YOur condition being like the state of Demetrius and the Crafts-men, Acts 19. 24. to the 29. Your Estates, Tithes, Honour, yea your all-being not onely in great danger, I cannot blame you to cry out for help, your Diana and her Magnificence and Temple, being likely, not only to be despised & destroyed; but your craft also being in great danger to be set at naught. And also your cunning craftines whereby you lie in waite to deceive, discovered.

Yet notwithstanding, I cannot but admire at your weaknes in that you take upon you the name, or title of the Ministers of the Gospell, having received ordination from your reverend Fathers, the Lord Arch-Bishops, and Lord Bishops, &c. pretending to renounce that Ordination sent over by Austine the Monke, from Pope Gregory the 7. Peters pretended Succes­sor, and Christs Vicar Generall upon earth; but this being discovered, & your craft failing herein Jure divino, you obtaine an Ordinance of Par­liament Jure humano to ordaine withall, making good the proverb, a bad shift is better then none at all, by which meanes you became Parliaments servants, and not Christs Ministers, from whom also you know you have your wages by their Ordinance with trebble damages, and upon ref [...]all commitment without Bayle or mainprize, being in your esteeme better then Christs words, freely you have received, freely give, Matt. 10. 8. or the Apostles Acts 20. 33. 34. 35. compare with 1 Cor. 4. 11, 12. Thes. 1. 2. 9. & 2. 3. 8. or as Fox in his Acts and Monuments declares, The maintenance of the Ministers is the pure almes of the Church. A condition to meane, and low for these plush and silken Ministers of these times.

And truly, as you came in, and began to be set up by the Sword, and authority of the civill Magistrate: even so you stand and continue; and not by any rule, power, or Authority of Christ.

And for the wounding the Gospell through your sides which you speak of, if you consider, and weigh your words in the Ballance of the Sanctua­ry, you will find it to be your selves that cheifly wound it, as your Pre­dicessors the Scribes and Pharises, did the Doctrin of the Apostles, as Acts 4. 1. to the 21. and 6. 8. to the 14. and 22. 22. from whence Theodore Beza sweetly observes, That false Teachers, because they will not be over­come, flee from disputations to Magistrates, and open slandering, and false ac­cusations; and that the first bloudy persecution of the Church of Christ be­gan, and sprung from a Councell of Preists by the suggestions of the Ʋniver­sity Doctors. But your words hold true, concerning the true Ministers of the Gospell, who can prove their call, and Ordination by the word of God, as Acts 20. 27. 33. 34. 35. 36. and 2 Cor. 11. 23, to the 28.

And whereas you say, you are charged to the Authors of all the King­doms troubles, fomenters of these unnaturall divisions; and bloudy wars, who are they whose eyes the Lord in any measure hath opened but see it? Who have been the main Instruments but you? The one part of you stiring up the King & his pary, the other part of you the Parliament & their par­ty, to fight & kill one another for the Gospell, though brethren and in the nearest relation in Church fellowship.

How did you presse that text curse ye Meroz, yea with a bitter curse, to cause people to bring in their plate, money and jewells; and to send out their husbands, servants and children, and if they died in the cause, their soules would be in heaven, before their bodies would be in the graves? And how did you dissemble, to stir up men to go out against the Kings Army, and yet not against the King and to bring [all men] without re­spect of persons to condigne punishment, yet not the King? But when you saw your honour, riches, & indeed [your all] was lapt up in him, then with Pilate you began to change your notes, & to pretend to wash your hands in Innocency saying, I am clear from the bloud of this just man; But be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he reap. And as you have sowen in bloud, so shall ye have blood to drink for ye are worthy. Yea the whole Antichristian State, from the Prelate to the Sexton, as well as from the Pope to the poorest Fryer; because in you, to wit, in that State is found the blood of Prophets and Saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth; all which, all those whose eyes the Lord [Page 3] hath in any measure inlightned, knowes you have in your measure fulfil­led, and that for your own meere Interests, power, and gaine of your goodly fat benefices (which now are) as Demetrius with the Tradesmen of the like occupation was, Acts 19. 24 to 30. In great danger and hazard of losing, which some had rather have the ruine of the Nation, then the losse of their Trade, gaine, and benefice; for are you not such as Micha speaks of that preach for hire, and divine for money, and yet will leane on the Lord, &c.

Thus you whose names are there subscribed are proved, although Mi­nisters of Essex, yet no Ministers of Christ, but State Ministers, and there­fore cannot act according to the example of the Apostles, or other the faithfull Servants of Jesus Christ, till such time as with the Jewes. Acts 3. 19. yee repent and be converted that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord, and untill such time as you change your mindes, and obey the Com­mands of Jesus, against whom, in his Members you have ingaged to up­hold your own pride, covetousnesse, and persecution, with contempt of your poor brethren whom you ignorantly pretend, to be misled with ig­norance and false zeale, but brethren I hope that through ignorance you do it.

To the next, you have not without great weaknesse discovered your ignorance, that when God according to his promise is inlightning the earth with knowledge, as the waters cover the Sea, in discovering the mysterie of Iniquity, and throwing down the Kingdom of Antichrist, whereby your Church indeed is in great danger and hazard, [but not the Church of Christ] which by this meanes flourisheth abundantly, increa­sing dayly, And therefore there must be great alterations in Doctrine and Worship, for saith Christ, Mat. 15. 13. Every plant which my heaven­ly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. And for yo [...]r faithfull consci­encious Professors as you call them, to be persecuted to bonds, flight, and imprisonment, Its well your eyes are opened in your own cause, to see persecution for Conscience so great a sinne which all this while you have wincked at, [it seemes the case is altered] had you formerly made Christs rule yours: whatsoever you would that men should do unto you, the same do you unto them, this need not have been:

And truly Sirs, if Popery should not be connived at, what would become of all your administrations. And for your grievous op­pressions in the Liberties and properties of the Subjects, which you say [Page 4] you fighed for [good Sirs pitty your selves, or be better informed for the greatest burthen that ever came of late to this Land, was that Ordi­nance for Tithes with treble dammages, or commitment without bayle or main prize upon non payment.

For the Parliaments Declaration you speak of, upon the first and se­cond time of meeting apprehending the danger of the State and the Church, how it say upon your hearts, it may easily be conceived, the day approaching their Declarations, Petitions, Remonstrances, &c. The blame lying upon the evill Councellors, but who were those evill Councellors, search and see, 1 Kings 22. 20. 21. who must perswade Ahab to go up and fall at Ramouth Giliad, but the evill spirit in the mouth of all his Pro­phets: here you may clearly see the chief Instruments and Insendiaries, compared with Revel. 16. 13. 14.

Here was the cause of fear, and the Kings leaving the Parliament, and raysing his Army, which kindled that fire which will hardly be quenched, but in the distruction of you or the Kingdom, if not timely prevented. And for the League and Covenant you so much speak of, we should de­sire but the performance thereof, and in particular, for Religion to have it established according to the word of God, and the best reformed Churches, which I hope you will grant to be according to the primitive institutions; for know through the mercy of God, we are not ignorant, that your National Presbyterial Churches are as truly Antichristian, as the Papal or Prelatical, it being the third part of that great City Babylon, Revel. 16. 19. which now comes in remembrance before God to give unto her the cup of the fiersness of his wrath, compared with verse 13. 14.

And as the Kings of the earth have given their power and strength unto the beast, as in the raising, so to the upholding of that Antichri­stian state, they therein giving their power and strength unto the beast, making Warre, with the Lambe in his Members, to wit, with his poor Saints and Servants: But the Lambe shall overcome them, for he is the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, Revel. 17. 13. 14. And they that are with him, are called, and chosen and faithful, compared with Rom. 1. 7. But the waters where the whore sitteth, are peoples and mul­titudes, and nations and tongues, not redeemed and gathered out from them, and so made Kings and Priests, being redeemed by his blood, out of every kindred and tongue, and people and Nation. Revel. 5. 9.

Also observe, Revel. 17. 16. These ten hornes there spoken of, which are ten Kings, to wit, Christian Kings as you call them, who shall upon the consideration of their being so wofully bewitched by those Froggs and Locusts that come out of the smoke, that assendeth out of the bottom­lesse [Page 5] pit, hate the whore and make her desolate & naked, & eate her flesh, & burn her with fire, for God hath put into their hearts to fulfil his wil, and to agree, and give their Kingdom to the beast, untill the words of God shall be fulfilled. And truly we may now say as Christ once said, Luke 4. 21. This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your eares. That therefore the Magistrate would consider this, and take notice that for your part you are not the men that the Lord will give deliverance to his people by, but according to the words of the Lord by Jer. the 49, 20. Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out, surely a company of poor de­spised Mechanick men must doe it.

Again, Consider how much Innocent and Ignorant blood hath been spilt by the civill Magistrates, to set up and uphold, not theirs, but the Kingdom of Antichrist, least it be one day made good according to the saying of Isaiah, Isa. 60. 12. For that Kingdom and nation that will not serve thee shall perish, yea those nations shall be utterly wasted, of which cup of Gods wrath, this Kingdom with some others have already deeply tasted, according to Luke 20. 17, 18. compared with Acts 3. 23. And he beheld them and said what is this then that is written, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner, whosoever shall fall on that stone shall be broken, but on whomsoever it shall fall it will grind him to powder. You being such indeed as Micha speaks of Micha 3. 5. Thus saith the Lord concerning the Prophets, that make my people erre, that bite with their teeth and cry peace, and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare warre against them, &c. compared with, Zach. 13. 2 3, 4.

Next you say, The Parliament seeing which way the Councel of the King steered, apprehended a necessitie of raising armes for the defence of themselves and the Kingdom, wherein they make you their Instru­ments, to stirre up the people (as fittest for that purpose) wherein they declare for the maintaining of the Protestant Religion, which notwith­standing you have sate so long, and enjoyed so many goodly fat benefi­ces by their favour, yet have you never declared to the people, what this Protestant Religion, so called, and which you so much speak of is, much lesse proved your Presbyterian Nationall Church and Directorie to be it. And Sir I hope you think the preservation of the Freemen of England, whose servants they are, and you ought to be, but are indeed grown their Masters, according to Salomons words, being indeed that evill which he saw under the Sun, Eccles. 10. 5, 6, 7. There is an evill [Page 6] which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the Ruler. Folly is set in great dignity or height, and the rich sit in low place. I have seen servants upon horses, and Princes walking as servants upon the earth. I say I hope you will have them preferre the good and safety of the Na­tion before any particular persons whatsoever. But had you been Mini­sters of the Gospel, you would have done as they, did mentioned Acts 6. 1. to the 4. who refused to leave the word of God to serve Tables.

And truly for ingaging in the cause, being called unto it by lawfull Authority, in matters civill I grant they are a lawfull Authority; But in matters Ecclesiasticall concerning the government of the Church of Christ, there [neither they] nor you have any authority, the Govern­ment being wholly on Christs shouldiers, Isa. 9. 6. compare with Matt. 28. 18. James 4. 12. he ruling by his own Lawes, and not your acts nor commands.

And truly had it been, that you had been Ministers of the Gospel, you durst not leave your flock to attend upon the Civill State and affairs of the Kingdom, seeing the Apostles thought it not meet to leave the word to serve Tables, that was to look to the necessity of the Saints; for which service they chose out seaven Deacons, fitly qualified for that purpose as before is shewed. I shall say no more to this, but what the Lord saith Isa. 29. 7. to the 17. And for powring out your prayers in your daies of humiliation, you have done as the Lord complains Isa. 58. 2. to the 8. Yet they seek me dayly, and delight to know my waies, as a Nation that did righteousnes, and forsook not the Ordinance of their God: they aske of me the Ordinance of Justice: they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted say they, and thou seest not? Wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast you finde pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife, and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickednes, ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow downe his head like a Bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an ac­ceptable day to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickednesse, to undoe the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed goe free; and that ye break every yoake? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hun­gry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thy self from thine [Page 7] own flesh, then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily, and thy righteousnesse shall go before thee. The glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward, &c.

For your Appeale to God the searcher of all hearts, to whom you must give accompt of all your ways, that these were your grounds of your first Engagement and intentions in it, But pray take in with you the love of money the root of all evill.

And for your amazement, consider what the Lord saith, Isa. 29. 9. 10. Stay your selves and wonder, they are blind and make you blind, they are drunken, but not with wine, they stagger, but not with strong drink, for the Lord hath powred out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes, the Prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered &c.

Again you say, to see a warre begun for the defence of Religion, like­ly to end in the ruin thereof, herein you discover your great ignorance in the mystery of the Gospel, for now is the Lord making good his pro­mise, that the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the Sea. God powring out his spirit upon all flesh, as Isa. 11. 9. Acts 2. 4. Where they all spake as the spirit gave them utte­rance [not Books, & Arts, Learned at the Universities.] And this is accor­ding to the desire of that faithfull servant and type of Christ Moses, when Joshuah the Son of Nun his servant, desired Moses to forbid Eldad and Medad from prophesying, saying: Enviest thou for my sake, would God that all the Lords people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them, for know the Ministers of the Gospel are fitted for their service by gifts from heaven, as Ephes. 4. 8. 11. to the 15. And not by Arts, learned at Oxford or Cambridge; although I desire not in the least to take any thing from them, that is properly due to humane learning, as thereby to fit men for the service of the State and Common Wealth.

Again you say, the Warre was begun for the defence of the King and Parliament, to end in the death of the King, and violation of the Parlia­ment. Herein you shew as little judgement in civill things as in spirituall, but your London brethren at Zion Colledge hath been sufficiently answe­red to this,

Next you speak of the feares about Religion and Parliament, which you say is turned into sorrows, I blame you not, for the mysterie of Ini­quity is discovered, and your cunning craftinesse whereby you lye in wait to deceive also, who are those great merchants of the earth, with your [Page 8] weeping and wailing, for no man buyeth your merchandize any more? The which is much aggravated in you by the Agreement of the people, wherein your flattering with the Parliament, concerning the tender ther­of is much discovered.

And for the draught of poyson you speak of, I wish this nation had been no more poysoned with the golden cup of the Whore; And for the love & care you speak of, to the people of your respective flocks, your Ordinance for Tyths with treble damages without bayle or mainprize, upon refusall will sufficiently demonstrate it, wherein you have as your reverend Fathers indeavoured, to rule with violence, not by love.

And whereas your hearts tremble, to think of the subversion of the ancient well grounded government of the Kingdom; the Protestant Re­ligion, what do you meane? what ayle you? Have not your selves done this, in cutting of your Reverend Fathers the Prelates? Alasse! they by their Agreement desire to take away all slaverie and tyrannie, brought in by Tyrants, and their flatterers, in their Civill or Ecclesiasti­call Government, and instead thereof inright the Freemen of England, and their posterity in their civill rights; and the liberty of the Gospel of King Jesus in its due, to wit, to set up his government by his lawes and Statutes only.

Next you speak of an unlimited power of Parliament, and that in Re­ligion, surely the word of the Lord is fulfilled, Isay 44. 25. Saying that frustrateth the tokens of Lyars, that maketh diviners mad, that turneth wisemen backward, and maketh their knowledge foolishnesse, &c.

But truly Sirs, I cannot agree with you in neither of these, for first in civill things, for which they are properly called together, they are not to act for their own ends, and by respects, but for the good, safety, and wel being of the people, their Trusters or Impowrers, by whom they may, and ought to be called to an account, if they should neglect to performe their duty: For if in things civill, the Parliament have an unlimited power, why complain you of the Executions done in Queen Maries dayes by a Parliamentarie power, with the consent of your Re­verend Fathers the Prelates. As also in Queen Elizabeths dayes upon Barrow, Greenwood and Penrie, who were hanged for professing against the Common Prayer book, which now you practice, the case being alte­red, neither are we ignorant of the turnings, changings and unchange­ings, of you Priests, as in Henry the eights dayes Papists, in Edward the 6. Protestants, in Queen Maries Papists, in Queen Elizabeths Prote­stants [Page 9] in K. James and K. Charles his dayes, for the Bishops and Episcopal Government. Now for the Presbyterian, a greater Benefice being a load­stone sufficient to carrie the greater part of you after it, like some Law­yers that looks more at the greatnesse of th [...] Fee, then the goodnesse of the cause, nay being Feed, leaves his Client, and turns on the other side, I would there were none such fate in the House of Commons.

Secondly, For Religion, they receive no authority or charge from God, he having given that power and prerogative onely to his Sonne King Jesus, they being Masters of the flesh only, but God the Father of Spirits, and therefore [...]is worship being spirituall, he requires only vo­luntary, spirituall worshippers to worship him, as John 4. 24. God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth, &c.

For the many Oaths, Protestations, and Covenants you speak of, I feare, as Jeremiah saith, For these the Land mourneth, for it had been good if they had been fully debated concerning the lawfulnesse of them, before they had been with such violence forced upon the Nation, al­though now you desire not to have them kept: for if not lawfull by the word of God, they are of no more force then theirs that had bound themselves with an Oath, neither to eate nor drink, till they had killed Paul, Acts 23. 12.

And whereas you object against the Ambiguity or darknesse, in that it is said, it is intended that Christian Religion should be held forth, as the publick profession of this Nation; yet doth not declare what that Chri­stian Religion is. And can you object this? Have you forgot the Prote­station, Covenant, Vowes, League and Covenant you engaged this Na­tion in, for the Protestant Religion, yet never did declare what that Protestant Religion was you intended, and so much spake of.

And whereas you alledge, that all Sects and Errors in the Church of Christ (nay take the Church of Antichrist to it) since the Apostles dayes, do all lay claime to Christian Religion, and may by this Agreement plead, at least stand as Probationers for the priviledge of publick profes­sion: I wonder else, how could you all this while come in for a share, and are you not herein as those of whom the Apostle saith. Yee pro­fesse that ye know God, yet in works you deny him, &c. Titus 1. 16.

And whereas you seem to take offence, that only the Popish and Pre­laticall are left out, I shall desire to include them also, otherwise I nor you, nor they can obey Christs commands, Mat. 7. 12. and Luke 6. 31. to wit, to doe to all men, as we would they should doe unto us.

In the next place, I joy that you desire that God would increase that care in you and others to have Religion reformed to the greatest puritie in doctrine, worship and Discipline, according to the word of God, and for instructing people in a publick way. And for the confutation of He­resie and Errour, &c. How can this be done, and not liberty of conscience granted? I hope then the truth will not be confined as it hitherto hath been by you, within the Lips only of the Tribe of Levi, as you call them. But that others shall have liberty to speak, either to add unto, or con­tradict if erroneous.

To the second branch, where sound doctrine, and a good conversati­on shall be the only meanes to winne upon the contrary minded, I shall plentifully prove that to be according to the Gospel rule. As 2 Tim. 2. 24. 25, 26.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle towards all men, apt to teach, patient, in meeknesse, instructing the contrarie minded, &c.

And for your distinction of Paganisme, I have elsewhere, proved your state Antichristian, and to be farre worse, and is compared to Sodom and Aegypt, the vety worst of Heathens, and therefore not to have given their hands and Seales to Christ, nor taken upon them the profession of faith in him, unlesse it be implicite, to beleeve as the Church beleeves, or by tradition of men.

And whereas you conceive there is so much zeale for God and for his truth in the people of England, that did they but know the liberty intended and endeavonred after, they would be so far from subscribing their hands to the Agreement, that at the very hearing of it, they would Rent their cloaths, and cast dust upon their heads. Sirs I beleeve it, for as the children of Israel, who had been a long time in bondage and slavery in Aegypt, God sending his servant Moses to deliver them in their jour­ney, they murmered against him, desiring rather to return and remain by their Flesh-pots with Onions and Leekes, then to be transported into the Land of Canaan, so these having drunk so deep a draught of the golden cup of the Whore from your hands, that they are now in the same condition that the Jewes were to whom Paul preached the Gos­pel, Acts 22. 22, 23. Who said, Away with such a fellow from the earth for it is not fit that he should live, crying out casting of their cloaths, and thron­ing dust into the ayre, &c.

Then you fall into the old strain of enveighing against Anabaptists, An­tinomians, Arminians, Arians, Socinians, Phocinians, &c. never shewing [Page 11] what they are, much lesse confuting their doctrine to be erronious, nei­ther can you bring any part of the Gospell to prove, that these men, were they as erroneous as you pretend, should be persecuted for their opinions, and not enjoy the Liberty of their Conscience. But herein you shew your selves brethren to James and John, That would have had fire come down from heaven to consume the Samaritanes. But as Christ said to them, so say I to you, Yee know not of what spirit ye are of, for the Sonne of man is not come to destroy mens lives but to save them.

And for your feare of overthrowing the Oath of Allegiance and Su­premecie, your Shibboleths, if they had never been; but according to James his words, yea Christ himself not to have sworn at all, we had been far better, and the sin of perjury and swearing would not have lain upon the Land, as I feare it now doth.

The rest of the discourse is as much as in you lyes to hinder a generall Libertie of Conscience in matters of worship, which is your Parenthisis, your flie in the box of oyutment, disabling the power of the civill Magi­strate, and Societies in private Families.

And why are you so invictive against the Papists and Prelaticall, your late reverend Fathers from whom you had your Ordination, being, and maintenance, [Oh Ingratitude!] That children should so degenerate, as to seek the death and overthrow of their Fathers, that so they may get into their possessions, which you have done by Papists and Prelates. And whereas you say, Poperie and Prelacie may have liberty by the A­greement, because they make profession of faith in God by Jesus Christ, do you Presbyters any more? Are ye not of those the Apostle speaks of, Titus 1. 16. That professe they know God but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate, or void of judgement. In which your practice, you shew your woolvish nature de­rived from your Fathers, that notwithstanding by the providence of God your rage is stopt, and teeth struck out. Yet like a muzled Woolfe doe you not retaine your nature of snapping and snarling, making good the word of the Lord, Jer. 13. 23. Can the Ethiopian change his skin, on the Leopard his spots, then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evill. compared with verse 22. and chapt. 5. 19.

For your conclusion, upon your being better informed and inlightned in your minds, I wish your light prove not darknesse, for then how great is that darknesse, and whereas you do all freely and solemnly underwrite the substance of what is there published concerning the honour of [Page 12] God, I shall be of your mind, when I see you with the Jewes and the Go [...]lor cry out, What shall we doe to be saved, Acts 2. 37. and 16. 30.

Or with those that used curious Arts, and burnt their books, when you go and do likewise, Acts 19. 1 [...].

Or according to Christs command, and the Apostles rule and practice preach the Gospel freely, getting that Ordinance for Tiths repealed, with your tr [...]ble dammages or imprisonment, without Bayle or Main­price.

When with the D [...]mzell, in whom was the spirit of divination, Acts 16. 16. You confesse those whom you revile and persecute, to be the servants of the living God, that shew forth the glorious Institutions of the Gospel of Christ the way of salvation, renouncing all Antichristian practice and traditions of men, that you have neither precept nor exam­ple for. Then and not untill then, shall I judge you to be no Malig­nants against Christ, nor Sectaries, nor Schismaticks from the only rule of Christ.

But herein Reader take notice of two things: the state of the Nati­onall Church of the Jewes under the Law, from the world, distinguished by circumcision, and the Church of Christ under his government in the time of the Gospel, distinguished by baptisme or dipping.

That being a Covenant of works made with Abraham, and his carnall or naturall seed after the flesh. The other being a new Covenant made with Christ, beleevers, Isaac and his spirituall seed, being of the faith of Abraham. Gal. 3. 7. 26. 28, 29. compared with Rom. 9. 7. 8. Iohn 1. 12, 13. and 3, 4, 5.

2. We hinder not men from Instructing, Catechising, and perswa­ding their families, either Magistrates, or private persons, yea and to powre out themselves with Jeremiah and Paul in prayer for them: But not to use any violence or carnall weapons to force them to the wor­ship that God requires, under the Gospel by Christ, it being spirituall, according to that great Charter, Mat. 28. 19, 20. His Churches being so gathered in the Primitive times, and ought to be so gathered after the Apostacie of the man of sin, to wit, by one and the same rule and ministrie, &c. being taken from the Heathens or Antichristians, al­though you seem to make a difference, for the word sets forth the state of Antichrist, to be Sodom and Aegypt, the worst of Heathens, If you will make a difference.

I shall now desire to shew you what was practised under the Law, as [Page 13] also under the Gospel, concerning Liberty of Conscience, with the grounds and reasons for it. And lastly shew you how persecution for conscience came in, and was afterwards agrivated to uphold, not the Church of Christ, but the state and [...]hurch of Antich [...]ist.

First then, were our Religion as false as you our Adversaries pretend, yet were that no ground to take away our lives, estates, o [...] banish us, pul­ling down our houses to make Iakes therof, and hang us on the timber, as some of eminency have preached for before authority, I spare to name them. I say we proving loyall to our Country, though holding errors in our judgements, yet were that no ground for persecution, as is cleare from Christ by the parable of the Tares, Mat. 13. Whereby the Tares must needs be understood, men professing a false Religion, which when some would have had them pluckt up, Christ declared his mind to the co [...]t [...]ary, and commanded they should be let alone, and grow with the wheat, untill the harvest in the world. Although not in the Church, least men undertaking to pluck up the Tares, wanting wisedom to di­stinguish, pluck up the wheat in stead thereof, as it hath and doth often come to passe, according to the words of Christ, which shews that some shall be so blindly led, and devoted as to kill the Saints, thinking there­by that they do God service, and therefore Christ will have the tares let alone with the wheat, untill the harvest, then who without great sin can attempt to pluck them up before that time.

And this doth no way contradict Gods word which saith, that Magi­strates are Gods Ministers to take vengeance on them that do evill, the tares being sinners against God in false Religion; whom he hath reser­ved to be punished with flaming fire at the day of Christ, the other be­ing trespassers against men, and are justly to be punished by the civill Magistrate, and herein we give to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods.

3. The Lord commandeth, that those that are blindly led on in a false Religion, and are offended with him for the teaching of the Gospel, should be let alone, and referreth their punishment to the falling into the ditch, Mat. 15. 14. And Phil. 3. 3. For we are the Circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoyce in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Thirdly, the Lord Christ reproveth those Disciples, that would have had fire come down from heaven, and consume the Samaritans that would not receive him, in these words, Ye know not of what Spirit ye are, [Page 14] for the Son of Man is not come to destroy mens lives but to save them. Which sheweth plainly, that Christ would have no man hurt for Religon, yea, though they were refusers of himself. Luke 9. 54. 55. 56.

Fourthly, when the Lord Christ sent forth the twelve to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom; this is the utmost that he directed them unto concerning those that should refuse to hear their words, namely, Mat. 10. 14. 15. To shake off the dust of their feet for a Testimony against them, lea­ving their further punishment to the day of Judgement. This was clear under the Law, where none was compelled to the worship of God by the Authority of the Civill Magistrate; but as the Lord did perswade the heart by his Word. And as this was so under the Law, much more in the time of the Gospel, the Body being of Christ: as first, by the Com­mission of Christ given to the Apostles, where Christ sheweth, though all power in Heaven and Earth was his, yet he only appoints Preaching the Gospel, for gathering of his Churches throughout the world: accor­ding to Pauls words, where he saith, The weapons of our war-fare are not carnall, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds, casting down Imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God. Gen. 9. 27. Exo. 35. 5. 21. 22. 23. Psa. 18. 43. 44. 110. 3. Col. 2. 17. Matt. 28. 19. 20. 2 Cor. 10. 4. 5.

Again the same Apostle commandeth, 2 Tim. 2. 24. That the servant of the Lord strive not, but be gentle towards all men, suffering the evill in­structing with meeknes the contrary minded, proving, if God at any time will give them repentance, that they may acknowledge the Truth▪ and come to amendment, out of the snare of the Devill. Which plainly sheweth, that repentance must be continually waited for, and not con­strained by violence and persecution; and that because repentance is the gift of God, and cannot be given by man: and therefore Religion not to be forced or compelled. Ephes. 2. 5. 8.

According to these commands the holy Prophets fore-told, That when the Law of Moses should cease, in matters of worship, and the Law of the Messias should be set up instead thereof, that then the carnall Wea­pons should cease They shall break their Swords into Mattocks, and their Speares into Sythss, Nation shall not rise against Nation, neither shall they learne War any more;

They shall sit every man under his vine and under his own fig-tree, and none shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord ha [...]h spoken it; There shall none hurt nor destroy in all my holy Mountaine, for the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the Waters cover the Sea, Which [Page 15] when Christ came, he taught and practied and so did his Apostles and servants: Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my Soul is well pleased; I will put my sppirit upon him, and he shall shew Judgement to the Gentiles; he shall not strive nor crie, neither shull any man he are his voice in the streets; a bruised Reed shall he not break, and smoak­ing Flax shall he not quench, till he send forth Judgement unto victory. Ad­vising them to be so far from persecuting those that should oppose, and not be of their Religion, that when they were persecuted they should pray, when they were cursed they should blesse, leaving the Judgement to God. Isa. 2, 4. Micha 4. 3. 4. Isa. 11. 9. Isa. 42. 1, 2, 3. Matt. 12. 18. 19, 20. 2 Tim. 2. 24, 25, 26. 2 Cor. 10. 4. Rom. 12. 14, to the 20.

The reason of all is, They who are now blind, may see; They who now reject the Truth, may receive it; They who are now Tares, may become Wheat; They who are now in the snare of the Devill, through wicked works, and adversaries to the Truth, may hereafter come to re­pentance; They that are now Blasphemers and persecutors as Saint Paul was, may in time become most glorious and faithfull witnesses, as he did; They that are now Idolators as the Corinthians somtimes were, may hereafter as they, become true worshippers of God; They who for the present are no people of God in vissible appearance, nor under mercy, may hereafter become the people of God, obtaining mercy as the Saints have done; for some come not till the eleaventh houre, though some came at the First, Third, and sixt houre, yet some not till the last; which should they be put to death, because they come not with the first, they then would be prevented from comming at all. Acts 8. 3. Acts 9. 5. 6. 1 Cor. 6. 9. 1 Pet. 2. 10. Matt. 20. 6.

It is affirmed by King James of famous memory, in his Speech at the Sessions of Parliament, Anno 1609. That it is a sure rule in Devinity, That God never loves to plant his Church with violence and Blood­shed.

Again, in his Apollogy for the oath of Allegiance, Pag. 4. speaking of those Papists that took the said Oath, saith, I gave a good proof for it; that I never intended persecution for Conscience cause, but only desired to be secured of them for Civill obedience. It was usually the condition of the Christians to be persecuted, but not to persecute. And lamenta­ble it is to see the folly of late times, and we cannot but greive at the fol­ly of men, who think by humane Inventions, and carnall aide of Lawes, and Statutes, to help God and with worldly power and pomp, to defend [Page 14] [...] [Page 15] [...] [Page 16] the Churches of Christ; as if he by his own power were not able to do it, and to perform his own will. Matt. 27. 52. 53. 54.

The Church hath formerly bin known, by enduring Misery and impri­sonment; but it is the marke of the Church of Antichrist, to terrifie others by imprifonments, bannishments, and persecutions, boasting her selfe, that she is highly esteemed in the world, whereas the true Church of Christ cannot but be hated of the same. Iohn 15. 18. 19. 20. Rev. 13. 3.

It was commanded by the Law, If a man met a betrothed Damsell in the [...]ield, and the man force her, he was to die: Then what shall those expect that shall force the conscience the spouse of Christ? Deut. 22. 25. Hosea 2. 19. 20. 2 Cor. 11. 2.

The example of many Nations, both in Scripture, and at this day known, may suffice to suffer the conscience free: Abraham lived in Egypt in Gerar, among the Philistines, after with the Hittites: Lot in Sodom; Isaac in Gerar, Israel in Egypt 430. years, after in Babylon 30 years; yet never constrained in their Religion. Also in the daies of our Saviour, how many Religions were there in that famous Empire of Casars, yet not by him persecuted, or constrained to his Religion. Gen. 20. Gen. 23. Gen. 13. Gen. 26.

It was the Judgement of Luther, That the Lawes of the Civill Ma­gistrate extended no farther then over the bodies & goods, & that which is externall; for over the soule, God will have none to rule but himself. And therefore, where-ever the civill Magistrate undertaketh to set laws, for the souls and consciences of men, he usurpeth that Government and authority to himself, which appertaineth only to God. Psa. 89. 27. Isa 33. 22. Phil. 2. 9. 2 Tim 3. 16. James 4. 12. Rev. 22. 18. 19.

And therefore we conceive it, the highest degree of Antichrists impie­ty, sitting in the temple of God as God, shewing himself that he is God, 2 Thess. 2. 4. in giving Laws to the Conscience, which is Gods Prerogative onely. Deut. 27, 4.

In the building of the Temple, there was no sound of Iron heard, to shew, that Christ will have in his Church a free consent, not compelled mor constained by Lawes and Statutes, for the Kings of the Earth shall bring their glory unto it. 1. Kings 6. 7. Joshuah 8. 31. Isa. 60. 11. Rev. 21. 24.

Againe, the Churches of Christ must look for suffering, with every particular member thereof, as he himself did, who is their head, being thereby made perfect, being the way and means that God hath appoin­ted [Page 17] to publish the Gospel: which caused the Fathers to say, The blood of the Martyrs was the Seed of the Church, Rom. 8. 29. Phil. 3. 10. Heb 2. 10.

Therefore Christians are to be exhorted, not compelled: for he that will not do that whereunto he is exhorted and perswaded, the Gospel injoyning, is no true Christian as yet; and they that go not this Gospel way, to perswade men by exhortation and Counsell, but seek to doe it by constraint, shew themselves not Gospel Teachers but worldly Bea­dles rather, 2 Tim. 2. 24.

For consider, if an earthly King will take it so ill, as surely he may at his subjects hands to have any equalize themselves with him or submit to a forraigne power, or to make Lawes for his Subjects to be guided and ruled by; how much more the King of Kings Christ Jesus, by whom alone Kings reign, will he suffer himself to be displaced, and an earthly King placed in his throne. Deut. 4. 2. Pro. 30. 6. Rev. 22. 18. 19.

Thus we conceive it is clear, That no man ought to be forced in mat­ter of Religion, the Gospel being spirituall, and requireth onely, spiritu­all worshippers, like to it self: which cannot be made so, but by the Word and Spirit of God, which breatheth where and when it listeth, and not where and when mens Lawes and Statutes pleaseth; which may make hypocrites, but not true Christians. As we said unto you before so say I unto you again, If any man preach any other Gospel unto you then that ye have received, let him be accursed for do I now perswade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ John 4. 24. John 3. 8. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Gal. 1. 9. 10.

And thus as you see, persecution was never taught by Christ, nor yet practised by his Apostles, nor by the Primitive [...]hristians: so afterwards it arose, and was brought in by the bloody Heathen Tyrants, and con­tinued by Antichrist and his Ministers as appears in Tho. Beacons Relicks of Rome, set forth with Priviledge Anno Dom. 1563.

Pope Seritius ordained that Heriticks should be banished, and that no Christian should Communicate with, or keep them company Anno 588. fol. 214.

Pope Pelagius the first, not content with the former punishment made a Decree, that all Heriticks and Schismaticks, with all such as be contu­militer disobedient to the holy Church Ordinances, should be put to death by the secular power, provided alwaies, that those bloody B. with their Woolf-like Officers, and Antichristian adherents, do first of all pro­secute [Page 18] imprison and condemn them for Heriticks, and aftewards accord­ing to their wicked Decrees, commit them to the secular power, and temporall Magistrates, as unto their Butchers and Hangmen, to dispach them out of the way, either by fire, sword or halter; for these holy Fa­thers cry out with their Fore-fathers, and Pope-like Predicessors. Iohn 18. 31. It is not lawfull for us to put any man to death. Anno Dom. 551. fol. 215.

Pope Innocent the 3. bearing rule in the year 1215. the Councell of Lattern [...] was called, or celebrated, where was present two Patriarks 70. Arch-Bishops Metrapolitans, 400 Bishops 12. Abbots 800. Convinciall Priests, the Legates of the Greek and Roman Empire, with the Embas­sadors of the Kings of Spain, Jerusalem, France and England, and Ciprus; In this Councell it was Decreed, that all Heriticks, and so many as do in any point resist the Catholick f [...]ith should be condemned.

In this Councell was also Decreed, that the secular power of what degree soever they be, should be compelled openly, to sweare for the defence of the Catholick Faith, And that to the utmost of their power, to roote out and destroy in their Kingdoms, all such persons as the Ca­tholick Church h [...]th condemned for Herit [...]cks. And if he do not reform within one whole year, then the Pope is to denounce all his Subjects absolved, and utterly delivered from shewing, or owing any fidelity or obedience unto him, as in this Kingdom it was done by King Iohr. A­gain, that the Pope may give that Land to be occupied, and enjoyed by the Catholicks, and they to possesse it, all Heriticks being rooted out peaceably, and without contradiction. fol. 217.

Since this answer to the Ministers Watch-word was at the Printers, Mr. John Fereby, Minster of Thoydon Garnon, one of rhe 63. Aprill the 22, be­ing Lords day, took occasion much to enveigh against Sectaries, Anabap­tist [...], &c. as [...]e cal [...]s them.

But the Author desires if he doth it out of conscience, to answer him by word in a free dispute, or by writing, concerning the constituti­on of their Church Ordination, of their Ministery, Worship, Govern­ment, Maintenance, Baptisme, or persecution for conscience, referring the sensure and judgement there of to all judicious hearers.