RI ES ww penagansanerqngeedenese, ? wT H-E. Be 1¢ Compationate: * | & a *SAMARITA NES 2 ‘ Vabinding ge & & + The Conttience, and powring Ogle inom. che wounds which havebeen made aponds < apthe & Separation 1 recommending their ede gence welfare to the ferious thoughis, andy: 13 carchill endZavours of all whio love thed qppeace and ynity of Commonwealels men,ds or defire the vnanimous profécution &, of the Common Enemies or Who. a follow our Savicurs rule, to doe ee unto osbers, what they weslde bave others doe tnta theiit The Second Edition, corretted, and cine UY, Sarged. ° Hani & arge Lovion : & Printed ia the Teare 1644. & PEEPEEERET ETE HE es oe Ge a aeSi populus vult decipi, decipiatur. To him that reads. - F afier this, when all the guiles, That bave mifled yer, and ihe wiles Are manifefted cleare as dzy, So that yor muft fay, the(eare they : Less yet will be befoold, you may. Ervours have fome excisfe, when they not Rnowne, But being kuown once, wilfilneffe bas none.$8ehoeee TO THE COMMONS 0 , |ENGLAND,| , | -OYax whom the Peolpe bizva . choferx for the managing of their affaires, I profent this neceffury Treatife without boldneffe and witha out feare : for I am well afftercd, that as itis minc, and.cvery mans duty, to to finnifh Ton mith wht we conceive will advanze the Common good, or bring eafe or comfort to any fire of men that deferve well of their Caiuutrey Cas Tor cannot but knuw ibe Seperation doe, if Lou confider with what charge A 3 ” aadhazard, with. what willingnes, om activity they have furthered the ‘Reformation fo bappily began) fo like= wife it isy Four dettyy to beare and pret in execntionywba:foever 10 Tour judg~ 1 stents foall appesre conducing to thal gand cmds and purpofes. I recommend bere to Your vew the oppreffed Conici- ence , and. the defpifed Separation : They have been much wounded (I o leize every body can fay by whon.):ana ibe people have p iffed by witha cone paffion or regard, though they om felves wsuft neceffarily partake int cin pifrings There are none left, to P ay the good Samaritanes p2t but Tour I make mo queftion ) be willing 1005 Ca ti be ance well confidered the matter, which this Suall Treatile will put Ton in mind to doe. It is mi 10 Le fiappofed, ibst Yon (bo bave fo long front Tone time i recove! a made anfarer, that there mas no véste~ (clvesy who as Ton bave powers will, | the Common Liberties of Eneland, foould'in Conelufion tune the Com- mon nto Particular 5 Jet the infinn- ations and fuggeftions of fome in ihe Synod, be wht shey will, Imske no queftion, but Tou will fee both through | and beyond thems and will never he frayed from a good confeience to main= ‘talte particular mens Intevefts. In the beginning of Tour Seflion, when our Divines (2s they mould have vs call them ) wrote freely agsinft the Bithops, & the Bilkops m de camt- plaint to Ton for redveffe 5 fome of Yor dy, forafmuch as the Profle was to be open and free far all in tine of Par- ‘| liament: 7 foall azke bold as a Com mon of England to /2y claime to ih it priviledge, being affured that Twpiie nothing feandslons . or dingerans to the State, (wbich is Jittly end upan 800d groumds probibited by Tony bn 4 4 dinancedinance to that effect ) only I bans defire Tox to confider meter net € wus nob Gut frm Tou by thas dr nance then Tor intended and t “ thaizh it mas prrpafed by rons i rv fiesin the venting and difperfing y the Kings writings and bis Agents, ye i hath Ly vealon of the queaiifications | the Licenfers wrought a wrong mah | and foape the misitibes of gud anny niufe cipher not Writs at all, ov 40 ‘ thea is fatable to the judgments mn interefis of the Licencers. The ss ration CT giteffe ) would have tooKe be fae becice docting, if the oe bad in capri jeartass optaine a DPoutar Ordinance for Fappiefie y all Anabeptiiticall, Brownie rn Indepeadane mvisingss bento bar “ He neastbes fiat fi fishilelyy Ji infcnfod iv tayt Liberty in time of Par-- acd their jut Liberty in time of Pa liament ft rken front thems vnawares, eed tebe woater Arquimenistbat ‘There can be na greater Argeamen. Nia the: t the Divines iatezd not well,than their taking uncough, and myflerious, Jub- tile wayes to offect ibetr ends s even fuch as fer better become Polititians, then Minitters, Tris high time O Commons of England, io put an End to the Seff- rings of ibe Seperation, who have jor maiy yeares been the object of all Rind of tyranny, Pupiflicall, P. rclaticall, and Regal : The furjt Foundation of bono, and relpect was certainly fron publike Service and protection ff the diftreffed : Adake it Your workey and afiere Tour Selves, You will find not only the rni~ verfall love of all good men’ accompa ning Yor, bit a quiet and cheerfiell Confeience, which is abeve all bonour and riches, Others may weary thenpm Selves in plots and contrivances to ad vance felfe~ends and interefts, 10 the feples danmage and moleftations ; Siducff and diffraction will be their 5 commpani-companions for ite But make Zt 1 Lufeweffe, Ye chofen men of | ngl dl according to the treft rep ‘fed in You tc protect» be Inmacent,to j1dg their enife impartial!) ,to civcamycnt men int or wicked endeavors and fo Tou mil became the belowed of God, the belove of good wer. oe sew wt dhebebdpdoe> phe LIBERTY $$$ OF CONSCIENCE ASSERTE D, And the Separatift vindicated, - Aving heretofore mee with an Apologeticall Narrati~ on of Thom es Goodiwin,Phi- lip Nye,S syde-ach Sympfan, Jeremy Bury roughs, William Bridge s I did wich gladneffe of heart unclectake the rea- ding thereof, expecting therein to find fach general reafons for juntih- cation of themilelves, to the world, as would have juftiied all th» Sepa- ration, and £0 have remover by one dicouréns Le difconrfe tho preidices ‘and mif- apprekentions, which even’ good faen have of that harmeleffe. and well meaning fort of people: Bat | knding contrary to that expectation } that cher Apclogic thecin tot chear f {elves and their Toleration was- grounded rather upon a Remon § trance of the nearneffe between them aid the Presbyterian, being one in Doane with them, and ve- ry Hitule differing from them in Di¢ cipline,how they had been tolerated by other Presbyter Churches, and inculgd with gecater priviledges,then the Separatiit, how they differed 1 from the Separatitt, and liad cauti- oully avoyded thafe roks and fhelves againttwhiich the Separatitt had fplit thenvelves , confirming, by thefe words, the peoples dicetcem of Se- paritiits, tiggelting by thar phrafe of cheivs, asif there were amon the Separatiits fome dangerous by- pathes a nnntl ‘pathes or opinions, which they wa. rily fhiind; though no mention be mide what they are, which is the worft fore of calumny. Finding to my hearts greife the { wl Seperatitt thus left in the lurch, and likely to be expofed to greater dan- gers then ever by the endeavours { of thefe men, my heart abounded wich grcite, knowing the Tunocene of their intentions, and honetty Gf their lives thatthey are neceffarilyen- force tobeofthe mindtheyareyupon long examination of their owne te | nents that they defire nothing more | then that they fhould be publikel ahd impartially reafuned, know. ing likewife their affection to the Common-wealth, their fo twardnes of afliftane in pure and pecfon knowing cheir Meetings to be fo ine nocent, fo far from confederacy, or counterplots ( though they are ve- iy rere,Fy Al ee C4) ty fenfible of the fad’ and perplexed condition that they are in) that they | | have not yetfo much as {poke ought in their owne defence, bur trufting to the goodnefle of God, the equity of the Parliament,the fimplicity and and integrity of their owne wayes, doe quietly enjoy themfclves and their worfhip,let what will be brew- . ing againtt them, being refolved like Hefter to doe their dutyés, and if in doing thereof they perifh, they pe- rith: Me thinkes every man is bound |” in confcience to fpeak and doe what he can in the behalte of fuch aharmelefle people as thefe : what though yon are no Separatift Cas I my felfc am none ) the love of God appeares molt in doing good for e- thers: that love which aimes onl atic felfe ; thofe endeavours whic would procure liberty only to them felves, La at belt be called -but rife ove Acne C5) love and felte refpetts : ‘Tis come: mon freedome’ every man ought to ; aime at, which fs every mans pecu- liar right fo far as *tis not prejudi- all to the Common: Now becaufe little can be done in their behalfe, unlefle Liberty of Confcience be al- lowed for every man, or fort ofmen to worlirp God in that way, and performe ChriftsOrdinances in that manner as fhall appear tu them moft agreeable to Gods Word, and no man be punifhed or difcountenan- ced by Authority for his Opinion, unleffe it be dangerous ro the State : T have endeavoursd in this Difcourfe |. to niake appeare by the bett reafon I have, that every man ought to have: Liberty of Confcience of what Opi= nion foever, with the caution above named: In doing whereof, I have upon eccafion removed all pretudi- ces that the people have concerning the(6) ] the Separatift, and vindicated them from thofe falic afpertious that are ifaally caft upon them to make them odious ; wherein, my end, I rake account, will evidendy appease, to be the peace and vnion of all, and to begee this judgement in the People and Parliament,that “tis the principall incereft of the Common- wealth, that Authority fhould have equal refpedt, and afford protedion to‘all peaceable good men alike,not- withftanding their difference of opi- nion, that all men may be enconra- ged tobealikeSrviceable chereanto;]i berty of Confcience is to be allowed every man forchefefollowing reafons. 1. Reafon, Becanfe of what judg- chute but be of that judgement,that is fo evident init felfe, that 1 {up- pof it will be granted by all, what- foever a mans reafon doth conclude ‘ to ree Sr ment foever aman is, he cannot } | — C7) ee; to be trucor falfe, tobe agreeabe or difagreabe to Gods Word, that fame to that man is his opinion or Juagement,and {6 man is by hisown reafon neceilitated to be of ‘ that mind he is, now where there isa nem cfficy there onht to be no punifh- ment, for punifhment is the recon . penee of voluntary actions, therfore Heiman ouwht to be pnnithed for his judgment. ~Oljecticn Bat ic wi Odje&ed 5° That the Sepaine tis are a rafh, heady People, “atid not fo much concluded b their Reafon as their Fancie> thse they have their Enthufis wes 4 and Revelations, which no- bedy ktiowes what to make off ; and that if they were a people ae cxamined things rational} 5 ie Argument w I c thea nt would hold good for Auf, etna amps apcte cease «4Anf, That T fuppofe this to be | | the Argument not of the prefent, | | ‘T but of the loofe witted times before | the Parliament,where fome politike Bifhop, or Dr. Ignorant Univerfity | ij man, or knave Poet would endea- vour by fuch a fuggeltion to the | § ple to mi(guide their credulous | j hearts into hatred of thofe good |§ men, who they knew to be the cone | {tant enemies to their delufions: buc let all men now have other thoughts, |-and affure chemfelves that the Brow- nit and Anabaptift are rationall ex- |i aminers of thofe things they hold for truth, milde difconrferes, and abe to give an account of what they they beleive; they who are unfa- tisfied in thae particular, may, if they pleafe to vifite their private Congregations which are open to 1 all commers, have further fatishiati- ‘on; perhaps here and there amrongtt| |. them | C9) ‘them may be a man that out of his zeale and earneftnes for that which ' he efteemes truth, may outrune his‘ underitanding, && fhew many weak- | neffes in his difcourfe, I would the. like frailty and inabilities were not to be found. in many of us ; but if: the flips and wanderings of a few, and thofe the weakelt, be an. Angu- ment fufficent to difcountenance the Se fation, ; and worke them out of the worlds favour, I pra: God the fame Argument may newer | be made vie of againtt us 5 amongtt whom, many,and they not efteemed the weakeft neither,would give great advantages that way : In the mean time I with with all my heart “we could’ all put on the fpicit of meek- nes, and rather endeavour to rettific by argument and perfwation one anothers infirmities, then upbraid | the owners of them with a vilible, rejoycing(2) ill every day breake fortl, and wits feendall of the Nation, {hall become a very monfter in matters of Religion, one part being i d ee fo divers according to the diverfity of opinions that are already, or may be broached here- after. that in truth this “ob jous at the objettion appeares f ‘vi ley which the vg on knars whol ic was, | for the fuppreffion of thofe, who it rer shaea compo is of all 1 wayes the mof unli aly co bea v nity of mind, and v i Presbyter,another Anabaptilt, Brow- h a fourth an Inde- 7 aid Seecieiieaet sie ‘firlt gloffe, and therfore is very mo~ 5 and taken up as the fairelt pretence i ill prove the fap- |) is toe fearet, sre er herennts I ) | prsBicewhich expeence will make | g Way blowes the wind) of favour C23) evident. For, The Fines, Imprifonments, Pil- lories, &c. uled by the Bitho as meanes to unite, rather confirmed mien in their judgments, and beset the abomination and odinm wee thefe times have caft upon the Hie- tarchie, being in the wortt kind ty- rannicall, as endeavouring by the punifhment of the peifon, the bow- ing and fubje&ing of the Con(ci- ence. And ific be it inftanced, that fome there were that turned with the wind, and were terrified by feare of punifhment into a compliance. Tanfiver, that fuch men are {9 farre from being examples to be follow. | ed, thar they may more juttly be condemned tor weather-cokes fit(to fet up for men to know which | delicacy,“| delicacy, eafe and preferment, 1 Secondly, The confcience being fubject only to.reafon Ceicher chat which isindeed,orfeemsto him which héarsit to befo) canonly be convinced or perfwaded thereby, force makes fc runne backe, and itrugle ; ic is the nature of every man to be of a~ |f ny judgment rather.then his that |f forces. °Tis to bepreftimed, that |j ,tis upon fome good grounds |] of reafon that a man is of thac Tudgement whereof he is. Would- | eft thou have him be of thine? fhew him chy grounds,and let them both worke, and fee which will get the vittory in his underftanding, Thus poflibly he may change his mind, and be of one judgment with thee : but if you will ule Club Lauyinttead | nf convincing and uniting,you armie jf men with prejudice againit you, to | conclude that you haue no affurance : ot Cs5) of truth in yousfor then you wou make ule of that, and prelune of 1e efficacy thereof, aud noe fighe with weapons which you (doe or. at calt fhould.) know not to be the Weapous of truth. Bue I feare there 1s lomething more in it: I cannot thinke that the Bifhops in their times vied fo many ftratagenis.of vexation and cruelty againft good People, tu gaine them to be of theirmind, th could not be ignorant that they fer the Nonconformifts of all forts ereby at an irreconcilable hatred againit them. No, theveend rather. was this, They had confulted who Were oppofite to their defisnes, and ding the Puritane and Setar fc to be, their interelt was by all polls me nueanes to fuppreffe them, that { ney might without oppofition trample upon the people.And there- ; orein thefe times men fhould con- fider ae(36) a Caz) A — a fider what they doe For if they} ff | conSience that- was exercifed sby, | who have the publiqne countenance the Bithops, is like to becontinied’ | doebeare them-elves after thefame | ff | by the Presbiters:. that the oppre |” manner cowards the Anabapufts | ff | fours are only changed, but the op. | and Brownitts, or whatfoever o- preifion -not likly to be. removed } ther fe& there is, or may be, that | Fi Others fays that the Anaba fikact cannot comply with them in judge | f Browailt are like to. find harder | ment or prattice(as by their begin- ] Ff matters, for that the Bifhops made. |: nings we feare they will) what can} ff | the punifhmenc of chem a matter of we judge of them but that their ends | | | {pore and profitto themtelves sand and intentions are the fame with referved thei punithments to be ‘di- | the Bihops? For by their fruits verlionis of the peoples’ minds from‘: (titich our Saviour)ye fhall know | J | taking coo much notice of theirin- | them: we may be deceived by words ttenchments upon the lawes and! their turnings and contexturesare common Jiberty, faifering their | {o infinite, that they may be-fi'amed focieties notwithitandiag. to res fo, ag to’ make the worlt fecme Maine, though fo low and dgje~ good. The adtions of men are ed that they were pat feare of | the belt rales for others to judge them. Bac the Presbiters, as itis. them by. Now upon view ofthe Conceived , will be more violent, as ations of che Divines that arc now flaves ufaally are when they hecome | in favour, men doe (Peake very matters: -and thus, ialke n Stione- | (rangly, fome fay the tyranniz over ly the Anabapuiit aund > Bebueitte cone Bo Woy A I . rrr: an | jand_ Antinomian (being cheifly in danger but other the molt: mode- rateand ingenious meu, that are “not fiwayed by the Divines ‘interett. | “\. They fay too, that as itis not jut, |. fo neither is it politike, that in the | beginnings and firit rife, when the | Divines are but laying the foundati- | on of their greatneffe, wealth; and fway over the. peoples confciences, and nwilting their interelt infenfibly with the Parliaments, that in the in fancy of their tyrannie they: fhould ‘carry theafelves fo high and pre- -Sumpruons as they” doe over other niga, fhewes thie their wif:dome ‘het cofires fomewhat thort of the Sorgeiits ,' or elf that they are fo impadant at the not compliance of” other men , that they break, out e- ‘ua againt thelr owne intercit.. Nay ‘ tonte Mititweber, that they did well indeed id being fo zealous agairft - the -advantagions to ee C19) mo et the Bifhops, tho D . e B #¢ Drones and Ca- makin ct Ge ge mmonvvealth, in nervediy odious ¢ people their oppreffive Come i. Ines, Cenfares, and Imprifon- Pee coat they begin tofear tharfome dS OF thelr Owne were aimed at hereiny and not {> mitch, the i , oy of the people, as that they | pig reget up into the Chaire and | em initead of a L thee a ruling Presbytery, which bring in more tigid- nelle and autterity ono leffe nia. and domination then the former. And the reafon if ; ley have to fear is becaule our Divines hoe’ noe fea ae ee With usin many pare “ ane at certcine inter= : Opés which, they find advance theit hie hour & efteeme with the people i B 3 haveee emma (20): haveentered already isto many of their fteps, which in them at firft they did {eem fo mica to abunr'n tte. | That theintzrelt only of che Bifhop | ia pardiculary and of that fort of | Brelates isexploded;but the generall - | interelts of che Clergie, whereby an- | ather, Prelacy may be eretted, and | themyttery of the Divines maintai- ned in credit amongtt the people, is 1 Gill evieh all ace and induttry. prefer- i} yed. Iwill tike che paines both to tell you what thofe general] interelts | are, and whatin reafon may be faid \ againftehenn eet fiurt interelt is to pie | Leave amongtt the. people ‘the: di- ‘| firdion concerning Government of ‘| Ecclefiafticall and: Civill,thongh 1p on..confideration it will be foun : | thac -two:, Governments In 01 1 Common-wealth. hath ever beens and willever proveincontiftent with (21) ( the pec pies fatery : The end of Government . being to promote . virtue, reitraine vicey and to main= taine to cach particular ris owne,, one fort of Government which we call che Civill, cither is fafficient,. or by the wicedome of the’ Parlia- ment may be made futicient for’ thele ends. At the beginning of this Parliament it was confefled 3 thac ic was both t20 burdenfome tor the Divines, and ‘too Jaazardous for the State, that they fhou'd bre trufted with any tiidg of Govern- ment, their preaching and inftru- Ging the people being, if well dit charged, fathcient to take up the whole man. But the times chanze,’ andthe men with thems the de- ligneis fealible, and ic mict now againe be thonght neceffary that the Divines fhould Have a itroak, inthe Government, and therefor , tha, aEC22) that diftin@ion is againe maintai- ned, which being taken up at firlt by proud .Chwrch-men for ambisions ends, is ftill continued for: ends though not in every thing che fame, 9 yet differing ( I feare me ) rather in the degrees than nature of them, we cannoc tell what elfe to thinke of ie, but that finding our Divines aiming at authoricy and purdiétion, have judged ic molt politicke to gaine a pecheminee > (laff fately and npous, but ) altogether as impe- Pot and er over men as the former, which becaufe it is not fo garith outwardly as the Bithops.they may prefume will therefore be the eafiet admitted, and prove of longer continuance. LI. The fecond intere% of the Divine, isto preferve amongft the people the ditkindtion of Clergie and Laity, though not now in thofe termes,becanfe they have been un- _—_—_—_—<—$—— en happily |. (23) happily di‘Cowered. The Scriptures fo evidently makeing the people | Gods Clergy by way of diiteen t. frony che Miniiters,1Per.5.3. but ne- | ver the Minifters by way of ditinGi- | en from the people. - And then for Laity, a people (as the word fieni- | fies ). I hope che Minifters are: fach : as well as any others. Well, the di- |‘ ftin&tion by words is not fo materi- | all, as a reall diftinSion with their interdt is to prefwve. They would not have us to thinke thata Miniit-| tercomes to be fo, asan other ‘man comties to be a Merchant, Booke‘eh. ler, Taylor, &e. either by difpofalt of him by bis friends in his educiti- on, or by his owne making cho t0 be of fuch a Trade: t. there mutt be fomething fpirituall in tle bufineffe, a Tue Drvins mult -bé bronght in,and a firecfion from the Apottles, and even as fome would Bs ~~ _—shaveC24), {have us thinke Kings to be annoyn~ ved of God, becaufe the Hraelitith - Kings were by his command, fo. we } | T ave made to beleive,. thac beccanfe a ss tle-Apoftles were ordained by Cod }. | tobe Teachers of the people, and | endacd: with: guifts for that end 5 | thar therefore there ia a like divine, | though feciet orditurion tram God + in.smaking of our Miniiters, and: [pi- | ; viviall guitts 82. qualifications there tmto-:. Beaute otherwife, if the people-did not belcivefo,they would examine all that was aid, and not Ke thing rom the Mi- | tke things.upon traft.trom the- nifters, as if whatfoever they fpake, | 1 oe. . o . d God {fake in them: ticy woul then iyall things, has what they ound 10.be truth, they would: en briee'aa from God, for Gad‘is the Aithonr of truch ; what they found | | tobeotherwife, they would reel ; for the molt part they and then for wie (25), might {pare their notings and re~ petions'too,unlefe the more to dit cover the groundlcfiefle of the do- eine, and the giddinelfe of the Di- vinity which they generally heave, They would then handle theis Mi- nilters familiarly, as they doe one an Other, fhaking off that timorout, nefle and awe which they have of the Divines, with which they are ig~ norantly brought up. He that bade us try all things, and hold fatt that which was good, did fuppofe. that men have faculties and abilities | wherewithal to try all things , or lie the counfell had beene given in vaine. And therefore however } the Miniter may by reafon of his continual exercife” in preaching, and difcourfing, by his daily ftudy, and reading, by ‘his skill in Arte -and’ Languages, by the conceit of the efteeme he hath wich a greatC26) part of admiring people Cin whom | | is rtuly fulfilled the prophecie of St. {~ | Pige!, 2 Tint.4.3-4. ) presume it cafe to pofleffe us, thae they are necre _{ divine then other men (as they ftyle themfelves ) yet if che people would but take boldnes to themilelves and not diftrut thcir owne underitan- | { dings, they would foon find that nf '} and experience is the only difference, | and that all neceffary knowledge is cafe to be had, and by thenifelves acquirable: and that it is the Mi- nilters intcreft, their living depen- ding thereupon, to frame long me- thods and bodies of Divinity, full of doubts and difpuces, which in-} dead are made of pxpofe difficalt to attaine-untg, that their hearers may} bea lvtyes learning,and never come to the knowledg of the trnth, be~ getting di(quiet and unftlednelle of mind, continual controverties, f a : . ne (a7) neffe, and many times defperation : All which makes for them for that. upon all occafionsmen have recourfé to them for comfort and fatisfactix on, which how weake and fhort fo- ever it be in it felfe, mutt be amrant, beeaufe from them: the Keyes of thé Church(aprerogative which our Saviour gave to his Apofiles, ) they arrogate to themfelves, a new Ai thority they make mention of in their Sermons, which they call Mi- nifterial C though nofuch thing be- longs to them, naris yet feled up- on them, nor I hope ever will be ) thus’ cheir ineerek is to make of ‘| themfelves a peculiar Tribe, of a nearer relation to God then o- Vineyard , the Corworkers: wi him,and all other ties they. chiens givon in Seripeare to. the Apoldles, __. thongh(28) though neither for their’ abilities, much Ieffe for their-vertues or con- verfations, or in any other refpeck can be duc unto.them. - ; . ITI. The third intereft is to per- {wade the people,that the Scriptures though we have them in our owne tongne,are not yet to be underltood by us without their helpe and inter- pretation;fo thatin effec we ave in thefame condition with thofewehave fo-lowz pitied, that are forbidto have the Scripturs in theirown tongne:for *tis.all one not to have theny. in-our ‘own tongue,and to be made beleive; | that we cannot underitand them |. { though we have-them in our owne. Is the Cabinet open tous, and doe | we yet want.a Key? :has fo much la- hour been {pent? fo many Tranflati- { onsextant,’ and. are’ we. yet ‘to fecke 2. Let.:us. argue: a litle . with Cg) Se with them: either the Scrip- twes are not rightly: Tranfh- ted; or they are: If they are fnot, why have wee not beene | - told fo all this while ? why have wee beene- cheated into e:rcucs ? If they are rightly -Tranfla- ted, why fhould not Englithmen underftand them ? The Idiomes and «properties of the Hebrew: and Greeke ‘Languages 5° which | fome fay, cannot word for word | be expreft in Englith, mighe all thig while have beene Tranflated-into as many 'Englifh words as will} cary the’ fence: thereof; :There is | nothing in. the Hebrew or Grecke but may be‘expreftin Englifh,though | not jult info many words ( which is not maateriall )-fo. that'ic mut be confelt,. that ercher we have not beene fairly dealt withall-hitherto.| - | in the conveyance: of the Scripture,Ce) ‘| Cathing which few dare fufpeét) or elfe the Scriprures are as well tobe underftood by us, as’ by any Lingnift |. whatfoever. os - Well , notwithftanding all this how evident foever itbe,a great part of tis people doe beleeve jutt as they would have vs, and therefore } § filly men (as we are)in cafe of doubt to them we goe to be refolved: and hereby ig maintained the neceflity and excellency of learning, and the Languages, and fo of Univerfities, | | and a fuppofall that the arts like- - wife are of necalfity to a Divine: fe- ver yeares at leatt are allotted for the attaining thereof,00.fit and dif- "he Arr beng san they fay, han t yas. they fay, hand- | maids. and. tions to. Theoto- gis. But 1 heare wife men: falpecd aif this, and fay, that the Divines | of whac fore foever, have other ends | C31) | ends in urging all thele things to be of neceflity. : , Firlt, they have hereby made it a dificule thing to be a Minifter, and fo have engrofled the trade to them felves,and lett al other nen by rcafon of thelr other profeffions in an in- eapacity of being fuch in their fenfe. And therefore, Secondly, if any doe take upon them their profeffion without Univerfity breeding and skill in the Arts and Languages (how knowing aman fo ever he be otherwife Jthey have faltened fitch an odivm in the hearts of moft of the people againft him, that a theif or murderer cammot be more out of their favour then he. Thirdly, chey being furnifhed with thefe Arts and Languages, have a mighty advantage over all fuch as have them not, &are |” admirers therof,(as moft men are) fo that hereby they become mailers . ‘of OL ARPES7) of all difconrfes, and can prefently ftop the peoples mouthes, that put theni too hard.co-itby telling them that it is not for Lay-men to be too contident,being no fcholler:,&-igno- | rant of the Originall; That the Ovi- pinall hach ie otherwife then our ‘Tranflations: And thus they keep al | in a myftery,that they only may bee -the Oracles to difpence what, “& how thez pleafeifothac this dird in- * 4 tereft isofmucticoncernmenttothem. | | T know what the fcruph of mot | j men wilbe,in reading of this latt par ‘ticular: almoft all wilbe the Divines Advocate for Learning, & have ltim ‘in gréat hate & derifiorithat is an enemy thereto-For as Diair« was, fo is Learning thofe Crafts-mens living & the peoples goddeffe. However, I "| will make no Apologie fos my felfe, buit defire,that everyman would give Ais reafon:{cope.boldlz to examines whit (33) aan what itis 5 what good the World veceives from it, whether- the moit learned, or unlearned men have been the troubles of the World: How prefimpefions and confident the learned Scribes, Priefts, and Doétars of the Law were, that they belt underitood the Scrip- tures : How the pore and unlear= ned Fifkermen and Tent-makers were made choyce-of for.Chritts | Difciples and Apoitles, before any | _ ofthem : How in proeefle of time | they that tooke upon them to be Minifters , when they had acquired to thenifelves the mytterie of Arts and Learning, & confounded theres by the cleare ttreames of the Scrip- tureand perver ed the true Gofpell Of Jefs Chrilt , and by politicke Gloffes , and Comments intro- duced an other Gofpell’ fatable to the covetous, ambitious , and. pet |. rere ata ren Oona an quemnrentenensbaemapnsnsnnestaga G4) ee rfecuting, {pirit of .the Clergie Ewhich their efteeme with the peo- ple made authentick } they. then be- gan to fcorie the fimplicity and mreaneffe of the Apoftles, to call chat the Infancy-of the Church, and to engrofie great Livings» Lordthips, Territories and Dominions ; to em- broyle States in warres, to fupplant one an other and divert the people | from the profécution of their owne 1 intereft,(which is their fafety and li- 1 ber tie to maintaine their quarrels, Vand ére& that Governement the | then rifing part of them could agree upon. So that the Preifts and Mi- | nifters of Chriftendome ( though | | others have the name) yet they are | indeed theLords and leaders there- | of, as at prefent by Englands fad ex- i Perience may evidently appeare: For a | Swould have all wife men conféder, whe- (35) | ther the party who are now in ‘armes-to makeus flaves, confilts not. cheifly offfiich as have had: efteeme for the molt learned Arts men in the Kingdome ; or of others, ( who if not learned themfelves) are-admi- revs of fuch-as are. Yea, to examine whence moft of the warres of | Chriftendome have fprupg , and _ whether chee artifoull Clergie men have noe been the cheife caufers and Rill are the grand Incendiaries of of our prefent miferies which threa- ten cur utter mine, and although the Epitcopall Clergie pretend to firive for the Regall Prerogative on the one fide, and tke Presbiterian Prelacy for Reformation, and the Liberzy of the Subie& on the other fides yet both of the’e mainely in- ealtheir owne reipe&ive profits, and advancenients 5 fo that which | fd2 fcever prevaile Cif fich may haveG4) perfecuting fpirit of .the Clergie ( which their efteeme with the peo- ple made authentick ) they then be- gan to fcorne the fimplicicy and mraneffe of the Apofiles, to call that the Infancy-of the Church, and to engrofie great Livings, Lordthips, | Territories and Dominions 5 co em- broyle States in warres, to fopplant one an other and divert the people ftom the profécution of their owne } intereft,(which is their fafety and Ji- | ber tie to maintaine their quarrells, j and ere& that Governement the | then rifing part of them could agree upon. So that the Preifts and Mi- | nifters of Chriftendome ( though | | | others have the name ) yet they are | | indeed theLords and leaders there~ | of, as at prefent by Englands fad ex- “| perience may evidently appeare: For Tweuld have all wife men confer, ‘ whee TSE —€35) ce ther the party who are now. in armes:-to make us flavee, confilts noe. cheifly offiich as have had etteeme for the molt learned Arts men in the Kingdome ; or of others, ( who ifnot learned thenafelves) are admi- revs of fuch-as are. Yea, to examine whence moft of the warres of Chriftendome have fprupg , and whether hele artifeull Clergie men have not been the cheife caufers and fill are the grand Incendiaries of of our prefent miiferies which threa- ten our utter ruine, and although the Epitcopall Clergie pretend to firive ‘or the Regall Prerogative on the ons fide, and tke. Presbiterian Prelacy for Reforniation, and the Libcr-y of che Subic& on the other ide ; yer both of thee mainely in- eal their owne reipective profits, and advancements ; {0 that which fd: fiever prevaile (Cif finch may have aeeneneinsieeemet(36) ec ES have their wills ( both aiming at |. their own greatheffe and Dominion [ over the confciences of their Bre- thren ) extreamelt mileric, and ba- fet kind of flavery will unavoydably follow; whilit cach of them by all flyeinfinuations and cunning con- srivances feeke to obtaine authority to compel! the whole Nation to be fubjefe to cheir doubtthll, yea coundleffe determinations, which of ull other is the greatelt and worlt fort of oppreffion and tyranny. The people may, if they pede dote up- on that which ever hath been, and willbe their deftruftion: It would be more faté for ciem (Iam fure ) todiltinguiih of Knowledge, and to reje&t whatis ulelefle ( as moft of that which hath hitherto borne the name of learning, will upon impat- tiall examination prove to bz ) and citeeme that only which is evi~ , dently ee (37) dently ufctull othe people ;- to ac- count better of them that having no by-ends or refpects, have ftudied the the Scriptures for their owne.and o= thers information, and doe impart the fame to the people ont of adefire of their good, for nothing, (as the Anabaptiits doz to their Congrega- tions ) than of fuch men as uf all meanes to ausment their tyches and profs, who being rich and abun- dantly provided for, yet exa€t them from poore poople, even {ich whofe very bellies can hardly fpavé it ; whov neccilities ought to be releeved by.then, .and not the fruite of their labours. fo unreafonably + wreited trom them, as oft it is, and che fame {) fitpe-Huonfly {pent, ar £6 cove- toufly hoarded up, as for the mot partis knowne to be. “When. they commend Tearning, ir is not for Learnings fake, bac their cwne; her . , eltcenic(38) Pe reenact ITA egets them their Livings and cats: and therefore fhe is to be kept up, or their Trade will goe ‘downe. Heve acare therefore O yce “| Clergieyy as you efleem your bonsmr and | prefarment 5 your profit wd obfer vance, that you keep this Diana of yours bigh in the peoples efteens: Rouze ip your felves 5 and imagine fome nem: wayes to quicken the admiration | § of this yor Goddeffe; for L can affisre , nd ons mens eyes begin to opemy they fin ‘tat foe is not fo beat al as fhe once |} Gemed.to be ; that ber liflre is not na- fori but painted and rtificiell : Be- flirre your felvesy or your Diana will downe. But why fhould I excite you, who I know are too induftrious in the prefervation of your owne in- teretts. " Divers other interefts they have lied, as to make-themfelves the on- |f ike {peakers,by which meanes y publike {peakers,by wmyeanes cece rt PIT a (39) whome, arid what they plea they openly’ condeiane, cry up, or cry | downe, what.makes tor or againtt themielves : There they brand men: wich the name of Hereticas, and fa- tien what errours they thinke are molt bacefil! to the people, upon thofe men they purpofe to make o- dions: T heve they confate all opini- ons, and buldly they may doe ic, for as inch as no liberty of reply or Vindication in publike ‘is allowedto any, though never fo much fcands- lized by chem. And that mer; may not vindicare cheastelves by writing, their next interett is to be Matters of the Prefle, of which they are lately become by an Ordinance for licen= fing of Baokes, which being inten- ded by the Parliament for a good & neceflary end (namely ) che prob? bition of all Buokes danzerous cr icandaluus to the Stacesis bs-oa. hy C meane aren(40). - TT — : . mieanes of the Lieencers Cwho are '| Divinesand intend their owne inter elt) molt ferviceable to them wes {eandatous Books being {till difperft) - in the ftopping of honelt mens wi tings, that nothing may come ° re Worlds view but what they plea i. unleffc men will runne the bazar of imprifonment, (as I now :) (0 that in publike they may peake what they will,write what they wil, they may abnfe whom they wi Han 1 nothing can be faid again! chem well nay they prefume of mi ng thenvfelves Matters of the peop | ee ving chef foundations laid, am 7 he cople generally willing to Ne chey arz good. Imight procee 1, t9 oy what ufage wife men expect Jom their Gove-nment, being once erdlifachow rigid and auttere one thinke they will prove, countenane cing no recreations buewhat men Se ee Car) felves are addiéted to: how cove tous others deem them, obferving that they have more Jegard to che Benefice then the people, and doe u- fually change and fhite upon profter |: ofa better Parfonage. Some fay that they are a people ficke of the Phari- fes difeafe, they love to fit upermot at feafts,& to be reverenced in pub- like places, that’ cheir refpeéts to- wards men are as they are rich and -bencfeiall-to them, and that a pore man can hardly obtaine a vifice, though at the time whén the world Couceives thereis greateft neceflity of it: that they’ hover about dying men for their Fee, and hope Legacy , & many other things are common ly | talked of themwhich becaue T ut pe to be truel will (ec myfelf here- after more narrowly to obferve. The Objeftion wereupon all this CL hope ) necelary digreficn C2 - i 1Sre TT — is built, was that men may be com- pelle C though, againd conicience ) _to what che Synad or preent Mini- -ftery fha't conclude to be good, and ‘agreable co Cuds Word, becante n- nicy and uniformity in the Church isto be endeavensed. To which I farther Auf. AnSyesr, That to free men |-again? cheiz mind and tudgment, to telocive what ocher men conclude to be cw, weld prove fach tyranny as thewieed Pwvervfies Crientioned by Plitech) praftiscd, who would bt all mea to one Ped, by flretching, | chem ourthac were too fhort, and by cutting them fhorier that were too lung. JF we bele've as che Sy- nod world have us, what is cbts bne to be byenghe into their mifcrable confision thar mut beleive as the Chaveh beleives, and fo become, Cas faid an honed manner tse Dildip'es (43) of Chrift, but of the Synod ?. . 3+ Real’ The thicd Reafon for Liberty of Con.cience is exounded upon thee toundstions, chat whee- foever is not of faith is fin, anil thar every man ought to be fully pevtira- ded of the trench of thar wary wherein he ferveth the Lord : “upon which grcunds I thus arcuz To con:pell me againit my con‘e! ‘ to con:pell me asainti what I be to be true, and (© asainik pe now whatfoever is not of fi: au fin; To conmell m efor nn pel me. therafo gaint my conicience, is to con me to doe that which: $3 {inf} | i 3 Linfall ; though the thing may bein it clic :pell foy good, yet ifit doe nor Appeare to be. be fo tom ience my contcience, the prs & thercot in me is finfallawhieh there. forel ought x fore. ought not to be compelled — Aguine Tani ccuntlled by the A- 3 Potile€ 44) Poltle robe perfwaded in my owne mind of the truth of that way wher- in I ferve the Lord ; Lam not there- f re co be compelledt> worlhip God in fuch a way,of the juttneffe where- .| of I am not yet perfwaded, much Jefe in fach a way as is againtt my mind. _ Ob. Nothing is more dangerous to a Scate, efpeaciaily in thetc times, than divition and dillarbance by fe- verzll wayes of Brethren which have | | encreved our mifries, and’ there- fore to avoyde divifion they wha wil not of their own accords comply,are for the quict of the ftate to be com- pelled and punifhest. i, Anf. ¥ Anfwer , that -it is verily thought that the harfhneffe only of jj this propoficion hinders that it is not yet put in execution, till time & cuming have fitted ic for the peoples Or . (45) Tete for we are told in the lat confiderae - { tion tending tu difwade from further gathering of Chrurches,that fiffering }- is like to be the portion of fich ‘38 thall judge the right rule not to be delivered to them. A man would thinke chat thofe people that fo Iate- ly wore the fufferers, the noyle of whofe exclamations againtt {ach courfes, is {Carce yet ont of the peo- | ples cares, that they fhould not foone thinke of being the Ty- rants. Bue to the Objection I ans fwer, that the divevfity of mens judements. is not the occafion of divifion , becaufe the word divi- fion hath reference to a falling of ‘trom the Common cane Now. though the provocations and in- citements 5 egainit the Brownifts , and Anabaptiils and fome of the Independents shave becne man 3 yet their affeCtions to the Publik wealeai veers J, C46) : weale are fo hearty in them, and - grounded apon auch found princi-’ pics of reafun, that no aflay of the Synod can make them ceafe to love and aft their Countrey 5 and it is more then evident by the profperity : -of our neighbours in Houand, that. the feverall wayes of our brethren in’ matters of Religion hinder net, but thac they may live peaceably onea~ mongitan athers and the Spaniard . will wimeffe for them that they nite fufficiently in the defence of their common liberties and oppoii- tion of thelr common enemies: ‘Be- 4 ‘| ids, its very materiall to confider, : _| thacis hath ever been the pra&tice of ‘| thofe chat are cotntenanced. by. Aur | thority to endeavor the. fuppreffion - of thofe that are not : who is there- : fore in the faule? the qniet Separa- till;who being perfwaded.in his con- | felence of the truth of that way he: detires C47) me defires to ferve the Lord in, Peecea= bly goes on to do his duty as he thinkes himfelte bound to doe, of they who out ofa lordly difpofition cate not what injury they doe ro o- thers, though to the hazard of the Common-wealth, to advance them= felves and their government, they defame the Separation in their wri- tings and Sermons, bid their pote- lites beware of them, as of a dance- rous and fa&tions people, ftoppe their mouthes, keep the Preffe fom them, Provoake thent by all wayes poffibl and then like the crafty Polidan ory out upon them as the caulers of di- vifion. Theare fome men fay,that it con- cernes the Minifter fo to doe,becau his living- ¢ depending upon his tythes and guifis ) is the greatersthe more rich and numerous his audi nee is; and therefore the Separa jitsC48) ) are not to be fiflered, who they find | by experience draw many-people af ter them, and though not the de- vout honourable women, nor the | | cheife men of the City, -yet. many whofe number might much encreafe | | the yearly revennue of the Minifter, and therefore you-mut thinke -ichas | concerned them to. meet together, } and -to.fay-amongft themfelvesy. Sirssyert kerow that by this our craft we | | have oter wealth:morcover ye fe ay hesry |: : | that net-alone at Lendor,. bit in moft | . | | parts of the Kingdom thefe Separatifts | | | have perfrraded & turndavay much peo } ‘| pley faying that our Minifiry is no true | "| Mdinifiryyo Chureb, no true Chur , | ost Doctrine in many things erronions, that om fircceffion from the Apoftles is | but a pretended thing gp as we our fel- ves do devivei! defeended farmany 100. | yeares through the detefieble Papacy.& : mifh J C49) mile Miniftry, fo that-if thefe men be wed our gaineyand the maynifi 82 Enificence of the Miniftery, wich not pnd only, bat ‘he Chriflendome doth higha y wmaguifie and y wish dooce everence , would | For what other reafon then this |- can be imagined, why the ath on fhould: bee: the ejeiore of our Miniters Tt cannot be inftan-. ced in One particular whereby the Common-wealth receives prejudice from them: And then for the charge: of Separating, for thei maknig a scene is entnn ‘Voured',. to be ea fo heavily up- on them: — ; Tanfwer, That by reafon of the ch of Romes corruptions 5 iB | the Church of England: did’ long. fince’ make Scifme: fom: die Church. of Rome s for: which(50) which cauce likewife many’ 6f the prefent Minifters in lieve of the An-. tichritian dominecring Pifhops ‘| thought it no robbery to make fcifme from England ; ‘and even this Idolizing Synod, which though not yet upon her Throne, flicks not to let her clientsfee fhe fzyes 1 her beart ; Behold I fit aqucen, Tam nomiddim, and {ball fee. ns farrow, Rev.18.7. May not ‘I fay this‘; f Reverend Synod: ifto be proceeded ‘| againft by (ich carnal] fandy prin- ciples, fuch humane: ordinances, by |, which the Separatifts: ttand preju=.|; diced, be legally. foundjto-have made']. the greateft and moft tran{cendent’ {cifme which Fngland ever knew or | heard of, fince the Papiftrie was dif- | carded’; Ifthen the Separation have | | ‘gona Jitde fiwcher, and not only with the . Bifhops feparated from ‘Rome, with the Minitters from the Bithops, eenarmnanneen ° PES C5r) Sep Bifhops, brit by reafén of fome cor _ruptions itill: remaining among the |. Minilters; are by their confciences necfitaced ‘to feparaté from chem likewiie : In.all the feparations there. was’ dirference in judgement ; the Bifhops differ in fome things trom Rome, our Minilters from the Bithops, and amangft themielves too; which differecncs by the Scrips tures they cannot determine; as ap- peareth both by their writings and preachings, wherein with nuch ve- hemency they urge the fame againft other; of little force then will the major vote ofa Synod: be for: the determining thereof,having fo Jately’ moft notorioufly difcovered them- felves “to be ‘men-pleafers and tem- porifers,by crying downe the things which but yetterday they fo highly magnified in their Pulpits, and alio | praGifed with much devotion (at leatt52) leat Gemingly ) and having withall their owne interelts fo nnach con- cerned therein ¢ as is before in pare |: declared.) And further, knowing t | chat the fame perfons theméelves, | and their Tenets, ( as well as the o- pintons of Independents, Brownitts, | and Anababtifts,whom they oppefe) | doe ftand condemned not i the ‘major vote of divers Synods only, but by many generall Counfells alfo, | C who are accounted: to- reprefent ‘the whole Church upon Earth: ) |. no whit inferiour to them either in Arts or differ in. fume endures =e 2% or any other. |: qualification: Let it be then ne won- | | der, nor fo much as feenr’blameable |; | ‘hereafter, that the Separatifts fhould. |: inions from: this | ‘prefent Synod, fince the Minifters |. | therein no lictle differ amongft them [| felves,much more than yee appeares, |' 1 and will do fo,while Sun and Moon: |. | (53) endures untill we have courage and. ftrength enough to abandon all pri- vate interefls and advantages, All imes have produced men of feverall wayes 5 and I beleive: no man thinkes ween will be an agreement of judgement as = this World lafts: If ever there be, in all probability | ic mult proceed from the power | and efficacie of Truth, not from |- conftralnt. Objection. An Aflembly of Di- vines, men that have imployed all } their time in the ftudy.of Religion, | are more likely to find out the truth, then other men, that have not {0 |. fpent their time; who being now confulting , what Dottrines and. what LTT EE,— 54) what Difcipline is moft agreeable to the Word of God, it is but meet that all men fhould waite cheir leafure, till icbe manifeft what they thal! produce. Ante. To this objection I fay fit, That they being now in con- fultation, not for themfelves, but as they fay,for the whole people ; it is biit reafonable that they fhould‘pub- ith to the world whatfoever is’ in | debate amongtt them, and invite ‘e- very man to give them their beft light and information, that fo they may heare all voyces, and not con- clude ought againft mens judgments before it be heard what they can fay for themfelves: This might perad- venture be a tneancs to find out all tmth, and fertle chings fo as that c- | very man might be fatisfed. You will fay, that they confider of il op= ES (45) - ( * ° * | objeftions amoneft themelves. I re~ py, thatis not fuffcient, for *tisa nowne cafe men. are generally pare tiall to themfelves and their cwne judgments, urging che weakelt ob-- jettions, and thac but {lightly : and : it can give no fatisfa€tion to men to ; have thelr caufes pleaded by their: Adverfaries, . Secondly, how palpable (ever it , appearesthac an Affembly of Divinies ‘ + are:more likely to. find.out truth | then other men ; yet it is to be con= fidered, that ic will puzzle any man toinftance when they did fo. Be- fides, grant itbe mare probable, yet ia may be otherwife, and ‘tis well ; knowne hath proved fo. The Li- { turgie was by univer‘all confene ap~ proved, and by the Parliaments Au- thority authorifed, particular men being fur: thefe. many. yeares' averfe to(56 ) to it, and feparating from the pe like Congregations becaufe of it: it now right. How confident foever there- fore the Divines ( as they ftyle chem felves ) are that they ‘hall find out the right rule ; yet fince it may be, and hichereo hath been otherwife, || it is but meet that they’ fhonld de- cree only for themfelves and fuch as are of their owne mind, and allow | Chriftian Liberty to ‘all their ‘| Brethren to follow that way which |} thall fem to them moft agreable to teuch. 2 Ob. Put weare told in the Di- vines Confiderations that all men mutt waie, otherwif the Parliament || ateliketobe provoaked. = Anfer. J marry Sir,this is a good |, ftrongue Argument, and {peakes || home to us:.I cannot blame the |§ . epa- [ appeares who were in the | f (57) Separatifts ncw for crying out, they feare your. Club more then your Reafon. I fee what they might ex- pe&,if the (word and authority were in your hand, your nine Confidera~ tions informes me, wherin are thefe two fuppofitions. Firft, tbat the. right rule may not be delivered us: And fecondly, that then men may be called to fi fer. Ieis a wonder to ob- ferve the wrethed condition of man, and his foule ingratitude: Is it fo Ieng fince the yoakes were brcaken off thefe mens necks, thac they for~ get the burthen & injuftice of them, or that affiftance they had from their feparatift Brethren in breaking thofe yoakes, that now fo foone as the; are got into reputation, they fho fuppofe a time of fuffering for their brethren for doing what. to them appeares to be their duty ! Re- gard O Gud y fince mean is become thus Soree a (58) , “forgetful, take thy diftreffd Servants, the Separatifis into thine owne pritec~ tion : Tha O Lordythit art the Fudge of all the Evth, put into the hearts of the Parliament ta doe right in this caitfe, and to fiffer thofe ufficted people no longer to endure-reproach or molefta- tion for doing of their duties. Ob. Putfome may fay.Ibcat the Aire :| all this while,there is no puipofe in .the Divines to force the conictence,, | they are futtcienily* informed that, || -the confCience cannot be for- ced,beingin no wife inbjet to com- | pullion,only it concernes them they: | -fay.co prevent the grouth and-en- creafe of errours, which cannot 0-: therwife be done but by puriifhing: thofe that are the authors and |} | maintainers of them, that fo trath }] -only may fiourifh; atid: the Gofpell jf with the Ordinances according to jf - the | ‘were inevery part and cireumitance + - rhein ntniyentnsnterienenenenenaemreeanapomameerenaaes | C59): - the true inftiution of them, be maintained and prattifed by all che people of the Nation. Any». Tanfwer, that though it were certaine that what they elteeme truth were fo indesd and that the tru: Gofpell and Ordinances of them that whih.they fudve them to be: however, ehongh’ they are earneiily to endeavour by argument and pzrswation co zeduce al} men.to the iame -beleifetand preQice with themie'ves, yet thole that cannot be thereunto pervaded, they ought not by any-nizahes co punilh,tor the frit and third Reaons afore’ given. Buc then for the ailucance of cheDi- Vines chat their concluions and Ar- ticks are certainty tras, if itbe buile \pon certaine tonndarionssthey need Nut cvoyele th: cumbace with any lore ———<<—_—_——(60) fort of men of what opinion {oe vec: ‘Truth was uot ufed to feare, ortofecke fhifts or ftratagems for 1 its advancement! I fhould rather, thinke that they who are aflured of her {Kould defire that all mens mouthes fhould be open, that fo errour may di‘over its foulnes, and trueth become more glorious by a vitorious con after a fight in open field; cheyfhunne the batcell that doubt their ffrenghe. Wile men are at a ftand to fee that whileft | J the Prefle was open no man un- dertooke the Anabaptilts, and that now their adverfaries have bound their hands they begin to buffer them; what can they doe elie but neceflarily Mupeé& chat our Divines have not the truth, nor by any evi- dence thereofare able to make good their owne {landings or pra- ices. To ftop mens mouths or} pac lt (61). punith men for {peaking their mindes , was profitable indeed, and neceflarie for the Bifhopes who had propofed to themfelves fuch |, endes as could endure no diicourfe |} upon them, and framed fuch cone |) fitutions, ceremonies and doctrines, | as mult bereccived wichout fcanning, -] or elie would appeare empty and groundleffe. But that the refor- niing Clergy , that pretend to have truth in its fimplicity , and the Gofpell in its purity , and feeme to abominate all by-cndes or re- fpetts, fhould yet take the fame courfe of prohititions with the Ei- thops 5 locke up the Prefle, and then vent themfelves in a furious and ( evidently ) {candalizing way, asin their Jate preachings and Pay hlets againtt the Anabapuils, will make, T belceve » all wile men | ful, et thac either they colbe their orwne ee2 . -~— - 7 owne cents, or snow fome groile : exrours amongit thenrélves, which . yet their interests and proieffions ‘engage them to ma:ntaine. To fay they gae not about to compell the | ‘cpnicience, which is uncapable of compu fion, bat will only punith the |: perion, is asi they were tporefull in - their crneleyjand fhewes as ii it pro- ceeded from mien ferled, and long pracifed in tyranny, I could with tor Chrittianity fake they had more wifedome then to play wich mens aftictions : 1 profefle unto you, did ‘Trill dore upon the perfons and feeming holynefle of our Miuifters (as Uhave done) fach carriage as this I chinke would open mine eyes, and make me fee they are not the men they feeme to be, that in fo fho.£.1 time can grow fo wanton wich their owne eltate and prelemi- as to gibe and {coffe at their ences Is ic not a frame brethrens miteries. to our profeffion, and { our canfe, that. well mae reall, and irreconcileable enemies to eyranny and ourcommon Advere aries, fhould be neceffitatd to leave . theic native Country,becanfe theycan hope nothing. fro; . ies ato Be inp op nithed for exercifing their conftien: } og _ O . fronted be fetled in your libertic, I can tell what elfe to make of this |. ‘ my part, but that you bd rather & flzwes to the King, and hazeerd the 1 fred ame of the whole Nation,shen thet ti ele men foruld have freedome with Joes yee may flatter your flves,tha ye a ich in {pirimall graces, and ‘ethatyou are in the -richt, ad have found out the truth wake i: aud Ordieances, but {0 long ‘ yee_want the maine evidences thereof, Love and line of mind, °| (65) | and pradtice 5 I thinke my fel bound mn confcience to br i c reke filence ai : come their advocate, Seand be- fo long as yee propofe dominion and the (way, over your Brethren » which our Saviour faid his follow- érs (honld noe doe, Math. 20.256 26. Mirke 10. 42. you mutt give men that are unwilling to be decei- ved leave to thinke that yee have yet but the forme and fhew of Religion, but want the inward ferecen and moft excellent fruitcs and efféSts thereof; Ecould with I had no oc- cafion for {peaking thus mtich, but when fores bigin to felter, they niutt not be nourifhed and fwathed, but Janctd and corraciv'd, “tis no time to hide and excufe mens ini rfecti- ons, when they ftrive to take roote for perpetuity. Were it in mine own caufe, 1 could not {peak {0 much,but Ob. There is one Objetti C jeetio againtt the Anabaptilt in articular, id that they Civill government and therelone noe £0 be jfolerared becaufe’ th opinion diredily. i to ee Conmon-weah settee Ang. o faies they h i peiniont why the Divine conn’ ly in their Pulpits, and wha ground haye they for their & fay ing? They find icin bookes that : yw e dave written of then | aff ey maintaine chis Pinion. b But how if the focieties nabaptifls in this Kinghome are moft Zealous and rationall de~ fenders of our Government? as to y knowledge pihey are, and ‘thar 2 CX~ people as I hav Separation to be,after much inquiry and examination of ‘their Tenets, and —_——€65) . ws Le expérlence can teltifie for them, that noe men have mere forwardly an conttantly chen they _affitted. the Parliament again thof: that difolve our tree governement and bring in tyranny 3 how ts it truce then thae the A abaptilts hold fuch an opinfon? O then they tel us that our Anabapdits are no Ana- baptifts: To what pucpofé then doc they exclasne againtt Anabaptifts that have been of that opinion? (as they fay.) (though. for my part Tbelecve neither then, nor tne books that tells chem fo) when they eannot +t know. if they know a ny thing, thae the Anabaptitts which new are, be not of that opr nions why: for this end and purpote, they refolve to make che Anabap- || ‘Uits odious to the people,. and no- |, thing they thinke will {coner doe it, then by making the people bee . Cee &) leeve that they are the’ harbonvers of fich an opinion as would dif- folve all focietie, and bring in- to contufion che ltate . Now this they {peake of the Anabaptitts in generali , knowing "| thac the people will apply ic to the Anabaptiits in England , con- ceming whem hovw tras it issyou may judge by that which followes. The Anabaptifts opinion con- cerning Governmenc is, that the world being groyne fo vitious, and corrupt as itis, there can pof= fbly bena living tor honeit.men without Govern went: ‘That the end of making Government, is the Peoples.quier and fafety and | that wha toever doth not conduce there- toastyranny or oppreffion & nat ga~ b3 veiti-(69) yernment , That the Government of England is of all others that they know the molt excellent,-the people by their chofen men,being, the nyak- ers & reformers therof:That thete- wer, and that the King is accoun- table to them for the not perfor mance of his Office,as all otter Off makers and ‘alterers of Lawes _for | the regulation and ordering of the _L people: That of right.they are to | bé called by thofe Lawes they have made in that behalfe, and to diffolve .}:it is not at theKingswil or pleafure to figne or refule thole Bills the Parli- duty cofigne them: Thatall great Officers and Majettrates of theKing- ha | in the Parliament is the fupreme po- }- cers of the Common-wealth are: | § § That ths Parliament only are the | whien they themifelves {ee good: that | } * | ament fhall paffe, but that he is of dome are to be chofen ‘by them: + - _ __ j C69) I. That the King {s to have his perfo- nall abode neer thie Parle thee they may have free conference with him at pleafwre touching the former | difcharge of his Office, or the pre- fent ftate of the Common-wealth : That to Parliaments alone belong the difpofall of Shipping,Forts,Ma- gazines,and all otherthe Kingdomes ftrengths,both by Sea & Land : The making of peace & war, the prefling of tonldiers,the raifing of monie for the preferving or regainingthe fafety |: or freedonie of the people,which for any other perfon ‘to doe, is treafo- }-: nable. Theie grounds & principles of our government they knowing,could . not bur fee che exorbitances of the King,& whureto al his lawles courfes & delignes tended, & therefore have not ignorantly ( as perhaps others) but.upon thefe grounds affitted the Parliament,and will doe till the lat. udge(70) ee "Judge by this chen whether theft men hold an opinion againft go- vernment 5 cr at what avretchleffe pafle chofe men are chat would make the people beleive they doe. T might infit +here upon a Booke called Tbe Consfiee:.ti on of Anshaptifts lately fet forth, which taies, They are abjolste and profelfed caemies to the tfentiall Being of Civil Government, bue I find le fo litele regard the Booke, it being fo full ofnon-fence, and in this particular {0 evidently contrary to truth, and the experi- f ence of every man, that lookes a- broad, and knowes any thing of the Anabaptilts; that it will be but Joffe | 0 time to take notice of it, only it were worth obfervation to fee how calily it obtained :an Inprimatarsand how open the Prefle is co any chine ]" tu: (719. | crue or falle,{ence orinon-fence,that i tends to the Anabapuiits fcandall | or difgrace, ’ Inthe beginning of the Parlia- ment a Booke was publiihed, called. the Hiltory of the Anabaptiits in: Hizh and Low Germany, the aime wheiof was by faftning odious | and feigned —muteni¢s_ evrours upon the Anabaptilts to derer this prefent Parliamenc in theic Re‘or- mation of Bithops, for teare, as the booke faics, leatt.chey who now cry out for Chriits rule, ftrike not fo much at che mifrule of Epifcopacy, as quarrel] at all miles, {0 chat whac courfe was taken by the Bifhops and their freinds to hinder the-Refor- mat‘on of that Hierarchie, namely, the aifvighting che Reformers by} ‘aity and imaginary confequences,the D5 fame eeee en beh eth . ’ “2 £ . . . . x IY ' C72). . fame are ufed by cur. Divines co prevent a through Re- | formation; of many erréures, and | miltakes in our Clergic, which the exceedingly feareand therefore they have, and late to render the: Anabaptifts as odious to the people'as their wits | and inventions can make them, But as the Bithors then failed of their ends by the wifedome of the | Parliament ; fo I emt the prefent | endeavoures ofonr Divines in ftri- | ving ‘to raife themfelves upon their Brethrens: difgrace and ruine,. will | by the continued courage and pru- dence of the Parliament prove vaine and fruidcfic. "They who eccho the Kings words | and take the Bifhops conife (I will noc fay have the Kings ends but) fo farre doe the Kings worke, yo The doe continue early and | | The King, T confefléhas reafon to cry-o&t upon the Aabapuiits, be-. . caufe he knowes them: to be enemies notof Government , bit oppre‘lion in Government, and all tholéwho |. | intend to oppréfle in any manner,. oughtyif they will be’trué to them~ {elves to doefo. too; for the Ana- baptitts are oppreilions ° enenties, whoever be the eppreflowrs. ~ And whereas they fay 5 they: find in Bookes, that the Anabaptiits are enemies to all Government, it were well ifthey would confider who: Wrote thoie Bookes: it maybe they | Were: written either by miltake, or forthe fame: end ahat they repeate: them. We can thew you books too, |- that {ay the Parliament are Brow-- nits & Anabaptiits; And. pait all queltion, if-the King fhould thrive | - anthis unnatural warre, this«Parl, fhould athud inthis Court Hiftorics; not only be called Anabaptilts,but bran-. ded.alio tv all polterigy wich that opinion talfly and malicioufly fathe- red apon the Anabaptifts, That-they wereenemies to Government, and went about to bring all into con-: fafion. Sietle cvedire cherefore is to ivento Bookes in macter of oblo- fe and feandall : but che men,and theie judgments in the cimes they live , ave to be confidered : And then I am confident it will appeare, } chat che Anabaptilts be of wellaffeA- ted mindes and peaceable difpofi- tionsymeriting a faire refpett trom the State and may well challenge amongit- others , the quiet enjoy- 4 menc of chensfelves as they are men, and the ordinances of Chrift.as they ave Car J,will adde one thing more-to the | ° . Brow- | thacin che times of che Bifhops do- mineering, when-many of. the Pre byterians complyed, fome to the ve- ry top of JV¥rens Conformity y and preached for thofe things they now prerend cheifly to.retorme, and the Independants -fled to places where they:might live at cafe, and enjoy their hundred: pounds a-yearz, with= } - out dangers the Brownik and Anae |. bupeit endured the hrate and-brunt of .perfecudion, and notwichitan- ding the: feverall wayes of vexing them, continued daing thei: duties, counting ic the glory of a Chriitian. ‘| to endure tribulation for the name et Chrift:: And the ¢imes al-e ing. the Presbyterian {oon comes abour, andthe Independant comes over, to be Teaders inthe Refonnation,. when forgetting the conftancic.and. integciry of chule who bore the heat : . and:C76.) and burden of the days they hold | the fame heavy hand: over thenr, that their fathers the Bifhops :did. And as the Brownifts & Anabaptifts affe&ion to the commen good of } all, was ehenfirme, & able to endure the triall of perfcution, fo hatlric in thefe prefent fearching times con- . | tinued. conftant & unfhaken , not- _withftanding the many almoft un- . fiafferable Injuries & provccations of the Divines en the one fide, & the | -| faire promifes & frequen pinvitacions - | of tche'King on the other 3f0 chat ‘| bad any ends of tlieir owne beene .| aimed’at, they could nor havecon- tinued such refolved & immoveable enentics of ‘Tyranny , & freinds to } their conutry : I beleeve if we would fappofe other men to be in- their Condition, we could hardly expe the like even & upricht carriage from them, amidit fo many ftormes and DR " teaip- Seen, 77)" temptations firrounding them. I hore all good men will take all-chat hath been faid -into coniideratiun : efpecially che Parliament who I pres lume are moit ingentions and ini pardall of all others. ind whom ig cheitly concernes , they being called and.tru‘ted to vindicate and pre‘erve the peoples liberties in general, and hot co enthrall che Contciences Perfons, or Ettares of any of then into a pregmaticall pretended Clere jo whether Epi-copall , Preshiter?- all, orany other whatoever, The greacelt glory of authority is to pro- | tect the dittreffed; and for thofe- that are Judges in other mens cantes | to beare thenifelves «as if the aff ited mens cafes were their owne; obfere uing that divine rile of our Saviour Whatfrecer yee would that uéon flonld ve Unto yor, ever Ja doe yee to them And ifto the Parl. ic fhall appeare* for the reafons given or other better “reafons ° ee(78) they can figeelt to chem(elves,chat it is oft uniuft,and much moreun- chrittian, thar any man fhould be compelied againft his comfcience to | away he approves not of, I doubt not:but they wilbe pleafed for Gods glory, and vnion fake and likewife for chef good mens ‘ake, which tor the prefent it principally concernes, atleatt for their owne fakes (for who knowes how focne this may be A. | hisowne cafe) {peedily to ftop all ‘oceedings that tends thevennto : ed tor the fueure: provide, that as well particular or private Congr tions, as publike, may have pub- ike prote&ticn, fo that upon a pe- | naley no injury or offence be offered _cicher to them from others, or by them to others. That all Statutes againtt the Separatitts be reviewed, and repealed, eipecially that of the 35- of Eliz, That the Preffc may be tree . : - { _ C79) rrp, free for any man, that writes no- thing Fandalows or dangerous to the State. That fo this Parliament may prove themielves loving Fa- thers to all forts of gocd men, bea- ring equall re-Pe& to all, according |. to the truft repofed in them, and fo inviting an equall affe&tion and at fitance from all: chat afrer Ages may report of them, they did all thele things, not becaufe of the im- portunity of the people, or to pleafe aparty, bue from the reafon and jutnetle of them, which did more fway with them, than a Petition fublcribed with Twenty thoufand hands could have done. FINIS