunto, I anſwer, Is not this a cleere Jeſuiticall juggle, and moſt like unto the Popiſh Equivocation, whereby the Jeſuits, Seminarie-Prieſts, and all Jeſuited Papiſts did familiarly uſe to help themſelves at a dead lift, Anſw. 1 when they were examined upon any ſerious Queſtions, even by a Mentall reſervation or equivocation to help themſelves,Independents emptie New-lights, and Popiſh equivocation compared together. I ſay, and thereby did they the more cunningly deceive the moſt acute Argumentators and interrogating Diſputans that came againſt them? And would not our Independents, now adayes, by this their fine-trick of New-lights, forſooth, befool our faith, and make us believe they doe all now, by rare Revelations? Herein, I ſay, dealing with us, juſt as the Jeſuites did with their Proſelytes and Oppoſites too, in the point of Tranſubſtantiation, labour to make them believe that the Bread and Wine in the Lords Supper, were truly; really, and corporally tranſubſtantiated into the very Body and Bloud of Chriſt even the very ſame which ſuffered and was ſhed on the croſſe in all reſpects, though there was no viſible change (either to ſight or ſenſe) in the Bread or Wine, but they ſtill remained the ſame which they were before they were conſecrated, whereof, when they were told ſo, they preſently anſwered that it was ſo trāſinutated or changed by a Miracle, forſooth, which indeed was a ridiculous and abſurd anſwer; for we never read of any miracle wrought either by any of the Prophets, Chriſt himſelf, or his Apoſtles, but it was reall, evident, and viſible, both to ſight and ſenſe to be a miracle indeed: Even ſo I ſay to out Independents, concerning their Reſerve or New-lights, Tell them of any of their new & upſtart errors, or vaporous Enthuſiaſmes, or Newly-revived-Opinions or conceits, but indeed meer old errours (call them what you pleaſe) rak't out of the rotten aſhes of ancient Hereticks and Schiſmaticks, preſently their ſmooth and deceivable Anſwer is; O Sir, theſe are not Errours but New-Lights, newly and rarely revealed to us by ſome ſodain and ſecret inſpiration, and when we demand or deſire to have it made out unto us by Gods written Word, that they are reall and demonſtrative, New-Lights indeed, that we may evidently diſcerne them to be ſuch, by that trueſt Tonch-ſtone, the Word of God, and not to be empty Meteors and crotchets of their own brains; Then, alas, either through ignorance and deceivableneſſe they cannot, or elſe with as much impertinencie as obſtinacie, they will fooliſhly and falſely urge that of the Prophet Joel, And it ſhall come to paſſe, that I will poure out my ſpirit upon all fleſh, and your ſons and your daughters ſhall propheſie, &c. and your young men ſhall ſee viſions. Ioel 2. 18.Whereas this Propheſie of Joel (as the Apoſtle Peter told the Jews) was clearly propheſied of, and mainly fulfilled in thoſe times of the Apoſtles,Acts 2. 16, 17. and then after our Saviour Chriſts aſcention (which were called thoſe Laſt-dayes, as all the learned obſerve) the Lord indeed poured out his ſpirit on all fleſh, on young and old, male and female, and gave them power of admirably doing miracles and wonders, and then I ſay (as the Apoſtle Peter, in that forecited Scripture ſaid) was this Propheſie of Joel moſt apparently fulfilled, and ſo continued all the time of the Apoſtles lives, and ſome of their holy Diſciples, even to about the time of the deſtruction of Jeruſalem. But what's this to our times,The extreme impiety, folly, and abſurdity of the audacious Sectaries both man and wom…n of our times, under a pretence of New-Light, from the Propheſie of Ioel. wherein (and long time before) miracles are ceaſed? Can any of us dare to aſſume the extraordinary power of the Spirit of God, to doe miracles, and worke wonders? Is it a miracle or a wonder (indeed, I confeſſe it may be, to ſee ſuch intolerable impudence) to ſee young ſaucie Boyes (in compariſon) bold botching Taylors, and other moſt audacious illiterate mechanicks, to run rudely and raſhly (and unſent for too) out of their ſhops into a Pulpit; To ſee bold impudent huſwives, without al womanly modeſty, to take upon them (in the naturall volubility of their tongues, & quick wits, or ſtrong memories onelyonly) to prate (not preach or Propheſie) after a narrative or diſcourſing manner,1 Cor. 14. 34 an houre or more, and that moſt directly contrary to the Apoſtles inhibition;1 Tim. 2 11, 12 & 1 Pet. 2. 15. But where, I ſay, is their extraordinary ſpirit poured out upon them, either in the gift of tongues (except it be the lying and the ſlanderous tongues, which are rather the gifts of the evil Spirit,Iam. 13, 14, 15. as the Apoſtle James teſtifies) in gifts of miraculous healing the ſick and ſore, and ſuch like? where, I ſay, are any of theſe in our old or young Tradeſmen, or bould Beatriceſes of the female ſex? And does not the Apoſtle Peter moſt punctually come up to this very thing of our Independents, even to ſhew us this moſt notable diſſembling and fallacious trick of New-Lights, and fained Revelations, which he foreſaw would follow his departure out of his Earthly-Tabernacle,, and therefore forewarns the people of God to beware of them, telling them, Verſe 16. That he and the reſt of the faithfull Apoſtles uſed not cunningly deviſed fables (or new inventions of their own or other mens brains) when they made known the power and comming of the Lord Jeſus unto them. Adding at length this moſt immoveable and infalible rule for them to walk by, and to be guided with,Here is an old Light, and a true light indred. ver. 19. But we have a more ſure word of propheſie, whereunto you doe well that yee take heed, as unto a light that ſhineth in a darke place, till the day dawn, and the day-ſtar (of truth) ariſe in your hearts. Away, then, with this notorious deceitfull trick of New-Lights (for ſhame) and of your rare Revelations; cheat not the people of God and your own ſoules, eſpecially, with theſe deceivable devices of your own brains, and Schiſmaticall ſpirits. But, this, moſt certainly, is the Independent way, now adayes, among us, to the great diſturbance of the peace and comfort of the people of the Lord, and when we juſtly tell them of their unfaithfull dealing, and down right deceiving, by this their trick of New-lights; O then, juſt as the Jeſuits and Popiſh Prieſts, in Queene Maries dayes, and of later times, called thoſe that would not believe their Popiſh trick of Tranſubſtantiation to be a miracle, they called and counted them, I ſay, Hereticks: ſo theſe our Independents (if we will not, and cannot in our conſciences, nor by any of their demonſtrations, beleeve their trick of New-Lights to be a Scripture Revelation of ſome rare Truth of God not formerly known but a meere conceit, yea, a plain deceit) ô then preſently, I ſay, our Independents call aud count us (as my ſelfe heard Maſter Burroughs deliver ſuch an expreſſion in one of his Lectures at Michaels in Corn-hill) Carnall and prophane Preſbyterians, Grievers and deſpiſers of the Saints and Godly party, forſooth, and contemners of the gifts of the Spirit, whereas indeed there is no ſuch thing in them, but they moſt palpable and impudent impoſtors. And thus, the Lord knows, they goe about deceiving and being deceived, and truly, Hinc illae lachrima, Heer's the ſource, the rice and originall of all theſe unhappie and unholy jars and diviſions between us; They are ſo nimble and quick-ſighted in apprehenſion of New-Lights, and we are ſo dull and obtuſe (if they will have it ſo) and hard of belief to be led, or rather miſled by them, as not being able to diſcerne ſo much out of Gods Word, Till when, we ſhall ever queſtion and quarrell at this novell and vain device of theirs.

But again, our Independents have one trick more, at leaſt to put us Object 2 finely off from our juſt objurgations with them, and accuſations of them, concerning their moſt dangerous and damnable errours, now adayes broacht by them,The Independent Saints infirmities muſt not bee medled with. and brag'd of among them, viz. That wee are too uncharitable in thus upbraiding the Saints with their infirmities, forſooth; yea, and (as I touch'd before) in laying the failings and ſlips of onelyonly the Retrimentitious▪ Partie (as Maſter Iohn Goodwin terms them, as before) that is, in plain Engliſh the excrements or dregs of Sectaries, Independents, Anabaptiſts, and ſuch like. Where firſt Anſwer. 2 take notice, good Reader, by way of reply hereunto in generall, that Maſter Iohn Goodwin confeſſes, there is a Retrimentitious or Excrementall-Partie among his Saints. Cretenſis, p. 4.Secondly, That he calls and counts their dangerous, damnable, and blaſphemous Errours, with the reſt of their foul impieties, but ſins of infirmity. But more particularly to the firſt, I briefly anſwer, That as I have ſufficiently made it clear, all along in this Treatiſe,Not only the Retrimentitious-party, but the graveſt Grandees of the Independent-party. they are not onelyonly the Retrimentitious-Partie of their Independent Saints, that deale thus dangerouſly and deceitfully with us, but the very beſt and braveſt, yea, ſeemingly, graveſt Grandees of them all. Secondly, Is not Maſter Iohn Goodwin, or any of the reſt of them aſhamed, to call ſuch abuſive and abominable Errours and ſuch foul and frequent facts of impiety (as they are too juſtly taxed with, and found guilty of) Sins onelyonly of infirmity? Can he or they make us beleeve that they know not how to diſtinguiſh between Sins of weakneſſe or infirmity, Sins of Infirmity briefly deſcribed.and Reigning-ſins, Church-diſgracing and conſcience-wounding abominations? For my part I conceive (under correction) ſins of infirmity are ſuch as are committed either ignorantly, or if knowingly, yet) fearfully, and with much reluctation of ſpirit, ſeldom, and that with much vehement repentance and godly ſorrow after conviction, with purpoſe and bent of heart (by Gods grace) to be more watch full againſt them for the future, and ſuch like.Ragining ſins briefly deſcribed. As for Reigning-ſins, I conceive them to be, ſins committed or acted knowingly, affectedly, promeditately, reſolutely, conſtantly, or frequently and familiarly againſt all evidences of conviction or exhortation againſt them, yea, and ſo far from repentance for them, as to juſtifie them and rejoyce and boaſt in them; together with ſuch like other ſad ſymptomes thereof. Now, whether very many of our profeſt Independents embrace or act their dangerous Errours, lying, double dealing, and the like, as aforeſaid, in the former or in the latter capacity or condition, as ſins of weakneſſe or of wilfulneſſe, and affected obſtinacy, I leave themſelves to judge and faithfully to examine their own hearts and conſciences (for, to their own Maſter they ſtand or fall) And to all others alſo, who impartially obſerve and take notice of their carriage and converſation; eſpecially, upon ſerious conſideration of thoſe Characters of a true Saint, which I have faithfully fore-mentioned to them; all that I will, for my part, ſay herein, is, to tell you my ſtrong fears, that, in regard of the premiſes, I cannot but greatly ſuſpect and doubt, in the latter capacity (I ſay, very many of them) ſo proud, ſo pragmaticall, ſo inſolent and obſtinate are they in a moſt ungrounded defence of their evils and errours; And on theſe grounds, I muſt confeſſe I cannot judge more tenderly of them. And again,No errour into be accounted a ſmall ſin. I ſay, in yet more full anſwer to this Objection; How dare any of them call or account any the (ſeeming) leaſt of their Errours, ſmall-ſins or no-ſins, being againſt the eternall truth, of our moſt pure Object. 3 and holy God? And whereas in the laſt place they cry out againſt us,The Independents tax the Presbyterians with piety for writing againſt their errours openly. and tax us, not onelyonly of want of charity, but aſperſe us with plain impiety, for urging againſt them, and accuſing them openly or inprint, of their foul offences, and openly taught and maintained dangerous Errours, Schiſmes, and Enormities, and of their damnable Doctrines and Opinions: I ſay, and will avouch and maintain it, That our work and way herein, is both holy, honeſt, and warrantable from the word it ſelf; And particularly from that of the Apoſtle Paul, Who Anſw. 3 himſelfe tels us, that, When Peter (who at that time ſeemed a Pillar of Gods houſe, Galat. 2. 11. Ibid. 2. 9.the Church) did that which was worthy of blame, and that, openly, to the prejudice and ſo and all of Gods people and Cauſe: This bleſſed Apoſtle, I ſay, tels us, That he withſtood Peter and rebuked him, even to his face for his diſſimulation, and for being a means (thereby to enſnare Barnabas alſo into the ſame foule fault with him; Even the very ſame, whereof I now here complain in our Independents and their Schiſmaticall brethren, namely, Diſſimulation or Double-dealing. Yea,Titus 1. 13. and (as the ſame bleſſed, wiſe, and holy Apoſtle ſaid) They are moſt worthy to be even moſt ſharply rebuked, and alſo openly, in regard they have offended and diſſembled ſo openly, even in print, therefore are, I ſay, to be reproved in paint, whereas, indeed, had they offended but in private, God forbid, but we ſhould tenderly have dealt in private with them. And this indeed hath been a main ground of the quarrell between reverend Maſter Edwards, and his Independent Antagoniſts, who have moſt injuriouſly abuſed him with ſlanders, onelyonly, or mainly for his zealous oppoſing, and ſharpe reproving the open Errours, Schiſmes, aud ſcandalous miſcarriages of theſe men, who can be content to diſhonour God and his Truth, but cannot endure to be taxt and told of it, though the Apoſtle tels them they are worthy to be blamed for it, and therefore in this reſpect, though (according to that old Axiome, Amicus Socrates, amicus Plato, magic tamen amica veritas, though ſuch an one is my friend, and ſuch an one is my old acquaintance and friend, yet, by Gods grace, Truth is and ſhall be my beſt friend, yea, and I ſay as my bleſſed Lord and Maſter Chriſt Jeſus ſaid,Iohn 18 37. To this end was I born, and for this cauſe came I into the world, that I ſhould bear witneſſe (with the reſt of Gods faithfull ones) to the truth; and fully and faithfully to ſpeake and declare the Truth with all holineſſe, godly zeal, courage and impartiality againſt whomſoever, in this caſe neither regarding the favours or frowns of any, but onelyonly ayming at the glory of my God, which, I ſay, was the main end of my creation. But to conclude and ſhut up all I have now to ſay, it is moſt probable that our Independents, and the reſt of their Schiſmaticall fraternity (for as I have formerly toucht, I make account all the reſt of the Sectaries, are for certain Independents) Object. 3 will again, now at laſt Object and ſay unto me; That all this while I have but pleaſed my ſelfe, in beating the ayre, and ſhooting at rovers, being wide of the marke and much miſtaken, in all that I have taxed and accuſed them with all, for none of them are at all perſwaded or convinced in their conſciences, that any of thoſe which Maſter Edwards, or I, call Errours or Schiſmes, are Schiſmes or ſins, but (as Anſwer. 3 was touched before) New-Lights, and New-revealed Truths. Whereunto I Anſwer, with ſorrow of ſoule for their ſakes, I eaſily, indeed, believe they will ſay ſo, and I cannot much marvell at it, Since (as thoſe Demetrians ſaid) By this craft they have got much gain. Acts 19. 25.And ſince I ſee this is their obſtinate and inflexible reſolution, thus, ſtill, to ſay and hold, and that they are before hand reſolved (for private intereſts and ſelf-aymes ſake) that no cleareſt demonſtrative reaſons or argumentations (no though from apparent Scripture, or Scripture-conſequences) ſhall beat them off, or diſſwade them from theſe Satans ſtrong ſtratagems of New-Light, New-Revelations, Keeping Reſerves, and Liberty of Conſcience; I therefore will ſay no more unto them, but with the Spirit of the Lord, ſaid to obſtinate and incorrigible Ones; Hee that is unjuſt, Revel. 22. 11.let him be unjuſt ſtill, and he that is filthy let him bee filthy ſtill; and he that is righteous, ô let him be righteous ſtill; and hee that is holy, let him be holy ſtill? OnelyOnly, I herein may comfortably ſay to mine own heart, Liberavi animam meam: Yet, as the Religious bonds of piety and charity binde me) from my ſoule I ſhall unfainedly pray (as the Lord knows I daily doe) that God would in the riches of his grace in Chriſt Jeſus open their eyes and ſpeake to their hearts, ſhew them the evill of their ways, and the great danger of their deſtructive errours, to the ruine of the whole Kingdom, yea, of the three whole Kingdoms, if they doe not timely retract and repent of thoſe great and gangrene evils and blaſphemous errours, which have enflamed almoſt the whole Kingdom (by their New-lights) as ſo many firebrands to ſet on fire three whole Kingdoms, I ſay, if the Lord in merciemercy (by the wiſdome, piety, and impartiallity of our Parliament) quench not the flame in time, and graciouſly reconcile us not together by godly peace, unity, and unanimity of ſpirit, which the Lord in much merciemercy grant unto us for his ſake, who is the Prince of Peace, Truth, and Love, and of all godly order, even the Lord Chriſt the Righteous, to whom be all honour, praiſe, dominion, with holy and hearty univerſall obedience, for ever,

AMEN.

The Schismatic Sifted, Discourse 1

p. 1THE SCHISMATICK SIFTED.

THE SCHISMATICK SIFTED.