A DIALOGVE BETWIXT RATTLE-HEAD AND ROUND-HEAD, Neutralius being Moderator betwixt both.
WITH Their peaceable agreement, and their Conference for maintaining their severall Opinions.
With the Argument against Bishops.
Full of mirth, and repleat with witty Inventions.
LONDON, Printed for T. G. MDCXLJ.
A DIALOGVE BETWIXT RATTLE-HEAD, AND ROVND-HEAD.
IN the very portall or Entrance of this Tractate, friendly Dialogue, or zealous commerce, we intend to discourse, touching the Etimologie of your late published Pamphlet, which in respect our Answer was not sufficiently punctuall, therefore we have singled out this opportunitie, for a more edifying conference.
Too't roundly then, and as I first began to write, so you to speak?
And for my part I'le hold with the wisest.
Then thus deer brother, I do much admire that you being of so neer affinity to us in Religion can find no means to conjoyn an vnity?
Only perversnesse in the vnitage of your circular opinions, being grounded on nothing but the ends of the Coblers simplicity, whose long stitches I fear in conclusion, will go neer to lose your soules from the vpper leather.
H [...]s words are dangerous, expound it well, stick but close to him, you'l put him in a Tub?
That's my desire, and had J him but once there, I'de all I wish't for, assist me then.
Assist ye, I'le first hang ye, do I come hither as a Constable to command you to keep the Kings peace, and learn a new religion, for to help you out before you are in.
Dear brother Ruttlehead, did you but know the path, that perfect rode, by which, tread the ready way to heaven, you'd soon renounce your church you follow now, and turn to us.
Your doctrine should be better first?
Would you but grant attension, hear me speak, and but compare your form of government with ours, I'de soon transport you to a haven of happinesse, by changing your opinion, and confute you by your own words.
Do so, and win me, make it appear by grave dispute what you have said: and first begin to nominate those orders (wherein we differ) that are so highly extol'd by you.
I shall do that, and more to gain a soule.
Here is like to be a game well plaid, when soules are at stake?
First, then as for our Church, I mean the visible and select Church, not the shadow which you so much adore, full of Papisticall Images.
No, a Barn?
You interrupt me, and misconster to my reall meaning, that same Church: I say, whereas the brethren and the holy Sisters meet, where you shall see a man vnlearned, divinely expound vpon a piece of Scripture, delivering nothing but by inspirations, no toralogicall expressions, or Scolasticall sentences whereby to hinder the benefit of the attentive Auditory: after him a Sister, whose zeal towards the Church is inexpressible, that delivers nothing but what the Spirit moves; is your form of teaching then like ours?
No, nor is it fit it should be: since when I pray was this same new found Platforme of teaching invented, when instituted, who are your Authors for this your admirable device; away with this simplicity, either speak wiser, or not at all.
It seemes then any thing concerning our Church will not be allowed on, how stand you then affected towards your own,
As every true Christian ought, maintain it with my blood, and vttermost endeavors.
Say you so, can that house stand, whose principle foundation is defective; or can that Church be the true Church, whose principal heads are the instigators vnto evill: Rat. you cannot lay that aspersion vpon vs. Ro. yes, & most justly too; what are those [Page]neither Rattle-heads nor Roundheads, I'm sure they are wicked heads.
Now Sir you have hit the mark, your documenting Tayler, never put a yard into your hand that made better measure then this: I must confesse that they are guilty, and have been a dishonour to the Church, but wherewithall do you accuse them.
Hold, hold my Masters, I came to be partners with you in your Religions, but now I fear you'l turn Cat ith' pan and be both one; and so betwixt two stooles, my arse fall in ground.
So shall we be both happy, and like brothers embrace with affectionate zeal: but tell us thy opinion concerning our argument.
Truly Sir, to speak my minde of Rattleheads, Roundheads, Loggerheads, &c. I am of the opinion, there is never a barrell better herrïng.
Short and sweet, Iack of both sides, but brother Roundhead what say you to the former proposition concerning the heads we spake last of.
As for his Gracelesse Grace these shall be my objections against him: by his uncontroulable hand at Lambeth, he made the High Commission his Delegat, his Creature, his Fawn, his obliged servant; his tyrannie over good and able Ministers, insomuch as their ears became as familiar as sheeps ears; and so cheap as they hung upon that Babylonian image Cheapside-Crosse like labels, that if any wanted a pain they might have an easie penniworth in them: if these be in his commendations, I wil speak of him everlastingly.
J must confesse this same little man hath many great faults, yet when error is like to incur, a speedy censure, and ambition were it never so overtopping like to suffer. Humanity cannot chuse but find a teare, and Piety a sigh, at the survay of such a sight. To see the Metropolitan of a flourishing K ngdome lose his head, is [...]o ordinary Spectacle.
The sooner, the better: such an ordinarie would I give twelve pence but to look at.
I must confesse it would be no great eye sore nor hearts griefe to me neither.
Sith, then we are almost reduced to one opinion, be conformable to us in vniting your selves to us in Religion, and so make us all happie.
As for that, my mind is altogether contrary to all your precepts therin contained, contradicting us especially concerning your Church government; we therefore shall take further time to discourse of it: but for this subject, wherin we agree together, if it be your pleasure, wee petition the Parliament for a redresse, I shall assist you.
With all my heart.
And since we writ invective Songs one against the other in our former books, let vs now sing old rose over a pint of sack, and jovn our methods together to compound one vnanimous thing to the former purpose.
THE SONG.
per Roger Rattle-head. & Alexander Round-head.