A BLOODY PLOT Discovered against the INDEPENDENTS: WHEREIN Is laid open, the manner of this horrid Conspiracie, and how it should have been executed. With the place and hour when this fatall Blow should have been given.
Whereunto is annexed: Sixe Propositions presented to his Excellencie Sir Thomas Fairfax; concerning certain Arguments held and maintained by the Independents.
LONDON: Printed for G. E. January 21, 1647.
NEVVES FROM THE ARMY.
FRom the Army it is certified, that his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax doth use his utmost endeavour for the appeasing of any Tumults or Mutinies that are (divers times) at their full height and growth, by reason of some contrary Opinions: And is also very desirous that all differences whatsoever may be composed, which are too much springing up in the hearrs of divers Officers and Souldiers in the Army.
Nay further, divers malignant Spirits in the Countries are too busie in sowing of Discord in this unparalleld [Page]Army, by covering their gallant actions with calumnious aspersions.
Therefore to be briefe, and to instance some of these unto you, I shall in the first place intimate unto you, a thing worthy of recitall, and fit for publike view, viz.
Upon the last Fast day, divers honest and wel affected persons had appointed a meeting within a mile of Northampton, resolving, to expresse and declare the Scriptures each to other, which accordingly they did: but (with some difficulties) they plunged through certain distempered waters: For, when they were at this holy Exercise, and laying open the Word, comparing chapter with chapter, and text with text, divers of the townsmen seemed somewhat offended, desiring their Minister to send for the chiefe Instrument of this private Assembly, and to have some conference and disputation with him, concerning their opinions, & the arguments they held, which was accordingly done; and immediatly one Mr. Gregory made his apperance at the Ministers house, where it seemes some expressions were uttered, that gave him offence; thereupon he declared himself to [Page]the Generall, his Excellency (after some consultation thereupon) referred the businesse to a Councel of War (so ready was his Excellency to redresse all grievances of this nature) the Parson presents his Articles to that Councel, viz.
- I. THat the said Mr. Gregory had said, that the Parson was a Minister of Antichrist, and not of Christ.
- II. That he thought he was bound to unfold the mind of Scripture, as it was revealed to him.
- III That he had preached not long before in two tubs in Oxfordshire.
- IV. That he would preach in the steeple house-yard.
- V. That he hoped to see free trading on the Sabbath day.
- [Page]VI. That he said, that the Psalmes were no Scripture.
The Councel of Warre had a long debate about these Articles, and upon examination of them it was resolved, that none of them were against the Lawes and articles of War except only the first article, which (that they might no wayes seem to connive at any offence) they brought under that attickle of reproachfull speeches, and ordered Mr. Gregory to make an acknowledgement to the Parson. And for further satisfaction, examined the particulars of the other articles (of which few could be proved) yet he made a satisfactory Declaration, concerning what he published in them, and what not, and that he did not deny the Psalmes to be Scripture, &c. (as was suggested) so that this judicious Councell discharged him upon this acknowledgment, and committed him to prison for one night, leaving the Parson to accuse him elswhere, if he thought fit.
Another passage I shall think meet to intimate unto you, which hapned very lately in Buckinghamshire, where one Mr. Ives a [Page]trooper, preached at the request of some of his friends, and was by divers very well approved of. But the inveterate malice of the Malignant party were grown to such an aspiring height, that most wickedly and barbarously a great number of them had complotted together, to cut of those precious Saints, who had assembled together, in the Name of the Lord Jesus, for the searching & laying open his sacred Word, that so they might be the better able to discover those sweet & soul-saving Notions expressed therin, and to know the Will of their Redeemer. The complotters came to the place where the Independents were, giving out many reviling words, and threatning language, saying that they should all suffer very suddenly. Whereupon, some of the Parliaments forces being near, and hearing of it, came immediatly to rescue them, and to apprehend the Conspirators, but being over-powred, they received the worst, divers of them being dangerously wounded. For the Malignant party had got a word, (for the King) that so they might know all those that would side with them against the Roundheads. And being [Page]somewhat powerfull, and too strong for the Parliaments Party, they got the day, making their escape, and wounded a Captain, and divers others. There is great care taken, though out the Parliaments quarters, for the apprehending of these Complotters. Some of them are men of eminency; but its hoped a short time will produce their appearance.