WOe and alas, the day of absolution is at hand whereby wee shall be freed from our sinnes of superstition a [...]d worship­ping of God in his Service with superfluous Ce­remonies, which now is termed by many Idola­trous rags of Popery, the originall whereof they say came from the Pope, which is called Anti­christ, and introduced into our Church by the great Patriarch at Lambeth, which if a Parlia­ment had not hapned in the Climactericall yeare of his fall, and that he had but obtained the dig­nitie of a Cardinall, we might then have beene sure of protection from his little Grace, and have beene by him defended, and maintained our meanes and revenues, augmented not diminished, and might have risen to great preferment; but now all these our hopes are frustrate, our grand Patron of our infirm [...]ies is in Limbo, his little [Page]honour is now coverted to great disgrace, which if he had had but the knowledge to predicted his fate, he would have endeavoured to have preven­ted it. But he was it seemes so confident of his power and safety in his place of dignity, that if Augustus Cesar had been now to warre against him, he could not be vanquished. But wee may see how vaine a thing it is to trust in riches, in fri [...]nds, or in the favour of princes in the time of danger, for nothing is able to defend from the just vengeance of God, against hainous trans­gressors and offendours: And if wee had but thought in the least manner of these times, wee would have been more cautious in seeking the favour of great men, and submitting our selves to their wills be they never so refractory from that which is good, for hopes of a little prefer­ment, but truly I thought as I was taught that it was no sinne to use Ceremonies, but that they were things of an indifferent quallity, and might be used without offence, but one comfort is I could not be brought to conceive the exercise of them to be of absolute necessity to salvation, as some of the learned prelates would have it, but a thing that might be aswell refused as used, yet I could never have the power to refuse the use of them, for that preferment had the predomi­nance in my braine, and I [...]onceived it better to live in some good fashion, pleasing to men, then in disg [...]ace and disfavour of the higher powers, [Page]daily in danger by them to be questioned and sentenced to be pillored and lose my eares, nay and per [...]hance fined and banished, or perpetuall impris [...]nment, in goo [...]-sooth I loved my repu­tation, eares, money and liberty better then so. But now the current of the streame runnes in a­nother channell, I must goe with the tyde, least now on the other side I may be in as much dan­ger as I was before, for using these Ceremonies in the exercise of Religion is the best way to save my place, or to have some meanes allowed mee for the mrintenance of my selfe, wife, and children, for which purpose I might have in the time I have been preferred to this place, furni­shed my selfe with sufficient monies which I have gotten by the by besides my yearely pension for singing; as for teaching to sing young Artists in that Science, and other wayes, but that I was too much given to the Taverne and Ale-house, yea, and to play now and then at Venus Game with loving Citizens wives, whom I would almost perswade I could procure pardon for that offence But those joyes are gone, I must now betake my selfe to another course of life, or else I doubt I shall fare as those doe in the Catehouse: But what thinke you, will Organs and finging be put downe as well as Ceremonies.

Organist. Truly I have heard there are many enemies towards us as to you, and strive hard to bring us to destruction, so that our Ancient and famous Sound may be no more heard in this fa­mous Island of England, which hath beene glori­ous for Zeale and Devotion in religion all over Europe: But yet we hold up and use our pro­fession without contradiction, which I hope will still be continued as a decent and comely thing in the Church, and a remembrance of the Ordi­nances of the Law, and serves fitly to shew that we acknowledge in our religion aswell the Law as the Gospel, and agrees well to the retunying of both Testaments in print in this Kingdome, and that wee este me not one above the other, which is contrains; and I thinke Brother singer your profession will hold still.

[...]erist. If that continues I care not, for let them doe what they will with Ceremonies, I can as well sing without a Surplice or black Hood and Tippet, or Cope, or any other Implement what­soever, if it shall be so thought fit and comman­ded, for I am of the same religion with the Par­liament and the State; If they command I will obey; and if there were no Parliament, then t [...]e greatest in Authority in the State I would obey right or wrong, it's the best policie to serve the times, and change with the wind, for by that meanes I may be safe when others are questio­ned, at home in peace and security when others [Page]for their Constancy are one time or another, be they in the true or false way, troubled and op­pressed, therefore my study and endeavour shall be to keep my selfe as much as I can, at all times, and upon all occasions from danger.

Wel Brother we wil talke more con­cerning this businesse at this time, but referre the same till wee heare more, and then wee will ad­vise with our best wits what course will be best for us to take.

Let us then so doe. Farewell.