New-Englands salamander, discovered by an irreligious and scornefull pamphlet, called New-Englands Jonas cast up at London, &c. Owned by Major Iohn Childe, but not probable to be written by him. Or, A satisfactory answer to many aspersions cast upon New-England therein. Wherein our government there is shewed to bee legall and not arbitrary, being as neere the law of England as our condition will permit. Together with a briefe reply to what is written in answer to certaine passages in a late booke called Hypocrisie unmasked. / By Edw. Winslow. Winslow, Edward, 1595-1655. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A96687 of text R201531 in the English Short Title Catalog (Thomason E390_8). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 74 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 17 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A96687 Wing W3038 Thomason E390_8 ESTC R201531 99862030 99862030 114179 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A96687) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 114179) Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 62:E390[8]) New-Englands salamander, discovered by an irreligious and scornefull pamphlet, called New-Englands Jonas cast up at London, &c. Owned by Major Iohn Childe, but not probable to be written by him. Or, A satisfactory answer to many aspersions cast upon New-England therein. Wherein our government there is shewed to bee legall and not arbitrary, being as neere the law of England as our condition will permit. Together with a briefe reply to what is written in answer to certaine passages in a late booke called Hypocrisie unmasked. / By Edw. Winslow. Winslow, Edward, 1595-1655. [2], 29, [1] p. Printed by Ric. Cotes, for John Bellamy, and are to bee sold at his shop at the signe of the three Golden Lions in Cornehill neare the Royall Exchange, London, : 1647. A reply to: Child, Major John. New-Englands Jonas cast up at London (Wing C3851). Annotation on Thomason copy: "May 29". Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Child, John, -- Major. -- New-Englands Jonas cast up at London -- Early works to 1800. Church polity -- Early works to 1800. Massachusetts -- Church history -- Early works to 1800. A96687 R201531 (Thomason E390_8). civilwar no New-Englands salamander, discovered by an irreligious and scornefull pamphlet, called New-Englands Jonas cast up at London, &c. Owned by Maj Winslow, Edward 1647 13401 104 0 0 0 0 0 78 D The rate of 78 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 2007-03 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2007-03 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-04 John Latta Sampled and proofread 2007-04 John Latta Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion NEW-ENGLANDS SALAMANDER , DISCOVERED By an irreligious and scornefull Pamphlet , called New Englands Jonas cast up at London , &c. Owned by Major Iohn Childe , but not probable to be written by him . OR , A satisfactory answer to many aspersions cast upon New-England therein . Wherein our government there is shewed to bee legall and not Arbitrary , being as neere the Law of England as our condition will permit . Together With a briefe Reply to what is written in answer to certaine passages in a late Booke called Hypocrisie unmasked . By Edw. Winslow . LONDON , Printed by Ric. Cotes , for John Bellamy , and are to bee sold at his shop at the signe of the three Golden Lions in Cornehill neare the Royall Exchange , 1647. TO Major John Childe in answer to his Preface . SIR , I Am sorry for your owne sake , being a Gentleman reported to bee peaceable in your conversation , that you should bee thus engaged in other mens quarrells ; especially to father other mens falshoods and irreligious jeeres and scoffes , whose spirits if you were so well acquainted with as my selfe and some others that came lately from New-England , as well as thousands in the Countrey , you would bee more wary then to engage as you doe . But first for answer to your Preface , and then I conceive I have answered every word of yours in your seeming Treatise : And yet I would not bee mistaken that any should thinke I judge you unable to write such a peece , for there is no solidity in it : but I am so well acquainted with this language and such proceedings before ever I saw your face , as no man is or ever was better acquainted with the phrase or writings of another , then I am with your chief animator to this undertaking , whom I call New-Englands Salamander , because of his constant and many yeeres exercise , and delight in opposition to whatsoever hath been judged most wholesome and safe for the weale-publick of the Country ( from whence hee last came ) either in Politicks or Ecclesiasticks , being ever willing to enjoy the common benefits of peace by government ( which maintaines every man in his proper right ) but never willing to beare any part of the charge in supporting the same , as appeared by his constant cavilling thereat when ever any rates came upon the country though never so easie and just . But to come to the occasion of your printing the following relation , which you say are the sufferings that not onely my Brother Robert Child Doctor of Physick , with some Gentlemen and others have suffered in their persons and estates by Fines and imprisonment in New-England , and false reports and feigned miracles bere , &c. For answer , that your brother was in prison , and for what I certified you at my first comming over ; though to you grievous in regard of naturall affection , ( which I honour where I finde in any ; ) Then also being occasioned thereunto I freely imparted to you the Countries colorable grounds of suspecting his agency for the great Incendiaries of Europe , besides the matter of fact for which hee was committed , yea that the very yeare hee came over , a gentleman in the country ( Mr. Peters by name ) was advised by letters from a forraign part that the Jesuits had an agent that Sommer in New-England . And that the Countrey comparing his practise with the intelligence were more jealous of him then any ; ( though to mee he was a meere stranger ) and therefore I marvell that Major Childe should give me occasion , and force mee to publish these things which I neither affect nor intended : but I shall forbeare in that kind because I would not provoke . As for their estates being weakned by Fines , that is yet to prove : for though they were fined , yet the fines were not levied , nay so gentle was the censure of the Court , that upon the publike acknowledgement of the offence the Fine was to bee remitted to all or any one of them so doing . And for false reports and feigned miracles fomented here to colour their unjust proceedings , as you terme it ; I answer , your book is the first reporter of many things I here meet with , especially as you lay them downe , as shall appeare more particularly . In the next place you say , They give out that my brother and others desire a toleration of all Religions : This is the first time that ever I heard it so reported of them . Secondly , whereas you say they are accused to bee against all government both in Church and Common weak : This I know to bee false : for I heard them demand in Court the Presbyterian government , and it was granted them . Besides , before this demand in Court , at a private conference with an eminent person ( who well hoped to have satisfied them ) hee demanded of the Petitioners what Church government it was they would have ? One of them answered , he desired that particular government which Mr. John Goodwin in Colemanstreet was exercised in . Another of them said , hee knew not what that was : but hee for his part desired the Presbyterian government . A third of them said hee desired the Episcopall government if it might bee , if not , the Presbyterian : And a fourth told mee himselfe that hee disclaimed any thing in the Petition that was against the government of the Churches in New-England , &c. resting and liking what was there done in that kind . Now the former three passages ( and not without the latter ) were all told mee by grave persons in New-England , such as I beleeve . And therefore if any so accuse them I must needs cleare them : but withall testifie I never met with this accusation against them before I read it in your booke . Thirdly , for their petitioning the Parliament ; Take notice wee hold that no subject ought to bee restrained this libertie , and therefore count it no offence nor ever did , and therefore they were not committed for that . A fourth false report you terme , is , Their Petition brought from thence to bee presented to the Parliament ( which they had named Jones ) in a ship called the Supply ; being in a storme neere Silly , out of horrour of conscience the petition was torne and throwne over board : and that then the storme immediatly ceased , and they ●ir●●●lously saved . To this I answer , I was not in the ship ( I praise God ) and therefore what I say in it must bee from others whom I judge truely godly , and of the most grave and solid persons amongst them ; And Sir , let mee tell you , and the world in answer to you , I have heard the passage from divers , but never as you print it ; and doe thinke verily your informers belie themselves that they may have somewhat to cavill at . But though I had not thought to have entred upon a large answer to any particular : yet it being one of the heads of your Treatise , I shall bee larger in answering that then another thing ; partly to vindicate Mr. C●●on who is much abused in your booke , and partly from their owne pen to shew the prophane carriage of the partie in the ship by their fearefull provoking the Almightie to follow them with his terrours throughout the voyage from New-England to Silley , where they had a great deliverance , and yet neverthelesse to shew how they goe on still to abuse Gods mercy , patience and long suffering by this prophane title and story colored by your selfe . And thus much for answer to your Preface . As for the foure heads of your book and the Postscript , I shall answer them as they arise . An answer to the imperfect relation of the Hingam case . Were I not so well acquainted with our New-England-Salamanders wayes , and what a puther hee made in the Countrey about this businesse , I should stand amazed at the malice of men to see this brought against the government . To answer either this case or the next at length would ask so much paines , and bee so great a bulke , as their booke being but a two penny jeering Gigge , penned rather to please the fancy of common understandings , then to satisfie any solid judgements ; would goe much further then ever the answer would bee like to follow , that so he might bemire us with a witnesse . And if he can cause any reproach to lie upon us ( whether just or unjust , that matters not ) then hath hee hit the marke hee shoots at . And therefore to avoyd the many particulars would fall in a distinct answer by giving an account of the whole businesse , I shall desire the Reader to accept this generall . The Inhabitants of Hingam were knowne to bee a peaceable and industrious people , and so continued for many yeers ; The Lord supporting them in the midst of many straights in their first beginnings , crowning their indeavours with his blessing , and raising them up to a comfortable and prosperous outward condition of life , and such is their state through Gods mercy and goodnesse this day , living very plentifully . But Satan envying their happinesse ( the Lord permitting as it seemes ) on a suddaine cast a bone of division amongst them , which tooke mightily , to the great griefe and admiration of their neighbours on every side ; which controversie indeed arose about the choyce of their Captaine as is related . But our Salamander living too neere them , and being too well acquainted with them , blew up this to such an height by his continuall counsell and advise which the major part of the Towne followed to their owne smart , and the great griefe and trouble of Church and Common-weale , as they not onely filled their Court with complaints against each other , and wearied out the chiefe Magistrates in place , but complained openly against one of them , viz. the Deputie Governour , who upon hearing the Case thought good to bind some of them over to the Court ; some submitted and gave bond , others refused , and were sent to prison , &c. This Gentleman , as on all other occasions so in this particular much honored himselfe , by leaving his place upon the Bench and going to the Bar , and would not bee perswaded to cover his head or take his place till the case was heard and ended , which continued many dayes , partly by reason of the great liberty the Court gave the Plaintiffes in regard it reflected upon one of themselves , ( and I thinke the first case that ever befell in that kind ; ) but more especially because our Salamander was got to Boston , where though hee would not openly shew himselfe , yet kept close in a private roome where they had recourse unto him many dayes , yea many times a day for advice , and followed it to the utmost , to the great charge of the Countrey ( which came to much more , as I have heard , then the hundred pounds fine which was laid upon them ) in providing the diet of their Court . But the Court finding for the Defendant after much trouble in many dayes agitation fined the Plaintiffes in an hundred pound , and laid it upon sundry of them in particular amercements according to their severall demeanours in the action , and left the Deputie Governour to take his course with them , who onely rested in the vindication of his name ; which the Countrey so farre cleared , as not long after , their election day falling by course , they chose him their Governour , a place not strange to him , in which wee left him , having more often borne it then all others in that Government . And for the differences which befell them in their Church ; whether the Court or the Churches I know not , but the one entreated divers of the Elders to goe unto them , who through Gods mercy and blessing upon their endeavours prevented a division amongst them , though they could not at first settle things so well as they desired . And thus much for answer to the Hi●gam case which may bee sufficient to satisfie any judicious Reader : and foe those whose hearts are fraught with malice , the Lord onely can convict such , to whom I leave them . An answer to the second head , namely the Petition of Doctor Robert Childe , &c. This Remonstance and Petition of theirs which hath made so great a sound in other places as well as here , notwithstanding their golden pretences of respect and reformation , was no sooner delivered , but before they could possibly exspect an answer from the Court ( notwithstanding the largenesse of it ) Copies were dispersed into the hands of some knowne ill affected people in the severall governments adjoyning , as Plym●th , Con●●tac●t , New Haven , &c. who gloried not a little in it ; nay the Petitioners spared no paines , for before our comming away wee heard from the Dutch Plantation , Virginia and Bermudas , that they had them here also , with such expressions in their Letters as the present governour of Barmudas was bold to affirme to a Gentleman from whom I had it , who was then bound for New-England to get passage for England , that hee was confident hee should finde New-England altogether by the eares as well as England ; which hee well knew by a Petition and Remonstrance which hee had received from thence , &c. Now had a peaceable Reformation beene the marke they aymed at , they would not have gone about thus to make the government so much despised farre and neare , by casting such contempt upon them as they have endeavoured before ever they knew what acceptation their Remonstrance and Petition would finde ; which was taken into consideration till the next generall Court , where they were answered at large , charged with manifold falsehoods and contempts and fined for the same , after a solemne hearing of the Cause . But however I shall forbeare to give a particular answer in print to the said Remonstrance , not because I cannot , for I have the whole Case , the Courts defence against it , &c. which would bee larger then both these bookes , being as I said before too large in regard of the price of the buyer ; and therefore shall give such a generall answer as may satisfie the indifferent and equall minded Reader , and thereby deceive also our Salamanders expectation to draw out from mee the whole which befell since his comming away , that so hee might finde more fewell to baske himselfe in , and satiate his contention humors to the full . But for answer , good reader , take notice as well of the quality of these Petitioners as of their demeanour before expressed , and then thou shalt finde divers of them to bee inconsiderable in regard of proprietie with us ; who might bee justly suspected to draw in the rest who are much bewailed by many of us : and in so doing it 's possible thou mayst as well bee jealous of their good intents as those in the Countrey : For three of them , namely Doctor Childe , John Smith and John Dand , they are persons that have no proprietie or knowne proper estate in the government where they are so busie to disturbe and distract : and for Mr. Thomas Fowle ( who whether drawne in or no I know not ) hee joyned with them in this Petition and Remonstrance at such a time when hee was resolved to leave the Countrey , and since hath done , and sent for his wife and family , as I heare . As for Doctor Childe hee is a Gentleman that hath travelled other parts before h●e came to us , namely Italy ; confesseth hee was twice at Rome , speaketh sometimes highly as I have heard reported in favour of the Jesuites , and however he tooke the degree of Doctor in Physick at Padua , yet doth not at all practise , though hee hath beene twice in the Countrey where many times is need enough . At his first comming to New-England he brought letters commendatory , found good acceptation by reason thereof with the best ; fals upon a dilligent survey of the whole Countrey , and painefully travells on foot from Plantation to Plantation ; takes notice of the Havens , situation , strength , Churches , Townes , number of Inhabitants , and when he had finished this toylesome taske , returnes againe fo●England , being able to give a better account then any of the Countrey in that respect . Hee comes a second time , and not onely bestoweth some Bookes on the Colledge , as Sir K●… Digby and many others commendably did , but brings second Letters commendatory , having put in some stock among some Merchants of London , and for the advancement of Iron workes in the Countrey , which through Gods goodnesse are like to become very profitable to them ; but hath no more to doe in the managing of them then any here who have other their Agents being expert in the worke . This Gentlemans carriage is now changed , and is not onely ready to close with such as are discontented , but to bee a leader of such against the government , affront the Authoritie God hath hitherto honored with his blessing , appeale from their justice , and thereby seeke to evade any censure ; and if he might be thus suffered , why not others ? and then wee must all give over ; for if we have not the power of government , and cannot administer justice seasonably on all occasions , well we may come back againe and take some other course , but wee cannot there subsist . A second of these is Mr. John Smith , who formerly lived about two or three yeeres in Boston , but before this Remonstrance , himselfe and wife were removed to Road Iland , but never had any personall inheritance in the Countrey , and was now at the Massachusets but as a stranger . A third is one Mr. John Dand , who hath lived in Boston as a so●ourner since these warres in another mans house at Board hire , whose businesse and occasions there are unknowne unto us ; and whose carriage till this present was seemingly faire , but all on a suddaine though no further interessed in the Countrey he thus engageth himselfe against the Authority of the place . Thus taking Mr. Fowl● with them who was upon departure from the Countrey as afore , you may see the persons to bee such as have no considerable interest amongst us , at least foure in seaven : And all this being true I have related , I suppose by this time the Reader may conceive , or at least suspect their faire pretences and great glisterings are not pure gold . But besides all this take notice good Reader , that our Salamander wintred many moneths amongst them , very gracious and frequent in their companies , and no doubt a great helpe in furthering their designe in their Remonstrance , which brake forth not long after his returne home the spring following : and indeed his company had beene enough alone to have produced such an effect ; and therefore for my part so well knowing the man I cannot wonder at it as many doe , assuring my selfe bee better knowes how to ripen such fruit then all the Costermongers in London . And now let mee goe to the Title of the booke which hath its relation to the Petition aforesaid ; and after their Gigge called New-Englands Jones cast up at London , they would make the world beleeve that divers honest and godly persons are imprisoned in New-England for Petitioning for government in the Common-weale , according to the Lawes of England , and either for desiring admittance of themselves and children to the Sacraments in our Churches , or else for leave to have Ministers and Church government according to the best reformation of England and Scotland . Now these charges are most notorious false , and so knowne , for I came not alone from New-England , but accompanied with an hundred persons at least , which I beleeve can testifie in the case . And therefore Major Childe take notice how you are abused by them to father such devilish and slanderous reports as these . For the first , There were none committed for petitioning , but for their Remonstrance and the many false charges and seditious insinuations tending to faction and insurrections sleighting the government , &c. And lest any should thinke ( as I heare some doe ) that the Court of the Massachusets hath dealt rigorously with them , and that the Petition is very faire and orderly , &c. let the Reader know that such thoughts must either proceed from great weaknesse in not understanding or discerning the many grosse charges in it , or else from partialitie or evill affection to the Government which they neither love nor know ; for in their Remonstrance they not onely defame the Government , but controule the wisedome of the State of England in the frame of their Charter which is under the broad Seale of the Kingdome by charging the Government to bee an ill compacted vessell . Secondly , they charge all the afflictions that have befallen the personall Inhabitants either by sicknesses on the land , or losses at Sea upon the evill of the Government . Thirdly , they goe about to perswade the people , that all the priviledges granted and confirmed under the broad Seale to the Governour and Company of the Massachusets belong to all freeborne English men ; which contrariwise belong onely to the said Governour and Company , and such as they shall thinke meet to receive . Fourthly , they closely insinuate into the mindes of the people ( as the jealousies of others ) that these now in authoritie doe intend to exercise unwarranted dominion , and an Arbitrary Government abominable to Parliament , &c. foretelling them of intolerable bondage , which is enough alone to stirre up a people to commotion . Fiftly , how doe they goe about to weaken the authoritie of the Lawes of the place , the peoples reverence of and obedience to them in this their Remonstrance , by perswading the people that partly through want of the body of the English Lawes , and partly that through the insufficiency and ill frame of those they have , they can expect no sure injoyment of their lives and liberties under them : when as the State well knew the English body of Lawes was too heavy for us , and therefore as libertie is granted in our Patents to make our owne Lawes , so it is with this proviso , that they bee as neere the Lawes of England as may bee , which wee understand as neer as our condition will permit , which I shall speake more of elsewhere . Sixtly , they falsly charge the Government with denying libertie of Votes where they allow them , as in choyce of Military officers , which is common to the non-Freemen with such as are free . Seventhly , their speeches in their Remonstrance are charged to tend to Sedition by insinuating into the peoples minds , That there are many thousands secretly discontented at the Government , &c. whereby those that are so may bee emboldned to discover themselves , and know to whom to repaire ; and what greater meanes can bee used to unsetle a setled people , and to kindle a flame in a peaceable Common-weale , if the Lord prevent not , and Authoritie should suffer such things to passe uncensured ? Eighthly , they slander the Discipline of the Churches in the Countrey , and the civill Government also , by inferring that the frame and dispensations thereof are such , as godly , sober , peaceable men cannot there live like Christians ; which they seeme to conclude from hence , that they desire libertie to remove from thence where they may live like Christians : when as indeed our armes are open to receive such both into Church and Common-weal , blessing God for their societie . Ninthly , they doe in effect charge the Government with Tyranny in impressing their persons to the warres , committing them to prison , fining , rating them , &c. and all unjustly and illegally , whereas no warre is undertaken , nor any Presse goes forth , but according to Law established ; but the thing they would have is that any English man may volens nolens , take his habitation in any Government , bee as free as the best , &c. thus breaking all Order , Charters , and peace of Societies : for if he be English borne ( by their principles ) no Government may refuse him be he never so pestilent , whether Jesuite or worse . Tenthly , they ●ay a false charge upon the Churches in affirming , t●●● Christian vigilancy is no way exercised towards such ●● are not in Church fellowship : whereas they cannot but know the contrary . For however wee have nothing to doe to bring them to the Church , and cannot cast out those that were never within , yet privately wee performe the dutie of Christians towards them , either in holding private Communion with such as are godly , or reproving and exhorting the rest also as occasion and opportunity offereth . Eleventhly , that this dirt might stick fast , and men might more easily receive these injurious charges against the Government ; in the conclusion they proclaime , That our brethren in England ( meaning the Independents ) dee flee from us at from a Pest . When as for my part I beleeve that if our brethren were with us they would close with our practise , or at least wee should bee dealt more brotherly withall , and then wee should not only hearken to what counsel should be of God , from them or any other in Gods way but bee willing to reforme any thing that is amisse either in Church or Common-weale . Twelfthly , that it may appeare these injurious charges are their owne apprehensions , and pretenses rather then jealousies of any others , they have publiquely declared their disaffection to the Government , in that being called to the Court to render account of their mis-apprehensions , and evill expressions in the premises , they refused to answer : but by appealing from the Government they disclaimed the jurisdiction thereof , ( what in them lay ) before they knew whether the Court would give any sentence against them or not : when as indeed their Charter injoyneth nor requireth any appeale , but have the power of absolute Government by vertue thereof : but these seven Petitioners , whereof three are meere strangers and have no proprietie within the Government ( and a fourth then to depart and now departed from it ) will not beare it as the rest . And for my part if these foure that were Inhabitants were not drawne in by the three strangers to make up the number of seven to trouble the Commonweale , I should wonder ( well knowing their abilities otherwayes , especially of some of them ) there being no want of fit persons if many thousands discontented as they say about them upon such a straight ; but I looke upon this speech of theirs as tending rather to incite discontented persons to repaire unto them , then having any realitie in it . And for the matter of appeale from New-England hither , which is three thousand miles distant , it will bee found to bee destructive to them that there live : for no Countrey can subsist without government , or repaire so farre to it ; nor will any wise man accept a place in Government where hee shall bee exposed to goe so farre to give account of his actions , though they bee never so just : But the best is , the Parliament is knowne ( and it is their duty ) to seeke the good of the subjects by all due meanes : and I doubt not ( if ever tendred to them ) but they will soone discover the mischiefe intended by our adversaries , or at least like to ensue ( if they prevaile ) by overthrowing those hopefull beginnings of New-England in straightning our priviledges at such a time , when Englands are restored ; but wee hope to share with them rather by enlargement , being wee went out in those evill times when the Bishops were so potent being persecuted by them , and in that wee suffered since with the Parliament in adhering to them to the losse of Ships , and Goods , &c. But I shall rest on God in what is said , hoping the Reader will bee satisfied in point of our innocency in regard of the evills charged on us ; and therefore to proceed . In the next place whereas they complaine of Imprisonment , one of them being to goe to Sea just when things were to bee heard , was required to give bond to stand to the award of the Court , leaving six partners behind him to pleade his cause ; also Mr. Smith being a dweller in another Government and not there , being present at that same time was required to doe the like ; which order they withstood for an houre or thereabouts , and were that time under the Marshalls custody , but no sooner advised they with our Salamander their Counsell , but hee advised them to give security , which they accordingly did , and so were dismissed ; now this I suppose was because hee was to goe to Sea with them immediatly , which they accordingly did . Secondly , take notice that before Doctor Childe , &c. were committed , the businesse of the Remonstrance was ended , and they censured by Fine , every one according to his particular offence , and carriage in managing the whole , and it is not our manner to punish twice for one offence . Thirdly , take notice that the Government they charge was proved in open Court to bee according to the Law of England , and therefore not committed for Petitioning for that they had . Fourthly , let the Reader know that the Presbyterian Government was as freely tendered them by the Governour in the open Court without any contradiction of any the Assistants or other , ●s ever I heard any thing in my life , though it appeareth that our Salamander is not a little troubled at it , as I shall have occasion to touch in my answer to the Postscript , which I verily beleeve hee penned every word . Lastly , let the Reader take notice that Doctor Robert Childe , Mr. John Smith , and Mr. John Dand , were committed for certaine Papers upon close search of Dands Closet , there found the night before the Ship came away , which were far more factious & seditious then the former . Doctor Childe being committed because one of the Coppies was under his knowne hand , another Coppy under Mr. Dands hand , and both in his custody ; Mr. Smith in that hee not onely offered to rescue the Papers from the Officers that were sent to make search : but when hee saw that hee could not rescue them , brake out into high speeches against the Government : and amongst other things said , hee hoped ere long to doe as much to the Governors Closet , and doe as much to him as hee did for them , &c. or to the like purpose . And now Major Childe , let the world and you take notice together wherefore your Brother & those honest & godly persons you pretend to speak of were committed . Nor doe I beleeve that any people under the heavens that know what belongs to Government and have the power of it , would doe lesse then the Magistrates there did . But what the event will bee God onely knowes ; but this I know , they are in the hands of mercifull men , however they have beene abused , or may by our Salamander ( whose reports I often meet with ) or by any other whatsoever . And for answer to their relation of the effects this Petition produced , much of it is false and answered before , the rest not worthy the answering ; as concerning the Elders , their long Sermons to provoke the Magistrates against them , &c. no wise man will beleeve as they relate . And thus much for answer to the second part of their Booke concerning the Petition and Remonstrance . A briefe answer to the third head of their Booke , concerning the Capitall Lawes of the Massachusets &c. HEre I finde the capitall Lawes of the Massachusets reprinted , & the oath they administer to their Freemen , which I suppose they are sorry they can finde no more fault with : And all these Capitalls rehearsed to shew the danger Doctor Childe is under by vertue of the last , which followeth in these words . If any man shall conspire or attempt any invasion , insurrection or publique rebellion against our Common-wealth , or shall indeavour to surprise any Towne or Townes , Fort or Forts therein , or shall treacherously and perfidiously attempt the alteration and subversion of our frame of Policy or Government fundamentally , hee shall bee put to death , Numb. 162 Sam. 3. and 18. and 20. Now if together with this they had manifestd a liberty the Court gives to any notwithstanding this Law , fairely and freely to shew their grievance at any thing they conceive amisse , and needeth either alteration or repeale , then they had dealt fairly indeed : but because they leave it out , I take it my dutie to put it in . I know our Salamander is not without some exception at any thing wee can doe : but because I finde none more then as before , I shall passe to the next head of their booke . An answer to their Relation concerning the throwing the Petition overboard as a Jonas as they terme it . I Acknowledge that Mr. Cotton taught from that Text they mention in 2 Cant. 15. Take us the Foxes the little Foxes which destroy the vines , &c. and let the Reader understand that this Text tell in his ordinary course of Lecture in going through that Book , and not taken on purpose on that particular occasion . The points hee delivered from hence as I remember were these two . The first , was When God had delivered his Church from the danger of the Beare , and the Lyon , then the Foxes the little Foxes sought by craft & policy to undermine the same . The second was this , That all th●se that goe about by Fox-like craft and policy to undermine the state of the Churches of Jesus Christ , they shall all bee taken every one of them . The Text as I take it hee shewed belonged to that time of the Church when they returned from Babylon , and were building the Temple ; and proved the first point of doctrine from that of Tobias and Sanballat that would have built with the Jewes ; the second was amplified by the History of Haman in the Booke of Hester : and so brought many other examples , and amongst others the story of the Bishops in the dayes of Hen. the eighth , Edward the sixt , Queen Elizabeth , and to the beginning of these warres , who under a colour of building and being Master Builders in the Lords house laid heavie burthens upon the Saints , corrupted the worship of God and Lorded it over his heritage , & when they were come to the top of their pride the Lord Jesus could endure them no longer , but they were taken even every one of them in the same snare they had set for others . But I forbeare the amplifying of it , and hasten to the application so farre as it concerneth this scornefull story by them penned of their feigned miracle , as they call it . His use of Exhortation was twofold . First , to such as lived in the Countrey , to take heed how they went about any indirect way or course which might tend to the prejudice of the Churches of Jesus Christ in the same , or the Governments of the land , which through Gods mercy was not onely in the hands of such as truely feared the Lord , but according to his revealed will so far as we can judge . And therefore if any ( though never so secretly or subtilly ) should goe about any such thing , the Watchman of Israel that slumbreth not nor sleepeth will not take it well at their hands : For He that hath brought his people hither , and preserved them from the rage of persecution , made it a hiding place for them whilst hee was chastising our owne Nation amongst other the Nations round about it , manifested his gratious presence , so apparently walking amongst his Churches , and preserving and prospering our Civill State from forraigne plots of the late Archbishop and his confederates , and the domestick of the Heathen where wee live ; there was no question to bee made but Hee would preserve it from the underminings of false brethren , and such as joyned with them : And therefore , saith hee , let such know in the foregoing respect● it is the Land of 〈◊〉 , a Land that is pretious in the eyes of the Lord , they shall not prosper that rise against it , but shall bee taken every one of them in the snares they lay for it . And this , said hee , I speake as a poore Prophet of the Lord according to the word of his grace in my Text , which however in the proper sense of the Holy Ghost , belonged to that age of the Church mentioned in the Booke of Nehemiah , yet it is written for our example and instruction : for God is the same yesterday , to day , and for ever ; no lesse carefull , no lesse able , and no lesse willing to save and deliver his people by ingaging himselfe in their case ; and who can stand before him ? In the second place , saith he , whereas divers our brethren are to goe for England , and many others to follow after in another Vessell , let mee direct a word of exhortation to them also ; I desire the gratious presence of our God may goe with them , and his good Angels guard them not onely from the dangers of the Seas this Winter season , but keepe them from the errours of the times when they shall arrive , and prosper them in their lawfull designes , &c. But if there bee any amongst you my brethren , as 't is reported there are , that have a Petition to prefer to the High Court of Parliament ( which the Lord in mercy goe on blessing to blesse as hee hath begun ) that may conduce to the distraction , annoyance and disturbance of the peace of our Churches and weakning the Government of the Land where wee live , let such know , the Lord will never suffer them to prosper in their subtill , malicious and desperate undertakings against his people , who are as tender unto him as the apple of his eye . But if there bee any such amongst you that are to goe , I doe exhort and would advise such in the feare of God when the terrors of the Almightie shall beset the Vessell wherein they are , the Heavens shall frowne upon them , the billowes of the Sea shall swell above them , and dangers shall threaten them , ( as I perswade my selfe they will ) I would have them then to consider these things : for the time of adversitie is a time for Gods people to consider their wayes . I will not give the counsell was taken concerning Jonah , to take such a person and cast him into the Sea ; God forbid : but I would advise such to come to a resolution in themselves to desist from such enterprises , never further to ingage in them , and to cast such a Petition into the Sea that may occasion so much trouble and disturbance . But it may be hardnesse of heart & stoutnesse of spirit may cause such a person or persons with stiffe necks to persist , and yet in mercy with respect to some pretious ones amongst you , ( as I perswade my selfe there are many such goe in each Vessell ) the Lord may deliver the Vessell from many apparent troubles and dangers for their sakes : but let such know , the Lord hath Land judgements in store for such , for they are not now free ( Hee being the God of the Land as well as of the Sea : ) and if you turne to Numb. 14. 36 , 37. you shall there see how hee threatned to destroy such as brought a false report upon his land with the Plague : and truely God hath still Plagues in store for such as bring a false report upon his Church and people ; Nay said hee , I heare the Lord hath a destroying Angell with the Sword of Pestilence in that Kingdome , striking here and there , as seemeth good unto him , ( though not vehemently , blessed bee his name ) and who knowes what the Lord will doe ? and therefore I advise such in the feare of God , and I speak it as an unworthy Prophet of His according to that portion of his word I now speake from , to lay these things to heart , for it is the Lord Jesus hath said , Take us the Foxes , the little Foxes , &c. or let them bee taken . And beleeve it for a truth , all those that goe about by Fox-like craft and subtiltie to undermine the Churches of Christ Jesus , they shall all bee taken , even in the very snare and ginne they set for others . And thus much for what Mr. Cotton delivered on this Thursdayes Lecture in Beston , Novemb. 5. 1646. which I have shewed to many eminent persons now in England who were present at this Lecture , and judge it not onely to bee the summe of his exhortation but his very expressions , and are ready to testifie it on all occasions against all opposers , as Mr. Thomas Peters and Mr. William Golding Ministers ; H●rbert P●lb●● Esquire , Captaine William Sayles , Captaine Leveret , Captaine Harding , Mr. Richard Sadl●● , &c. And take notice withall good Reader , that I never heard the good man deliver any thing with more earnestnesse and strength of affection then these things thus sleighted by our adversaries as thou seest . And for the second part of their story , viz ▪ their passage , and the passages of Gods providence befell them in it ; take notice good Reader , that however our Salamander turned things into a jest as soone as they were delivered , asking whether hee were a great Fox or a little one ; yet many others that were ingaged to goe but in the Ship , their hearts trembled that they were to goe in such company . And Mr. Thomas Peeters a Minister that was driven out of Cornewall by Sir Ralph Hopton in these late Warres , and fled to New-England for shelter , being called back by his people , and now in London , upon sight of what I have written gave mee leave before many , to adde this ; that upon Mr. Cottons exhortation , having shipped his goods and bedding to have gone in the Ship with them , amongst other arguments this was the maine , that hee feared to goe in their company that had such designes , and therefore tooke passage to goe rather by way of Spaine , &c. And to speake the truth , as the ship rode out many fearefull stresses in the Harbour after they were ready , before they could goe to saile , the wind being faire but overblowing : so after they came to Sea had the terriblest passage that ever I heard on for extremitie of weather , the Mariners not able to take an observation of Sunne or Star in seven hundred Leagues sayling or thereabouts . And when they were all wearied out and tired in their spirits , certaine well-disposed Christians called to mind the things delivered by Mr. Cotton before mentioned , and seeing the Tempest still to continue , thought meet to acquaint such as were conceived to be meant by Mr. Cotton , and that had a purpose to persist in such courses , that they thought God called them now to consider of the things delivered by him ; & hereupon a godly & discreet woman after midnight went to the great Cabbin and addressed her speech in sobrietie and much modesty to them , whereupon one of the two answered in these words , or to this purpose ; Sister I shall bee loath to grieve you or any other of Gods people with any thing I shall doe , and immediatly went to his Chest or Trunke , and tooke out a paper and gave it her , and referred it to the discretion of others to doe withall as they should see good : which the woman not in a distracted passion ( as they reported ) shewed to Mr. Richard Sadler and others , who although they knew it was not the right Petition but that they were deluded , yet because they judged it also to bee very bad , having often seene it in New-England , but never liked the same , cut it in peeces as they thought it deserved , and gave the said peeces to a Seaman who cast them into the Sea . The storme for the present continued that night , say some , others say , some abatement of winde befell presently after , but all conclude it abated the next day ; but that they had divers stormes afterward being then 200. leagues short of the lands end , is most certaine : And in one of these hideous stormes , having no saile abroad , the ship lying adrist with the helme bound up , the master conceiving hee was to the Southward of Silley layed the ship to the Norward the night being very darke . In the last watch of the night one of the Quarter masters going to the Pumpe discerned Rocks ahead within a Cables length , and made such an outery as the whole ship was awakened , and nothing but death presented them : there was much hast made to let loose the Helme , and to come to saile ; but before it could bee done the ship was engaged amongst the Rocks of Silley , and nothing could bee discerned under water , but by the breaking of the waves , which was their best direction to cunne the ship : In this laby●inth the Ship travelled for a quarter of an hower or more , in which time it was generally observed the Ship readily obeyed her Helme , ( or rather the great Pilate of the Seas ) upon the word given , which at other times shee was slow in . At length the Ship drove in and came a ground between two Ilands , and could not bee got off being ●bbing water ; and it was the speciall providence of God to place her there in much mercy and compassion on his poore afflicted ones , the vessell being full of passengers ; for on both sides and on head were desperate Rocks , which were not discovered till the morning light , the Ship all this while lying fast upon a bed of Sand or Owse ; when it was day the dangers which they had escaped in the night to our admiration presented themselves , nor durst the Master worke the ship till hee had gotten a Pilate from the shore , who undertooke to bring her to an Anchor ne●re Crowes Sound . The deliverance was so strange as the Inhabitants of Silly were amased at it , some saying it was a miracle , another that God was a good man that should thus deliver us ; indeed all the Iland wondred , and the passengers themselves most of all when they saw the Breaches at low water so farre off at Sea neere which they passed before they knew the danger , and the Rocks they sailed by after they found themselves involved as it were between S●pll● and C●rybdis . Much more might bee added to account the mercy , but this may suffice to let the world see 't is no such trifle as is pretended in their prophane relation , who had then other thoughts , being passengers also in the Ship , and seemed willing to joyn● with the godly party in the Ship in testimony of their thankfulnesse , to celebrate a speciall day of thanksgiving unto the Lord for so great salvation , where Mr. Golding preached , being a passenger with them , and Teacher to a Church of Christ in Berm●d● . And now good Reader what wilt thou judge of such as can turne such deliverances into a scoffe , witnesse their prophane Title , New-Englands Jonas cast up at London ; the naked truth whereof thou hast heard related ; in all which Jonas was but once accidentally named , and that by way of direct opposition to any such counsell . The Master of the ship never spoke to , no speech between the woman and Mr. Vassall that I can learne , but betweene Mr. Fowle and her , shee under no distemper of passion , but modest discreet and sober in her carriage thorow out the whole . In briefe , all that I can meet with that were in the Ship , especially the most eminent persons , affirme this relation of theirs to bee false , yea Mr. Fowle himselfe acknowledged it before Captaine Sailes late Governour of Bermudas , Captaine Leveret , and Captaine Harding all passengers in the ship , who all concu●●ed in the falshood of the same , and the three Captaines not a little offended thereat , and Mr. Richard Sadler and divers others are ready to testifie the same . But put the case they had deluded a poore weake passionate woman by a shadow instead of a substance : Mee thinkes if any feare of God had been before their eyes , they might have trembled at so many and so great threatnings of the Almightie , who followed them from one land to another over the vast Ocean with his terrours , and have shewed greater thankfulnesse for such a deliverance as before recited , then to carry themselves as they doe ; labouring to delude the Reader as well as themselves , and to ascribe all to the Winter season ▪ as if all our passages were ordinarily such ( as appeareth by their note in the Ma●gent , page 12. ) when as that is false also , witnesse some that came with them , who affirme they have bin in Winter passages , but never in the like ; ( the Master & his company all concurring therein ) being confident also they fared the worse for their company . And thus much ●●●n affirme , and at least an hundred more that came with me , who came away about the middest of December ( five weeks deeper in Winter then they ) and yet through Gods undeserved favour had a comfortable passage and landfall , which I thought good to adde to the rest that persons may not bee discouraged from the passage , though I must confesse the Spring and Fall are the best seasons . But let them go on , if nothing will reclaime them ; and I will waite and attend the word of the Lord in the mouth of his servant , and observe the dispensation of his providence towards his Churches , and the enemies of the same . And thus much for answer to the fourth head of their book published by Major Child● . An answer to the Postscript . IN this postscript which containeth more matter then the whole ● booke , I can trace our Salamander line by line , and phrase after phrase , in his accustomed manner to del●de many simple ones , and weaken their respect to the government of New-England ; where hee did a great deale more hurt by his personall presence , than hee can doe here by such slanderous invectives as he either pin●●th upon others ( witnesse this silly peece called New-England● J●n●● ) o● any hee shall publish hereafter . To answer every particular at length , would bee too tedious . But because hee pretendeth an answer to some passages in a booke written lately by my selfe , called Hypocrisie Vnmasked , concerning the Independent Churches holding Communion with the Reformed Churches ; at the request of many I came to a resolution as to answer the former passages ▪ so to reply to his malicious cavils in this ; who indeed hath not answered any one thing , but rather raised some scruples that may cloud what I did , and cause such as are ignorant to doubt where things are most cleare : but however I am 〈…〉 with in this case not onely by some of the Independent 〈…〉 to answer ▪ yet withall am come to a resolution not to write any more in this kinde ; partly because the world are wearied with too m●n● controverfies of this nature : but more especially because our Salamander so much delighteth in them as a●… by many year●●●●● experience , being restlesse and 〈…〉 therein , 〈…〉 Answer . Hee beginneth with the discovery of a 〈…〉 plot against the Lawes of England , and the Liberties of the English Subjects ▪ &c ▪ And then secondly , hee would render mee odious to the world , as being a principall ●ppos●● of the L●●●● of England in New-England . Thirdly hee would make our Government of New-England to bee arbitrary . And fourthlyly , his malicious cavils and bitter indignation at any thing may tend to union betweene brethren , I meane the Presbyterians and Independents , but of these in order . And First , for the subtile plot , &c. which is contrived , saith hee , by writing against Gorton , a man whom they know is notorious for Heresie , that so behinde him they may get a shot at a bigger game , &c. Answ . It is well knowne , and our Salamander is not ignorant , that however Gorton notoriously abused himself and every Government of New-England where hee lived ; yet when that Country was grown too hot for him , hee came over here and complained against us , to that honourable Committee of Parliament ; to whose care the well ordering the affaires of forraigne Plantations is referred . The Right Honourable the Earle of Warwick , being Governour in chiefe , and Chairman of the same ; who , upon Gorton and his companions complaints , sent over to the government of the Massac●●sets , whom it most of all concerned to give answer to the same , &c. Whereupon they to shew their respect to the Parliament , sent mee to render a reason thereof , which I still attend till their more weighty occasions will permit them to heare . But when I came over , I found that Gorton had enlarged his complaints by publishing a booke called Simplicities defence against Seven-headed Policy , &c. which being full of manifold slaunders , and abominable falsehoods ; I tooke my selfe bound in duty to answer it , as I did by that Treatise he mentioneth , called Hypocrisie Vnmasked , which was but an answer to Gorton as this is to him , being necessitated thereunto in Vindication of the Country , whose Agent I am , though unworthy . And yet our Salamander would blinde the ignoram ▪ and make them beleeve wee tooke occasion to write such a thing to make the Parliament have a good opinion of us , as it none of all this had preceded . Next that hee might still turne our innocent simplicity into policy , hee takes advantage where none is , and layes hold on a request of mine , which I must still prosecute ( maugre his malice ) and I trust in God the Parliament will bee sensible of it viz. That the Committee would take into consideration how destructive it will bee to the wel-being of our Plantations and proceedings there ( which are growing up into a Nation ) here to answer the complaints of such Malignant spirits as shall there bee c●●●●red by Authority , it being three thousand miles distant , so far as will undoe any to come hither for justice , utterly disabling them to prove the equity of their cause , &c. Now if hee had set downe this request as it is , I would never have answered word to it , nor need at present to any , but such as are ready to burst with malice , and the more satisfaction I shall give , the worse they will bee . And for the danger of the State of England is in by this plot , he could not more clearely have expressed the unevennesse of his spirit to any indifferent Reader , then by such expressions , and therefore need no farther answer thereunto . Secondly , Whereas hee chargeth mee to be a principall opposer of the Lawes of England in New England , &c. Hee dealeth with mee here in this particular just as he did there . For our Salamander having labored two years together to draw me to his party , and finding hee could no way prevaile , he then casts off all his pretended love , and made it a part of his worke to make mee of all men most odious , that so what ever I did or said might bee the lesse effectuall . As for the Law of England I honour it and ever did , and yet know well that it was never intended for New-England , neither by the Parliament , nor yet in the Letters Patents , we have for the exercise of Government under the protection of this State : but all that is required of us in the making of our Lawes and Ordinances , Offices and Officers , is to goe as neare the Lawes of England as may bee : which wee punctually follow so neare as wee can . For our Letters Patents , being granted to such , and their Associates ▪ these Associates are the Freemen , whereof there are many in every Town : Now take notice good Reader that as every Corporation here send their Burgesses to the Parliament upon summons : So divers times a yeere the Governour sending out his Warrants , the Towns choose their Deputies , viz. two of a Towne out of these Freemen , which meeting together with the Governour and his Assistants , compose and make or repeale such Lawes and ordinances as they conceive our 〈…〉 require : And however wee follow the custome and practise of England so neere as our condition will give way : yet as the 〈…〉 of a growne man would rather oppresse and 〈…〉 if put upon him , then any way comfort or refresh him , being too heavy for him : so have I often said the Lawes of England , to take the body of them , are too ●●w●ldy for our weake condition : Besides , there were some things supported by them which wee came from thence to avoid ▪ as the Hi●rar●●y , the crosse in ●●ptisme , the holy dayes , the booke of Common Prayer , &c. All which I doubt not but this renowned Parliament will utterly abolish as they have done in part to Gods glory and their everlasting fame , ( I meane whi●●t time shall bee . ) But I have been so farre from sleighting the Law of England as I have brought my owne booke of the Statutes of England into our Court , that so when wee have wanted a Law or Ordinance wee might see what the Statutes provided in that kind , and found a great readinesse in our generall Court to take all helpe and benefit thereby . And never did I otherwise oppose the Law of England : nor ever stand against the liberties of the subject , but am ready to sacrifice my life for the same , when ever I shall bee called thereunto . Indeed this I have said in answer to his cavils , that if the Parliaments of England should impose Lawe● upon us having no Burgesses in their house of Commons , not capable of a summons by reason of the vast distance of the Ocean being three thousand miles from London , then wee should lose the libertie and freedome I conceived of English indeed , where every Shire and Corporation by their Knights and Burgesses make and consent to their Laws , and so oppose whatsoever they conceive may bee hurtfull to them : But this liberty wee are not capable of by reason of distance , and therefore ▪ &c. And thus much for answer to that point , which will satisfie any equall minded man , but is nothing to him . Thirdly , he chargeth our Government to bee Arbitrary . Answ . I shewed before after what manner wee made our Lawes ; and for the choyce of our Officers once every yeere they are either chosen or renewed by election , and this is done by the Freemen who are the Associates to the Governour , to whom all the power is granted . And these are to governe according to their Lawes made and established , and not according to their wills . And however there are many that are not free amongst us , yet if understanding men and able to bee helpefull , it 's more their owne faults then otherwise oft-times , who will not take up their freedome lest they should bee sent on these service● ( as our Salamander and most of his Disciples who are too many I must confesse ) and yet it is the same with many thousands in this kingdome who have not libertie to choose : nor yet may the Freeholders and Freemen choose , any that are not Freeholders , Freemen , and Gentlemen of such a rank or quality that are chosen . So that for my own part I see not but that as we go by the expresse of our Letters Patents , so we goe according to the practise of England ; the Law made binding the Maker as wel as any other , having o●●rule for all . As for our trialls between man and man , hee knowes wee goe by Jury there as well as here : And in criminalls and capitalls wee goe by Grand Jury and Petty Jury . And where the death of any is suddaine , violent or uncertaine , the ●rowner sits upon it by a Quest , and returneth a verdict , &c. and all according to the commendable custome of England , whom ▪ wee desire to follow . But their maine objection is ; that wee have not p●nall Lawes exactly set downe in all cases ? 'T is true I confesse , neither can they finde any Common we●●●● under heaven , or ever was , but some things were reserved to the discretion of the Judges , and so it is with us and no otherwise , our Generall Courts meeting together twice a yeere at least hitherto for that very end , and so continuing so long as their occasions and the season will permit ; and in case any ●●sdemeaner befall where no penaltie is set down , it is by solemne order left to the discretion of the B●nch , who next to the word of God take the Law of England for their president before all other whatsoever . And as I said before , if I would enter into particulars I could here setdowne in a line parallel as I received it in answer to the Petition of Doctor Robert Childe , &c. mentioned in their booke , the fundamentalls of the Massachusets concurring with the priviledges of Magn● C●●●●● and the common Law of England at large . But as I said before , it would bee too tedious for answer to this worthlesse and malicious charge . And yet I dare affirme that Virgini● , Barbadoes , Christoph●rs , Mevis and A●●i●g● have not all of them so many Lawes as New-England , nor so many expresse penalties annexed . As for the ●●●ting of the foure Colonies , I briefly shewed the reason of it in my former Treatise , being necessitated thereunto ●●y a secret Combination of the Indians to ●●● in all off , as our Salamander well knowes and approved ; and if in ▪ America we should forbeare to unite for offence and defence against a ●…on enemy ( keeping our Governments still dist●●ct as wee d●● ) till wee have leave from England , our throats might bee allout before the Messenger would bee halfe Seas thorough ▪ but hee that will c●rpe at this , what will hee not doe ? And for not making of our Warrants in the Kings name which is another thing hee comp●●neth of : Hee well knowes the practise of the Countrey is various in that respect , some constantly observing it , others omitting to expresse it , but all deriving our authority from hence . But if any wonder why I say so much in answer to it as I doe , it is because I never purpose for reply to any thing he or any other shall write in this kinde to him , for 't is to no end to write many bookes , especially when wee have to deale with such an one as delights in contention and nothing else . In the last place take notice good Reader how hee cavills , and is vexed at , rather then answers any thing I say tending to preserve peace and unitie betweene the Presbyterian and Independent Brethren . And whereas hee saith there is fallacy in what I have written , how can that bee ? when I shew the very particular instances and persons that did and still do hold communion with us , and our Salamander knoweth most of these persons , and I beleeve the very things also , and hath nothing to say against any one of the instances brought , onely hee asketh whether any of us the many thousands ( a great word ) that came from New-England , doe communicate here with the Presbyterians . To which I answer by way of question to any rationall and indifferent man , whether a Church or Churches of ours , allowing and admitting any of the Presbyterians or their members into full communion with them , doth not more fully answer the question or his cavill , and prove communion of Churches on our part , then for a particular member of ours to joyne in communion with some of the Presbyterian Churches which it may bee that Independent Church whereof hee is may never heare of ? And sure enough if I should draw an Argument from his proposition to prove it ; hee would bee sure to say your Churches allow it not , &c. and therefore it proves no communion of Churches at all . Secondly , were I where I could not communicate with an Independent Congregation , and might with a Presbyterian , and they walked orderly , I know nothing but I might comfortably partake in that Ordinance of the Lords Supper with them : but I should not forsake that communion I more affected for that I lesse affected where I might enjoy either , nor I beleeve will any understanding Presbyterian Brother on the other side . And so much for answer to that cavill , and the many branches of it . In the second place , hee cavills at this , that I say in page 96. of my Book called , Hypocrisie 〈…〉 , That the French and D●tch Churches are a people distinct from the world , and gathered into ●● holy communion : And then hee addeth , ( ●ee should ●●●● said C●●●n●●t , which is his sense ) and that the sixth person is not of the Church , meaning , amongst them , And this , saith hee , wee have but his word for , and makes is a falshood in me : but I returne it upon himselfe , whose bold spirit dare affirme any thing against the apparent light of the Sunne ; for however the Dutch baptize the children of all Nations that are presented to them , as well as their owne , as I shewed in my former Treatise ; yet this their practise stands not upon the Presbyterian bottome , nor doe I know , I confesse , what they take for their warrant in it ; yet I affirme , and that of my owne knowledge , having lived divers yeares amongst them , that their Church is a select people , gathered together into an holy communion , which holinesse hee scoffes at , and which they call the ●●ement ; and that many thousands of those whose children they baptize , never are admitted to the Lords Supper , which they account Church communion ; nor are ever brought before their Classis , and there examined , admitted , occasionally admonished , yea , excommunicated if they submit not to the Rule : and that all those that are admitted are such as tender themselves , and thereupon are examined , &c. in the Classis ; as before . And for an instance of the truth of it , a godly English Minister that had sometimes lived in Rotterdam , told me ( upon this very occasion ) that the Deacons of the Dutch Church at Rotterdam , told him , that although there were almost 7000. houses in their City , and in many of them divers families , yet they had but 2000 persons in Church-fellowship . And for the French Churches , who know● not that the Nation , I meane , the body of them are still Papists , and yet ( as blinde as Bayard ) our malicious Salamander , whose tongue is known to be no slander from whence he came , doth charge me with falshood herein . 'T is true , through Gods mercy there are many thousand Protestants amongst them , and I wonder that any man should bee so audacious , as to affirm these are not a distinct people from the rest that have undergone so many massacres and persecuti●●● for the testimony of their Faith , and witnesse they have borne against the abo●inations of Rom● , and the Papacy , still so much admired in that Nation by the body of it . And as I ●●●d of Holland , the sixth person is hardly of the Church ; so in France , the tenth man for ought I heare , is not a Protestant . And how then they should be a Nationall Protestant Church , I know not . As for his jeere about the Covenant , let him goe on in his way of scorn and contempt of the Covenant between God and his people ; and yet hee shall finde the Church in the Old Testament established by a Covenant ; and after their greatest desertions and declinings , upon solemne dayes of humiliation , their Covenants againe renewed throughout the same . And the Churches under the New Testament are still the same , though the Ceremonies and Ordinances bee altered by the Lord thereof ; yea , the Scottish Churches , ( which hee saith are Nationall , and so would make a breach in that respect between them and us ) are solemne and serious in their Covenant ; and the English in the late Reformation no lesse serious , to Gods glory bee it spoken ; when as there are many hundred thousands in both Nations that will not take these their Covenants , but remain in Popish superstition , and wilfull ignorance . And for our tenders to the Scots to live amongst us , and enjoy their liberty in the exercise of the Presbyterian government formerly , and the late tender of the Court of the Massachusets to their Petitioners for the enjoyment of it at present , themselves providing for it , 't is not so strange as true : But whereas they say , they hear not of the latter ( being since they came away : ) 'T is false ; I have told them , and they may heare it by many others : but they have not the spirit of peace in them , nor will they take notice of any thing that tends thereunto ; but seeke , as appeareth by this Postscript , to blow up the coal●s of contention and division , so much as possible may bee , hindering peace and good agreement between Brethren , by all the meanes and courses they can use . And for what h●saith concerning Mr. H●bbards censure ; daring mee to say , Whether Mr. Hubbard were not punished directly or indirectly for baptizing some children whose parents were not members of the Churches in New-England . For answer , I doe and dare affirme in my conscience , that I am firmly perswaded hee was not ; And however I doe not desire to meddle in the case , nor to engage in other mens controversies , but rather seeke to heale them by all due meanes , yet I thought good to answer his challenge in this particular , that so that cloud of jealousie might also be dispelled , so far as concerneth my own thoughts in the case ; and had hee but so much charitie in himselfe as becomes a Christian man , I am confident hee would bee of the same mind with mee . And so much for answer to that particular , and the whole Book , wherein the Reader may see more malice in our accusers , then policy in us , whose simplicity is branded with subtilty , fallacy , and what not ? but blessed bee God , it is by such whose tongues are their owne , and will not bee controuled by any , and from whom I expect all that malice can invent ; but am come to a resolution , that whatever our Salamander shal vent either in his own name , or by others ( as at this time ) I wil leave him to God , and referre our Vindication to the Lord Jesus Christ , who hath all power in heaven and earth committed to him , in whose eyes , I trust , we are precious , who undoubtedly will clear up our innocency , when these our proud enemies shall bee scattered before him . And to whom with the Father and the Spirit , God over all , blessed for ever , be glory and praise to all eternity . Amen . FINIS . ERRATA . Page 3. l. 38. for another , r. any other ; p. 4. l. 2. for the , r. their ; p. 11. l. 35. for about , r. to put ; p. 19. l. 24. for our , r. their ; ibid. l. 30. for us , r. them ; p. 21. l. 28. for are , r. is .