RIchard Mayo Priest of Kingston, sent for Edward Burough out of a Meeting in the Town, to come to the Steeple-house; and R. Mayo, divers times challenged E. B. that what he had against him and his Doctrine, there he might speak it, and E. B. went to the Steeple-house, and heard R. Mayo's Doctrine, who did Preach and affirm,

1. That Paul as a Minister of Christ, exhorted Saints (the Corin­thians) to follow and obey a light, which was not Christ, nor the light of the Gospel.

2. He did exhort the People of Kingston, as a Minister of Christ, in his Preaching to them, to follow and obey a light which (said he) is not Christ, nor the light of the Gospel.

3. He said that a man may be a righteous man, and not a godly man, without distinction.

4. Also at another time before that, R. Mayo affirmed, that the light of Christ, which every man is lightened withal, Joh. 1.9. is Carnal, and dark­nesse.

5. He did affirm under his own hand, that Christ was not the word, that David walked by.

But these Doctrines he could not prove by the Scriptures, being put upon it, and then E. B. said that they were damnable Doctrines, and [Page 2] errors, and not sound, nor according to the truth; for which saying, an Action was entered, and E. B. was arrested and imprisoned, and a­bout a yeer after was brought to tryal in the Court at Kingston, and being called to his Answer in the Court, he lawfully proved by evi­dent Witnesses, all the particulars aforementioned, and the Priest con­fessed to the things that he did affirm and preach them; And E. B. still confessed and said that these Doctrines were not sound, but damnable and error, which were the words charged against him to be a slander: A Jury being called to hear and determine the matter E. B. desired to be heard, and would have proved according to the Scriptures to the Jury and whole Court, that the Doctrines aforesaid were damnable and un­found, and errors: But the Judge, Jury and Court would not suffer him to be heard to manifest the truth: But the Judge told the Jury be­fore they went out, they might find good damage for the Priest; and the Jury went forth, and brought in E. B. guilty, and gave the Priest 100. l. damage for slandering him, and yet would not suffer E. B. to clear himself before they condemned him, but dealt unjustly against him. Now the light of Christ that lighteth every man that comes into the world, which is the life of men which was in the beginning with God, which Iohn came to bear witness of, that all might believe in him, and have eternal life: For all that received him that lighteneth every one that came into the world with the true light, he gave them power to become the sons of God, Iohn 1. chap. Now this light which every man is lightened withall by Christ (saith R. Mayo) is carnal and darknesse; and that which is carnal and darknesse is of the flesh and of the Devil. And the Jud­ges and Jury hath justified the Priest in so saying, and falsly damnified E. B. for saying this Doctrine is unsound and damnable: And this Priest, Jury and Court have gone about to prove that Iohn came to bear witnesse of that which is carnal and darkness, who saith, he came for a witnesse to bear witnesse unto the true light, and that is the true light [saith Iohn] that lighteth every one that comes into the world: And this was Iohns Record; and this is the light which the Priest of Kingston saith is carnal and darknesse, and the Jury and court hath justified him in it, and damnified E. B. for witnessing to the contrary, and saying this is damnable Doctrine. Now that that is carnal and darkness, is earthly, fleshly and devillish; but Christ nor his light is not earthly, fleshly and devillish, but is from Heaven, and of the Spirit: And all that which is carnal and darknesse, is of the Devil and Devillish, and so is the light of Christ that lighteneth every man, by Rich. Mayo's Doctrine; and the Judge and Jury hath justified that it is so, carnal and darkness, of the flesh and of the Devil; but in Christ there is no darkness, for the Father and the Son are one, and God is light, and in him is no dark­ness at all, the first Epistle of Ioh. 1. chap. but this Priests Doctrine is quite contrary to Iohns Doctrine, and contrary to the Scrip­tures, [Page 3] who hath held forth that the light of Christ is of the flesh, and of the Devil, and therefore his Doctrine is damnable and error in the highest degree, and Christ said, the Devil had nothing in him, Joh. 14.30. but Rich. Mayo saith, the light that Christ lighteth every one withall, which comes from Christ, is carnal and darkness (to wit) of the flesh and of the devil, and so would make appear that the Devil and dark­ness had something in Christ; and the Apostle said, Darkness had no fellowshhip with light, nor Christ with Belial, 2 Cor. 6.14. but R. Mayo holds forth that darkness is in Christ, and would make Light and dark­ness one; for he saith, the light of Christ which lightens every one, is darkness and carnal; but in this the Priest and Rulers of Kingston hath shewed to all the world what Spirit they are of, and what they believe concerning Christ, even that his light which is pure and eter­nal, is of the flesh and of the devil, carnal and darkness, and its manifest they are uncapable of judging Doctrines; for to say and justifie as the Priest and Court of Kingston hath done, that the light of Christ which lightneth every man, which Iohn came for a witness of, that all men through him should believe, is carnal and darkness: It is blasphe­my, it is false, it is a lie, it is of the Devil, and damnable Doctrine, and he that affirms so is not fit to be a Teacher: and you that justifie him in it, and condemns him that reproves it, are not fit to be Judges of Christs Cause, nor of the things of God and Christ that are spiritual. And if the Judge and Iury say they do not own and believe that the light of Christ is carnal and darkness, then they have judged against their consciences, and against their oaths, in condemning a man for denying this doctrine, and saying it is damnable; for is not carnal and darkness of the flesh and of the devil, and out of the truth, and from below? And is not Christ from above, and from heaven? And is not his light so? You have judged like heathens, and like men without any understanding, and you have shewed your selves to be like the un­believing Iews: Their Priests and Courts and Counsels, judged Christ to be a deceiver, and the Prince of Devils: And you say and do ju­stifie it in your judgement, that Christs light which every man is light­ned withall, is of the flesh and of the devil; and so is carnal and dark­nesse: and have damnified a man for saying the contrary: and you have shewed your selves to be against Christ as much as ever the Jews were, and to be of the very same spirit: for you say and justifie That Christs Light is carnal and darkness: And they said he was the Prince of Devils and Darkness: And do you not herefully agree with the Jews? The Apostle said the Devil was the power of darknesse, and the Saints were translated from the power of darknesse Col. 1.13. But how doth Rich. Maoy's Doctrine agree with this? Is the Devil the power of the light of Christ that lightneth every man? Is not this damnable Do­ctrine? But hereby the Priest and court of Kingston have shewed them­selves [Page 4] to be in darknesse and carnal, which is a damnable state: and it is damnable to say and judge of Christ as they have done, that dark­nesse is in him, and that his light which lighteneth the World, is of the flesh and of the Devil: But with the light which every man is lightned withall, which is pure and eternal of God, are they judged that so jugde: and with the light shall they be condemned: that is the word of the Lord God to you all: And God will make you ashamed of your judgement who know not Christ, and therefore have you falsly judged him, and judged quite contrary to Johns words, who said that was the true light that lightneth every man; but you have said and judged it is carnal and darkness; and will you say that that which is carnal and darkness is a true light? And if you say so, that is damnable Dotrine, and so you are in a snare, and hath brought a snate upon your your souls and have left your Names and Judgements a stink to all the Saints up­on Earth.

And the Judge, and Jury, and Court of Kingstone have also jud­ged it to be sound Doctrine, to say, Paul exhorted the Saints te follow, and obey a light which is not Christ, nor the light of the Gospel, which the Priest affirmed: Now here you have slandered the Apostle, and bely­ed him, and given a false judgement against him, as well as against E.B. for the Apostle did not exhort the Saints to follow any Light but what is Christ, and the light of the Gospel; for hee saith often, that he preached the Gospel and Christ the power of God, through­out all his writings, 2 Cor. 4.5. for hee was sent To turne people from darkness to the light of the Gospel, and from Satans power, (uhich is darknesse) to God, (who is light) Acts 26.18. and hee turned people to Christ within them, who is the power of God, and the Gospel is the power of God, Rom. 1.16. And saith hee, if any preach another Gospel then what he had preached, let him be accursed, Gal. 1.7.8. And he preached Christ unto the Saints, and the Gospel onely, and desired not to know any thing among them but Christ, and him cruci­fied, and that their Faith might stand in the power of God, the Go­spel; and evary where he preached the Gospel, Acts 16.10. Rom. 15.19. 1 Cor. 9.16. 1 Thes. 2.9. and I affirm he preached nothing else, but Christ, the power of God, the Gospel, to be obeyed and fol­lowed; for it is that which convertcd to God, and it is that he exhort­ed the Saints to walk by: Walk in the Spirit, and live in the Spirit, saith he, and obey the Spirit; and so shall you not fulfil the works of the flesh; And as many as were the Sons of God, walked by the Spirit, and were led by the Spirit, Rom. 8. and the Spirit, and the Gospel, and Christ are one, and not many, nor divided. But this Priest, and Court of Kingston have judged contraiy, even that Paul did Preach to be fol­lowed and obeyed, and believed in something that is not the Light of the Gospel, nor the Power of God, nor Christ, and so have slandered [Page 5] and belyed the servant of the Lord the Apostle Paul: And is not this damnable to bely the Apostle? And is not this of the Devil, and Devillish doctrine, that slanders the servant of the Lord that is dead? but his spirit and words are a witness against them; it is out of the truth, and contrary to truth to belye and slander the Apostle; and that is of the Devil, and Damnable and Error: for every lye is out of the truth, and so of the Devil, and that which is of the Devill is Damnable, and must be cast into the Lake with the Devil: And such is R. Mayo's doctrine.

And R. Mayo in his Sermon, held forth as good doctrine, That the people of Kingstone might follow and obey, and walk by a light which (hee said) was not the light of the Gospel, and exhorted them to it, and pres­sed them upon it, and yet he said, It would not lead to Christ, nor reveal him to them, yet pressed them to follow that Light: And this doctrine hath the Judge and Jury and Court justified to be sound, and not false Doctrine, and have damnified E. B. for a Slanderer, for denying his doctrine, and saying, it is damnable. Now there is but Light and Darkness, God and Belial, Christ and Antichrist; and if it be not the light of the power of God which is the Gospel, which they are to follow, then it is darkness, and of the Devil which he exhorted them to follow; and if it be not Christ, nor God, nor the Spirit, which he pressed them to obey, then it is Antichrist, and that which is of the flesh which they are exhorted to follow; and this is damnable: and if it be not the true Gospel, the power of God, nor the light of it, nor Christ (as he saith it is not) then it is another Gospel that hee hath preached in the Pulpet in Kingstone, and he is accursed that doth so, and accursed Doctrine is danmable Doctrine, and a man that is ac­cursed is in a damnable state, and they that follow and obey any other thing besides Christ and the light of the Gospel, they cannot be sa­ved; for this is saving doctrine, to preach Christ and his Gospel one­ly, For there is no other name given under heaven to be saved by but Christ, Acts 4 12. Who is the power of God, the Gospel, who is the light of life, the truth, to be obeyed and followed; and that doctrine that is otherwise and contrary to this, is damnable; and Richard Mayo hath preached another Doctrine, and hath preached that people should follow and obey something that is not Christ, nor the light of his Gospel; and so his doctrine is not saving; for he hath preached another Name and another Light then Christ and his Gospel and the Judge and Jury have justified him in it, and judged E. B. for a slande­rer, because he said this was unsound Doctrine, and Error, because it is not the Doctrine of Christ nor his Gospel, but another Doctrine, of another light, and of another way: But come Friends, is this Priest a Minister of Christ? And is this Court and Jury righteous Judges? let all the Saints that fear God upon Earth judge: Is not he a Decei­ver [Page 6] who hath preached another Gospel then Paul preached? Is he not one of Satans Messengers? and the Court hath upheld him in it; for there is no sound Doctrine held forth by any of Christs Ministers, but the Doctrine of Christ and of the Gospel: This we all affirm with E.B. And all that owns not this Doctrine, and comes not to it, are in a damnable state; And all Doctrine that is not justly according to this, is damnable, and they that hold it forth are deceivers and Satans Mes­sengers: And E.B. denies the judgement of all such that doth not follow Christ, and walk in the light of the Gospel, but believes that some other thing is to be obeyed and followed; and God wil confound their judgement, and bring the innocent to rejoice over all such Do­ctrines and Judges.

And R. Mayo the Priest affirms (and the Jury justifies it) That the Word that David walked by was not Christ, and hath judged E. B. guilty of slander for saying this Doctrine is Error, and to be condemned: Now David was of the seed, the flesh of Christ, and Christ is the word, and David followed Christ, and Christ is the covenant of God, Isa. 42.6. And David was in the covenant, and followed Gods covenant, and said the Lord was his light, Psal. 27.1, and walked in Christ the word, the everlasting covenant: And David was a follower of Christ the word, for David called Christ Lord, Psal. 10.1. And Christ was his Lord and his Shepherd, and fed him, and he led him into green pastures, Psal. 23. And David walked in the light of Christ, and said, In thy Light we see Light, Psal. 36.9. And he did walk by Christ the Word; And the Apostle often brings Davids words that were spoken of Christ; and Christs Name is the Word of God. And David and Abra­ham, and all the Fathers saw the day of Christ, and eat and drank of the Rock that followed them; which Rock was Christ, and him they believed in, and obeyed. And David saw his resurrection & what should betray him: And doth not Christ say, It is written in your Law, I said you are Gods; if David were but onely in the Law? but he saw Christ the end of their offerings, and he was of the flesh of Christ, the seed; but these things are out of your understandings; ye are rather of that generation that mocked David: And to say David did not follow Christ, and was not a follower of Christ, that is error and damnable Doctrine. But the Priest and court of Kingston have said and judged that David did not walk by the word Christ, which is false and a lye, and that's damnable, and of the Devil, and they have judged they know not what, they have put light for darkness, and darkness for light, and called good evil, and evil good; and have said and judged con­trary to the Scriptures: Shall not God plead with them, and seven Vials of plagues shall be poured on the unjust, and all the Saints shall see their shame.

And these with many other things which R. Mayo hath affirmed for Doctrine, doth E.B. charge to be false Doctrine, and not according to the Scriptures, and can prove theut to be false by the Scripture: But as if you were affraid to hear the truth, and durst not stand to the trial, you would not suffer E.B. to prove these things in open Court, which he would have done according to the Scriptures. So this is written that all may see, and he may prove it over and over again, and publish it to all people to your shame; for God will make you ashamed, and teare you to pieces, ye that have forgetten God, and neglected just judge­ment; ye gnaw not the bones till the morrow; ye think ye have gotten a great deal of prey to devour, a hundred pounds, them that did so were like evening wolves, Zeph. 3.3. for this is the part of an evening wolfe, to leave the bones till the morrow. Think ye the Lord is blind like your selves, and that he sees you not? And think ye E.B. hath spoken that which he is not able to make good? yes greater things then those he may justly charge upon you, and among you, if you go on in injustice, may not he say ye pervert Justice and true Judge­ment? Is it a slander to speake the truth, to say the Devil is a lyar? though you would not hear him in the court, he may make the Nation hear him after this. Was Paul a slanderer that called one a childe of the Devil, that perverted the way of God, who was so? Was Isaiah a slanderer that called the Shepherds greedy dumb dogs, end said the people were like sed Horses, that neighed after their neighbors wives? the Prophet told the people they were fat Kine of Basban, and people were like wilde bulls in a net: But was the Prophets slanderers who told the salse Prophets that they spoke a divination of their own brain, as R. Mayo hath done, and not from the mouth of the Lord? And the Prophets testified that the Judges judged for gifts and rewards, and were like Foxes in the desarts, and were like evening wolves: but the Prophets were no slanderers, for they spake the truth: Nor Christ was no slanderer, who called them that stood praying in the Syna­gogues, and were called of men Master, Serpents and Vipers, Matt. 23. and compared men to dogs and swine, and cryed wo against them, they were blind leaders of the blind. And what if you your selves be proved to be such that brings forth fruit not meet for repentance, but are full of envy, bitterness and poyson. Will it be a slander when a man calls you Vipers, and proves it that you are in that nature the Apostle called them Evil Beasts, and slow bellies, that minded earthly things, and taught for filthy luere and love of money? And he was no slanderer who also said they were accursed that brought another Gospel. And was the Apo­stle Peter a slanderer who said there were some that brought in damnable he­resies, for they denied the Lord that bought them: And this was a less trans­gression as men may account, to deny Christ, then to say his light is car­nal and darkness, of the flesh & of the devil, as the Priest & unrighteous Jury [Page 8] Kingston have done; for they did but deny him, but you slander him, and justifies that his light is carnal, and darkness of the flesh, and of the devil, this is worse then if you denied him, and said nothing at all of him, and it is more damnable to slander him, that his light is carnal and darkness. Consider of this, and be not so rash; for shame in this life will come upon you, and judgement in the life to come, what ever become of E. B. in this life: You have shewed much folly and wickedness, both Priest, Iudges and Iury, who hath damnified a man an hundred pounds for speaking the truth, and you have given a bad example to many others, but they that follow you in your works shall partake in the same judgement when the Lord gives you a just reward.

And these are but few of the particulars which is proved damna­ble Doctrine and Error. And E. B. hath many more particular sayings and affirmations of R. Mayo's, which to all the world may be proved the same with these; and if you go on, and will not revoke your works, he may lay them open, and all men may know what spirit R. Mayo is of: What will you think when he proves by many Witnesses that R Mayo affirmed, That the Devil is the power of God; yea, even as the Gospel is the power of God, said he; and said Christ was manifest to destroy the power of God, and him that is the power of God said he; and de­nied the Gospel to be the power of God? These things with many more may be testified by many witnesses before any Court in England: If you were quiet and did Justice, his shame and yours might be covered; but the more you stir and meddle among this filth, the more it will ap­pear to shame you. And what need E.B. be affraid, or any man, what you can do? for truth is of his side, in comparison of which his life is not dear, not liberty; and truth will shame you and pierce you to the hearts, and break you to pieces, though you may boast a while over it in your evil wayes, yet your day will the night of darkness shut up in misery, and the blessing shall depart from you in this life, and in the life tO come: The Lord hath said it, and ye that are froward the Lord will deal frowardly with you. Wherefore come to consideration of this matter, and repent ye unrighteous men, and forsake this evil, and come to the light of God in your consciences, that will let you see your en­vy and prejudice against the innocent, and if you go in your evil course I am clear, it shall lye upon your own selves unto damnation.

Hereafter a more full and large account of this matter you may expect from such as hath a more perfect knowledge thereof, if the Court continue their injustice against the innocent.