And if none of their examples may yet perſwade us to our duty, then let the example of all thoſe that now differ from us in opinion, but in the matter of government teach us what to do in this point: for they will not willingly entertain any into their families that is not of their own minde and opinion, nor ſuffer their children to be inſtructed in any other way then their own; and ſhun, in as much as in them lyes, the very company of ſuch as they count Presbyterians; and rarely, if ever, come at our aſſemblies. And in New-England it ſelf it is well knowne, that they doe not only caſt thoſe out of their Churches that differ from them in opinion, but alſo expoſe them to baniſhment and to greateſt miſery, and think all they do, to be their duty; and publiſh it to the world for the imitation of all other their Churches and Congregations: and I am moſt aſſured, had they the authority in their own hands here in England, they would be as ſevere towards the Presbyterians, as ever the Prelates were againſt the Puritans. And I am induced ſo to believe, both from their words and writings: for what can be more bitterly uttered againſt them, then that they daily ſpeak upon the leaſt occaſion, if any but preach or write the leaſt thing in oppoſition to their opinions; profeſſing that all ſuch Preachers ought to be hanged: and had they the power in their hands, they would truſſe them up, as many can teſtifie and witneſſe: and in their writings, how prodigiouſly daily they abuſe with all manner of calumnies and reproaches, and with all reviling ſpeeches, the Presbyterians, all that have patience to reade their blaſphemous Pamphlets can tell: ſo that whiles in them they pleade for a tolleration of all Religions, they will not tollerate the Presbyterians to defend their own; by which they ſufficiently declare what favour they would ſhew them if they were in their hands, on whom they look as the profeſt enemies of Chriſts kingdome. Now I ſay, if neither the example of Gods dear Saints and Servants, nor the Word of God can move us to our duty, nor the example of the Papiſts and Hereticks of all ages: then at leaſt let us follow the example of our Brethren both in New-England and Old-England; for they as all men know remove all from them that differ from them in their Church-way; and ſeperate themſelves from us, and gather congregations by by themſelves, Independent, refuſing to communicate with us as an unholy people, and not ſuffering or permitting us to communicate amongſt them in the Ordinances either of baptiſme or the Lords Supper, but upon their own tearmes; and account us all as unclean things, and to be ſeparated from, which I affirme ſhould move all ſolid Chriſtians, and ſuch as truly and unfeinedly deſire that God may be glorified, and his truth every where ſet up, to oppoſe all their errors and novelties in religion, under what pretenſes ſoever they be brought in, and under whatſoever ſeeming holineſſe they be ſet forth: and ſo much the more care is to be had, and diligence uſed, both by the Magiſtrates, Miniſters, and all the reall godly of the land; by how much they know the craft and ſubtilty of thoſe that ſeduce them: for there was never yet any Sect whatſoever, that came to any riſe, perfection, or name in the Church, of which the firſt venters and contrivers had not ſome ſeeming ſhew of godlineſſe and holineſſe of life, and that more then ordinary, to which they uſually added the bravery of language, and fine alluring ſpeeches, and cunning craftineſſe; as they were many of them men of ſingular elocution, and deep ſubtilty: as the Prophets and Apoſtles through the whole Scripture ſignifie. And Paul in the 16 chap. of his Epiſtle to the Romans, ſpeaking of thoſe that made diviſions contrary to the doctrine that he had taught them, hath this expreſſion, Verſe 18. For they that are ſuch (ſaith he) ſerve not our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but their own belly, and by good words and faire ſpeeches deceive the hearts of the ſimple. Here we ſee the falſe Teachers of his time, made uſe of good words, faire speeches, to deceive the hearts of the ſimple. And in Gal. 4.14. the Apoſtle there exhorting them, ſaith. Henceforth be no more children, toſſed to and fro, and carried about with every winde of doctrine, by the ſlight of men, and cunning craftineſſe, whereby they lye in wait to deceive. In this place the Apoſtle gives all Chriſtians a charge to take heed of all erroneous doctrines; and withall ſets down the manners and ordinary carriage of all ſeducers, that they might be the more carefull to ſhunne them: for ſuch, ſaith he, uſe in the deceiving of you, the flight of men, and cunning craftineſſe. This has ever been the method of all falſe teachers, as Saint Peter alſo in his 2 Epiſtle, chap. 2. verſ. 1, 2, 3. &c. witneſſeth: for ſpeaking of the falſe teachers of thoſe times he lived in, and of thoſe in future ages, that ſhould bring in damnable doctrines, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bringing upon themſelves ſwift distruction: he foretels alſo, that many ſhould follow their pernicious wayes, by reaſon of whom the way of truth ſhould be evilly ſpoken of. And then alſo he ſets down the manner and cuſtomes of thoſe ſeducers; and amongſt other things he ſaith of them, that through covetouſneſſe, and with their faire words they ſhould make merchandize of the people. So that we may ſee, all falſe teachers clothe their craft with their rhetorick and fained words, for otherwiſe they would prevaile but little. Now by how much more the Chriſtians in this our age have to deale with a generation of cunning and crafty Juglers, who ſeeme to equallize, if not to tranſcend all others in holineſſe and godlineſſe, in their outward cariage at leaſt; it concerneth every one I ſay more diligently to take heed of them, and of all their new-wayes, their new born truths, and their New-lights: for God himſelfe by his holy Prophets and bleſſed Apoſtles has commanded us, not to decline from thoſe wayes we have learned of him, and thoſe truths that he hath taught us in his holy Word, Neither to the right hand nor to the left, Dut. 4.5. Ioſh. 1. Prov. 4. Nay, if an Angell from Heaven ſhould teach otherwiſe then God hath taught us by Chriſt and his Apoſtles, we are to account him accurſed, Gal. 1. And in the expreſſe words above ſpecified, we are prohibited to be carried about with every wind of doctrine. So that all thoſe that vent thoſe new-truths and ſet up thoſe new-lights, which are all indeed new-lights of doctrins, be they never ſo ſeemingly holy, are all cunning deceivers & fighters againſt God. And all thoſe Chriſtian Magiſtrates (for ought I know) that tollerate ſuch; and all thoſe orthodox Miniſters that connive at them, and are ſo meal-mouthed, as they dare not preach againſt them, and forwarne the people of them, neglect their duty; and are not faithfull Watchmen over their flocks committed to their charge, and are blameworthy for it. And all thoſe people that being ſo often taught by God himſelf in the holy Scriptures, to take heed of all ſuch as come to them in ſheeps clothing, and with their fained holineſſe, & with their fair ſpeeches to deceive them, and make merchandize of them, and yet will not take heed of theſe novelties; doe as much as in them lyes reſiſt the Spirit of God: for the Lord has againe and againe commanded all his people to ſhun ſuch men, as in Tim. 1. chap. 6. verſ. 5. From ſuch (ſaith Saint Paul to Timothy, and in him to all Miniſters and people in all ages to the end of the world) withdraw thy ſelfe. Now if an Evangeliſt, ſo learned a man, ſo well grounded a preacher as Timothy was, to withdraw himſelfo from all ſuch as taught otherwiſe than Paul, & Chriſt himſelf & the other Apoſtles had taught: how much more now ought all Chriſtians that come ſo far ſhort and are ſo inferiour to Timothy, for all indowments and graces of knowledge, to beware and take heed of all ſuch as bring in their new-born truths, their new-Lights, and all their new wayes; when eſpecially we are commanded to enquire for the old and good way, which will indeed bring reſt unto our ſouls? Jer. 6. And to omit innumerable places to this purpoſe; that of Saint Iohn in his ſecond Epiſtle to the Elect Lady, ſhould ever be in our memory, where Saint Iohn in expreſſe words forbids that Lady and her family, and in them all other Chriſtians, To receive any that bring not the doctrine of Ieſus Chriſt into their houſes, or bid them God-ſpeed, and gives a reaſon of this his prohibition; For, ſaith he, he that bids him God-ſpeed, is partaker of his evill deeds. Now all theſe new doctrines are not the doctrines of Jeſus Chriſt; and therefore whoſoever bringeth them, ought not to be received into our families, nor their doctrines into our hearts, no more then ſtolen goods into our houſes and cloſets: for God hath both forbid it, and ſet down the danger that will enſue upon it: for by that means we make our ſelves equally guilty, and partakers with them in their evill: and therefore all ſuch as ſhall ſtill notwithſtanding whatſoever God hath ſpake unto us by his holy Prophets and Apoſtles, follow thoſe new teachers and thoſe new truths, by their ſo doing, in concluſion they will be found fighters againſt God; and partake with them in all thoſe puniſhments the Lord hath threatned againſt all ſuch as will be led about with every wind of Doctrine, which will be the ruin of themſelves and others: and if people will be diſobedient and obſtinately go on to make Schiſms and rents, ſlighting Gods threats and menaces, and caſt his word behind their backs, then it belongeth unto all Magiſtrates, Miniſters, Fathers, and Maſters of Families, that are Chriſtians (for I ſpeake not of ſuch as are without the pale of the Church) ſeeing what already theſe new Sects have with all their Art and cunning, invented, contrived, and with unwearied paines and ungodly policy brought forth into the world, that the Magiſtrates are counted intollerable to the people; wives are taken from the boſomes of their husbands, or ſo alienated from them as they repute the • a burthen unto them: the Husbands from the Wife, Children from their Parents, and Patents from their children; and the Servants from their Maſters and Miſtreſſes, & Friends from Friends; the Miniſters from the people, and the flocks from their Paſtors; and that all the lawes of God and Nature by theſe means are violated; I ſay in all theſe regards it is high time, if they will prevent thoſe evils that are comming upon the Land by theſe fractions and diviſions, now to quit themſelves like men, not caring for all the reviling languages of Seducers who yet never ſpake well of any but of their own party: for it is againſt the nature of Sectaries to give any a good word but their own complices; and therefore it concernes them all to goe about the work as men of courage and in the fear of God. And truly if men think it (as it is indeed) an unſufferable thing to tolerate thoſe Men-ſtealers, who they call Spirits, or a new generation of Fayries, to ſeduce and carry away their children and ſervants: then much more it is an unſufferable thing to tolerate thoſe that ſteale away not only the bodies of men and children, from Magiſtrates, Miniſters, Parents, Maſters and Miſtreſſes, Friends, &c. but their very hearts and affections; and are no better in ſo doing then a company of ſpirituall Plunderers, and are to be looked on as ſo many enemies of the Church and kingdome. Neither is there any breach of charity in ſpeaking truth with love and an unfained deſire of their reformation: for if they be not reformed, nor their New-lights extinguiſhed and put out, they will in ſhort time dim and darken the truth it ſelfe, and provoke the Lord to give us all over to error, becauſe we imbraced not the truth in the love of it, 2 Theſſ. 2. But I muſt confeſſe I look upon many of the Independent Miniſters, as the moſt dangerous Sect that ever yet the world produced, in reſpect of the conſequences of their doctrines, and the ſad effects they have brought forth already, whereſoever they have ſpread it. For they carry themſelves more cunningly then any other Schiſmaticks or Hereticks that ever yet appeared ſince mortality inhabited the World. For all other Sectaries tenents are recorded in all the ſeverall Councels, and in the Monuments of the ancient Writers, ſo that every man knowes their opinions and doctrines; but what theſe men hold beſides their whimſey of Independency, and the manner of their gathering of Churches (wherein they doe not all agree neither) no man knoweth nor never ſhall know, for they intend to ſet up many other New-lights, but yet with a reſerve, never to be conſtant to any thing what they either ſay or write: for this I have received from the mouthes of their Diſciples and followers, That if that which ſeemeth a truth to them to day, do to morrow appear otherwiſe by ſome new light, (were it any Article of the faith) and they be convinced by that light, that they were in an error before, they are to relinquiſh their former tenent, whatſoever it were, and to follow that new light that God hath appeared to them in. And this doctrine is taught by all the Independents I ever ſaw or heard of. Yea they count it a great honour unto them to be thus uncertaine in their opinions; as we may ſee in a rayling and rediculous Pamphlet, not only againſt Mr. Prynne, but againſt the Parliament, lately ſet out by an Independent, call'd, The falſhood of M. William Prynnes Truth Triumphing; where pag. 16. Sect. 2. in theſe words, You accuſe the Independents, ſaith he, as believing moſt things with a reſerve, according to their preſent light; with a liberty of changing, as new-lights ſhall be diſcovered unto them; but did ever man ſo overſhoot himſelfe (ſaith he) certainly this is ſo high a character of the Independents compleateſt posture enſuing or growing ſtature in the Schoole of Chriſt, as could be applyed unto them; wherein they glory not a little, and place it as the only ground work and foundation, without which they cannot grow in grace, from one degree of faith to another, untill they become perfect men, and perfect Saints, unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſſe of Chriſt, Epheſ. 4.12, 13. Theſe are his formall words, ſo that the Independents doctrine is this: That there is no growth in grace from one degree of ſaith to another, untill we become perfect men, and perfect Saints, unleſſe they believe moſt things with a reſerve; which tenent of theirs, whether or no it be not to bring a ſceptiſme into Religion, according as M. Prynne doth from them conclude, I refer it to the judgement of thoſe that are more judicious Divines then the Author of that Pamphlet. And this, as men may obſerve, is the profeſt doctrine of all the Independents; and they account it their glory to be ever in uncertainties; which is the only reaſon, as I conceive, that they could never yet be induced to ſet downe what forme of government they would have, and to what doctrine and diſcipline they would ſubſcribe and ſtand to, with their followers; by which all men may eaſily diſcerne the dangerouſneſſe of theſe men; and well perceive, that they that have to deale with them, will never finde an end: for they will ever be ſtarting of ſome new doctrines. And to ſpeak the verity, all the Shiſmaticks that have troubled the Church in this laſt age of the World, and hindred all reformation, are yet more can did then many of the Independent Miniſters through the Kingdome. For the Browniſts, as M. Ainſworth and M. Robinſon, both learned men, and more orthodox in their Tenents then many of them, yet they with all their ſeveral congregations agreed in their principles; and have ingenuouſly in their Apologies and writings with modeſty (for in hoste virtus laudanda) declared unto the World, both what they held, and what they deſired, and wherein they would reſt contented; if the Magiſtrates would but gratifie them in it. The Anabaptiſts in like manner, though farre more erronious in their opinions then the Browniſts, yet they alſo, many times in word and print, have ſet downe their Tenents, to which they both ſtand; and in the which, if the Magiſtrates will but condeſcend unto them, they will ſit downe and yeild all cheerfull obedience to their juſt commands. The ſame may be ſaid of all other Sects. But, as for our Brethren the Independent Miniſters, they are like a company of Rats among Joyne-ſtooles, every one can ſee and heare them, but none can catch them. No man can tell where to catch or lay hold certainly of any point or tenent they preach, or what they either are in their opinion, or will be: for what they conceived to be a truth to day, may be an error with them to morrow: for certainty in any opinion, is as great a Hereſie to them, as eating of fleſh on a Good-Friday, is to a Papiſt: Neither will they binde themſelves or their followers to any Doctrine they hold to day; for it may be they will both preach and practiſe the contrary to morrow, if it make for their gaine and emolument. So that all men may boldly conclude of them, that they are as the moſt uncertaine; ſo in that, the moſt dangerous Sect that ever came into the World, ſince the Sunne and Moone ruled over the Earth. And this will the better appeare, if we conſider the multitudes and variety of Sectaries that have ſprung from them in a ſhort ſpace, ſince their comming over amongſt us, with their underhand dealings, how ever they themſelves play leaſt in ſight, and act privately their juglings, and make uſe of others, in venting their ſeverall poyſenous opinions, and can ſay and on-ſay, and affirme and deny any thing at pleaſure, as can be proved. Before their apparition on our horiſon, there were but three or four Sects known among us, and they were few in number, and well conditioned, and ſuch as were full of charity and love one towards another, and carried themſelves humbly towards all men; as the Browniſts, Anabaptiſts, Antinomians, and Familiſts. But out of the Independents lungs are ſprung above forty ſeverall ſorts of ſtraglers, which before their comming over were never heard of amongſt us. And for proof of what I now ſay, I had it from a Brother of mine in tribulation, and a fellow-ſufferer; who though he differ from me in opinion, yet I truly love him, and ſhall never decline any chriſtian office to do him good for ſoule and body; I meane M. John Lilburne, Lieutenant Colonel; who himſelf relathed it unto me, and that in the preſence of others; that returning from the warres to London, he met forty new Sects, and many of them dangerous ones; and ſome ſo pernicious, that howſoever, as he ſaid, he was in his judgement for tolleration of all Religions; yet he profeſt, he could ſcarce keepe his hands off them, and had no patience to heare them, ſo blaſphemous they were in their opinions. So that he gathered, that theſe were now the laſt dayes, wherein ſo many Hereſies abounded. And amongſt other of the Tenants, one of thoſe wicked Sects held, They denied the Scriptures both of the Old and New Teſtament, and accounted them things of nought; whereas by Gods command, They that deſpiſed Moſes his Law, by the mouth of two or three witneſſes were to be put to death: and theſe wicked and ungodly creatures deſpiſe both the Law and Goſpell, and that in the preſence of a Cloud of witneſſes. And innumerable other diabolicall Sects there are, and ſo prodigiouſly impious, that it is not for a Chriſtian to name their opinions. And moſt of them, if not all, were firſt Independents, and ſuch as ſeparated from our Congregations, as from a people unholy, and were of their new gather'd Churches and followers of their Miniſtery. And many of them have jangled ſo long about the Church, that at laſt they quite have loſt it, and goe now under the name of Expectants and Seekers, and doe deny that there is any true Church, or any true Miniſters, or any Ordinances: and ſome of them affirme, that the Church is yet in the Wilderneſſe, and they are ſeeking for it there: others ſay, that the ſmoke is yet in the Temple, and they are groping for it there, where I leave them: praying God to open their eyes and give them repentance; that they may conſider from whence they are fallen, and returne againe into the boſome of that Church, from which they have, to the great diſhonour of God, and the ſcandalizing of the Goſpel, made ſo fearfull a deſection. But I can truly ſay, without wronging the Independent Miniſters, that they have been one of the principall cauſes of all thoſe new, hidious, and monſtrous opinions, and of all the ſad differences amongſt Brethren: for their doctrines give way to all ſuch errors, and ever will, as long as they give liberty for the finding out of new truths, and the changing of their opinions according to their New-lights. But amongſt all their errors this is none of the leaſt, that all Magiſtracy is by them deſpiſed, and made nothing of, no further then it agreeth with their tenents and humours. And howſoever publickly they ſeem to ſay ſomething in defence of it, yet privately, and upon all occaſions they ſlight it; yea, and bid defiance to it, as all their rayling Pamphlets, and words, & deeds proclaim; and make the power and authority of the Magiſtrates when they exerciſe it for the ſuppreſſing of novelties, a meer tyranny and perſecution, as many could witneſſe, if they would take the office of Informers upon them; for they are not the men they were in the beginning of the Parliament: for then they ſeemed highly to magnifie the authority and power of the Parliament, and appealed unto it, and did very good ſervice in promoting the publick good: but now they ſay they are afraid it will prove but an Arbitrary government, and be more tyrannicall then that of the Prelates, and all the other unjuſt Courts; profeſſing that they had thought they ſhould by their meanes have enjoyed the liberty of their conſciences (this it ſeems they fought for, their own ends, which they ſo much condemne in others) but now they well perceive, that they go about to eſtabliſh a Presbytery, which to the poor Saints (they are afraid) will prove more tyrannicall then the government of the Biſhops: and therefore now many of the Independents that were very zealous at the firſt in the quarrell of the Parliament (as it was their duty to be) are very cold, and have not only caſt away their armes, and detract their obedience, but can at pleaſure ſpeak againſt the preſſing of men for that ſervice; and profeſſe, that is not lawfull to force men to fight, and that it is unlawfull to fight for Religion (I conceive they mean any Religion but their own: for they have been heard ſay; yea they have frequently bragg'd of their party, and proteſted that they would make hot work before the Presbyterians ſhould have the day) and ſuch like ſtuffe they vent in every corner, to the deterring of many from their duty, which they are bound unto by the Law of God, Nature, and all Nations; and for which there be many preſidents in holy Scripture, and many fearfull threats and judgements denounced againſt ſuch as deſerted their Brethren in affliction: and great and fearfull puniſhments have been impoſed upon thoſe that came not out to aide their Brethren when they went againſt the enemies of their countrey, whether they were forein or inteſtine: and all to teach us not to decline from our duty upon the like occaſions. But that any man that hath but any ordinary underſtanding ſhould ſpeak againſt the preſſing of men, it is a wonder to me to hear it: for if they ever had read the Scriptures with judgement and knowledge, or were but acquainted with the Hiſtories of all Ages, they may finde it ever hath been the practice of the people of God, as well as of the Heathen, to force men out of all their Tribes and Families to go to war againſt any enemy; and that they that neglected their duty being ſummoned to it, were counted enemies, and were ſeverely puniſht for it, and made examples to others for their diſobedience; and there were none exempted from the war by Gods own appointment, that had ſtrength and abilities to fight, but new married people and baſe Cowards: and indeed to all ſuch, God gave a diſpenſation for a time, as till the one for a year had rejoyced with his Wife, and till the other had got the ſpirit of courage, and a more brave and valiant reſolution: but all others if they would not voluntarily come out, were forced to it or puniſhed for their neglect: and for ought I know, all Chriſtian Magiſtrates have the ſame authority ſtill under the Goſpell that they had under the Law. And truly to my poor underſtanding, there is none that can go more comfortably to fight for their countrey, then they that are preſt; & if I were to go upon any ſuch imployment, I ſhould with ten times more alacrity goe into the war, being preſt or call'd to it by the State, then if I were a meer Volunteere: though I have ever though, Volunteeres brave and gallant men, and worthy of great honour for their good ſervice, and have counted ſuch as would neither by force nor freely, put themſelves upon publike imployment on the one ſide or on the other; eſpecially if they had able bodies, the moſt baſeſt cowardly fellows in the world, and men unworthy the Protection of either King or Parliament; or to enjoy the very benefit of the ayre they breath in. And without doubt they are the verieſt cowards upon the earth, howſoever they may vapour in a drinking-ſchool. Yet I ſay thoſe that go out as preſt men, have in all reſpects a more warrentable calling, and wherein if they keep themſelves from the ſins and pollutions that are too frequent in Armies, they may both fight and dye with all cheerfulneſſe: for in ſo doing they are in their calling, and may challenge pitty and compaſſion from all; and maintenance alſo and ſupport if they be wounded, and by it made unable to get their livings for themſelves and for their families, as long as they live; for they have been the ſervants of the State, and imployed by their ſpeciall command; and if they be taken priſoners, the ſtate ought to exchange or ranſome them, or elſe it will be their diſhonour. Whereas, if they be meerly Volunteers, though they do their duty in ſo doing, and ſhall have the honour of it, if they be hurt, wounded, or captivated; yet the world is wont to ſay, Who required theſe things at your hands, what call had you to this imployment? And all men generally will condemn ſuch: and it was not long ſince objected to a gentlewoman, whoſe husband was taken priſoner in the war, and that in a very Lordly and imperious manner, by an Independent Miniſter; What call, ſaid he, had your husband to take Armes? could not he have followed his own imployment? Thus did this domineering Independent vapour over men in diſtreſſe; who himſelf was never guilty of either learning or humanity, or fit for any thing but to make a faction, being a meer cow-baby coward, and one that ran away, as being more afraid of the biſhops (when they were in power) then he was of God or the devill; and yet this mounſier could ſuperciliouſly demand of this Gentlewoman, what call her husband had to take Armes? And as this Independent, ſo commonly all men for the moſt part, ſlight Volunteers in their diſtreſſes, eſpecially if they deſire their ayde; which they do not only ordinarily refuſe, but deterre others from doing them any good, ſaying, that ſuch men put themſelves out of Gods protection, in as much as in them is, when they leave their callings; and thus thoſe grolls babble, as if a man had not a ſufficient call, if he ſees his neighbours houſe on fire, to leave his ſhop to go out to help quench it I Such kinds of Puffoyſts as theſe, that abuſe Volunteers, I leave them as a generation of men, not worthy to give guts unto a Bear. But, I ſay, when men are called to the warre by the State, and preſt to that ſervice, they can then appear with joy before all men, and look death it ſelf in the face with courage; whether in the field, or in cold blood, in the hands of their enemies, when they ſuffer as evill doers: for they can then comfort themſelves with their calling, knowing that they were imployed by the State, and it is their duty to obey; and that as they were borne under obedience, with cheerfulneſſe and alacrity they can dye. And therefore all ſuch as the Independents, that go about to diſparage the Parliament, and the great Councell of the Kingdome, for preſſing of men for the publick ſervice, do things derogatory to their authority: and all ſuch as are preſt and able to fight, and do either run away from their Colours, or wilfully or rebelliouſly detract their obedience, ought to be hanged. And as it is lawfull in the Magiſtrate to preſſe men to fight for their countrey, ſo it is law full likewiſe for them to fight for their religion; and to preſſe men for that purpoſe: and he that will not fight for his religion, if he be a Magiſtrate, certainly he has little religion in him: and he that is a private man, that will not ſuffer for his religion, if he be called to it; nor fight for it both voluntarily and when by authority he is put upon it, but flye from either of the imployments of doing or ſuffering, and will not come out to helpe the Lord againſt the mighty, he deſerveth not only the bitter curſe againſt Meroſh, Judg. 5. but to be hanged. What, doe the Brethren the Independents now hold it a thing unlawfull to fight for religion (for ſo they profeſſe to their friends) when not long ſince they ſo animated others to it? It ſeems they are very changeable in all their oopinions: I believe they have found out ſome new-light of direction how to runne away againe, as they did before, if the times change. But yet ſuch as have learned how to performe their duty, and have read the holy Scriptures; and amongſt many other places the two and twentieth of Ioſhua for one, have been taught, that when the Iſraelites on the other ſide of Jordan had ſet up an Altar, though it was not with a minde and intent to alter religion, yet if they had not given a ſatisfactory anſwer for their ſo doing to Ioſhua and the Elders of Iſrael their Brethren, they would ſpeedily have made warre upon them for it; as any State for ought I know, or any chriſtian Nation by their example may doe, againſt what enemy ſoever they be, whether forein or domeſticall; that ſhall attempt to alter the true religion, and Chriſts government eſtabliſhed in his Church (which is his kingdome) and bring in an Idolatricall one, or an Independent one, or any other that tendeth to the deſtruction of that, that God himſelf hath appointed his people to ſerve him with: and all ſuch as ſhall refuſe to fight for their religion (if they have no bodily hindrances or ſome juſt impediment) when the magiſtrate calleth or preſſeth them to it, ought to be accounted as the enemies of religion, and rebels againſt both God and their countrey. And all ſuch as ſhall endeavour, either clandeſtinly or openly, to ſpeak words tending to deterre men from going out to helpe the Lord againſt the Mighty; or refuſe, being Chriſtians, to fight for the Goſpel (except by their bodily infirmities they be hindred from the duty) I know no reaſon but they ought to be hanged as a company of Rebels againſt both God and men, and as ſuch as are unworthy the name of Chriſtians, that will not fight for the honour of the King of Saints and King of Kings, and for his royalty and dignity that has redeemed them from the ſlavery, not only of Satan, but of Antichriſt. For we have read that Michael the Captaine, and Commander of his Church and kingdome, and his Angels, makes warre againſt the Dragon and his Angels; which is not to be underſtood only in a ſpirituall ſenſe, but in an ordinary way, and litterally alſo; for Chriſt has his ſouldiers, that beſides their weapons of the right hand, their prayers, tears, and humiliations, have alſo their weapons and armes of the left hand, as their ſwords and all warlike inſtruments, to fight for the honour, dignity, and ſoveraignty of their King and anointed Chriſt; who at his departure from his Diſciples, bad them ſell their coats, and buy each of them a ſword; by which he inveſted them with authority as well to fight, if occaſion required, for the honour of their King and Maſter, and for their own ſafety; and although he condemned in Peter the temerarious and raſh uſe of his ſword, and bad him put it up for that time, yet the left the uſe of it to him and to the other Apoſtles, upon their juſt occaſions. And who knowes not that there is a time for warre and a time for peace, and God himſelf profeſſeth, that he is the Generall of the Armies of his people, and the Lord of their Hoſts; and he taught his ſervants hands, in times paſt, to war and their fingers to fight, as they with thanks acknowledged. And he is the ſame God now to his people that ever he was, and will be nigh unto them, and a preſent help to all thoſe that fight his battels. And what, I pray, are ſo properly his batrels, as thoſe that are made againſt Antichriſt and his complices (by what names or titles ſo ever they be called) whether they be the Kings or Emperours of the Earth, or any other Malignants that have given their power to the Beaſt and make warre againſt the Lambe? Neither ſhall I ever be of an other minde, but that it is the greateſt honour any Chriſtian can be called unto, to fight for his countrey and for the Goſpel againſt what enemy of either ſoever he be. And as I ſhall live and dye by Gods aſſiſtance in this opinion, ſo I ſhall likewiſe ever believe, that all ſuch as will neither fight for their countrey, nor religion, but deter and diſſwade others from it, are enemies of both, and ſo ought to be eſteemed, whatſoever pretences of ſeeming love they make to their countrey and religion: and that ſuch as will not fight for the proteſtant religion, deſerve not the favour of protection from thoſe States and countries they live in, whoſe preſervation or ruine is all to them, ſo they may enjoy their owne ends and become maſters of thoſe they cauſeleſly hate, and unchriſtianly and uncharitably think evill of; and whoſe diſtruction they not only daily wiſh and pray for, but as much as in them lyes, bid defiance to, and proclaime open warre againſt them; and uſe or rather abuſe the holy Scriptures for the maintenance of their authority, in their contending and fighting againſt their chriſtian Brethren, the Presbyterians, for their independency; and to that end in the Frontiſpieces of their books ſet downe Chriſts words, Matth. 10 34.35, 36. where our Saviour ſaith, Think not that I came to ſend peace on earth, I came not to ſend peace but a ſword. For I am come to ſet a man at variance againſt his Father, and the Daughter againſt her Mother, and the Daughter in law againſt her Mother in law, and a mans foes ſhall be thoſe of his own houſehold. Out of the which words miſunderſtood, they would perſwade the people and make them believe, that they have good warrant and ground to fight againſt their Chriſtian Brethren for the maintenance of their own whimſies; whereas, although they had been Wolves in times paſt, yet being now Chriſtians indeed, and really converted, and in whom there is a through change wrought in their hearts, they would have laid aſide their wolviſh nature; ſo that the Wolfe and the Lambe would have peaceably dwelt together (according to the prediction of the Prophet) they then would be loving and kinde Brethren, and would not come out to fight againſt them: for that Scripture ſpeaketh only of ſuch, as who living and continuing in their naturall ſtate, and in an irregenerate and unconverted condition, and in whoſe ſouls the work of grace was not yet wrought, ſhold hate their very Parents, Brethren, and Siſters, and neareſt allies; that were truly converted to the faith and believed the Goſpell: as the ſeed of the Serpent will alwayes hate the ſeed of the Woman, as Cain did Abel; and that in regard of that enmity God hath put between them; ſo that the righteous is an abomination to the wicked, and the wicked to the righteous; be their relations never ſo nigh together, in reſpect either of conſanguinity or affinity: and this all Gods people by their daily experience finde, according to Chriſts prediction, That their foes and enemies are they of their own houſhold. But doe theſe words of Chriſt give liberty to thoſe that are Believers, and children of the moſt High, the very ſonnes and daughters of God, to come out and make warre againſt their Brethren; and to fight againſt them, and that for their own inventions and traditions? I think not. And yet the Independents from this place of holy Scripture, not the Novices, Yonkers, and freſh-water ſouldiers only, but grave men in their great white basket-hilted beards, with their ſwords in their hands; come out to fight againſt their Brethren, for their Independency; and juſtifie this their grollery from Chriſts words: which if it be not to abuſe the holy Word of God, then nothing ever was an abuſe of divine authority.

But they have a ſingular faculty in making every portion of Scripture ſerve their purpoſe: as where Chriſt ſaith, in Luke chap. 13. verſ. 24. Strive to enter in at the straight gate, from thence they conclude, That the Independent-way is that ſtraight way, and that all Presbyterians being out of it, are in the broad way that tends to perdition. But I will not abuſe the patience of the Reader with relating their dotage, as they abuſe the Scripture, to maintain their faction, and to ſpeak the truth it is no better: for they boaſt of ſuch a party in the kingdome (if their own words may be credited) as they now think by the ſword to be able to make their own Laws; and have been frequently heard ſay, That they had many abettors in the Aſſembly, and in both Houſes of Parliament, and in many parts through the Kingdome, beſides in all the Armies; and they were all reſolved to have the Liberty of their Conſciences, or elſe they would make uſe of their ſwords, which they have already in their hands. So that moſt certain it is, that the Religion of too to many of them, is a meer faction.

And now I will take a little liberty to ſpeak ſomething upon my own experience about this buſineſſe: for at my return from my laſt Impriſonment, I having declared my different opinion from them in the point of Independency to many of that fraternity; and profeſſing that I looked upon many that went that way, as upon people truely fearing God, and ſuch as were his deer ſervants, (who I pittied to ſee ſo miſled) and yet for the way in which they went, I ingeniouſly told them, that I ſaw no ground for it in Gods Word; and that I purpoſed (God willing) to write ſomething concerning that ſubject, and that I doubted not to prove the Presbyterian way of Government to be Gods Ordinance, and not Independency: notwithſtanding ſome of the Independents reported about the City, that I was of their judgement, and agreed with them in their opinion (which was not fairely done of them) but all this was acted to ſtrengthen their own party.

But for ſuch of them as really beleeved that I intended to write ſomething, ſlighted it and made a meer puſh at it, exceedingly vilifying, and under valuing, what I could either ſay or doe againſt their Tenent; depending it ſeemes on their Champions ſtrength in the Aſſembly, who they magnified for ſuch great Schollers, as if nothing could bee ſet forth or written by mee, that they would not ſpeedily confute, and gloried as if the field were already wonne, and all the Preſbyterians vanquiſhed: and by ſuch expreſſions as theſe the party grew dayly more powerfull, and into that numeroſity it now is. But in fine, ſome of their worthies who had a more honourable opinion of me, profeſt unto ſuch as were ordinarily accuſtomed to ſlight me (for I had very good information of their underhand dealings) that if I did write againſt them, they were fully perſwaded that it would be more prejudiciall to their cauſe, than any thing writ before: and they pleaſed to ſpeak ſomething in the praiſe of my ſchollerſhip, that howſoever two or three Doctors in the town made nothing of me, yet they knew very well that if I undertook and buſineſſe, I would mannage it with more learning than they that traduced me were able to judge of (and for their praiſes I was beholding to them) but they ſayd, the onely courſe would be for them, to take me off from that imployment and put me upon ſome other ſubject, or at leaſt to perſwade me to ſtand Neuter. All which was neither Chriſtianly nor candidly done of them. For if they had indeed had a deſire that the truth ſhould come to light: and if they had any reall opinion (as they pretended) either of my integrity in my religion, or of that learning God had given me, they would have came to me rather, and have importuned me to write ſomething of that Subject, that they might ſee what reaſons I had to convince them, or to perſwade them, to have better thoughts of the Presbytry; for hitherto they had not received ſatisfaction from any that had formerly writ about it. But none of all this, but on the contrary, ſome of them very churliſhly and loftily demanded of me, what calling I had to meddle in Divinity, and to put my ſelf upon that imployment? Which I muſt confeſſe, was a queſtion that did not beſeem them of all other men: for they think that any gifted man, as they call them, may diſpute, write, and preach, not onely privately, but in a publike way; and glory that the very boyes and women in the Congregations can confute the learnedeſt of the Presbyterians; and many of them, as it is well known, that were none of their Paſtors, have ſet forth many ſcurrilous and blaſphemous pamphlets in defence of their Independency, which have been allowed of by them with great applauſe; and that theſe men now ſhould demand of me, what calling I had to defend any truth in Religon againſt the errors of the times, I ſay it may ſeem ſtrange to any rationall man. But for anſwer in brief, though I am not ſolicitous to pleaſe them in all things; let them take notice of this: That if it be lawfull in any of their fraternities to maintain their erronious opinions, it is likewiſe lawfull in any other Chriſtians to oppoſe them and to defend their truth: for they alſo muſt give an account, how they have imployed all thoſe ſeverall talents of knowledge, learning, or any other thing God hath beſtowed upon them: and this they alſo in their Pamphlets frequently make mention of, to warrant their ſcribling in divinity. But Saint Paul in the fourth of the Coloſſians verſ. 6. Saith, Let your ſpeech be alwayes with grace, ſcaſoned with ſalt, that you may know how to anſwer every man. And Saint Peter in his firſt Epiſtle chap. 3. v. 15. Saith, ſanctifie the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready alwayes to give an anſwer to every man that asketh you a reaſon of the hope that is in you with meekneſſe and fear. And Saint Paul in his Epiſtle to the Philip. chapt. the 1. ver. 27. Onely (ſaith he) let your converſation be as it becommeth the Goſpell of Chriſt: that whether I come and ſee you, or elſe be abſent, I may hear of your affaires; that ye ſtand fast in on ſpirit, with one minde, ſtriving together for the faith of the Goſpell. And Saint Iude in his Epiſtle Generall ver. 3. Exhorteth all Chriſtians, That they ſhould earneſtly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints. And many other places to this purpoſe might be produced which warrants Chriſtians, that they may ſtrive for the faith, and earneſtly contend for it againſt what enemies of it ſo ever; and in ſpeciall we are command, that we ſhould be alwayes ready to give an anſwer to every man that asketh us a reaſon of our hope, and that we ſhould know how to anſwer every man. Now then when many of the Independents came to me, and asked a reaſon of my faith concerning the Presbytery, I demande of any well-grounded Chriſtian, whether or no I have not a very good calling to anſwer them; which when they are ſo much diſpleaſed at me, and ſo highly magnifie it in their own party; I have very good reaſon to believe that they contend not for truth, but for victory, and to make a faction and diviſion in Church and State. And Saint Paul in Phil. 3. verſ. 2. ſpeaking of the falſe Teachers of his time, that but urged the ceremoniall Law, Cals them Dogs, and bids them take heed of them, Beware, ſaith he, of Dogs, beware of evill workers, beware of the conciſion; all ſuch were to be taken heed of, as made diviſions, and cut the Church into little pieces, and ſucking congregations, and therefore are called, them of the conciſion: for they indeed made ſeparations; and therefore Saint Paul bids them beware of them, as of a company of doggs that are ever ſnarling or biting; and as of evill workers, that ſpoyled the work of the Goſpell; which was to unite men firſt to God, and then one to another; that they might be of one ſpirit and one minde; and theſe evill workers divided them all one from another and made factions: and therefore they and all ſuch as they are, are to be deteſted and abhorred, that make ſtrifes and diviſions in all Churches and Countries where they are, while they contend for their own novelties and new born truths: and all thoſe that oppoſe them have a call from God and his Word for their warrant, in their ſo doing. But others of them carried themſelves as more craftily, ſo more gentily, and ſeemed to come to me in the way of love, pretending they honoured me; and they demanded of me, Whether or no I intended to practice Phyſick again? and told me, that if I had ſuch a purpoſe, they would yeeld me their beſt furtherance for the procuring of me Patients; for which their love, I returned them many thanks, telling them withall; that for practiſing of Phyſick, I had little hopes of doing any good that way in the City; for ſome Independent Doctors of Phyſick and others, had ſo villified me amongſt all good people, and had made ſuch a peece of ignorance or nothing of me, in that faculty, as they had taken away my reputation, in as much as in them lay: ſo that were my skill or knowledge in that Art, never ſo great, yet I might not in this place ever expect to regain any eſteem in it: (ſo powerfull all black-mouths are to darken any mans credit) though I bleſſe God, I had known, as well what belonged unto that faculty, as they that maligned me; and had through his aſſiſtance, done as great cures as ever they did any; and added farther, that I doubted not in time to make it appear, that thoſe that had ſo abuſed me, had neither honeſty nor learning in them: whatſoever the world eſteemed of them for their ſeeming Religion, which they had ever made uſe of, but for their baſe and covetous ends. And they demanding the names of thoſe men; I told them ingenuouſly, and that their calumnies were one of the chiefe cauſes of the ruin of me and my poor family; as I could prove by a cloud of witneſſes, if that could do me any good: to which they replyed, they were very ſorry, and confeſt that thoſe men were never heard ſpeak well of any, and that which makes me wonder, I never came in the company, nor never changed a word with them that thus traduced me. But then they offered their ſervice unto me, and profeſt they ſhould be very willing to do me any curteſie that lay in their power, to get me ſome honourable imployment by which I might comfortably ſupport my family, for they thought that my means was not great (and they thought truly in that) and they knew that the charity of many was now waxed cold, and that ſince my being at London there was a great change of mens mindes, and thoſe that were formerly my friends went now another way; and they heard that I was for the Preſbytery, which they conceived would be worſe then the Prelaticall government; and if I ſhould write any thing in the defence of that cauſe, that then I would totally loſe thoſe that as yet were well affected to me (as afterwards they reported I was utterly loſt) and they would perſwade me to imploy my ſelfe any other way, then in writing about that ſubject, for it would give great diſcontent unto Gods people. And if I intended any publick imployment, ſuch men, they told me, with one word of their mouthes could gratifie me, and get me into ſome honourable way of advancement, that I might comfortably ſupport my family: withall they told me, that they were moſt aſſured, that I ſhould obtaine any reaſonable requeſt of them, for they had heard them ſpeak exceeding well of me, and were ſorry to ſee that as yet there had been no recompence or ſatisfaction made me, for all my loſſes and ſufferings; for which their good reſpects towards me, I told them I was exceedingly beholding unto them: Now all theſe they would have had me applyed my ſelf unto, were Indedendents. And for that time I told them, that I never as yet had hunted after promotion, and if any could do me any good, I conceived that the Parliament it ſelf was as likely to doe it as any other; and although I had not hitherto ſolicited the honourable Houſe, neither of the Peers or Commons, yet I would rather petition the houſe, then go by private wayes, and told them that as I ſaw opportunity, I ſhould more willingly make my addreſſes to the Parliament then to any particular perſons, though I ſhould count it a great favour to injoy any mans good opinion and furtherance, and for the which I ſhould ever be thankfull. Notwithſtanding they exceedingly urged me to make uſe of thoſe men they had nomitated to me, as men moſt powerfull with the Parliament. Now I perceived very well their drift in it: for if I had applyed my ſelfe to them (which I never did) and if they had done me any favour, and if I had afterwards writ againſt their fond opinion, then I ſhould have been counted the moſt ungratefull fellow in the world; and then alſo they would not only have defamed me, but as they had the power to advance me, they would have uſed the ſame to have caſt me down againe, which I very well foreſaw. Againe, if I had intreated their aſſiſtance; and if they upon any falſe information had refuſed it; if then I had writ againſt Independency, they would have accuſed me, that it had been out of diſcontent, becauſe I could not attaine to my own ends by them, and becauſe they would not ſatisfie my humour; and that I did all I did, out of ill will and malice, and then they would have laid a load of calumnies upon me; in regard of all which reaſons, I would no way be induced to make any Independents a meanes and way of my preferment. But ſtood unmoveably to my reſolution, to write in defence of the truth, againſt the novelties of the Independents, and told them ſo. Then they ſet upon me with freſh incounters as often as they came to me, and whereſoever they met me, and importuned me againe and againe, that I would not meddle, but that I would ſtand a neuter: and that I ſhould conſider withall, that all thoſe that went that way had been my very good friends and contributed to my neceſſities, and ſtuck cloſe to me in all my diſtreſſes, and that they were the deer ſervants of God; and that if I ſhould now write in the defence of the Presbytery, which they ſo much hated, that I would ſad the hearts of the Saints; and therefore they did earneſtly deſire me that I would not be ſeen in that cauſe. My anſwer to them in this regard was this, that I would not with Eſau ſell my birth-right for a meſſe of Porrage: if any of them had done me any curteſie, they had my thanks for it, and my prayers, and my readineſſe to gratifie any of them againe in what I could: and if I could never requite them here, they were to have their reward in Heaven for it, which would recompence all; but I further added, that when they ſhewed me all thoſe favours, they were of my minde, and were in the very way that now I am in, and relieved me under that notion. So that I ſaw no reaſon why they ſhould be ſo much diſpleaſed with me for my conſtancy, as I might juſtly be offended with them for their inſtability and levity, notwithſtanding their curteſies: and withall I related unto them, that it was an unreaſonable thing in any man, and an unjuſt thing to goe about to ſtop the mouth of truth with a bribe; or to retard any man from doing his duty, with the memory of former curteſies: for no ingenuous man will ever do any a curteſie, to captivate him or make him a ſlave to him for ever for it: and if any ſhould be ſo baſe, as by any favour to go about to ſilence truth, yet it was the honour of any man ever to preſerve his chriſtian liberty, which is more to be prized then all worldly things: and therefore I deſired them, that if they tendred their own reputations, and the honour of their cauſe, that they would never any more make mention of what favours I had received, as if that ſhould hinder me from my dutie, or deprive me of my libertie, which I preferred before my life: and I further related unto them, that many of the Independents already had often caſt in my teeth their former curteſies, and againſt all the lawes of civility had abuſed me and Mr. Prynne; telling me to my face, that neither he nor I ſuffered for the cauſe of God, but for our own ends; and that we had forgot all that the people of God had done for us; and were now turned perſecutors of the wayes of God, and ſhewed our ſelves very ungratefull to our Benefactors; and a thouſand ſuch uncivill and injurious things they have told me to my face in a violent and unchriſtian manner: ſo that the very upbraiding of us with their former favours is a ſufficient payment for them (though by the way I will take liberty to ſpeak it, and that in the preſence of God) that their favours, though more then ever I expected, were not a quarter of that they were reported, nor never equalized my very loſſes: ſo that at this day (as ſome of that ſociety can tell, that knowes my eſtate to five ſhillings) I have not in the world by ſome hundreds of pounds, ſo much as my father left me, for the ſupport of me and mine, whatſoever men may ſpeak: but this is one of the greateſt ſlaveries upon the earth, that theſe men would bring upon people, that by their curteſies they think for ever to make them their Vaſſels, and that they muſt neither ſpeak nor write any thing in defence of any knowne truth, that is diſpleaſing unto them; and ſuch a ſervitude as I will never be brought unto, for the enjoying of whatſoever the world can afford me. I know many that has forſaken the truth, and changed their religion for bread, and deſerted their friens for a thing of naught. But whereas they told me withall, that I would ſad the hearts of the Saints, if I write in defence of the Presbytery: I replyed, that I had thought that all the Independents had hated Impropriations, and how now they were come to impropriate and to attribute unto themſelves only, the name of Saints, I ſaw no good ground or reaſon for it: yea, I told them it was both unchriſtian and Phariſaicall; unchriſtian, in regard that the Presbyterians were their Brethren, and redeemed with the ſame price, and were believers as well as any Independents; and ſerved their Lord and Maſter with as much ſincerity as any of them; & ſhould be as willing to ſuffer for the Goſpell, or any truth of it, as any Independents, and ſtand to it when they would run away; and therefore they did very unchriſtianly to un-Saint their Brethren, and Phariſaically boaſt of their own Sanctity, magnifying themſelves, whileſt they vilified others: but they might remember what our Saviour told them, that what was prized amongſt men, was not eſteemed of by God, and that ſuch as advanced themſelves ſhould be brought downe, and thoſe that juſtified themſelves before men, were not juſtified before God: and therefore I counſelled them to lay aſide all high thoughts of themſelvs, and to think a little better of their Brethren the Presbyterians, and to conſider that they were Saints alſo; and wiſht them to take heed that they did not by their ſcurrilous and blaſphemous writings in defence of their novelties and Independency, ſad the hearts of thoſe that were Saints indeed: but for a ſatisfactory anſwer I told them plainly, that if the defence of the Goſpell or any truth of it would ſad the hearts of either Saints or Angels, I would not deſert it, for I was to pleaſe God and not men; for as Saint Paul ſaith of himſelf Gal. 1. verſ. 1. So I may ſay in this cauſe, If I yet pleaſed men I ſhold not be the ſervant of Chriſt, & therfore in maintaining of truth, I told them I would only aime at the glorifying of God, and how it might pleaſe him. And notwithſtanding my reſolution, upon all occaſions they ſolicited me that I would ſtand a Neuter, and uſed ſome more reaſons to move me to it; telling me, that Mr. Prynne by medling in that buſineſſe, had loſt the love of all Gods people, and was now grown odious amongſt them; inſomuch that they called all his former ſufferings in queſtion, and doubted of the reality of his religion; and therefore they feared if I ſhould intermeddle in that quarrell, it would be very prejudiciall unto me; and therefore they deſired me as I tendred mine own good, and the good of mine, I would not appear in that cauſe but ſtand a Neuter. To all which I thus anſwered: that to ſtand as Neuter in this buſineſſe I ſhould make my ſelfe hatefull to God and man: for God himſelf ſaith, he will ſpew out of his mouth all thoſe that are Luke-warme, that are neither hot nor cold, in the number of which are all Neuters; and by this I ſhould make my ſelf liable to Gods wrath, whiles I ſhould gratifie them: withall I told them, that I had learned ſomething of the brave Gentlemen in the Kings Armie (whileſt I was a priſoner amongſt them) who were wont ordinarily to ſay, that of all men in the world they hated thoſe that plaid the knaves on both ſides, as Chomley, Grinvile, and the Hothams did, who for their own private ends would betray their countries and the truſt committed to them, and of all men they would have ſuch hanged: and next unto them they would have all thoſe that now are or have beene Neuters through the Kingdome, whoſoever came to get the day, proclaimed the verieſt Rogues and baſe Villaines in the world; and all ſuch men, as when they were amongſt the Cavaliers, would be for the King, and when they were amongſt the Parliamenteers, would be for the Parliament: all ſuch men, I told them, amongſt the moſt brave Gentlemen in the Kings Army, and ſuch as were worthy of honour, were proclaimed the very Vermine of the world, and ſuch as in their opinion they thought unworthy of any conquerours favour, or to be eſteemed any otherwiſe of, then of a company of knaves and cowards to all poſterity. And I told them, that I thought thoſe Gentlemen in their opinion err'd not: for I ſhall ever believe, that all thoſe that are Neuters through the kingdome even in theſe civill broyles, and that are of no ſide, are the worſt of men; and that by their neutrality of all ſides, they are the mundungos and garbige of man-kinde: and much more are they deteſtable before God & the world, that are Neuters in Religion, or for baſe ends either hold their peace, or make profeſſion of any religion: & therefore I was reſolved ſincerely to go to work, and to declare my minde in that way I conceived to be the truth, and to live and dye in it, though I were expoſed by it to the greateſt myſerie that ever man underwent. And whereas they told me that M. Prynne had ſo loſt the favour of the people for declaring of his opinion againſt Independency, that they called in queſtion all his ſufferings, and could not give him ſo much as a good word: I ſaid in that they ſhewed their levity and vanity, not knowing either wherefore they loved, or wherefore they hated him; for he was ſtill the ſame, that ever he was, and notwithſtanding all their malice and reproaches, for the good ſervice he had done to his God, and to his country, he hath deſerved an immortall name to all future ages; and is as truely at this day beloved and honoured by all ſuch as know what to honour and love men for, as ever he was; and in ſpight of all the calumnies of the Independents, he will walk like a noble Lyon, when they ſhall go like a company of Moon-Calves, bleating out their own folly and vanity and changing their opinions and affections every moneth. It is obſerved, and that ordinarily that the generality of all the Independents, never love without doting; nor never praiſe without admiring, but as they are won with an apple ſo they are loſt with a nut; no man knows were to finde them in one minde for a moneths ſpace, for as the hornes of any new light appears, either to the praiſe or diſ-praiſe of any, they muſt follow that light; ſuch a generation of Moon-Calves, and ſuch an unſtable Sect never appeared in the world before; and therefore I told them I ſhould never be terrified with what they had either ſpake or writ againſt Maſter Prynne, from my duty in defence of the truth, which I reſolved never to bauk, neither for hope of the favour nor fear of the anger of all the Independents in the world: for whatſoever could be prejudiciall to me for doing any duty in regard of them, it muſt be either in reſpect of name or means: and I told them that whatſoever ſhould be prejudiciall unto me undeſervedly, it ſhould never trouble me, whether it were in regard of my reputation or of my eſtate: as for infamy and reproach I ſaid there was no fence againſt them in the ſchool of wit or Art, and that I had already had my ſhare in all manner of calumnies, and had been ſo often wounded with them by all ſorts of people, as I beleeved there was ſcarſe a narrow left in the quiver of malice, that they could now ſhoot at me, or ſcarſe any reproach or contumely that ever was coyned in the mint of mens hatred, that had not paſt as currant through the world againſt me, ſo that now I was ſo uſed unto it that there was no leſſon more perfect unto me, and I had learned quietly to go through good report and bad report: and I knew it had been the lot of all the Prophets, ſome of the which confeſt that their hearts were broke with reproaches: yea, the Lord of life himſelf eſcaped not free from prodigious and blaſphemous reproaches, who was counted a wine-bibber and a friend of ſinners, and one that had a devill, and all the Apoſtles had taſted and drunk of that cup; and all the Primitive Chriſtians had been abuſed after the ſame manner, and that Luther and his followers in that age of the world, had his Cocleus to rail of him; and Calvin had a Bolſecus to abuſe him: and all our holy Martyrs here in England, had thoſe that moſt impiouſly traduced them; and ſo had the poor Puritans and all that ſtood up for Reformation in their ſeverall generations, thoſe that both maligned and reviled them, as all the precious and godly people at this day, by the Independents and all Sectaries, and all manner of Malignants are cauſeleſly traduced; and therefore I muſt never look for better meaſure at their hands, then all the godly that ever lived; who all went to heaven through many afflictions: And all they (ſaith Paul) that will live godly in Christ Ieſus, muſt go through many afflictions; and it is not the leſt, but indeed one of the greateſt to be reproached and railed on; yea, it is worſe then death it ſelf: for he that takes away a mans good name, is worſe then Cain, for he in killing his brother, made him live for ever and eternalized his name; but they that take away mens reputations kill them alive; and ruin them and their poſterity; which as it is a fearfull ſin, ſo the frequenteſt in the world, every man making it his occupation to reproach and vilifie thoſe they bear a malice to, as all the Independents and Sectaries dayly to the Presbyterians, and againſt any that ſtand forth to oppoſe their Novelties, and I being in the number of thoſe that reſolve to the laſt period of my life to maintain truth againſt falſhood, expect and look for no leſſe favour at all Malignants hands and tongues then all the generations of the juſt have found before me: and therefore I bleſſe God, I have before-hand, ſate down and counted with my ſelf, what my love to the truth will coſt me, from all the enemies of it, in reſpect of my reputation and name; and have learned of my King and Maſter, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt to rejoyce and be exceeding glad; yea, to leap for joy, when I am reviled and ſuffer reproach for his names ſake, for ſo he hath commanded me, Mat. 5. Luke 6. And if I ſuffer in regard of my eſtate by this my diligence, I know in whom I have ever truſted, and in whom now I beleeve, and that I came naked into the world, and that naked I ſhall go out: and if my God gives me food and raiment, I have learned to be content: for the riches of this world are but like the Mannathat fell about the Tents of the Iſraelites, thoſe that gathered more of it had but enough to ſerve their turn, or if they gathered more it was but a trouble and annoyance to them, and they that gathered leſſe had no want. And truely he that would but look upon the world at this time, and behold with attention the inſtability of all theſe things under the ſun, he would have little cauſe to confide in uncertain riches; for they may dayly ſee many men rich in the morning, and all beggers at night, and they that were beggers in the forenoon made rich in the evening, and within two dayes after, they ſhall ſee the ſame men lye naked and dead upon the ground, and deprived of all and life it ſelf; ſo that there is no man can promiſe unto himſelfe proſperity or the ſtability or poſſeſſion of any thing a day, neither by ſea nor land, and therefore he that is inamored with the world cannot be a friend to God, For the friendſhip of the world is enmity with God, as Saint James ſaith, and therefore through Gods goodneſſe I have learned Saint Pauls Leſſon, To be contented in every condition, for, I am crucified unto the world, and the world to me: and will not for the love of that, deſert my love to the truth or fear to defend it, for fear of loſing any thing in my eſtate, but will roul my ſelf upon Gods Providence, and commit my ſoul and my wayes unto him who is the Preſerver of all, eſpecially of thoſe that beleeve in him, 1 Tim. 4. Theſe and many ſuch paſſages did I relate unto many of thoſe that would have deterred me from writing in defence of the Presbytry againſt Independency, and yet they ſtill continued dayly to ſollicet me not to ſet forth my book againſt that way: and although I told them again and again that I was reſolved to publiſh my opinion, they intreated me then that I would tarry but till the Reaſons and Grounds of their way were publiſhed, which they ſay would be in a ſhort time: and all this was contrived to ſtrengthen their faction, and to anticipate the people, and ſettle them in their Novelties againſt whatſoever ſhould be publiſhed againſt their doctrine of Independency. And when they heard that my book was gone to the Preſſe, it would exceed beleef, if I ſhould recite all the paſſages of their under-hand dealings in that buſineſſe, and how diligent ſome of them were about the Preſſe, and how they went about reproaching me and it, and all to make it hatefull and odious to all, and to deterre the people from reading of it, or regarding of it: and whereſoever any of them met me they told me it ſhould be anſwered; yea, ſome of them reported that there was already an anſwer prepared to come forth as ſoon as mine. It ſeemes theſe men are reſolved with themſelves be it right or wrong to maintain their Faction, and uphold their party: yet I am confident through the ſtrength and power of my God, that I ſhall ever be able to reply to whatſoever they can ſay: but this I will ſay for them, as the Jeſuits in ſubtilty and cunning craſtines, exceeded all the other Monks and Fryers that went before them; ſo the Independents in their generations, are more cunning then ever any Sectaries in former ages, for they have got into their hands the prime Lectures of the Kingdome, and run through all the Towns and Cities through the Realm, and through all the Armies, to make Proſelites, and have ſo ſcattered their Independent phantaſies, that now there is ſcarce a Town or City, where their leavon hath not ſowred the whole lump of true and ſound doctrine: and they have got the ſtart of all the Puritans in all the foregoing Generations; for they were of ſuch auſtere lives and men ſo alineated from the world that you might know them by the hair of the heads and faces, and by their habits from all other men, whereſoever you meet them, for commonly they were ever out of faſhion when others were in it, and they had all their haires clipt as cloſe to their heads as a company of fighting cocks have their feathers, and they uſually went in a great Patriarchicall beards, and for ſilks, and velvets, and pluſh, and ſattin, and brave aparrell, they thought they were for Kings houſes; and contented themſelves with their rurall weeds: which auſterity of theirs made them leſſe eſteemed by the great men of the world, and their doctrine leſſe regarded, and as it was in our Saviours time, That the poor received the Goſpell; ſo in our fore-fathers dayes, the Puritans commonly were by the worldlings and prophane, counted but a company of obſcure and beggerly fellows: but our Independent Miniſters, as they ſay, they have learned the leſſon of their Chriſtian liberty, and tell their Diſciples that the Saints are the right owners of all things beneath, and that it is for the honour of Religion to go brave and gallant, and that this is a great grace to the Goſpell and for themſelves, whereas the ancient Puritan Miniſters went with their hair as cloſe clipt as cocks of the game, and their wives went in plain and modeſt attire and both they & their wives very humble, and never came in a rich coach: the Independent Miniſters are very finicall and go in their hair and in their habits, out of town like Cavaliers, ſo that none that meets them would take them for miniſters, but rather thinke them a company of ruffians: and for their wives they ordinarily go as brave as the daintieſt dames in the Kingdome, and both they and their conſorts are commonly as proud and ſupercilious as any of the ſecular race: and for their company for the moſt part, they are very great and honourable perſonages or at leaſt very rich, and they are all their familiars, for poor folke, they may in private accoſt them, and perhaps they will grace them with a little communication, but this muſt be accounted of, as a high favour. And if at any time theſe Independent Miniſters meet but with a poor aged Presbyter, riding to the Aſſembly but on a Horſe worth ſix ſhillings, they will ſalute him with, Good morrow my Lord Biſhop; whereas they can ride thither mounted upon ſtately Geldings; and ye ſhall frequently ſee them amongſt Lords and Ladies both they and their brave wives carried about in Coaches with four Horſes, in great ſtate; whereas a Wheele-barrow, ſuch as they trundle White-wine-vinegar on, were a great deale fitter for them, except they deſerved better from Church and State. But it is a wonderfull thing to ſee the vanity and levity of the people how they run after theſe men, and neglect their moſt faithfulleſt, laborious, and orthodox Miniſters, and by whoſe diligent paines they have been begotten to the faith, and how now in compariſon of the Independent Miniſters they are ſlighted: whereas there is not one of a hundred of them, but has more reall and true learning in them, then all the Independents put together; for, excepting Mr. Grinehill and Mr. Carter, who I have ever honoured, as grave, godly, learned Miniſters, and which is their honour, humble Gentlemen, I never ſo much as heard of any fame of the other either at home or abroad for any learning of eminency, or any thing but pride, that makes men famous; and if they had not been accidentally Members of the Aſſembly, and Fautors of this new Faction, they would all of them have gone out of the World in obſcurity: and yet ſuch is the vanity and levity of the people, that they in mighty crowds runne after them, and flight their owne pious and painfull Preachers, from whom they might ever: be ſure to heare nothing but orthodox and true doctrine, & that that tended to peace, not to faction. And I can truly ſay, though many of them now are caſt behinde the doore as broken Veſſels, yet in all the time of the Prelates domination, they continued conſtantly in their miniſtery, and many of them ſuffered impriſonment and bonds, and moſt of them perſecution, when theſe ran all away. And I can ſay more; that if we examine their Sermons either as they preach them or as they are in print, ſince the Apoſtles times there was nothing more divinely preached or penn'd, whether for information of judgement or reformation in mens lives and manners; and for the convincing of all Hereſies, Errors, or Schiſmes, and that more tended to ſanctification then that they both preach and print: and for inſtance, to omit many of their learned works, let any man but with judgement reade that Treatiſe of M. George Walker Miniſter in Watlin street, intituled, The Doctrine of the Sabbath; and ſhew me ſuch a piece of Divine Learning writ by any Independent Miniſter; nay, I dare boldly ſay, if they were all put together they cannot make ſuch a piece for excellent learning; the ſame we may ſay of his orthodox preaching in his ordinary Miniſtery: and the ſame may be ſaid of Learned Mr. Jackſon and Mr. Fiſher, both Miniſters in Woodſtreet, and of many hundred more through the City and Country; who for their moſt godly, learned, profitable, and painefull miniſtery, equalize any almoſt ſince the Apoſtles time; yet all theſe men under the name of Presbyterians, are ſlighted, neglected, and now made nothing of in compariſon of our Independent Noveliſts; who have got an art, not only to diſgrace all other Miniſters under the name of Presbyterians, & Baals Prieſts, Perſecutors, &c. but alſo to ſtrengthen their faction, as if authority be not ſpeedily carefull to ſuppreſſe their Independency and novelties, they wil make the whole Kingdome depend upon them, and be their ſervants ere long. They have of all Miniſters before them, got the way of pleaſing great perſonages, and eſpecially the ſilly Women; for they preach unto them liberty of conſcience and liberty of the creature, in a moſt ample and large manner; ſo that all bravely which amongſt the Puritans in times paſt was thought a ſcandall to religion, is now thought a grace and honour of the Goſpel; inſomuch that all the gallant Ladies are all, or moſt of them Independents; never were there any Miniſters that pleaſed Ladies better: ſo that whereas in Chriſts time the poor received the Goſpell, and the Phariſees were wont to ſay, that none but the curſed people followed Chriſt, meaning the poor; and Saint Paul ſaith, not many mighty, but the poore and mean things hath God choſen; and the Proteſtants of France were uſually called the poor men of Lyons, and the Puritans were all counted a company of poor fellows; now the Independent Miniſters they have got all the rich ſheep from out of their fellow Paſtors folds, it ſeems they are the beſt Purvey ours for the kingdome of Heaven; they have already got abundance of rich Saints in theſe latter dayes; ſo that when the World groweth pooreſt, the Independent-churches and congregations and their Paſtors, grow all richeſt; and I am afraid they will make merchandize of a great many more ſimple Ewes, if their Watchmen and Paſtors be not the more carefull and vigilant to look to their flocks; for they have a ſingular faculty of plundering, and have their Emiſſaries for that purpoſe in all the parts of the Kingdome, and yet the World is ſo blinde they cannot diſcerne into the juglings of theſe men. They blame in the Papiſts, as it is blame-worthy indeed, that they not only Lord it over Gods heritage by their own tyrannicall traditions, but for that they moſt ſacrilegiouſly mutilate the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and take away the Cup from the people, and they notwithſtanding are guilty of both theſe crimes in a more deep manner then the Papiſts: for they impoſe in a moſt Lordly manner their traditions and novelties, as Gods own lawes upon the people, and not as traditions; and they take not away the cup only from the people, but take away both the bread and wine from them alſo, and that from the deer ſervants of God, and from ſuch as againſt whom either for their knowledge or converſation they have no juſt exception: and debar both men and women through beleevers and ſuch as are baptized from the Sacrament, and deny baptiſme the feal of the Covenant to their Children; then the which, ſhew me in the world either a greater and more Lordly tyranny, or a more horrid ſacriledge! And this and many more ſuch inſolencies of their Lording it over Gods heritage, might be inſtanced to the diſhonour of God and the Goſpell, and yet the people have not eyes to ſee it, nor hearts to conſider, what a yoak of ſlavery they have voluntarily now put themſelves under, when by the exceeding kindneſſe of God towards us, and through the wiſdome and help of this Parliament, we were freed from the unſupportable yoak and tyranny of the Prelates. Truely when I read their railing and blaſphemous Pamphlets, and when I hear their bitter expreſſions, both againſt the Parliament and Presbytery, and all their Chriſtian brethren whom they ſtile Presbyterians and perſecutors of the wayes of God: and when I conſider their Lording of it over their brethren, and their under-hand practiſes, for the upholding of their Faction, and their unchriſtian dealing in all reſpects; I have admired the patience of the great God, and the humanity of the people: I ſay I have admired the patience of the great God, that hath no more ſeverely puniſhed this Nation, for their ſo great ungratitude towards him for his longanimity and ſo many deliverances of us, both from our Enemies and from our feares, and for thoſe unheard of blaſphemies both againſt his Divine Majeſty and all authority, they dayly utter; beſides their deſpiſing of his Miniſters and Ordinances: and I have alſo wondred to ſee the lenity and curteſie of the people towards theſe men, that although both in their preachings and in their writings they proclaim them all enemies of Jeſus Chriſt and his Kingdome, and thruſt them all from the holy things, and count of them all as a company of Infidels; they yet endure all their abuſes with moderation, neither do I think that the humanity of this Nation towards them, can be parallell'd by any other country under heaven; who, I am moſt aſſured, would never have ſuffered half thoſe inſolencies they dayly exerciſe towards them. And yet I dare ſay, for all the godly Presbyterians in England whom they count ſuch perſecutors, there is not one of them that deſires a hair of any of their heads ſhould fall to their detriment, or that would not be as ſorry that any evill ſhould betide any of them as they would be glad and rejoyce to ſee them return again into the boſome of the Church, that they might live in love & unity as they ought, and formerly they have done, and joyn all their prayers and forces unanimouſly againſt the common enemies of Chriſt and his Goſpell, and ſo take away the ſcandall they have already given, and heale up all thoſe breaches, that by their wantonneſſe in opinions have been made to the great diſhonour of God.

And if there were any ſpark of godly love, or any bowels of compaſſion in our brethren towards their Chriſtian brethren and towards their countrey, they would eaſily be induced now to make up all breaches, and lay aſide all thoſe novelties that have proved ſo pernitious already to us all. For what is it that any thankfull Chriſtian can deſire that God hath not done for us? He hath delivered his people in this famous City, and in many other parts of the Kingdome from the Antichriſtian yoake, and from all the ceremonies and what ſoever was really offenſive to tender conſciences, and by his Divine providence has put it into the hearts of the great Counſell to make ſuch Ordinances as by which the Miniſters are inabled through the Kingdome to admit of none to the Sacrament, but ſuch as for their knowledge and godly life, ſhall be thought ſit communicants; ſo that now there is no juſt cauſe of ſeparation from our Aſſemblies, ſeeing all ſcandals are taken away, and the Goſpell is preached in ſuch purity as it never was ſince the Apoſtles times; and that by as godly, orthodox, painfull, and able Miniſters as any are in the World. Why therefore ſhould our Brethren ſo ſlight what God hath done for us, and count all that nothing without they may eſtabliſh a bondage unto themſelves more heavie, then ever yet lay upon any mans ſhoulders as ſurely their Independency will prove? For the people, of themſelves I have that confidence in them, ſuch is my opinion of their moderation, that when they ſhall duly and upon deliberation conſider the ſad effects theſe Noveliſts have already brought forth, they will relinguiſh them and give God thanks that the danger of them was ſo timely diſcovered, and they will againe returne into the boſome of the Church and follow their own Miniſters, and by whom they ſhall be built up in their holy faith, and continually fed with the ſincere milke of the Word, and with ſuch wholſome doctrine as tends both to the peace of their own ſouls, and the quiet of Church and ſtate. But that they may at laſt get their feet out of the ſnare, and free themſelves from their ſlavery and bondage; I ſhall deſire them but to conſider a little the practiſes of the Independent Miniſters both in former times and in theſe our dayes, and how faire we offer them, and then I am moſt aſſured they will ſee juſt cauſe of changing their opinions, and returning againe with love and amity into the fellowſhip and communion of that people who are as truly fearers of God, and thoſe that deſire Chriſt may be ſet up as King upon his Throne, and may for ever rule and raigne in all mens hearts, as any of thoſe that make the greateſt noiſe of it, as if they were the only men that advanced Chriſts kingdome; whereas on the contrary in as much as in them lyes, they have rent the ſeamleſſe garment of the Church in pieces, and rejoyce at nothing more then to hear and ſee diviſions amongſt Brethren. For if we conſider their former practiſes, and the mutability of many of the Independent Miniſters (a very few of them excepted) they either ranne away when they ſhould have ſtood to the cauſe, or elſe temporized, and that deeply; a crime they lay upon their Brethren the Presbyterians: and ſo changeable they were in their opinions, as they manifeſted unto the world, that they were unſtable in all their wayes, and this many of their followers have themſelves confeſt, although they now palliate it over, that whatſoever they have formerly done, was in regard that the truth was obſcured and darkned, through the cunning of the Popiſh and Prelaticall faction, and that all men were kept hood winckt and could not rightly diſcerne it in its full glory and luſtre, till this ſunſhine of liberty had now againe returned and ſent its raies amongſt us, by means of which they ſay they are ſo illuminated, as now they have got the ſpirit of diſcerning; and by vertue of their New-lights they well perceive their former errors and miſtakes; and have found that the way of Independency is that way of Church-government that God has appointed in his holy Word. This many of their Diſciples plead in defence of their Miniſters, which to ſay the truth is nothing: for the ſame may be alleaged and pretended by all Hereticks and Sectaries whatſoever, who will never want the ſame or the like anſwer, and ſo there will ever be a way for the broaching of all new doctrines, be they never ſo pernicious to the truth, and never ſo diſtructive to all governement. But notwithſtanding, what either they or their Diſciples now can ſpeak in their behalfe, it is very fit that their former practiſes in their ſeverall places in reſpect of their religion ſhould be conſidered by all judicious and godly men, who know that conſtancy and perſeverance in the faith is that that crowneth all; for he that perſevereth unto the end, he ſhall be ſaved, ſaith Chriſt; not ſuch as ſtart back like a broken Bow and are never ſtable: and as for ſome of them, it is well known they have been in one ſit great conforming Proteſtants, and in another mood great favourers of the Socinian tenents; and for their factious ſpirits and oppoſition to the Puritanicall way, were highly favoured and countenanced by the Prelates; and then at another time they were Puritans, and that trade growing out of date, and Independency beginning to be in vogue, they are now of that occupation, and are as great ſticklers in defence of it, as the ſilver-Smiths of the godeſſe Diana in Epheſus, were for the upholding of their craft, and what next they will be, the God of heaven onely knoweth, for they will ever be following their new lights. Others of them were very Prelaticall, and as much aſpired to Church-preferment, if the greateſt men in the Kingdome be not deceived, and ſome of their own party miſtaken, as any other; but failing of their expectation, and falling into diſcontent, turned Puritans; and that weather-beaten Religion, being now with too too many grown ſtale, they are at this inſtant great Independents, and amongſt the ſupream Champions for that Faction: and there is ſcarce a man of them, but has been on all ſides (whatſoever they make the world now beleeve) according as their occaſions ſerved, and have ever been attempting to bring in one Novelty or other, or have laboured to revive ſome hereſie, or ſome miraculous ceremony, and all to the diſturbance of the Church, and for the hinderance of Reformation. And therefore all judicious and godly Chriſtians, ought duly to weigh and conſider with themſelves, that ſuch unſtable men as theſe are, and have been, are no guides to be followed: for as our Saviour ſaith, If the blinde lead the blinde, they will both fall into the ditch. They ſhould therefore remember what Chriſt ſaid to the people concerning John the Baptist: what (ſaith he) went ye out into the wilderneſſe to ſee? a reed ſhaken with the wind? Luke 7.24. intimating unto the people, that ſollid, ſtable, and Orthodox Miniſters in their judgements, ſhould be ſuch as the people ought to follow, and liſten unto, and not thoſe reeds and unſtable men, that are turned about with every new winde of Doctrine, and moved with every ſtream of opinion, and ſuch as follow every new light, and that many times for baſe and wordly ends. So that when moſt of the Independent Miniſters are, and have been ſuch, they ought not any longer by the people to be followed. They ſhould alſo conſider their inſtability not onely in Religion, but in the publike affaires; they may remember how zealous theſe men were for the Parliament not long ſince, and how forward they were to promote the publike good, and to advance the honour, dignity, and priviledges of the great Councell, and what admirers and lovers not many years ſince, they were of our brethren the Scots, and of our noble and brave Generalls: and yet now all that reade the ſcurrilous Pamphlets, or are but a little familiar with them, ſhall hear nothing but revilings againſt the whole Nation of the Scots, and traducing of all our gallant Commanders, to whom next under God, we owe moſt of that good we now enjoy, and hope hereafter to enjoy. I lay nothing to their charge, but that every man that is acquainted with them can witneſſe. I know not any one Ordinance the Parliament maketh that pleaſeth them; but for that pious Ordinance they lately ſet forth, concerning the ſilencing of all ſuch Preachers and teachers as were not for knowledge and ſoundneſſe of doctrine thought fit to inſtruct the people: wherein the prudent Councell ſhewed the religious care they had of the peoples good, and for which they ought ever to be had in veneration: this Ordinance I ſay ſo diſpleaſed the generality of the Independents, as they brake out into contumelious ſpeeches, ſome of them affirming, that the High Court of Parliament was worſe then that of the High Commiſſion, and thoſe of the Biſhops: others of them in diſcontent ſaid, that the recruting of the Army had ſtood the ſtate in an hundred thouſand pounds; and by this new Ordinance, the whole Army would ſpeedily be diſſolved, for now all the brave Commanders of the Independents would lay aſide their Armes, and leave the wars. It ſeemes that all the Independent Officers, went rather to preach than to ſight, and to ſet up their new Lights and vent their new doctrines, then to exerciſe their valour; by which it may evidently appear that all the projects of the Independents, in getting prime places by Sea and Land, and in the Armies and in the Towns, Cities, Forts, and Caſtles, and all other places and in all Committees; is onely for the advancement and fomenting of their faction, and this I conceive to be the onely cauſe of all the liney-woley Committees through the Kingdome, by reaſon of which no hereſie nor novelty in opinion or religion can be ſuppreſt, where they are joyned in Commiſſion; nor no true heroicall vertue be rewarded in any by their good wills, but in thoſe of their faction, who are generally well paid and grow brave and rich ſuddenly, and are highly eſteemed, when other noble Spirits and brave men, are caſhered and outed that have done excellent ſervice. But the Independents perceiving that that Ordinance of the Parliament would be ſome hinderance to their deſigne, they moſt temerariouſly and undutifully traduced the great Councell for it, as they alwayes have done whatſoever hath been performed by our gallant Generalls, either by Sea or Land that were not of their faction, which was ever accounted as a thing of nothing amongſt them: and whatſoever the Scots have done, it is made but little and not worth the ſpeaking of; and they affirm that all the Scots have done, was for their own ends: as if the Independents ever did any thing but for their own ends, or as if ever any man did any thing of labour or danger, that among other brave intentions that he might have, he aymed not alſo at his own ends; or as if the Labourer tooke not paines for his hire, which was his own ends; or as if any went to war, but for both honour & pay, as well as for the defence of himſelf and Country; and as if the Saints themſelves ſuch as Moſes was, had not the eye of their faith, next unto Gods glory, to the recompence of reward; or as if any brave men might not fight for their own ends, with the preſervation of their Country: and yet there is nothing more common in the Independents mouths againſt the Scots, and againſt all our Heroicall men, then that they have all their own ends, and ſo have all the Independents, who undervalue all other mens both abilities and actions, to advance their own ends & to ſtrengthen their party, as all men may eaſily gather by all their proceedings; for if at any time God gives any victory, where in compariſon of the reſt there is but a very handfull of them in the Army, then they aſſume all the glory of this action to themſelves, that their Faction may be magnified amongſt the people. And if there happen any ill ſucceſſe unto any Army in which there is any companies of the Independents, then all the fault muſt be laid upon all the other gallant Generals and Commanders, to the very obſcuring and darkning of their reputation, and taking away of all the honour their former actions had juſtly merited. And I have ever obſerved, that in all ſucceſſefull imployments where any of their Commanders have been, all the glory is aſcribed to the Independents, and is ever ſet forth with all manner of expreſſions of Rhetorick, and that in every Pamphlet (for fear it ſhould be forgot) as if the ſafety of all the kingdome depended upon them, and as if they had done all; and that all the other Commanders had done nothing, or not any thing worth the thinking of or ſpeaking of; and all this to bring their own faction into a high eſteeme, and make all the other Officers and Commanders to be ſlighted, or not valued in compariſon of themſelves. For my ſelf, I ſhall ever give any Commander of that faction his due praiſes, for any good he ſhall doe unto his countrey by his valour and skill; yet he muſt give me leave ever to render the prime glory of any victory or deliverance to God, and to look upon the means in the ſecond place, whoſoever they be that God makes the inſtruments of it. And yet I muſt tell the Independents, it concernes them much to re-gaine their reputation, and to doe good ſervice by their valour for their countrey; for the gallant men in the Kings Army, before the battell in Yorkſhire, had never any eſteem of the valour of the Independents, and would often ſay, that they were beholding to them for Briſtoll, Oxford, and Banbury, and many other places that followed by reaſon of the loſing of them: and it is thought by the judiciouſeſt men in both the Armies, that if thoſe Townes had not been loſt, the warres would have been at an end before this time. Now whether all theſe places were loſt by the valour of the Independent party, or by their cowardize rather, I leave that to the conſideration of the Independents themſelves, who may alwayes ſet thoſe Townes before their eyes, to put them upon brave atchievements, for the recovering and redeeming of their reputation; and if it ſhall pleaſe God to make them inſtruments of re-gaining all thoſe fortified Cities and places into the Parliaments hands, though it will never recompence the loſſe that is come upon the whole Kingdome by it, yet all that wiſh well unto their countrey will give them that honour and applauſe that ſuch a noble action can challenge at any gratefull peoples hands and mouthes: but I ſhall ever deſire the Independents not to ſacrifice unto their own nets, and to aſcribe the glory unto themſelves, as they have too often done to my knowledge: and therefore I wiſh them rather frequently to reade the 9. of Deuteronomy, where the Lord giveth a ſpeciall charge unto his people, that they ſhould not ſay it was for their own righteouſneſſe that God had given them the victory over their enemies at any time, and this caution was thrice reiterated in the ſame Chapter, to teach them and in them all people to give God the glory of all victories, who goes before his people as he is the Generall of their Armies as a conſuming fire; and that it is not their Bow, nor the Sword, that procures victory without God go out before their Hoaſts to conquer and deſtroy; let them not therefore conceive that any victory was given to them for their owne righteouſneſſe, much leſſe for their Independency, and that therefore they ſhould ſo puffe up themſelves and ſo clamour amongſt the people, what ſervice they had done to the State, becauſe ſome of the Independents ſtood to it in the battell of York, when other of them ran away: for they ran as well as others, and if they be not lyars, all the other Independents had ran away too and left the field if they had knowne what had hapned in the other parts of the Army; but they being ignorant of what was done, and preſuming of a mighty party, came on with the more animoſity, and God gave them the victory, and to God in the firſt place belongs the glory of that action: and our brethren the Independents might have had a great deale more honour then they had, had they not ſo vilified all the other Armies, and applauded themſelves, to ſtrengthen their faction and make their party more great and powerfull; that then they may in time be maſters of the Presbyterians and give lawes to them all, who we know they bear as mortall a hatred to, as the very Papiſts and Cavaliers; as all their words, preachings, and Pamphlets witneſſe; for their malice it is notoriouſly known, and it is ſo exceeding great, as it is expreſſed every day againſt any that but diſſent from them in opinion; and their very looks ſhew it, for moſt of them carry envie and malice in their faces towards the Presbyterians, ſo that I can ſpeak by my own experience, I know not any Independent in England (a Kinſman of mine and his Wife excepted that was alwayes a true Nathaniel, and through their hypocriſie miſlead) that do not as maliciouſly and implacably hate the Presbyterians as the mortalleſt enemies they have in the world: and as for my own particular, I could not hitherto, being in any of their companies (ſince they perfectly knew my reſolution) enjoy the very lawes of civility amongſt them; ſo that I have been both privately & publickly reproached by them, without offending of them in thought, word, and deed: by which I may boldly conclude it is a meer faction, and the moſt Phariſaicall, proud, envious, and malitious Sect that ever ſprung up: for they hate all the Presbyterians for no other cauſe but that they differ from them in opinion; which neither the old Browniſts nor the ancient Anabaptiſts either did or do: for they are the ſame to me that ever they were when we were fellow priſoners, many of which were by the Prelates caſt into the Gatehouſe where I lay, and they neither then nor now thought the worſe of me for my differing opinion from them, but at this day ſhew me the ſame curteſie when I either go to them or they come to me, that ever they did; and have defended me often againſt the Independents, when they rayled of me that I was a Presbyterian: and affirmed to their knowledge that I had ever been of that minde ſince they knew me, and that was as they ſaid twenty years; and they told them they ſaw no reaſon, I ſhould not be left to the liberty of my conſcience as well as they were to theirs, neither did they ſee any cauſe why the Independens ſhould be offended with any that differ'd from them; and all this the Anabaptiſts and the Browniſts have ſpoken in my behalfe: ſo that a man may well perceive thoſe poore people do what they do out of a conſcientious ignorance; and that the Independents doe all out of an arrogant faction, who are as cunning as Gypſies, and all to make a party, by which they may attaine to their own ends, which I am afraid will tend to the ruine of us all if the Lord prevent it not. And I am the more induced to believe it, becauſe I ſee all their preaching tends to faction: for at ſome times (ſo unſtable they are) they would ſeem in their Sermons to be as meek as Lambes, and they tell the people how glad they ſhould be of a good agreement and accommodation between us, and then they relate unto them alſo that the difference is very little, and ſo ſmall, that one would wonder that there ſhould be ſuch a contention, and ſo great a feud about it, & this they ſpeak in great Aſſemblies. Now let all men conſider the genious of theſe Independents. They make the difference very little. What contentious ſpirited men then are theſe that go about to make a faction through three Kingdoms, yea through the world, for that which they proclaim themſelves a thing of nothing? And notwithſtanding what they have preacht but a Sermon before in a moderate way, in another Sermō they are all fire and toe, ſpeaking nothing but Daggers and daring; and all their diſcourſe tends to no other end but to ſtrengthen their faction & to ſet up Independency, and to exaſperate the people againſt the Presbyterians as ſo many Eſaus & Perſecutors. And for ought I can underſtand, their private meetings tend to nothing elſe but to ſtrengthen their party, where they ordinarily pray for the of the Presbyterians, of whom they uſually ſay, if there be any children of the Devill in the Kingdome, they are the Presbyterians; and one of their fat Paſtors not long ſince, in one of their Conventicles amongſt his joyned Members, being in his prayer, brake out into this expreſſion; We bleſſe thy name, holy Father, ſaith he, that thou hast kept us hither to out of the hands of our Brethren, meaning the Presbyterians, who they look on like ſo many Perſecutors and Eſau's, out of whoſe hands Jacob prayed God to deliver him: ſo that their uncharitableneſſe is ſeen in their very prayers. And nothing, as I ſaid before, pleaſeth theſe men more then to hear of any breaches amongſt the Presbyterians, and of differences betwixt Nation and Nation, and of the multiplication of their faction: for not long ſince in one of their private meetings where they pray for the ſubverſion of the Presbyterians, one of their ſociety ſaid unto an Independent Miniſter, that was come to officiate amongſt them, Sir, ſaith he, I will tell you ſome newes; What is that, replyed he? There were Letters intercepted going into Scotland from ſome of the Committee of that Nation, wherein they made a great complaint, that Independency daily increaſed in England, and that there was mighty multitudes of them in London, and through the kingdome. Oh brave (ſaith he) oh brave. Nay, ſaith the other, I will tell you more. What is that? replyed the Gentleman, The Scots and the Engliſh (ſaith he) are like to go together by the eares, about the ſhipping and coales of Newcaſtle. Better and better, ſaith he, now it begins to work. So that whereas David ſaid, What a joyfull thing it is to ſee Brethren live together in unity, theſe Independents rejoyce and glory to ſee and hear when Brethren are like to fall together by the eares. And therefore if ſuch as theſe be men of God, or Angels ſent from Heaven, they are much unlike and different from that Ho • ſt that appeared unto the Paſtors in the ſecond of Luke, who after they had preached unto them the good tydings of great joy, in their Doxalogy and praiſing of God, they ſaid, Glory vnto God in the higheſt, and on earth peace, and good will towards men. But the Independents rejoyce at ill-will amongſt men, and at diviſions and wars and that among chriſtian-brethren.

And a great man of that fraternity, not many moneths ſince, in a Knights Chamber, gloried to me, as of a matter of triumph, to think they had hindred the work of Reformation thus long; Ye ſee (ſaith he) that a little handfull of Independent Miniſters in the Synod, have given three Kingdomes imployment theſe two yeares, ſo that they can do nothing: and boaſted of this wicked act as a matter of vantation and triumph. So that if men well conſider the whole negotiation of the Independents in the Reverend Aſſembly, it is to hinder the work of reformation; then the which there cannot be a more diabolicall deſigne. And then they ſpread it abroad among the people, that they have not liberty to ſpeak, when it is moſt notorious, that one of them ſpeaks more than half a dozen of the other Miniſters. And they have publiſhed it alſo all over the Town, that the Presbyterians durſt not let their reaſons be ſet out in Print, to the view of the world, for they knew very well, that as they were unanſwerable, ſo that all the people would forthwith have been of their judgement; and by this their babble it is incredible how they have ſtrengthned their Faction, and gained diſciples, for their followers beleeve all they ſay as Goſpell. And truely, if there were nothing but theſe their under-hand dealings and malicious practiſes, and rejoycing at evill, it were enough to make all men abhor their wayes; but the truth is, they have no certainty in any thing they beleeve to day, and by their practiſes they contradict all their doctrine and tenents. And that all men may be yet a little better acquainted with the Independent Miniſters juglings, I thought good to inſert here theſe ſixteen Obſervations, ſent me by a learned and godly Gentleman, who is very well verſt in all their doctrines and manners: They are theſe.

Out of all the which, as out of my former diſcourſe, it is eaſie for any man to gather, that of all the Seducers that have yet appeared in the world, theſe are moſt to be taken heed of, whatſoever ſeeming holineſſe they may make ſhew of to the people. But that I may now draw to a concluſion of this my Poſtſcript, leaving the narration of many other paſſages of theirs till their Anſwer comes out (which their followers ſay is ready for the Preſſe) let me ſay this to all ſuch as deſire the knowledge of the truth in ſincerity, and that love peace, that all men may ſee how fair we offer the Independents, and all ſuch as are affected to their novelties: whereas the Independent Miniſters have perſwaded the people, that their Arguments by which they have laboured to prove, That in the Church of Jeruſalem there were no more Believers then could all meet in one congregation, to partake in all acts of worſhip, were unanſwerable; and have affirmed withall, that if it could be made evident or proved unto them, That there were more Chriſtians in the Church of Jeruſalem then could all meet in one Congregation, that then they would relinquiſh their opinion of Independency. I, and Mr. William Prynne Eſquire, my Brother in affliction, who the Independents have cauſeleſly maligned and reproached (not to take the work out of any learned and godly Miniſters hands, who we honour for their ſingular erudition and worth, and far prefer before our ſelves, for all ſufficiency and accompliſhed learning) ſhall with all humility undertake to maintaine and make good theſe enſuing Propoſitions.

All theſe poſitions we undertake to make good againſt all the Independents in the Kingdome, not out of any contention for victory, but truth, and that in the ſpirit of love, and not in our own ſtrength? but and in the Name and in the Power of the King eternall, immortall, the mighty Potentate the Lord of Hoſts. And if we ſhall not by the grace of God and his bleſſed aſſiſtance be able to make good what we undertake; we ſhall not refuſe to undergoe the greateſt cenſure for this our temerity. But if we make good our tenents, and evince and prove their Independency, and the manner of the gathering of their Churches to be but their own inventions, and meer novelties; all the perſecution that we ſhall then wiſh may be exerciſed againſt our Brethren; for the great diſtractions and breaches they have made among us, is this, that we ſhall deſire all the godly people of the City to be humble petitioners with us, unto the great Councell of the Kingdome; that as they lately made a pious and a godly Ordinance for the ſilencing of all ſuch as undertook the miniſtery without ſufficiency of abilities and a lawfull call: ſo they would now ſilence all theſe novelties, and command the Independent Miniſters hereafter to preach the Goſpell purely and ſincerely to the people without thoſe mixtures of their own traditions annexed to it: by which they ſhall bring a great deale of glory to God, honour to themſelves, and procure, if not peace to the whole Kingdome, yet love, amity, and unanimity, amongſt the people; which ought to be the prayer of all thoſe that wiſh the peace of Zion, and the ſalvation of their Brethren, and the welfare of the Nation.