New Englands Salamander Discovered, Treatise

New Englands Salamander Discovered · Treatise

NEW-ENGLANDS SALAMANDER, DISCOVERED By an irreligious and ſcornefull Pamphlet, called New Englands Jonas caſt up at London, &c. Owned by Major Iohn Childe, but not probable to be written by him. OR, A ſatisfactory anſwer to many aſperſions caſt upon New-England therein.

Wherein our government there is ſhewed to bee legall and not Arbitrary, being as neere the Law of England as our condition will permit.

Together With a briefe Reply to what is written in anſwer to certaine paſſages in a late Booke called Hypocriſie unmasked.

By Edw. Winſlow.

LONDON, Printed by Ric. Cotes, for John Bellamy, and are to bee ſold at his ſhop at the ſigne of the three Golden Lions in Cornehill neare the Royall Exchange, 1647.

p. 1TO Major John Childe in anſwer to his Preface.

SIR,

I Am ſorry for your owne ſake, being a Gentleman reported to bee peaceable in your converſation, that you ſhould bee thus engaged in other mens quarrells; eſpecially to father other mens falſhoods and irreligious jeeres and ſcoffes, whoſe ſpirits if you were ſo well acquainted with as my ſelfe and ſome others that came lately from New-England, as well as thouſands in the Countrey, you would bee more wary then to engage as you doe.

But firſt for anſwer to your Preface, and then I conceive I have anſwered every word of yours in your ſeeming Treatiſe: And yet I would not bee miſtaken that any ſhould thinke I judge you unable to write ſuch a peece, for there is no ſolidity in it: but I am ſo well acquainted with this language and ſuch proceedings before ever I ſaw your face, as no man is or ever was better acquainted with the phraſe or writings of another, then I am with your chief animator to this undertaking, whom I call New-Englands Salamander, becauſe of his conſtant and many yeeres exerciſe, and delight in oppoſition to whatſoever hath been judged moſt wholeſome and ſafe for the weale-publick of the Country (from whence hee laſt came) either in Politicks or Eccleſiaſticks, being ever willing p. 2to enjoy the common benefits of peace by government (which maintaines every man in his proper right) but never willing to beare any part of the charge in ſupporting the ſame, as appeared by his conſtant cavilling thereat when ever any rates came upon the country though never ſo eaſie and juſt.

But to come to the occaſion of your printing the following relation, which you ſay are the ſufferings that not onelyonly my Brother Robert Child Doctor of Phyſick, with ſome Gentlemen and others have ſuffered in their perſons and eſtates by Fines and impriſonment in New-England, and falſe reports and feigned miracles bere, &c. For anſwer, that your brother was in priſon, and for what I certified you at my firſt comming over; though to you grievous in regard of naturall affection, (which I honour where I finde in any;) Then alſo being occaſioned thereunto I freely imparted to you the Countries colorable grounds of ſuſpecting his agency for the great Incendiaries of Europe, beſides the matter of fact for which hee was committed, yea that the very yeare hee came over, a gentleman in the country (Mr. Peters by name) was adviſed by letters from a forraign part that the Jeſuits had an agent that Sommer in New-England. And that the Countrey comparing his practiſe with the intelligence were more jealous of him then any; (though to mee he was a meere ſtranger) and therefore I marvell that Major Childe ſhould give me occaſion, and force mee to publiſh theſe things which I neither affect nor intended: but I ſhall forbeare in that kind becauſe I would not provoke.

As for their eſtates being weakned by Fines, that is yet to prove: for though they were fined, yet the fines were not levied, nay ſo gentle was the cenſure of the Court, that upon the publike acknowledgement of the offence the Fine was to bee remitted to all or any one of them ſo doing. And for falſe reports and feigned miracles fomented here to colour their unjuſt proceedings, as you terme it; I anſwer, your book is the firſt reporter of many things I here meet with, eſpecially as you lay them downe, as ſhall appeare more particularly.

In the next place you ſay, They give out that my brother and others deſire a toleration of all Religions: This is the firſt time that ever I heard it ſo reported of them.

Secondly, whereas you ſay they are accuſed to bee againſt all government both in Church and Common weak: This I know to bee p. 3falſe: for I heard them demand in Court the Presbyterian government, and it was granted them. Beſides, before this demand in Court, at a private conference with an eminent perſon (who well hoped to have ſatisfied them) hee demanded of the Petitioners what Church government it was they would have? One of them anſwered, he deſired that particular government which Mr. John Goodwin in Colemanſtreet was exerciſed in. Another of them ſaid, hee knew not what that was: but hee for his part deſired the Presbyterian government. A third of them ſaid hee deſired the Epiſcopall government if it might bee, if not, the Presbyterian: And a fourth told mee himſelfe that hee diſclaimed any thing in the Petition that was againſt the government of the Churches in New-England, &c. reſting and liking what was there done in that kind. Now the former three paſſages (and not without the latter) were all told mee by grave perſons in New-England, ſuch as I beleeve. And therefore if any ſo accuſe them I muſt needs cleare them: but withall teſtifie I never met with this accuſation againſt them before I read it in your booke.

Thirdly, for their petitioning the Parliament; Take notice wee hold that no ſubject ought to bee reſtrained this libertie, and therefore count it no offence nor ever did, and therefore they were not committed for that.

A fourth falſe report you terme, is, Their Petition brought from thence to bee preſented to the Parliament (which they had named Jones) in a ſhip called the Supply; being in a ſtorme neere Silly, out of horrour of conſcience the petition was torne and throwne over board: and that then the ſtorme immediatly ceaſed, and they …ir…louſly ſaved. To this I anſwer, I was not in the ſhip (I praiſe God) and therefore what I ſay in it muſt bee from others whom I judge truely godly, and of the moſt grave and ſolid perſons amongſt them; And Sir, let mee tell you, and the world in anſwer to you, I have heard the paſſage from divers, but never as you print it; and doe thinke verily your informers belie themſelves that they may have ſomewhat to cavill at. But though I had not thought to have entred upon a large anſwer to any particular: yet it being one of the heads of your Treatiſe, I ſhall bee larger in anſwering that then another thing; partly to vindicate Mr. C…on who is much abuſed in your booke, and p. 4partly from their owne pen to ſhew the prophane carriage of the partie in the ſhip by their fearefull provoking the Almightie to follow them with his terrours throughout the voyage from New-England to Silley, where they had a great deliverance, and yet nevertheleſſe to ſhew how they goe on ſtill to abuſe Gods mercy, patience and long ſuffering by this prophane title and ſtory colored by your ſelfe. And thus much for anſwer to your Preface. As for the foure heads of your book and the Poſtſcript, I ſhall anſwer them as they ariſe.

An anſwer to the imperfect relation of the Hingam caſe.

Were I not ſo well acquainted with our New-England-Salamanders wayes, and what a puther hee made in the Countrey about this buſineſſe, I ſhould ſtand amazed at the malice of men to ſee this brought againſt the government. To anſwer either this caſe or the next at length would ask ſo much paines, and bee ſo great a bulke, as their booke being but a two penny jeering Gigge, penned rather to pleaſe the fancy of common underſtandings, then to ſatisfie any ſolid judgements; would goe much further then ever the anſwer would bee like to follow, that ſo he might bemire us with a witneſſe. And if he can cauſe any reproach to lie upon us (whether juſt or unjuſt, that matters not) then hath hee hit the marke hee ſhoots at. And therefore to avoyd the many particulars would fall in a diſtinct anſwer by giving an account of the whole buſineſſe, I ſhall deſire the Reader to accept this generall.

The Inhabitants of Hingam were knowne to bee a peaceable and induſtrious people, and ſo continued for many yeers; The Lord ſupporting them in the midſt of many ſtraights in their firſt beginnings, crowning their indeavours with his bleſſing, and raiſing them up to a comfortable and proſperous outward condition of life, and ſuch is their ſtate through Gods mercy and goodneſſe this day, living very plentifully. But Satan envying their happineſſe (the Lord permitting as it ſeemes) on a ſuddaine caſt a bone of diviſion amongſt them, which tooke mightily, to the great griefe and admiration of p. 5their neighbours on every ſide; which controverſie indeed aroſe about the choyce of their Captaine as is related. But our Salamander living too neere them, and being too well acquainted with them, blew up this to ſuch an height by his continuall counſell and adviſe which the major part of the Towne followed to their owne ſmart, and the great griefe and trouble of Church and Common-weale, as they not onelyonly filled their Court with complaints againſt each other, and wearied out the chiefe Magiſtrates in place, but complained openly againſt one of them, viz. the Deputie Governour, who upon hearing the Caſe thought good to bind ſome of them over to the Court; ſome ſubmitted and gave bond, others refuſed, and were ſent to priſon, &c. This Gentleman, as on all other occaſions ſo in this particular much honored himſelfe, by leaving his place upon the Bench and going to the Bar, and would not bee perſwaded to cover his head or take his place till the caſe was heard and ended, which continued many dayes, partly by reaſon of the great liberty the Court gave the Plaintiffes in regard it reflected upon one of themſelves, (and I thinke the firſt caſe that ever befell in that kind;) but more eſpecially becauſe our Salamander was got to Boſton, where though hee would not openly ſhew himſelfe, yet kept cloſe in a private roome where they had recourſe unto him many dayes, yea many times a day for advice, and followed it to the utmoſt, to the great charge of the Countrey (which came to much more, as I have heard, then the hundred pounds fine which was laid upon them) in providing the diet of their Court.

But the Court finding for the Defendant after much trouble in many dayes agitation fined the Plaintiffes in an hundred pound, and laid it upon ſundry of them in particular amercements according to their ſeverall demeanours in the action, and left the Deputie Governour to take his courſe with them, who onelyonly reſted in the vindication of his name; which the Countrey ſo farre cleared, as not long after, their election day falling by courſe, they choſe him their Governour, a place not ſtrange to him, in which wee left him, having more often borne it then all others in that Government. And for the differences which befell them in their Church; whether the Court or the Churches I know not, but the one entreated divers of p. 6the Elders to goe unto them, who through Gods mercy and bleſſing upon their endeavours prevented a diviſion amongſt them, though they could not at firſt ſettle things ſo well as they deſired. And thus much for anſwer to the Hi…gam caſe which may bee ſufficient to ſatisfie any judicious Reader: and foe thoſe whoſe hearts are fraught with malice, the Lord onelyonly can convict ſuch, to whom I leave them.

An anſwer to the ſecond head, namely the Petition of Doctor Robert Childe, &c.

This Remonſtance and Petition of theirs which hath made ſo great a ſound in other places as well as here, notwithſtanding their golden pretences of reſpect and reformation, was no ſooner delivered, but before they could poſſibly exſpect an anſwer from the Court (notwithſtanding the largeneſſe of it) Copies were diſperſed into the hands of ſome knowne ill affected people in the ſeverall governments adjoyning, as Plym…th, Con…tac…t, New Haven, &c. who gloried not a little in it; nay the Petitioners ſpared no paines, for before our comming away wee heard from the Dutch Plantation, Virginia and Bermudas, that they had them here alſo, with ſuch expreſſions in their Letters as the preſent governour of Barmudas was bold to affirme to a Gentleman from whom I had it, who was then bound for New-England to get paſſage for England, that hee was confident hee ſhould finde New-England altogether by the eares as well as England; which hee well knew by a Petition and Remonſtrance which hee had received from thence, &c. Now had a peaceable Reformation beene the marke they aymed at, they would not have gone about thus to make the government ſo much deſpiſed farre and neare, by caſting ſuch contempt upon them as they have endeavoured before ever they knew what acceptation their Remonſtrance and Petition would finde; which was taken into conſideration till the next generall Court, where they were anſwered at large, charged with manifold falſehoods and contempts and fined for the ſame, after a ſolemne hearing of the Cauſe.

But however I ſhall forbeare to give a particular anſwer p. 7in print to the ſaid Remonſtrance, not becauſe I cannot, for I have the whole Caſe, the Courts defence againſt it, &c. which would bee larger then both theſe bookes, being as I ſaid before too large in regard of the price of the buyer; and therefore ſhall give ſuch a generall anſwer as may ſatisfie the indifferent and equall minded Reader, and thereby deceive alſo our Salamanders expectation to draw out from mee the whole which befell ſince his comming away, that ſo hee might finde more fewell to baske himſelfe in, and ſatiate his contention humors to the full.

But for anſwer, good reader, take notice as well of the quality of theſe Petitioners as of their demeanour before expreſſed, and then thou ſhalt finde divers of them to bee inconſiderable in regard of proprietie with us; who might bee juſtly ſuſpected to draw in the reſt who are much bewailed by many of us: and in ſo doing it's poſſible thou mayſt as well bee jealous of their good intents as thoſe in the Countrey: For three of them, namely Doctor Childe, John Smith and John Dand, they are perſons that have no proprietie or knowne proper eſtate in the government where they are ſo buſie to diſturbe and diſtract: and for Mr. Thomas Fowle (who whether drawne in or no I know not) hee joyned with them in this Petition and Remonſtrance at ſuch a time when hee was reſolved to leave the Countrey, and ſince hath done, and ſent for his wife and family, as I heare. As for Doctor Childe hee is a Gentleman that hath travelled other parts before h…e came to us, namely Italy; confeſſeth hee was twice at Rome, ſpeaketh ſometimes highly as I have heard reported in favour of the Jeſuites, and however he tooke the degree of Doctor in Phyſick at Padua, yet doth not at all practiſe, though hee hath beene twice in the Countrey where many times is need enough. At his firſt comming to New-England he brought letters commendatory, found good acceptation by reaſon thereof with the beſt; fals upon a dilligent ſurvey of the whole Countrey, and painefully travells on foot from Plantation to Plantation; takes notice of the Havens, ſituation, ſtrength, Churches, Townes, number of Inhabitants, and when he had finiſhed this toyleſome taske, returnes againe fo… England, being able to give a better account then any of the Countrey in that reſpect. Hee comes a ſecond time, and not onelyonly beſtoweth ſome Bookes on the Colledge, as Sir K… Digby and many others commendably did, but brings ſecond Letters commendatory, having put in ſome ſtock among ſome Merchants of duplicate page p. 6duplicate page p. 7p. 8London, and for the advancement of Iron workes in the Countrey, which through Gods goodneſſe are like to become very profitable to them; but hath no more to doe in the managing of them then any here who have other their Agents being expert in the worke. This Gentlemans carriage is now changed, and is not onelyonly ready to cloſe with ſuch as are diſcontented, but to bee a leader of ſuch againſt the government, affront the Authoritie God hath hitherto honored with his bleſſing, appeale from their juſtice, and thereby ſeeke to evade any cenſure; and if he might be thus ſuffered, why not others? and then wee muſt all give over; for if we have not the power of government, and cannot adminiſter juſtice ſeaſonably on all occaſions, well we may come back againe and take ſome other courſe, but wee cannot there ſubſiſt.

A ſecond of theſe is Mr. John Smith, who formerly lived about two or three yeeres in Boſton, but before this Remonſtrance, himſelfe and wife were removed to Road Iland, but never had any perſonall inheritance in the Countrey, and was now at the Maſſachuſets but as a ſtranger.

A third is one Mr. John Dand, who hath lived in Boſton as a ſo…ourner ſince theſe warres in another mans houſe at Board hire, whoſe buſineſſe and occaſions there are unknowne unto us; and whoſe carriage till this preſent was ſeemingly faire, but all on a ſuddaine though no further intereſſed in the Countrey he thus engageth himſelfe againſt the Authority of the place. Thus taking Mr. Fowl… with them who was upon departure from the Countrey as afore, you may ſee the perſons to bee ſuch as have no conſiderable intereſt amongſt us, at leaſt foure in ſeaven: And all this being true I have related, I ſuppoſe by this time the Reader may conceive, or at leaſt ſuſpect their faire pretences and great gliſterings are not pure gold.

But beſides all this take notice good Reader, that our Salamander wintred many moneths amongſt them, very gracious and frequent in their companies, and no doubt a great helpe in furthering their deſigne in their Remonſtrance, which brake forth not long after his returne home the ſpring following: and indeed his company had beene enough alone to have produced ſuch an effect; and therefore for my part ſo well knowing the man I cannot wonder at it as many doe, aſſuring my ſelfe bee better knowes how to ripen ſuch fruit then all the Coſtermongers in London.

And now let mee goe to the Title of the booke which hath its p. 9relation to the Petition aforeſaid; and after their Gigge called New-Englands Jones caſt up at London, they would make the world beleeve that divers honeſt and godly perſons are impriſoned in New-England for Petitioning for government in the Common-weale, according to the Lawes of England, and either for deſiring admittance of themſelves and children to the Sacraments in our Churches, or elſe for leave to have Miniſters and Church government according to the beſt reformation of England and Scotland. Now theſe charges are moſt notorious falſe, and ſo knowne, for I came not alone from New-England, but accompanied with an hundred perſons at leaſt, which I beleeve can teſtifie in the caſe. And therefore Major Childe take notice how you are abuſed by them to father ſuch deviliſh and ſlanderous reports as theſe.

For the firſt, There were none committed for petitioning, but for their Remonſtrance and the many falſe charges and ſeditious inſinuations tending to faction and inſurrections ſleighting the government, &c. And leſt any ſhould thinke (as I heare ſome doe) that the Court of the Maſſachuſets hath dealt rigorouſly with them, and that the Petition is very faire and orderly, &c. let the Reader know that ſuch thoughts muſt either proceed from great weakneſſe in not underſtanding or diſcerning the many groſſe charges in it, or elſe from partialitie or evill affection to the Government which they neither love nor know; for in their Remonſtrance they not onelyonly defame the Government, but controule the wiſedome of the State of England in the frame of their Charter which is under the broad Seale of the Kingdome by charging the Government to bee an ill compacted veſſell. Secondly, they charge all the afflictions that have befallen the perſonall Inhabitants either by ſickneſſes on the land, or loſſes at Sea upon the evill of the Government. Thirdly, they goe about to perſwade the people, that all the priviledges granted and confirmed under the broad Seale to the Governour and Company of the Maſſachuſets belong to all freeborne Engliſh men; which contrariwiſe belong onelyonly to the ſaid Governour and Company, and ſuch as they ſhall thinke meet to receive. Fourthly, they cloſely inſinuate into the mindes of the people (as the jealouſies of others) that theſe now in authoritie doe intend to exerciſe unwarranted dominion, and an Arbitrary Government abominable to Parliament, &c. foretelling them of intolerable bondage, which is enough alone to ſtirre up a people to commotion. Fiftly, how doe they goe p. 10about to weaken the authoritie of the Lawes of the place, the peoples reverence of and obedience to them in this their Remonſtrance, by perſwading the people that partly through want of the body of the Engliſh Lawes, and partly that through the inſufficiency and ill frame of thoſe they have, they can expect no ſure injoyment of their lives and liberties under them: when as the State well knew the Engliſh body of Lawes was too heavy for us, and therefore as libertie is granted in our Patents to make our owne Lawes, ſo it is with this proviſo, that they bee as neere the Lawes of England as may bee, which wee underſtand as neer as our condition will permit, which I ſhall ſpeake more of elſewhere. Sixtly, they falſly charge the Government with denying libertie of Votes where they allow them, as in choyce of Military officers, which is common to the non-Freemen with ſuch as are free. Seventhly, their ſpeeches in their Remonſtrance are charged to tend to Sedition by inſinuating into the peoples minds, That there are many thouſands ſecretly diſcontented at the Government, &c. whereby thoſe that are ſo may bee emboldned to diſcover themſelves, and know to whom to repaire; and what greater meanes can bee uſed to unſetle a ſetled people, and to kindle a flame in a peaceable Commonweale, if the Lord prevent not, and Authoritie ſhould ſuffer ſuch things to paſſe uncenſured? Eighthly, they ſlander the Diſcipline of the Churches in the Countrey, and the civill Government alſo, by inferring that the frame and diſpenſations thereof are ſuch, as godly, ſober, peaceable men cannot there live like Chriſtians; which they ſeeme to conclude from hence, that they deſire libertie to remove from thence where they may live like Chriſtians: when as indeed our armes are open to receive ſuch both into Church and Common-weal, bleſſing God for their ſocietie. Ninthly, they doe in effect charge the Government with Tyranny in impreſſing their perſons to the warres, committing them to priſon, fining, rating them, &c. and all unjuſtly and illegally, whereas no warre is undertaken, nor any Preſſe goes forth, but according to Law eſtabliſhed; but the thing they would have is that any Engliſh man may volens nolens, take his habitation in any Government, bee as free as the beſt, &c. thus breaking all Order, Charters, and peace of Societies: for if he be Engliſh borne (by their principles) no Government may refuſe him be he never ſo peſtilent, whether Jeſuite or worſe. Tenthly, they …ay a falſe charge upon the Churches in affirming, t… Chriſtian vigilancy is no way exerciſed towards ſuch … are not in Church p. 11fellowſhip: whereas they cannot but know the contrary. For however wee have nothing to doe to bring them to the Church, and cannot caſt out thoſe that were never within, yet privately wee performe the dutie of Chriſtians towards them, either in holding private Communion with ſuch as are godly, or reproving and exhorting the reſt alſo as occaſion and opportunity offereth. Eleventhly, that this dirt might ſtick faſt, and men might more eaſily receive theſe injurious charges againſt the Government; in the concluſion they proclaime, That our brethren in England (meaning the Independents) dee flee from us at from a Peſt. When as for my part I beleeve that if our brethren were with us they would cloſe with our practiſe, or at leaſt wee ſhould bee dealt more brotherly withall, and then wee ſhould not only hearken to what counſel ſhould be of God, from them or any other in Gods way but bee willing to reforme any thing that is amiſſe either in Church or Common-weale. Twelfthly, that it may appeare theſe injurious charges are their owne apprehenſions, and pretenſes rather then jealouſies of any others, they have publiquely declared their diſaffection to the Government, in that being called to the Court to render account of their miſ-apprehenſions, and evill expreſſions in the premiſes, they refuſed to anſwer: but by appealing from the Government they diſclaimed the juriſdiction thereof, (what in them lay) before they knew whether the Court would give any ſentence againſt them or not: when as indeed their Charter injoyneth nor requireth any appeale, but have the power of abſolute Government by vertue thereof: but theſe ſeven Petitioners, whereof three are meere ſtrangers and have no proprietie within the Government (and a fourth then to depart and now departed from it) will not beare it as the reſt. And for my part if theſe foure that were Inhabitants were not drawne in by the three ſtrangers to make up the number of ſeven to trouble the Commonweale, I ſhould wonder (well knowing their abilities otherwayes, eſpecially of ſome of them) there being no want of fit perſons if many thouſands diſcontented as they ſay about them upon ſuch a ſtraight; but I looke upon this ſpeech of theirs as tending rather to incite diſcontented perſons to repaire unto them, then having any realitie in it. And for the matter of appeale from New-England hither, which is three thouſand miles diſtant, it will bee found to bee deſtructive to them that there live: p. 12for no Countrey can ſubſiſt without government, or repaire ſo farre to it; nor will any wiſe man accept a place in Government where hee ſhall bee expoſed to goe ſo farre to give account of his actions, though they bee never ſo juſt: But the beſt is, the Parliament is knowne (and it is their duty) to ſeeke the good of the ſubjects by all due meanes: and I doubt not (if ever tendred to them) but they will ſoone diſcover the miſchiefe intended by our adverſaries, or at leaſt like to enſue (if they prevaile) by overthrowing thoſe hopefull beginnings of New-England in ſtraightning our priviledges at ſuch a time, when Englands are reſtored; but wee hope to ſhare with them rather by enlargement, being wee went out in thoſe evill times when the Biſhops were ſo potent being perſecuted by them, and in that wee ſuffered ſince with the Parliament in adhering to them to the loſſe of Ships, and Goods, &c. But I ſhall reſt on God in what is ſaid, hoping the Reader will bee ſatisfied in point of our innocency in regard of the evills charged on us; and therefore to proceed.

In the next place whereas they complaine of Impriſonment, one of them being to goe to Sea juſt when things were to bee heard, was required to give bond to ſtand to the award of the Court, leaving ſix partners behind him to pleade his cauſe; alſo Mr. Smith being a dweller in another Government and not there, being preſent at that ſame time was required to doe the like; which order they withſtood for an houre or thereabouts, and were that time under the Marſhalls cuſtody, but no ſooner adviſed they with our Salamander their Counſell, but hee adviſed them to give ſecurity, which they accordingly did, and ſo were diſmiſſed; now this I ſuppoſe was becauſe hee was to goe to Sea with them immediatly, which they accordingly did.

Secondly, take notice that before Doctor Childe, &c. were committed, the buſineſſe of the Remonſtrance was ended, and they cenſured by Fine, every one according to his particular offence, and carriage in managing the whole, and it is not our manner to puniſh twice for one offence.

Thirdly, take notice that the Government they charge was proved in open Court to bee according to the Law of England, and therefore not committed for Petitioning for that they had.

Fourthly, let the Reader know that the Presbyterian Government p. 13was as freely tendered them by the Governour in the open Court without any contradiction of any the Aſſiſtants or other, …s ever I heard any thing in my life, though it appeareth that our Salamander is not a little troubled at it, as I ſhall have occaſion to touch in my anſwer to the Poſtſcript, which I verily beleeve hee penned every word.

Laſtly, let the Reader take notice that Doctor Robert Childe, Mr. John Smith, and Mr. John Dand, were committed for certaine Papers upon cloſe ſearch of Dands Cloſet, there found the night before the Ship came away, which were far more factious & ſeditious then the former. Doctor Childe being committed becauſe one of the Coppies was under his knowne hand, another Coppy under Mr. Dands hand, and both in his cuſtody; Mr. Smith in that hee not onelyonly offered to reſcue the Papers from the Officers that were ſent to make ſearch: but when hee ſaw that hee could not reſcue them, brake out into high ſpeeches againſt the Government: and amongſt other things ſaid, hee hoped ere long to doe as much to the Governors Cloſet, and doe as much to him as hee did for them, &c. or to the like purpoſe. And now Major Childe, let the world and you take notice together wherefore your Brother & thoſe honeſt & godly perſons you pretend to ſpeak of were committed. Nor doe I beleeve that any people under the heavens that know what belongs to Government and have the power of it, would doe leſſe then the Magiſtrates there did. But what the event will bee God onelyonly knowes; but this I know, they are in the hands of mercifull men, however they have beene abuſed, or may by our Salamander (whoſe reports I often meet with) or by any other whatſoever.

And for anſwer to their relation of the effects this Petition produced, much of it is falſe and anſwered before, the reſt not worthy the anſwering; as concerning the Elders, their long Sermons to provoke the Magiſtrates againſt them, &c. no wiſe man will beleeve as they relate. And thus much for anſwer to the ſecond part of their Booke concerning the Petition and Remonſtrance.

p. 14A briefe anſwer to the third head of their Booke, concerning the Capitall Lawes of the Maſſachuſets &c.

HEre I finde the capitall Lawes of the Maſſachuſets reprinted, & the oath they adminiſter to their Freemen, which I ſuppoſe they are ſorry they can finde no more fault with: And all theſe Capitalls rehearſed to ſhew the danger Doctor Childe is under by vertue of the laſt, which followeth in theſe words.

If any man ſhall conſpire or attempt any invaſion, inſurrection or publique rebellion againſt our Common-wealth, or ſhall indeavour to ſurpriſe any Towne or Townes, Fort or Forts therein, or ſhall treacherouſly and perfidiouſly attempt the alteration and ſubverſion of our frame of Policy or Government fundamentally, hee ſhall bee put to death, Numb. 162 Sam. 3. and 18. and 20.

Now if together with this they had manifeſtd a liberty the Court gives to any notwithſtanding this Law, fairely and freely to ſhew their grievance at any thing they conceive amiſſe, and needeth either alteration or repeale, then they had dealt fairly indeed: but becauſe they leave it out, I take it my dutie to put it in. I know our Salamander is not without ſome exception at any thing wee can doe: but becauſe I finde none more then as before, I ſhall paſſe to the next head of their booke.

An anſwer to their Relation concerning the throwing the Petition overboard as a Jonas as they terme it.

I Acknowledge that Mr. Cotton taught from that Text they mention in 2 Cant. 15. Take us the Foxes the little Foxes which deſtroy the vines, &c. and let the Reader underſtand that this Text tell in his ordinary courſe of Lecture in going through that Book, and not taken on purpoſe on that particular occaſion. The points hee delivered from hence as I remember were theſe two. The firſt, was When God had delivered his Church from the danger of the Beare, and the Lyon, then the Foxes the little Foxes ſought by craft & policy p. 15to undermine the ſame. The ſecond was this, That all th…ſe that goe about by Fox-like craft and policy to undermine the ſtate of the Churches of Jeſus Chriſt, they ſhall all bee taken every one of them. The Text as I take it hee ſhewed belonged to that time of the Church when they returned from Babylon, and were building the Temple; and proved the firſt point of doctrine from that of Tobias and Sanballat that would have built with the Jewes; the ſecond was amplified by the Hiſtory of Haman in the Booke of Heſter: and ſo brought many other examples, and amongſt others the ſtory of the Biſhops in the dayes of Hen. the eighth, Edward the ſixt, Queen Elizabeth, and to the beginning of theſe warres, who under a colour of building and being Maſter Builders in the Lords houſe laid heavie burthens upon the Saints, corrupted the worſhip of God and Lorded it over his heritage, & when they were come to the top of their pride the Lord Jeſus could endure them no longer, but they were taken even every one of them in the ſame ſnare they had ſet for others. But I forbeare the amplifying of it, and haſten to the application ſo farre as it concerneth this ſcornefull ſtory by them penned of their feigned miracle, as they call it.

His uſe of Exhortation was twofold. Firſt, to ſuch as lived in the Countrey, to take heed how they went about any indirect way or courſe which might tend to the prejudice of the Churches of Jeſus Chriſt in the ſame, or the Governments of the land, which through Gods mercy was not onelyonly in the hands of ſuch as truely feared the Lord, but according to his revealed will ſo far as we can judge. And therefore if any (though never ſo ſecretly or ſubtilly) ſhould goe about any ſuch thing, the Watchman of Iſrael that ſlumbreth not nor ſleepeth will not take it well at their hands: For He that hath brought his people hither, and preſerved them from the rage of perſecution, made it a hiding place for them whilſt hee was chaſtiſing our owne Nation amongſt other the Nations round about it, manifeſted his gratious preſence, ſo apparently walking amongſt his Churches, and preſerving and proſpering our Civill State from forraigne plots of the late Archbiſhop and his confederates, and the domeſtick of the Heathen where wee live; there was no queſtion to bee made but Hee would preſerve it from the underminings of falſe brethren, and ſuch as joyned with them: And therefore, ſaith hee, let ſuch know in the foregoing reſpect… it is the Land of …, a Land that is p. 16pretious in the eyes of the Lord, they ſhall not proſper that riſe againſt it, but ſhall bee taken every one of them in the ſnares they lay for it. And this, ſaid hee, I ſpeake as a poore Prophet of the Lord according to the word of his grace in my Text, which however in the proper ſenſe of the Holy Ghoſt, belonged to that age of the Church mentioned in the Booke of Nehemiah, yet it is written for our example and inſtruction: for God is the ſame yeſterday, to day, and for ever; no leſſe carefull, no leſſe able, and no leſſe willing to ſave and deliver his people by ingaging himſelfe in their caſe; and who can ſtand before him?

In the ſecond place, ſaith he, whereas divers our brethren are to goe for England, and many others to follow after in another Veſſell, let mee direct a word of exhortation to them alſo; I deſire the gratious preſence of our God may goe with them, and his good Angels guard them not onelyonly from the dangers of the Seas this Winter ſeaſon, but keepe them from the errours of the times when they ſhall arrive, and proſper them in their lawfull deſignes, &c. But if there bee any amongſt you my brethren, as 'tis reported there are, that have a Petition to prefer to the High Court of Parliament (which the Lord in mercy goe on bleſſing to bleſſe as hee hath begun) that may conduce to the diſtraction, annoyance and diſturbance of the peace of our Churches and weakning the Government of the Land where wee live, let ſuch know, the Lord will never ſuffer them to proſper in their ſubtill, malicious and deſperate undertakings againſt his people, who are as tender unto him as the apple of his eye. But if there bee any ſuch amongſt you that are to goe, I doe exhort and would adviſe ſuch in the feare of God when the terrors of the Almightie ſhall beſet the Veſſell wherein they are, the Heavens ſhall frowne upon them, the billowes of the Sea ſhall ſwell above them, and dangers ſhall threaten them, (as I perſwade my ſelfe they will) I would have them then to conſider theſe things: for the time of adverſitie is a time for Gods people to conſider their wayes. I will not give the counſell was taken concerning Jonah, to take ſuch a perſon and caſt him into the Sea; God forbid: but I would adviſe ſuch to come to a reſolution in themſelves to deſiſt from ſuch enterpriſes, never further to ingage in them, and to caſt ſuch a Petition into the Sea that may occaſion ſo much trouble and diſturbance. But it may be hardneſſe of heart & ſtoutneſſe of ſpirit may cauſe ſuch a perſon p. 17or perſons with ſtiffe necks to perſiſt, and yet in mercy with reſpect to ſome pretious ones amongſt you, (as I perſwade my ſelfe there are many ſuch goe in each Veſſell) the Lord may deliver the Veſſell from many apparent troubles and dangers for their ſakes: but let ſuch know, the Lord hath Land judgements in ſtore for ſuch, for they are not now free (Hee being the God of the Land as well as of the Sea:) and if you turne to Numb. 14. 36, 37. you ſhall there ſee how hee threatned to deſtroy ſuch as brought a falſe report upon his land with the Plague: and truely God hath ſtill Plagues in ſtore for ſuch as bring a falſe report upon his Church and people; Nay ſaid hee, I heare the Lord hath a deſtroying Angell with the Sword of Peſtilence in that Kingdome, ſtriking here and there, as ſeemeth good unto him, (though not vehemently, bleſſed bee his name) and who knowes what the Lord will doe? and therefore I adviſe ſuch in the feare of God, and I ſpeak it as an unworthy Prophet of His according to that portion of his word I now ſpeake from, to lay theſe things to heart, for it is the Lord Jeſus hath ſaid, Take us the Foxes, the little Foxes, &c. or let them bee taken. And beleeve it for a truth, all thoſe that goe about by Foxlike craft and ſubtiltie to undermine the Churches of Chriſt Jeſus, they ſhall all bee taken, even in the very ſnare and ginne they ſet for others.

And thus much for what Mr. Cotton delivered on this Thurſdayes Lecture in Beſton, Novemb. 5. 1646. which I have ſhewed to many eminent perſons now in England who were preſent at this Lecture, and judge it not onelyonly to bee the ſumme of his exhortation but his very expreſſions, and are ready to teſtifie it on all occaſions againſt all oppoſers, as Mr. Thomas Peters and Mr. William Golding Miniſters; H…rbert P…lb… Eſquire, Captaine William Sayles, Captaine Leveret, Captaine Harding, Mr. Richard Sadl…, &c. And take notice withall good Reader, that I never heard the good man deliver any thing with more earneſtneſſe and ſtrength of affection then theſe things thus ſleighted by our adverſaries as thou ſeeſt.

And for the ſecond part of their ſtory, viz▪ their paſſage, and the paſſages of Gods providence befell them in it; take notice good Reader, that however our Salamander turned things into a jeſt as ſoone as they were delivered, asking whether hee were a great Fox or a little one; yet many others that were ingaged to goe but in p. 18the Ship, their hearts trembled that they were to goe in ſuch company. And Mr. Thomas Peeters a Miniſter that was driven out of Cornewall by Sir Ralph Hopton in theſe late Warres, and fled to New-England for ſhelter, being called back by his people, and now in London, upon ſight of what I have written gave mee leave before many, to adde this; that upon Mr. Cottons exhortation, having ſhipped his goods and bedding to have gone in the Ship with them, amongſt other arguments this was the maine, that hee feared to goe in their company that had ſuch deſignes, and therefore tooke paſſage to goe rather by way of Spaine, &c. And to ſpeake the truth, as the ſhip rode out many fearefull ſtreſſes in the Harbour after they were ready, before they could goe to ſaile, the wind being faire but overblowing: ſo after they came to Sea had the terribleſt paſſage that ever I heard on for extremitie of weather, the Mariners not able to take an obſervation of Sunne or Star in ſeven hundred Leagues ſayling or thereabouts. And when they were all wearied out and tired in their ſpirits, certaine well-diſpoſed Chriſtians called to mind the things delivered by Mr. Cotton before mentioned, and ſeeing the Tempeſt ſtill to continue, thought meet to acquaint ſuch as were conceived to be meant by Mr. Cotton, and that had a purpoſe to perſiſt in ſuch courſes, that they thought God called them now to conſider of the things delivered by him; & hereupon a godly & diſcreet woman after midnight went to the great Cabbin and addreſſed her ſpeech in ſobrietie and much modeſty to them, whereupon one of the two anſwered in theſe words, or to this purpoſe; Siſter I ſhall bee loath to grieve you or any other of Gods people with any thing I ſhall doe, and immediatly went to his Cheſt or Trunke, and tooke out a paper and gave it her, and referred it to the diſcretion of others to doe withall as they ſhould ſee good: which the woman not in a diſtracted paſſion (as they reported) ſhewed to Mr. Richard Sadler and others, who although they knew it was not the right Petition but that they were deluded, yet becauſe they judged it alſo to bee very bad, having often ſeene it in New-England, but never liked the ſame, cut it in peeces as they thought it deſerved, and gave the ſaid peeces to a Seaman who caſt them into the Sea. The ſtorme for the preſent continued that night, ſay ſome, others ſay, ſome abatement of winde befell preſently after, but all conclude it abated the next day; but that they had divers ſtormes afterward being then 200. p. 19leagues ſhort of the lands end, is moſt certaine: And in one of theſe hideous ſtormes, having no ſaile abroad, the ſhip lying adriſt with the helme bound up, the maſter conceiving hee was to the Southward of Silley layed the ſhip to the Norward the night being very darke. In the laſt watch of the night one of the Quarter maſters going to the Pumpe diſcerned Rocks ahead within a Cables length, and made ſuch an outery as the whole ſhip was awakened, and nothing but death preſented them: there was much haſt made to let looſe the Helme, and to come to ſaile; but before it could bee done the ſhip was engaged amongſt the Rocks of Silley, and nothing could bee diſcerned under water, but by the breaking of the waves, which was their beſt direction to cunne the ſhip: In this laby…inth the Ship travelled for a quarter of an hower or more, in which time it was generally obſerved the Ship readily obeyed her Helme, (or rather the great Pilate of the Seas) upon the word given, which at other times ſhee was ſlow in. At length the Ship drove in and came a ground between two Ilands, and could not bee got off being …bbing water; and it was the ſpeciall providence of God to place her there in much mercy and compaſſion on his poore afflicted ones, the veſſell being full of paſſengers; for on both ſides and on head were deſperate Rocks, which were not diſcovered till the morning light, the Ship all this while lying faſt upon a bed of Sand or Owſe; when it was day the dangers which they had eſcaped in the night to our admiration preſented themſelves, nor durſt the Maſter worke the ſhip till hee had gotten a Pilate from the ſhore, who undertooke to bring her to an Anchor ne…re Crowes Sound.

The deliverance was ſo ſtrange as the Inhabitants of Silly were amaſed at it, ſome ſaying it was a miracle, another that God was a good man that ſhould thus deliver us; indeed all the Iland wondred, and the paſſengers themſelves moſt of all when they ſaw the Breaches at low water ſo farre off at Sea neere which they paſſed before they knew the danger, and the Rocks they ſailed by after they found themſelves involved as it were between S…pll… and C… rybdis. Much more might bee added to account the mercy, but this may ſuffice to let the world ſee 'tis no ſuch trifle as is pretended in their prophane relation, who had then other thoughts, being paſſengers alſo in the Ship, and ſeemed willing to joyn… with the godly party in the Ship in teſtimony of their thankfulneſſe, to celebrate p. 20a ſpeciall day of thankſgiving unto the Lord for ſo great ſalvation, where Mr. Golding preached, being a paſſenger with them, and Teacher to a Church of Chriſt in Berm…d….

And now good Reader what wilt thou judge of ſuch as can turne ſuch deliverances into a ſcoffe, witneſſe their prophane Title, New-Englands Jonas caſt up at London; the naked truth whereof thou haſt heard related; in all which Jonas was but once accidentally named, and that by way of direct oppoſition to any ſuch counſell. The Maſter of the ſhip never ſpoke to, no ſpeech between the woman and Mr. Vaſſall that I can learne, but betweene Mr. Fowle and her, ſhee under no diſtemper of paſſion, but modeſt diſcreet and ſober in her carriage thorow out the whole. In briefe, all that I can meet with that were in the Ship, eſpecially the moſt eminent perſons, affirme this relation of theirs to bee falſe, yea Mr. Fowle himſelfe acknowledged it before Captaine Sailes late Governour of Bermudas, Captaine Leveret, and Captaine Harding all paſſengers in the ſhip, who all concu…ed in the falſhood of the ſame, and the three Captaines not a little offended thereat, and Mr. Richard Sadler and divers others are ready to teſtifie the ſame.

But put the caſe they had deluded a poore weake paſſionate woman by a ſhadow inſtead of a ſubſtance: Mee thinkes if any feare of God had been before their eyes, they might have trembled at ſo many and ſo great threatnings of the Almightie, who followed them from one land to another over the vaſt Ocean with his terrours, and have ſhewed greater thankfulneſſe for ſuch a deliverance as before recited, then to carry themſelves as they doe; labouring to delude the Reader as well as themſelves, and to aſcribe all to the Winter ſeaſon▪ as if all our paſſages were ordinarily ſuch (as appeareth by their note in the Ma…gent, page 12.) when as that is falſe alſo, witneſſe ſome that came with them, who affirme they have bin in Winter paſſages, but never in the like; (the Maſter & his company all concurring therein) being confident alſo they fared the worſe for their company. And thus much …n affirme, and at leaſt an hundred more that came with me, who came away about the middeſt of December (five weeks deeper in Winter then they) and yet through Gods undeſerved favour had a comfortable paſſage and landfall, which I throught good to adde to the reſt that perſons may not bee diſcouraged from the paſſage, though I muſt p. 21confeſſe the Spring and Fall are the beſt ſeaſons. But let them go on, if nothing will reclaime them; and I will waite and attend the word of the Lord in the mouth of his ſervant, and obſerve the diſpenſation of his providence towards his Churches, and the enemies of the ſame. And thus much for anſwer to the fourth head of their book publiſhed by Major Child….

An anſwer to the Poſtſcript.

IN this poſtſcript which containeth more matter then the whole … booke, I can trace our Salamander line by line, and phraſe after phraſe, in his accuſtomed manner to del…de many ſimple ones, and weaken their reſpect to the government of New-England; where hee did a great deale more hurt by his perſonall preſence, than hee can doe here by ſuch ſlanderous invectives as he either pin…th upon others (witneſſe this ſilly peece called New-England… J…n… ) o… any hee ſhall publiſh hereafter. To anſwer every particular at length, would bee too tedious. But becauſe hee pretendeth an anſwer to ſome paſſages in a booke written lately by my ſelfe, called Hypocriſie Ʋnmasked, concerning the Independent Churches holding Communion with the Reformed Churches; at the requeſt of many I came to a reſolution as to anſwer the former paſſages▪ ſo to reply to his malicious cavils in this; who indeed hath not anſwered any one thing, but rather raiſed ſome ſcruples that may cloud what I did, and cauſe ſuch as are ignorant to doubt where things are moſt cleare: but however I am … with in this caſe not onelyonly by ſome of the Independent … to anſwer▪ yet withall am come to a reſolution not to write any more in this kinde; partly becauſe the world are wearied with too m…n… controverfies of this nature: but more eſpecially becauſe our Salamander ſo much delighteth in them as a… by many year… … experience, being reſtleſſe and … therein, … Anſwer.

Hee beginneth with the diſcovery of a … plot againſt the Lawes of England, and the Liberties of the Engliſh Subjects▪ &c▪ And then ſecondly, hee would render mee odious to the world, as being a principall …ppoſ… of the L… of England in New-England. Thirdly hee p. 22would make our Government of New-England to bee arbitrary. And fourthlyly, his malicious cavils and bitter indignation at any thing may tend to union betweene brethren, I meane the Presbyterians and Independents, but of theſe in order.

And Firſt, for the ſubtile plot, &c. which is contrived, ſaith hee, by writing againſt Gorton, a man whom they know is notorious for Hereſie, that ſo behinde him they may get a ſhot at a bigger game, &c. Anſw. It is well knowne, and our Salamander is not ignorant, that however Gorton notoriouſly abuſed himſelf and every Government of New-England where hee lived; yet when that Country was grown too hot for him, hee came over here and complained againſt us, to that honourable Committee of Parliament; to whoſe care the well ordering the affaires of forraigne Plantations is referred. The Right Honourable the Earle of Warwick, being Governour in chiefe, and Chairman of the ſame; who, upon Gorton and his companions complaints, ſent over to the government of the Maſſac… ſets, whom it moſt of all concerned to give anſwer to the ſame, &c. Whereupon they to ſhew their reſpect to the Parliament, ſent mee to render a reaſon thereof, which I ſtill attend till their more weighty occaſions will permit them to heare. But when I came over, I found that Gorton had enlarged his complaints by publiſhing a booke called Simplicities defence againſt Seven-headed Policy, &c. which being full of manifold ſlaunders, and abominable falſehoods; I tooke my ſelfe bound in duty to anſwer it, as I did by that Treatiſe he mentioneth, called Hypocriſie Ʋnmasked, which was but an anſwer to Gorton as this is to him, being neceſſitated thereunto in Vindication of the Country, whoſe Agent I am, though unworthy. And yet our Salamander would blinde the ignoram▪ and make them beleeve wee tooke occaſion to write ſuch a thing to make the Parliament have a good opinion of us, as it none of all this had preceded.

Next that hee might ſtill turne our innocent ſimplicity into policy, hee takes advantage where none is, and layes hold on a requeſt of mine, which I muſt ſtill proſecute (maugre his malice) and I truſt in God the Parliament will bee ſenſible of it viz. That the Committee would take into conſideration how deſtructive it will bee to the wel-being of our Plantations and proceedings there (which are growing up into a Nation) here to anſwer the complaints of ſuch Malignant ſpirits as ſhall there bee c…red by Authority, it being three thouſand miles diſtant, ſo far as will undoe any to come hither for juſtice, utterly diſabling p. 23them to prove the equity of their cauſe, &c. Now if hee had ſet downe this requeſt as it is, I would never have anſwered word to it, nor need at preſent to any, but ſuch as are ready to burſt with malice, and the more ſatisfaction I ſhall give, the worſe they will bee. And for the danger of the State of England is in by this plot, he could not more clearely have expreſſed the unevenneſſe of his ſpirit to any indifferent Reader, then by ſuch expreſſions, and therefore need no farther anſwer thereunto.

Secondly, Whereas hee chargeth mee to be a principall oppoſer of the Lawes of England in New England, &c. Hee dealeth with mee here in this particular juſt as he did there. For our Salamander having labored two years together to draw me to his party, and finding hee could no way prevaile, he then caſts off all his pretended love, and made it a part of his worke to make mee of all men moſt odious, that ſo what ever I did or ſaid might bee the leſſe effectuall. As for the Law of England I honour it and ever did, and yet know well that it was never intended for New-England, neither by the Parliament, nor yet in the Letters Patents, we have for the exerciſe of Government under the protection of this State: but all that is required of us in the making of our Lawes and Ordinances, Offices and Officers, is to goe as neare the Lawes of England as may bee: which wee punctually follow ſo neare as wee can. For our Letters Patents, being granted to ſuch, and their Aſſociates▪ theſe Aſſociates are the Freemen, whereof there are many in every Town: Now take notice good Reader that as every Corporation here ſend their Burgeſſes to the Parliament upon ſummons: So divers times a yeere the Governour ſending out his Warrants, the Towns chooſe their Deputies, viz. two of a Towne out of theſe Freemen, which meeting together with the Governour and his Aſſiſtants, compoſe and make or repeale ſuch Lawes and ordinances as they conceive our … require: And however wee follow the cuſtome and practiſe of England ſo neere as our condition will give way: yet as the … of a growne man would rather oppreſſe and … if put upon him, then any way comfort or refreſh him, being too heavy for him: ſo have I often ſaid the Lawes of England, to take the body of them, are too …w…ldy for our weake condition: Beſides, there were ſome things ſupported by them which wee came from thence to avoid▪ as the Hi…rar…y, the croſſe in …ptiſme, the holy dayes, p. 24the booke of Common Prayer, &c. All which I doubt not but this renowned Parliament will utterly aboliſh as they have done in part to Gods glory and their everlaſting fame, (I meane whi…t time ſhall bee.) But I have been ſo farre from ſleighting the Law of England as I have brought my owne booke of the Statutes of England into our Court, that ſo when wee have wanted a Law or Ordinance wee might ſee what the Statutes provided in that kind, and found a great readineſſe in our generall Court to take all helpe and benefit thereby. And never did I otherwiſe oppoſe the Law of England: nor ever ſtand againſt the liberties of the ſubject, but am ready to ſacrifice my life for the ſame, when ever I ſhall bee called thereunto. Indeed this I have ſaid in anſwer to his cavils, that if the Parliaments of England ſhould impoſe Lawe… upon us having no Burgeſſes in their houſe of Commons, not capable of a ſummons by reaſon of the vaſt diſtance of the Ocean being three thouſand miles from London, then wee ſhould loſe the libertie and freedome I conceived of Engliſh indeed, where every Shire and Corporation by their Knights and Burgeſſes make and conſent to their Laws, and ſo oppoſe whatſoever they conceive may bee hurtfull to them: But this liberty wee are not capable of by reaſon of diſtance, and therefore▪ &c. And thus much for anſwer to that point, which will ſatisfie any equall minded m…n, but is nothing to him.

Thirdly, he chargeth our Government to bee Arbitrary. Anſw. I ſhewed before after what manner wee made our Lawes; and for the choyce of our Officers once every yeere they are either choſen or renewed by election, and this is done by the Freemen who are the Aſſociates to the Governour, to whom all the power is granted. And theſe are to governe according to their Lawes made and eſtabliſhed, and not according to their wills. And however there are many that are not free amongſt us, yet if underſtanding men and able to bee helpefull, it's more their owne faults then otherwiſe oft-times, who will not take up their freedome leſt they ſhould bee ſent on theſe ſervice… (as our Salamander and moſt of his Diſciples who are too many I muſt confeſſe) and yet it is the ſame with many thouſands in this kingdome who have not libertie to chooſe: nor yet may the Freeholders and Freemen chooſe, any that are not Freeholders, Freemen, and Gentlemen of ſuch a rank or quality that are choſen. So that for my p. 25own part I ſee not but that as we go by the expreſſe of our Letters Patents, ſo we goe according to the practiſe of England; the Law made binding the Maker as wel as any other, having o… rule for all.

As for our trialls between man and man, hee knowes wee goe by Jury there as well as here: And in criminalls and capitalls wee goe by Grand Jury and Petty Jury. And where the death of any is ſuddaine, violent or uncertaine, the …rowner ſits upon it by a Queſt, and returneth a verdict, &c. and all according to the commendable cuſtome of England, whom▪ wee deſire to follow. But their maine objection is; that wee have not p…nall Lawes exactly ſet downe in all caſes? 'Tis true I confeſſe, neither can they finde any Common we… under heaven, or ever was, but ſome things were reſerved to the diſcretion of the Judges, and ſo it is with us and no otherwiſe, our Generall Courts meeting together twice a yeere at leaſt hitherto for that very end, and ſo continuing ſo long as their occaſions and the ſeaſon will permit; and in caſe any …ſdemeaner befall where no penaltie is ſet down, it is by ſolemne order left to the diſcretion of the B…nch, who next to the word of God take the Law of England for their preſident before all other whatſoever. And as I ſaid before, if I would enter into particulars I could here ſetdowne in a line parallel as I received it in anſwer to the Petition of Doctor Robert Childe, &c. mentioned in their booke, the fundamentalls of the Maſſachuſets concurring with the priviledges of Magn… C… and the common Law of England at large. But as I ſaid before, it would bee too tedious for anſwer to this worthleſſe and malicious charge. And yet I dare affirme that Virgini…, Barbadoes, Chriſtoph…rs, Mevis and A…i…g… have not all of them ſo many Lawes as New-England, nor ſo many expreſſe penalties annexed. As for the …ting of the foure Colonies, I briefly ſhewed the reaſon of it in my former Treatiſe, being neceſſitated thereunto …y a ſecret Combination of the Indians to … in all off, as our Salamander well knowes and approved; and if in▪ America we ſhould forbeare to unite for offence and defence againſt a …on enemy (keeping our Governments ſtill diſt…ct as wee d…) till wee have leave from England, our throats might bee allout before the Meſſenger would bee halfe Seas thorough▪ but hee that will c…rpe at this, what will hee not doe? And for not making of our Warrants in the Kings name which is another thing hee comp…neth p. 26of: Hee well knowes the practiſe of the Countrey is various in that reſpect, ſome conſtantly obſerving it, others omitting to expreſſe it, but all deriving our authority from hence. But if any wonder why I ſay ſo much in anſwer to it as I doe, it is becauſe I never purpoſe for reply to any thing he or any other ſhall write in this kinde to him, for 'tis to no end to write many bookes, eſpecially when wee have to deale with ſuch an one as delights in contention and nothing elſe.

In the laſt place take notice good Reader how hee cavills, and is vexed at, rather then anſwers any thing I ſay tending to preſerve peace and unitie betweene the Presbyterian and Independent Brethren. And whereas hee ſaith there is fallacy in what I have written, how can that bee? when I ſhew the very particular inſtances and perſons that did and ſtill do hold communion with us, and our Salamander knoweth moſt of theſe perſons, and I beleeve the very things alſo, and hath nothing to ſay againſt any one of the inſtances brought, onelyonly hee asketh whether any of us the many thouſands (a great word) that came from New-England, doe communicate here with the Presbyterians. To which I anſwer by way of queſtion to any rationall and indifferent man, whether a Church or Churches of ours, allowing and admitting any of the Presbyterians or their members into full communion with them, doth not more fully anſwer the queſtion or his cavill, and prove communion of Churches on our part, then for a particular member of ours to joyne in communion with ſome of the Presbyterian Churches which it may bee that Independent Church whereof hee is may never heare of? And ſure enough if I ſhould draw an Argument from his propoſition to prove it; hee would bee ſure to ſay your Churches allow it not, &c. and therefore it proves no communion of Churches at all. Secondly, were I where I could not communicate with an Independent Congregation, and might with a Presbyterian, and they walked orderly, I know nothing but I might comfortably partake in that Ordinance of the Lords Supper with them: but I ſhould not forſake that communion I more affected for that I leſſe affected where I might enjoy either, nor I beleeve will any underſtanding Presbyterian Brother on the other ſide. And ſo much for anſwer to that cavill, and the many branches of it.

In the ſecond place, hee cavills at this, that I ſay in page 96. of p. 27my Book called, Hypocriſie …, That the French and D…tch Churches are a people diſtinct from the world, and gathered into … holy communion: And then hee addeth, ( …ee ſhould … ſaid C… n…t, which is his ſenſe) and that the ſixth perſon is not of the Church, meaning, amongst them, And this, ſaith hee, wee have but his word for, and makes is a falſhood in me: but I returne it upon himſelfe, whoſe bold ſpirit dare affirme any thing againſt the apparent light of the Sunne; for however the Dutch baptize the children of all Nations that are preſented to them, as well as their owne, as I ſhewed in my former Treatiſe; yet this their practiſe ſtands not upon the Presbyterian bottome, nor doe I know, I confeſſe, what they take for their warrant in it; yet I affirme, and that of my owne knowledge, having lived divers yeares amongſt them, that their Church is a ſelect people, gathered together into an holy communion, which holineſſe hee ſcoffes at, and which they call the …ement; and that many thouſands of thoſe whoſe children they baptize, never are admitted to the Lords Supper, which they account Church communion; nor are ever brought before their Claſſis, and there examined, admitted, occaſionally admoniſhed, yea, excommunicated if they ſubmit not to the Rule: and that all thoſe that are admitted are ſuch as tender themſelves, and thereupon are examined, &c. in the Claſſis; as before. And for an inſtance of the truth of it, a godly Engliſh Miniſter that had ſometimes lived in Rotterdam, told me (upon this very occaſion) that the Deacons of the Dutch Church at Rotterdam, told him, that although there were almoſt 7000. houſes in their City, and in many of them divers families, yet they had but 2000 perſons in Church-fellowſhip.

And for the French Churches, who know… not that the Nation, I meane, the body of them are ſtill Papiſts, and yet (as blinde as Bayard) our malicious Salamander, whoſe tongue is known to be no ſlander from whence he came, doth charge me with falſhood herein. 'Tis true, through Gods mercy there are many thouſand Proteſtants amongſt them, and I wonder that any man ſhould bee ſo audacious, as to affirm theſe are not a diſtinct people from the reſt that have undergone ſo many maſſacres and perſecuti… for the teſtimony of their Faith, and witneſſe they have borne againſt the abo…inations of Rom…, and the Papacy, ſtill ſo much admired in that Nation by the body of it. And as I …d of Holland, the p. 28ſixth perſon is hardly of the Church; ſo in France, the tenth man for ought I heare, is not a Proteſtant. And how then they ſhould be a Nationall Proteſtant Church, I know not.

As for his jeere about the Covenant, let him goe on in his way of ſcorn and contempt of the Covenant between God and his people; and yet hee ſhall finde the Church in the Old Teſtament eſtabliſhed by a Covenant; and after their greateſt deſertions and declinings, upon ſolemne dayes of humiliation, their Covenants againe renewed throughout the ſame. And the Churches under the New Teſtament are ſtill the ſame, though the Ceremonies and Ordinances bee altered by the Lord thereof; yea, the Scottiſh Churches, (which hee ſaith are Nationall, and ſo would make a breach in that reſpect between them and us) are ſolemne and ſerious in their Covenant; and the Engliſh in the late Reformation no leſſe ſerious, to Gods glory bee it ſpoken; when as there are many hundred thouſands in both Nations that will not take theſe their Covenants, but remain in Popiſh ſuperſtition, and wilfull ignorance.

And for our tenders to the Scots to live amongſt us, and enjoy their liberty in the exerciſe of the Presbyterian government formerly, and the late tender of the Court of the Maſſachuſets to their Petitioners for the enjoyment of it at preſent, themſelves providing for it, 'tis not ſo ſtrange as true: But whereas they ſay, they hear not of the latter (being ſince they came away:) 'Tis falſe; I have told them, and they may heare it by many others: but they have not the ſpirit of peace in them, nor will they take notice of any thing that tends thereunto; but ſeeke, as appeareth by this Postſcript, to blow up the coal…s of contention and diviſion, ſo much as poſſible may bee, hindering peace and good agreement between Brethren, by all the meanes and courſes they can uſe.

And for what h…ſaith concerning Mr. H…bbards cenſure; daring mee to ſay, Whether Mr. Hubbard were not puniſhed directly or indirectly for baptizing ſome children whoſe parents were not members of the Churches in New-England.

For anſwer, I doe and dare affirme in my conſcience, that I am firmly perſwaded hee was not; And however I doe not deſire to meddle in the caſe, nor to engage in other mens controverſies, but rather ſeeke to heale them by all due meanes, yet I thought good to anſwer his challenge in this particular, that ſo that cloud of p. 29jealouſie might alſo be diſpelled, ſo far as concerneth my own thoughts in the caſe; and had hee but ſo much charitie in himſelfe as becomes a Chriſtian man, I am confident hee would bee of the ſame mind with mee. And ſo much for anſwer to that particular, and the whole Book, wherein the Reader may ſee more malice in our accuſers, then policy in us, whoſe ſimplicity is branded with ſubtilty, fallacy, and what not? but bleſſed bee God, it is by ſuch whoſe tongues are their owne, and will not bee controuled by any, and from whom I expect all that malice can invent; but am come to a reſolution, that whatever our Salamander ſhal vent either in his own name, or by others (as at this time) I wil leave him to God, and referre our Vindication to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who hath all power in heaven and earth committed to him, in whoſe eyes, I truſt, we are precious, who undoubtedly will clear up our innocency, when theſe our proud enemies ſhall bee ſcattered before him. And to whom with the Father and the Spirit, God over all, bleſſed for ever, be glory and praiſe to all eternity.

Amen.

FINIS.

ERRATA.

Page 3. l. 38. for another, r. any other; p. 4. l. 2. for the, r. their; p. 11. l. 35. for about, r. to put; p. 19. l. 24. for our, r. their; ibid. l. 30. for us, r. them; p. 21. l. 28. for are, r. is.

End of the text · Edward Winslow, New Englands Salamander Discovered (1647)