A just apologie for the church of Duckenfield in Cheshire against certain slanderous reports received by Mr. Edwards his overmuch credulite of what may tend to the reproach of those that differ from himselfe in judgement (though but concerning matters meerly of externall order, and things of inferior ally to the substantiall doctrines of faith, and manners) rashly and without further examination of the truth of them, (together with an overplus of his own censures, and uncharitable animadversions) divulged by himselfe in a !--- book of his, intituled, The third part of Gangræna / by Samuel Eaton, teacher & Timothy Taylor, pastour of the Church of God at Duckerfeild ; whereunto also is annexed a letter of a godly minister, Mr. Henry Rootes ... in vindication of himselfe against a sinister and dangerous (yet false and groundlesse) insinuation, contained in the copie of a letter out of Yorkshire, sent unto the aforesaid Mr. Edwards, and by him published to the kingdome.
         Eaton, Samuel, 1596?-1665.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A37635 of text R4168 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing E122). 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. 66 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 18 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.
       
         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
         2017
         A37635
         Wing E122
         ESTC R4168
         12413912
         ocm 12413912
         61618
         
           
            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. A37635)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 61618)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 938:7)
      
       
         
           
             A just apologie for the church of Duckenfield in Cheshire against certain slanderous reports received by Mr. Edwards his overmuch credulite of what may tend to the reproach of those that differ from himselfe in judgement (though but concerning matters meerly of externall order, and things of inferior ally to the substantiall doctrines of faith, and manners) rashly and without further examination of the truth of them, (together with an overplus of his own censures, and uncharitable animadversions) divulged by himselfe in a !--- book of his, intituled, The third part of Gangræna / by Samuel Eaton, teacher & Timothy Taylor, pastour of the Church of God at Duckerfeild ; whereunto also is annexed a letter of a godly minister, Mr. Henry Rootes ... in vindication of himselfe against a sinister and dangerous (yet false and groundlesse) insinuation, contained in the copie of a letter out of Yorkshire, sent unto the aforesaid Mr. Edwards, and by him published to the kingdome.
             Eaton, Samuel, 1596?-1665.
             Taylor, Timothy, 1611 or 12-1681.
          
           [8], 27 p.
           
             Printed by M.S. for Henry Overton, and are to be sold at his shop ...,
             London :
             1647.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Cambridge University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Edwards, Thomas, 1599-1647. -- Gangraena. -- Part 3.
           Rootes, Henry.
           Church polity.
           Sects -- Great Britain -- Controversial literature.
           Great Britain -- Church history -- 17th century.
        
      
    
       A37635  R4168  (Wing E122).  civilwar no A just apologie for the church of Duckenfeild in Cheshire: Against certain slanderous reports received by Mr. Edwards his overmuch creduliti Eaton, Samuel 1647    11065 25 5 0 0 0 0 27 C  The  rate of 27 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
        2006-10 TCP
        Assigned for keying and markup
      
        2006-10 Apex CoVantage
        Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images
      
        2007-10 Taryn Hakala
        Sampled and proofread
      
        2007-10 Taryn Hakala
        Text and markup reviewed and edited
      
        2008-02 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
       
         
         
           A
           JUST
           APOLOGIE
           FOR
           THE
           CHURCH
           OF
           
             DUCKENFEILD
          
           IN
           
             CHESHIRE
             :
          
           Against
           certain
           slanderous
           Reports
           received
           by
           Mr.
           
           
           
             Edwards
          
           his
           overmuch
           credulitie
           of
           what
           may
           tend
           to
           the
           reproach
           of
           those
           that
           differ
           from
           himselfe
           in
           judgement
           (
           though
           but
           concerning
           matters
           meerly
           of
           
             externall
             order
             ,
          
           and
           things
           of
           inferior
           Alloy
           to
           the
           substantiall
           Doctrines
           of
           
             Faith
             ,
             and
             Manners
             )
          
           rashly
           and
           without
           further
           examination
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           them
           ,
           (
           together
           with
           an
           overplus
           of
           
             his
          
           own
           
             Censures
             ,
          
           and
           uncharitable
           
             Animadversions
             )
          
           divulged
           by
           himselfe
           in
           a
           late
           book
           of
           his
           ,
           intituled
           ,
           
             The
             third
             part
             of
             Gangraena
             .
          
        
         
           BY
           SAMUEL
           EATON
           ,
           Teacher
           &
           TIMOTHY
           TAYLOR
           ,
           Pastour
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           at
           DUCKENFEILD
           .
        
         
           Whereunto
           also
           is
           annexed
           a
           Letter
           of
           a
           godly
           Minister
           ,
           Mr
           
             Henry
             Rootes
             ,
          
           Pastour
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Sowerbie
          
           in
           
             Yorkshire
             ,
          
           in
           vindication
           of
           himselfe
           against
           a
           sinister
           and
           dangerous
           (
           yet
           false
           and
           groundlesse
           )
           Insinuation
           ,
           contained
           in
           the
           Copie
           of
           a
           Letter
           out
           of
           
             Yorkshire
             ,
          
           sent
           unto
           the
           aforesaid
           Mr.
           
             
          
           
             Edwards
             ,
          
           and
           by
           him
           published
           to
           the
           Kingdome
           .
        
         
           2
           Cor.
           6.
           8.
           
        
         
           By
           honour
           and
           dishonour
           ,
           by
           evill
           report
           ,
           and
           good
           report
           ,
           as
           deceivers
           ,
           and
           yet
           true
           .
        
         
           Luk.
           21.
           19.
           
        
         
           In
           your
           patience
           possesse
           yee
           your
           soules
           .
        
         
           Adeo
           satis
           Idoneus
           patientiae
           sequester
           Deus
           ▪
           Si
           iniuriam
           deposueris
           ,
           penes
           eum
           ultor
           est
           ;
           Si
           damnum
           ,
           restitutor
           ,
           si
           dolorem
           ,
           medicus
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           Tertul.
           
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ;
          
           Printed
           by
           
             M.
             S.
          
           for
           
             Henry
             Overton
             ,
          
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           at
           his
           Shop
           in
           
             Popes-head-Alley
          
           .
           1647.
           
        
      
       
       
         
         
           TO
           THE
           CHRISTIAN
           READER
           ;
           Grace
           and
           Peace
           be
           multiplied
           .
        
         
           
             CHRISTIAN
             READER
             ;
          
        
         
           
           THe
           Apostle
           
             Paul
          
           exhorts
           
             Titus
             ,
          
           to
           
             speake
             sound
             words
          
           in
           Doctrine
           ,
           
             that
             cannot
             be
             condemned
             ;
          
           and
           there
           is
           a
           proportionable
           equitie
           ,
           that
           all
           men
           
             (
             Ministers
          
           especially
           )
           should
           write
           and
           print
           
             sound
             words
             ,
             that
             cannot
             be
             condemned
             .
          
           If
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
          
           had
           kept
           himselfe
           to
           this
           Rule
           ,
           our
           labour
           at
           this
           time
           might
           have
           been
           spared
           .
           Our
           work
           in
           this
           
             Narrative
             ,
          
           is
           to
           rectifie
           his
           
             errours
             .
          
           He
           hath
           led
           many
           from
           the
           
             truth
             ,
          
           so
           farre
           as
           concernes
           
             Duckenfeild
             Church
          
           (
           for
           saving
           that
           there
           is
           an
           Epistle
           of
           our
           brother
           
             Roots
          
           annexed
           ,
           there
           is
           nothing
           els
           medled
           with
           in
           this
           
             Apologie
             )
          
           and
           our
           undertaking
           is
           to
           reduce
           them
           to
           the
           
             truth
             .
          
           Should
           we
           suffer
           all
           to
           passe
           for
           
             truth
             ,
          
           which
           he
           publisheth
           concerning
           us
           ,
           wee
           should
           betray
           the
           
             truth
             ,
          
           and
           our
           own
           innocency
           .
        
         
           These
           faults
           may
           be
           justly
           charged
           upon
           him
           from
           the
           way
           he
           takes
           of
           
             blazoning
          
           the
           supposed
           failings
           of
           all
           other
           men
           ,
           that
           differ
           from
           him
           ,
           though
           but
           in
           the
           most
           controverted
           ,
           dim
           ,
           and
           disputable
           points
           ;
           and
           instances
           may
           be
           given
           (
           if
           need
           require
           )
           in
           passages
           that
           relate
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           our
           Church
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           He
           hath
           abroad
           in
           the
           Kingdome
           
             Factors
          
           that
           
             trade
          
           
           for
           him
           in
           the
           good
           
             names
             ,
          
           and
           
             reputations
          
           of
           precious
           men
           ,
           and
           orderly
           walking
           
             Churches
             ,
          
           (
           who
           are
           not
           inferiour
           to
           the
           very
           chiefest
           of
           his
           
             Presbyterians
             ,
          
           whether
           men
           ,
           or
           Churches
           ,
           
           though
           they
           be
           nothing
           )
           which
           they
           and
           he
           
             sell
          
           over
           to
           be
           
             mancipated
          
           to
           
             infamy
          
           and
           
             disgrace
             ,
          
           for
           
             supposed
          
           crimes
           
             falsly
          
           suggested
           against
           them
           by
           
             himselfe
             ,
          
           and
           his
           
             creatures
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
             He
             takes
             reports
          
           (
           especially
           flowing
           (
           as
           it
           is
           
           said
           )
           from
           godly
           persons
           )
           
             upon
             trust
             ,
          
           and
           without
           any
           further
           examination
           ,
           or
           inquisition
           after
           the
           truth
           of
           them
           ,
           issues
           them
           abroad
           (
           with
           a
           great
           measure
           of
           confidence
           )
           into
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           as
           if
           so
           be
           ,
           his
           supposed
           godly
           persons
           ,
           were
           arrived
           at
           an
           absolute
           incapacitie
           of
           hearing
           an
           untruth
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           have
           heard
           it
           ,
           reporting
           it
           for
           a
           truth
           .
        
         
           
           Thirdly
           ,
           He
           doth
           not
           consider
           that
           that
           
             malignant
          
           spirit
           ,
           that
           in
           all
           preceding
           ages
           of
           the
           Church
           hath
           
             bent
          
           mens
           tongues
           for
           lies
           ,
           and
           slanders
           ,
           against
           the
           
             Saints
             of
             the
             most
             high
             God
             ,
          
           is
           most
           industriously
           active
           at
           this
           day
           to
           render
           those
           men
           odious
           ,
           whose
           Conversation
           imports
           
             strictnesse
          
           of
           a
           more
           then
           ordinary
           elevation
           in
           the
           
             wayes
             of
             God
             .
          
           So
           that
           it
           is
           no
           securitie
           against
           the
           perill
           of
           false
           witnesse-bearing
           against
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           say
           ,
           
             Such
             a
             godly
             man
             told
             me
             so
             ;
          
           especially
           when
           that
           that
           godly
           man
           was
           neither
           an
           eye
           ,
           nor
           eare-witnesse
           of
           the
           thing
           ,
           nor
           hath
           trac'd
           the
           report
           upward
           from
           man
           to
           man
           ,
           to
           the
           first
           reporter
           ,
           who
           had
           need
           to
           be
           godly
           ,
           and
           an
           
             eye
          
           or
           
             eare-witnesse
          
           of
           the
           thing
           .
           Our selves
           can
           speake
           experimentally
           of
           the
           failings
           of
           divers
           
             Presbyterians
          
           formerly
           ,
           whom
           we
           judged
           godly
           ,
           that
           have
           taken
           up
           things
           against
           us
           by
           heare-say
           ,
           for
           which
           they
           have
           seene
           cause
           afterwards
           to
           be
           ashamed
           ;
           which
           we
           desire
           rather
           to
           cover
           with
           the
           mantle
           of
           Brotherly
           love
           ,
           then
           like
           flies
           to
           fall
           upon
           their
           sores
           ,
           and
           unnecessarily
           to
           uncover
           their
           nakednesse
           ,
           and
           rake
           in
           their
           infirmities
           ,
           as
           Mr.
           
           
             Edwards
          
           professedly
           deales
           with
           us
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
          
           runs
           the
           more
           desperate
           adventure
           ,
           
           to
           split
           his
           reputation
           ,
           and
           wound
           his
           Conscience
           upon
           the
           Innocency
           of
           traduced
           Saints
           ,
           because
           he
           takes
           not
           onely
           the
           testimony
           of
           
             one
          
           ingaged
           
             party
          
           against
           the
           other
           ,
           but
           even
           of
           the
           most
           
             precipitate
             ,
             fiery
          
           spirits
           of
           that
           partie
           ,
           the
           strength
           of
           whose
           phansie
           is
           enough
           to
           multiply
           a
           
             mole-hill
          
           of
           srailtie
           
           in
           the
           Saints
           ,
           into
           a
           
             mountaine
          
           of
           obstinary
           ;
           yea
           ,
           can
           make
           things
           that
           are
           not
           ,
           appeare
           as
           though
           they
           were
           .
           And
           yet
           if
           the
           case
           were
           altered
           ,
           Mr.
           
           
             Edwards
          
           possibly
           would
           thinke
           the
           Testimonies
           of
           twenty
           of
           those
           whom
           he
           calls
           
             Sectaries
             ,
          
           incompetent
           to
           take
           away
           the
           good
           name
           of
           one
           godly
           
             Presbyterian
             .
          
        
         
           Fistly
           ,
           The
           
             irregularitie
          
           of
           Mr.
           
           
             Edwards
          
           his
           proceeding
           ,
           is
           the
           more
           inexcusable
           in
           this
           ,
           That
           whereas
           there
           should
           be
           two
           or
           three
           witnesses
           for
           the
           confirmation
           of
           every
           matter
           ,
           that
           is
           not
           of
           notorious
           Cognizance
           ;
           and
           whereas
           
             the
             accused
          
           
           
             ought
             to
             come
             face
             to
             face
          
           before
           the
           Accusers
           :
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
          
           publisheth
           things
           of
           a
           private
           nature
           ,
           upon
           the
           bare
           report
           of
           some
           one
           man
           ,
           who
           is
           not
           in
           the
           capacitie
           of
           being
           a
           competent
           witnesse
           in
           that
           matter
           whereof
           he
           is
           the
           relator
           .
           And
           so
           the
           good
           names
           of
           innocent
           ,
           and
           some
           of
           them
           eminent
           persons
           in
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           come
           to
           be
           blasted
           by
           the
           misprision
           of
           his
           
             supercilious
             ,
          
           and
           unhallowed
           pen
           .
           Instance
           
             pag.
             167.
          
           in
           what
           is
           related
           concerning
           two
           Gentlemen
           ,
           persons
           of
           great
           worth
           and
           honour
           .
        
         
           Sixtly
           ,
           Adde
           to
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           
             impatience
          
           of
           his
           zeale
           in
           defaming
           the
           servants
           of
           God
           ,
           holds
           no
           correspondence
           with
           principles
           of
           
             common
             prudence
             .
          
           For
           who
           but
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
             ,
          
           knowing
           that
           the
           
             Deacon
          
           of
           
             Duckingfeild
             ,
          
           pag.
           
             68.
          
           was
           speedily
           to
           be
           brought
           upon
           the
           Stage
           before
           the
           Civill
           power
           ,
           would
           not
           have
           expected
           the
           issues
           of
           his
           aay
           of
           
             Audience
             ,
          
           rather
           then
           by
           an
           hastie
           anticipation
           pre-judge
           (
           as
           in
           his
           Marginall
           note
           he
           doth
           )
           a
           person
           not
           yet
           heard
           nor
           condemned
           by
           the
           Civill
           State
           .
           And
           indeed
           a
           little
           patience
           (
           comparatively
           to
           much
           )
           might
           have
           served
           the
           turne
           .
           For
           
           not
           long
           after
           Mr.
           
             Thomas
             Smith
             ,
          
           Bookseller
           of
           
             Manchester
             ,
          
           [
           who
           (
           as
           we
           coneeive
           )
           was
           both
           Mr.
           
           
             Edwards
          
           Intelligencer
           ,
           and
           soone
           after
           the
           
             Deacons
          
           accuser
           ]
           had
           a
           faire
           ,
           and
           free
           hearing
           ,
           before
           the
           
             Committee
          
           against
           the
           
             Deacon
             .
          
           Yet
           the
           
             Committee
          
           found
           not
           him
           guiltie
           of
           the
           supposed
           
             knavery
             in
             couzening
             the
             State
             ,
          
           the
           discovery
           whereof
           was
           prophecied
           in
           the
           Letter
           of
           
             August
             3.
             1646.
          
           published
           by
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
             ,
          
           but
           dismissed
           him
           from
           their
           Board
           without
           any
           Censure
           .
           Would
           Mr.
           
             Smith
          
           have
           thought
           it
           well
           ,
           and
           if
           he
           should
           have
           approved
           of
           it
           ,
           yet
           wee
           could
           not
           have
           avoyded
           the
           regreet
           of
           our
           own
           Consciences
           ,
           when
           he
           being
           nominated
           for
           an
           
             Elder
          
           of
           
             Manchester
             ,
          
           and
           accusation
           upon
           accusation
           from
           parts
           nearer
           and
           more
           remote
           ,
           were
           brought
           in
           against
           him
           ,
           if
           wee
           should
           have
           writ
           up
           to
           
             London
             ,
          
           that
           ere
           long
           Mr.
           
           
             Smiths
             knavery
             would
             be
             discovered
             ,
          
           and
           such
           a
           one
           as
           
             he
             ,
          
           is
           a
           fit
           man
           to
           be
           an
           
             Elder
          
           in
           a
           
             Presbyterian
          
           Church
           ;
           even
           then
           when
           the
           Businesse
           was
           depending
           ,
           and
           unproved
           before
           the
           
             Triars
             ?
          
        
         
           Seventhly
           ,
           Nor
           can
           it
           well
           be
           omitted
           ,
           (
           and
           as
           little
           justified
           )
           
           that
           from
           one
           Act
           (
           and
           that
           injuriously
           represented
           )
           a
           judgement
           should
           be
           made
           upon
           a
           person
           ;
           a
           Gentleman
           of
           worth
           must
           passe
           under
           the
           name
           of
           a
           great
           Zelot
           for
           
             Independents
             ,
          
           from
           the
           evidence
           of
           one
           false
           Instance
           ,
           which
           is
           given
           in
           to
           prove
           it
           .
           Would
           Mr.
           
           
             Edwards
          
           be
           well
           pleased
           to
           have
           such
           measure
           measured
           unto
           himselfe
           againe
           ,
           and
           that
           because
           there
           are
           some
           slanderous
           reports
           published
           in
           Mr.
           
           
             Edwards
          
           booke
           ,
           therefore
           the
           whole
           booke
           is
           a
           booke
           of
           slanders
           ?
        
         
           Eightly
           and
           lastly
           ,
           The
           
             scope
          
           and
           drift
           of
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
          
           is
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           world
           beleeve
           ,
           that
           such
           as
           those
           
             Sectaries
          
           (
           so
           by
           
           him
           called
           )
           are
           ,
           whose
           
             personall
             failings
          
           he
           divulgeth
           ,
           such
           are
           (
           or
           at
           least
           in
           time
           are
           like
           to
           be
           )
           all
           that
           are
           of
           that
           
             Sect
          
           respectively
           .
           Now
           if
           the
           
             Sectaries
          
           (
           so
           called
           )
           were
           baptized
           into
           the
           same
           
             uncharitable
             Spirit
             ,
          
           and
           would
           whet
           their
           style
           
           against
           the
           personall
           faults
           of
           
             Presbyterians
             ,
          
           with
           a
           desire
           to
           charge
           
             all
          
           upon
           the
           professors
           of
           that
           way
           ,
           doubtlesse
           the
           volumes
           that
           might
           be
           written
           ,
           would
           be
           far
           more
           voluminous
           then
           a
           compleat
           
             Decade
             of
             Gangraena's
             .
          
           As
           for
           thee
           
             (
             Christian
             Reader
             )
          
           wee
           hope
           we
           shall
           easily
           obtaine
           so
           much
           justice
           at
           thy
           hands
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           
             measured
          
           by
           Mr.
           
           
             Edwards
          
           reed
           ;
           But
           such
           as
           our
           Doctrine
           ,
           manner
           of
           life
           ,
           patience
           ,
           peaceablenesse
           ,
           painfulnesse
           ,
           are
           ,
           (
           be
           they
           more
           or
           lesse
           )
           such
           let
           us
           be
           in
           the
           Ballance
           of
           thy
           estimation
           .
           Wee
           are
           abundantly
           sensible
           of
           the
           growth
           and
           increase
           of
           
             Errours
          
           and
           
             Heresies
          
           in
           the
           Kingdome
           ;
           wee
           desire
           according
           to
           the
           measure
           of
           grace
           received
           ,
           to
           pray
           against
           them
           ,
           fast
           against
           them
           ;
           Wee
           labour
           in
           the
           course
           of
           our
           Ministry
           by
           preaching
           against
           them
           ;
           And
           as
           God
           gives
           us
           opportunitie
           in
           disputation
           ,
           we
           labour
           to
           beat
           them
           downe
           ;
           And
           we
           trust
           God
           in
           his
           own
           time
           will
           dispel
           them
           .
           The
           premises
           are
           sufficient
           for
           thy
           
             premonition
             ,
          
           not
           to
           take
           all
           for
           truth
           ,
           that
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
             ,
          
           or
           any
           other
           in
           this
           Calumniatory
           age
           ,
           shall
           rashly
           and
           uncharitably
           broach
           against
           any
           godly
           man
           ,
           whether
           of
           the
           
             Classicall
          
           or
           
             Congregationall
          
           way
           .
           But
           first
           to
           
             try
          
           and
           trace
           reports
           ,
           importing
           
             scandall
          
           to
           the
           fountaines
           of
           them
           ,
           their
           first
           
             Broachers
             ;
          
           By
           this
           meanes
           a
           great
           deale
           of
           uncharitable
           misprision
           will
           be
           prevented
           ,
           and
           thou
           wilt
           have
           no
           occasion
           to
           mourne
           at
           the
           last
           .
           Wee
           remaine
        
         
           
             Thine
             ,
             whilst
             thou
             art
             a
             Friend
             to
             Truth
             ,
             SAMUEL
             EATON
             ,
             TIMOTHY
             TAYLOR
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
         
           A
           JUST
           APOLOGIE
           FOR
           THE
           CHURCH
           OF
           
             DUCKENFEILD
             .
          
        
         
           MAster
           
             Edwards
          
           amongst
           many
           other
           Letters
           ,
           and
           Relations
           ,
           which
           have
           been
           sent
           him
           from
           all
           parts
           of
           the
           
             Kingdome
             ,
          
           hath
           received
           (
           it
           seemes
           )
           some
           from
           the
           
             Northerne
             parts
             ,
          
           from
           
             Lancashire
             ,
          
           and
           
             Cheshire
             :
          
           and
           in
           some
           of
           them
           there
           are
           passages
           that
           reflect
           upon
           the
           
             Church
             of
             Duckenfeild
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Officers
          
           thereof
           ,
           with
           reproach
           and
           scorne
           ,
           with
           falshood
           and
           slander
           ;
           and
           where
           any
           truth
           is
           ,
           it
           is
           with
           an
           injurious
           intent
           manifested
           .
        
         
           We
           shall
           direct
           to
           the
           
             Pages
             ,
          
           transcribe
           the
           substance
           of
           the
           words
           ,
           and
           make
           Answer
           thereto
           .
        
         
           
           In
           
             Pag.
          
           ●8
           ▪
           are
           these
           words
           ;
           
             Mr.
             Eaton
             ,
             of
             whose
             activity
             to
             promote
             that
             way
             ,
          
           (
           that
           is
           ,
           th●●ongregationall
           
             ,
          
           which
           is
           the
           truely-so
           called
           Presbyteriall
           way
           )
           
             I
             doubt
             not
             you
             have
             heard
             ,
             hath
             been
             the
             great
             Apostle
             to
             promote
             their
             designe
             in
             these
             parts
             .
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           It
           may
           be
           a
           great
           question
           whether
           
             scoffing
          
           or
           
             irrationalitie
          
           be
           the
           〈◊〉
           predominant
           in
           this
           
             invective
             charge
             ▪
          
           For
           it
           is
           without
           all
           bottom
           ,
           
             unlesse
             activitie
          
           (
           which
           he
           onely
           mentions
           )
           
             he
             the
             bottom
             of
             it
             .
          
           And
           then
           
           all
           the
           
             Clergie
          
           in
           
             Lancashire
          
           are
           
             great
             Apostles
             ;
          
           for
           he
           calls
           them
           
             Pag.
          
           167.
           
           
             An
             Active
             Clergie
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           in
           promoting
           the
           
             Presbyterian
             Designe
             .
          
           And
           this
           is
           all
           the
           reason
           Mr.
           
           
             Edwards
          
           can
           shew
           ,
           of
           inserting
           Mr.
           
           
             Eatons
          
           Name
           among
           the
           
             Principall
             Independents
          
           and
           Sectaries
           in
           his
           Booke
           .
        
         
           But
           how
           comes
           it
           about
           ,
           that
           Mr.
           
             Eaton
          
           is
           the
           
             great
             Apostle
          
           in
           this
           place
           ,
           who
           
             Pag.
          
           164.
           is
           but
           a
           
             Pastor
             or
             Teacher
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Duckenfeild
             ?
          
        
         
           If
           Mr.
           
             Eaton
          
           be
           the
           
             grat
             Apostle
             ,
          
           who
           are
           teh
           lesser
           ?
           wee
           had
           thought
           among
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           there
           had
           not
           been
           
             greater
             ,
             and
             lesser
             .
          
        
         
           If
           he
           be
           the
           
             great
             Apostle
             ,
          
           what
           ,
           or
           who
           are
           they
           that
           have
           sent
           him
           ?
           They
           must
           doubtlesse
           be
           
             greater
             then
             Apostles
             ;
             for
             greater
             is
             he
             that
             doth
             send
             ,
             then
             he
             that
             is
             sent
             .
          
        
         
           
             If
             he
             promote
             designes
             as
             an
          
           Apostle
           ,
           
             then
             the
             designes
             are
          
           preaching
           of
           the
           Gospel
           up
           and
           downe
           ,
           
             and
          
           gathering
           of
           Churches
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           Now
           Apostolicall
           preaching
           of
           the
           Gospell
           in
           all
           places
           up
           and
           downe
           the
           Countrey
           ,
           is
           a
           
             good
             designe
             ,
          
           especially
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           such
           want
           of
           preaching
           .
           But
           this
           
             designe
             ,
          
           Mr.
           
             Eaton
          
           could
           not
           heretofore
           ,
           nor
           can
           at
           this
           day
           attend
           upon
           ,
           being
           a
           
             prefixed
             Officer
          
           at
           
             Duckenfeild
             ,
          
           as
           is
           acknowledged
           
             Pag.
          
           164.
           
           And
           as
           for
           the
           designe
           of
           
             gathering
             Churches
             ,
          
           (
           which
           is
           an
           
             Apostles
          
           worke
           )
           what
           one
           Church
           hath
           Mr.
           
             Eaton
          
           gathered
           ?
           True
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           he
           ,
           with
           many
           others
           ,
           wearied
           out
           with
           the
           long
           want
           of
           
             some
          
           of
           Gods
           Ordinances
           ,
           and
           with
           corruption
           in
           
             other
          
           of
           Gods
           Ordinances
           ,
           did
           at
           length
           (
           for
           their
           better
           spirituall
           accommodation
           )
           joyne
           together
           in
           fellowship
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           injoy
           
             all
          
           Gods
           Ordinances
           .
           Yet
           herein
           he
           no
           more
           gathered
           
             them
             ,
          
           with
           whom
           he
           joyned
           ,
           then
           they
           
             him
             .
          
           But
           be
           it
           that
           he
           promotes
           these
           designes
           ,
           yet
           sithence
           these
           designes
           are
           of
           no
           worser
           import
           and
           
           contemplation
           then
           they
           are
           ,
           neither
           they
           that
           sent
           him
           ,
           (
           if
           any
           such
           there
           be
           )
           nor
           he
           that
           is
           sent
           ,
           have
           cause
           to
           be
           ashamed
           .
        
         
           But
           his
           
             Activitie
             is
             great
             .
          
           And
           wherein
           appeares
           this
           his
           
             great
             Activitie
             ,
          
           unlesse
           it
           be
           in
           entertaining
           now
           and
           then
           one
           call
           of
           many
           ,
           to
           preach
           a
           Sermon
           abroad
           ,
           as
           occasions
           will
           permit
           ?
           Or
           unlesse
           it
           be
           that
           in
           defence
           of
           the
           way
           he
           professeth
           ,
           he
           answereth
           some
           of
           the
           many
           challenges
           Brethren
           make
           in
           opposition
           against
           it
           .
           In
           which
           also
           he
           is
           rarely
           ingaged
           alone
           ,
           and
           lesse
           
             active
          
           then
           his
           opponents
           shew
           themselves
           to
           be
           .
        
         
           
             In
          
           pag.
           
             68.
             the
             extract
             of
             a
             Letter
             written
             from
             the
          
           Northerne
           parts
           ,
           
             speakes
             thus
             ;
          
           I
           shall
           hereafter
           give
           you
           a
           particular
           account
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Duckenfeild
             .
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           It
           had
           been
           safer
           for
           the
           Author
           of
           this
           Letter
           to
           look
           into
           
             his
             own
             heart
             ,
          
           and
           see
           what
           is
           amisse
           there
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           be
           able
           to
           give
           a
           particular
           account
           to
           God
           of
           all
           his
           wayes
           ,
           when
           he
           shall
           be
           called
           thereto
           ;
           then
           to
           spend
           his
           time
           in
           observing
           
             Duckenfeild
             ,
          
           and
           medling
           with
           account
           of
           things
           that
           concern
           him
           not
           .
           Is
           not
           this
           to
           be
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           
             a
             busi-body
             in
             other
             mens
             matters
             ;
          
           and
           
             if
             he
             suffer
             as
             such
             a
             one
             ,
          
           what
           glory
           or
           comfort
           can
           he
           have
           at
           the
           last
           ?
           Notwithstanding
           let
           him
           be
           sure
           his
           account
           be
           just
           ,
           and
           it
           will
           prove
           no
           disadvantage
           to
           
             Duckenfeild
          
           that
           he
           makes
           it
           .
        
         
           
             
             The
             Ruling
             Elder
             is
             a
             Sequestrator
             in
             Cheshire
             .
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           If
           the
           Ruling
           Elder
           be
           an
           honest
           man
           ,
           and
           Sequestratorship
           an
           honest
           imployment
           ,
           we
           hope
           it
           is
           no
           disparagement
           to
           
             Duckenfeild
          
           Church
           ,
           that
           their
           
             Ruling
             Elder
          
           is
           a
           Sequestrator
           .
        
         
           
           Their
           Deacon
           is
           a
           Sequestrator
           in
           
             Lancashire
             ;
          
           The
           Deacon
           I
           shall
           speedily
           being
           upon
           the
           Stage
           ,
           and
           make
           a
           notable
           discovery
           of
           his
           knavery
           in
           cou
           〈…〉
           ening
           the
           State
           .
        
         
         
           
             Answ.
          
           As
           concerning
           the
           
             Deacon
             ,
          
           we
           shall
           give
           a
           true
           relation
           of
           the
           carriage
           of
           that
           matter
           .
           M.
           
             Taylor
          
           preaching
           at
           
             Shrewsbury
          
           the
           last
           Summer
           ,
           (
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           Moneth
           of
           
             August
             ,
          
           as
           he
           remembreth
           ▪
           had
           discourse
           with
           a
           religious
           Gentleman
           (
           a
           friend
           of
           his
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           
             Classicall
          
           way
           for
           matter
           of
           Judgement
           )
           concerning
           the
           different
           Church-ways
           ,
           that
           are
           now
           matters
           of
           such
           hot
           digladiation
           amongst
           many
           in
           the
           Kingdome
           .
           The
           Gentleman
           by
           way
           of
           discourse
           told
           him
           ,
           that
           there
           were
           some
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Duckenfeild
             ,
          
           as
           bad
           as
           were
           to
           be
           found
           in
           the
           Parish
           Assemblies
           ,
           and
           named
           
             Laurence
             Owen
             ,
          
           a
           Deacon
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           and
           referred
           Mr.
           
           
             Taylor
          
           for
           further
           satisfaction
           to
           Mr.
           
             Thomas
             Smith
             ,
          
           Book-seller
           in
           
             Manchester
             ,
          
           and
           to
           
             Thomas
             Hartley
             ,
          
           for
           proofe
           of
           his
           dishonest
           dealing
           with
           the
           State
           .
           Mr.
           
             Taylor
          
           at
           his
           returne
           communicated
           this
           businesse
           to
           the
           
             Elders
          
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           short
           time
           after
           wee
           both
           conferred
           with
           
             Thomas
             Hartley
             ,
          
           and
           received
           from
           him
           a
           report
           that
           he
           was
           not
           satisfied
           that
           
             L.
             Owen
          
           had
           carried
           the
           matter
           well
           ,
           and
           gave
           some
           Instances
           .
           Hereupon
           wee
           resolved
           ,
           (
           so
           soon
           as
           possibly
           we
           could
           get
           a
           convenient
           time
           ,
           )
           to
           call
           
             Laurence
             Owen
          
           before
           us
           ,
           and
           to
           require
           an
           account
           of
           him
           concerning
           his
           Negotiation
           for
           the
           State
           :
           and
           to
           desire
           Mr.
           
             Smith
             ,
             Thomas
             Hartley
             ,
          
           and
           whomsoever
           els
           might
           fall
           under
           our
           Intelligence
           ,
           as
           a
           person
           able
           to
           witnesse
           any
           thing
           materiall
           concerning
           
             L.
             Owen
          
           his
           proceeding
           ,
           to
           give
           us
           the
           meeting
           .
           That
           if
           it
           might
           appeare
           that
           
             L.
             Owen
          
           had
           done
           any
           thing
           to
           the
           prejudice
           of
           the
           State
           ,
           or
           peace
           of
           a
           good
           conscience
           ,
           wee
           might
           use
           our
           best
           endeavours
           to
           bring
           him
           to
           the
           sight
           of
           his
           sinne
           ,
           and
           repentance
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           also
           to
           make
           due
           satisfaction
           to
           the
           State
           .
        
         
           But
           many
           importune
           occasions
           falling
           in
           ,
           in
           that
           conjunction
           
           of
           time
           ,
           deferred
           the
           execution
           of
           our
           determinations
           for
           a
           short
           time
           ,
           till
           a
           fit
           season
           was
           by
           the
           good
           hand
           of
           providence
           opened
           unto
           us
           .
           But
           when
           wee
           were
           fully
           ripened
           by
           a
           universall
           conflux
           of
           all
           conce●●●ring
           requisites
           for
           the
           issuing
           of
           this
           businesse
           ,
           (
           which
           had
           not
           suffered
           the
           least
           delay
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           had
           probable
           ,
           and
           promising
           grounds
           of
           hope
           ,
           that
           the
           charges
           against
           him
           were
           founded
           upon
           mistakes
           in
           his
           accusers
           )
           wee
           resolved
           to
           bring
           it
           under
           examination
           ,
           with
           a
           most
           requisite
           and
           impartiall
           endeavour
           of
           discovering
           (
           so
           far
           as
           God
           should
           help
           us
           )
           the
           whole
           truth
           .
           Now
           in
           this
           juncture
           of
           time
           ,
           Mr.
           
             Smith
          
           had
           drawne
           up
           a
           charge
           ,
           and
           brought
           it
           before
           the
           
             Committee
             of
             Lancashire
             ,
          
           who
           upon
           a
           full
           ,
           and
           impartiall
           hearing
           of
           the
           cause
           ,
           did
           not
           find
           him
           guiltie
           of
           the
           things
           charged
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           so
           dismissed
           him
           from
           their
           Board
           ,
           without
           any
           censure
           .
           And
           this
           was
           the
           issue
           of
           Mr.
           
           
             Smiths
          
           confidence
           that
           he
           should
           speedily
           
           discover
           the
           
             Knavery
             of
             the
             Deacon
             ,
          
           in
           his
           first
           attempt
           .
        
         
           And
           though
           this
           businesse
           issuing
           before
           the
           
             Gentlemen
             ,
          
           according
           to
           our
           former
           (
           then
           present
           )
           apprehensions
           ,
           might
           have
           given
           reasonable
           satisfaction
           to
           us
           in
           point
           of
           the
           
             Deacons
             innocency
             ;
          
           yet
           because
           wee
           understood
           that
           Mr.
           
             Smith
          
           was
           not
           herewithall
           satisfied
           ,
           wee
           resolved
           (
           as
           unforestalled
           in
           point
           of
           the
           innocency
           of
           the
           accused
           by
           any
           thing
           that
           passed
           before
           the
           
             Gentlemen
             ,
          
           or
           fell
           otherwise
           under
           our
           observation
           ,
           )
           to
           give
           Mr.
           
           
             Smith
          
           a
           full
           and
           faire
           hearing
           ;
           that
           so
           if
           he
           could
           make
           any
           reall
           discovery
           ,
           wee
           might
           improve
           it
           to
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           States
           satisfaction
           ,
           and
           our
           Brothers
           spirituall
           good
           :
           and
           accordingly
           desired
           Mr.
           
             Smith
             ,
          
           when
           he
           was
           ripe
           for
           the
           purpose
           ,
           to
           let
           us
           understand
           .
           After
           some
           weekes
           past
           ,
           Mr.
           
             Smith
          
           sent
           
             a
             Declaration
          
           to
           Mr.
           
           
             Taylor
             ,
          
           subscribed
           with
           his
           own
           hand
           ,
           and
           the
           hands
           of
           
             George
             Jackson
             ,
          
           and
           
             Tho
             :
             Hartley
             ;
          
           containing
           divers
           charges
           against
           
             L.
             O.
          
           Upon
           the
           receipt
           hereof
           ,
           the
           Church
           assembled
           to
           fast
           and
           pray
           before
           God
           ,
           to
           seek
           assistance
           of
           grace
           on
           the
           behalfe
           of
           the
           Brother
           that
           was
           afresh
           accused
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           carry
           it
           candidly
           ,
           and
           sincerely
           in
           his
           Answer
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           be
           as
           ready
           to
           take
           shame
           to
           himselfe
           ,
           if
           any
           thing
           were
           justly
           charged
           ,
           as
           to
           stand
           upon
           the
           defence
           of
           his
           innocency
           ,
           in
           things
           wherein
           his
           Conscience
           bore
           witnesse
           to
           the
           integritie
           of
           his
           Actions
           :
           as
           also
           that
           the
           
             Elders
          
           might
           be
           inabled
           to
           conceive
           aright
           of
           things
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           report
           of
           them
           accordingly
           to
           the
           
             Church
             .
          
           The
           Dutie
           being
           ended
           ,
           the
           severall
           
             Charges
          
           were
           drawne
           out
           of
           the
           
             Declaration
          
           [
           the
           most
           materiall
           of
           them
           being
           the
           same
           (
           as
           we
           have
           been
           informed
           )
           that
           were
           agitated
           formerly
           before
           the
           Committee
           ]
           and
           
             L.
             O.
          
           required
           to
           make
           Answers
           to
           them
           :
           which
           accordingly
           he
           did
           .
           After
           we
           had
           thus
           heard
           both
           parties
           severally
           ,
           wee
           desired
           to
           heare
           them
           joyntly
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           might
           come
           
             face
             to
             face
             ,
          
           for
           which
           purpose
           ,
           Mr.
           
             Taylor
          
           writ
           a
           Letter
           to
           Mr.
           
             Smith
             ,
          
           and
           his
           two
           friends
           ,
           desiring
           them
           to
           give
           us
           the
           meeting
           at
           some
           convenient
           place
           ,
           and
           to
           bring
           with
           them
           such
           persons
           as
           might
           give
           in
           evidence
           against
           
             L.
             O.
          
           concerning
           any
           thing
           contained
           in
           the
           
             Declaration
             ,
          
           that
           might
           stand
           in
           need
           of
           further
           proofe
           .
           He
           also
           desired
           that
           Mr.
           
             Johnson
          
           of
           
             Ashton
             ,
          
           and
           Mr.
           
             Angier
          
           of
           
             Denton
          
           (
           two
           godly
           ,
           and
           grave
           Ministers
           of
           the
           
             Classicall
          
           way
           )
           might
           be
           present
           as
           witnesses
           of
           what
           passed
           on
           both
           sides
           .
        
         
           This
           desired
           meeting
           Mr.
           
             Smith
          
           and
           his
           two
           friends
           thought
           fit
           to
           decline
           for
           these
           two
           
             Reasons
             ,
          
           as
           they
           pretended
           .
        
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           That
           matters
           of
           fact
           were
           laid
           downe
           with
           that
           distinctnesse
           ,
           
           and
           clearenesse
           in
           the
           Declaration
           ,
           that
           they
           needed
           to
           adde
           no
           more
           words
           for
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           any
           ingenuous
           Reader
           .
        
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
             (
             and
             that
             by
             way
             of
             implication
             )
          
           that
           wee
           were
           not
           authorized
           to
           take
           their
           Examination
           upon
           Oath
           .
        
         
           To
           which
           M.
           
             Taylor
          
           in
           his
           Letter
           to
           them
           answered
           ,
           That
           our
           designe
           was
           (
           according
           to
           our
           dutie
           )
           to
           endeavour
           to
           bring
           our
           Brother
           to
           the
           sight
           of
           his
           sinne
           ,
           and
           repentance
           for
           it
           ,
           in
           case
           he
           should
           prove
           guiltie
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           severall
           charges
           contained
           in
           the
           
             Declaration
             ,
          
           or
           any
           of
           them
           .
           That
           this
           we
           could
           not
           doe
           ,
           except
           wee
           could
           convince
           him
           .
           That
           we
           could
           not
           convince
           him
           ,
           and
           upon
           conviction
           proceed
           against
           him
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           proofe
           of
           two
           witnesses
           at
           the
           least
           ,
           since
           he
           confidently
           denied
           divers
           things
           contained
           in
           the
           
             Declaration
             ,
          
           and
           in
           his
           Answer
           avoyded
           the
           dint
           ,
           and
           scope
           of
           the
           rest
           .
           That
           he
           desired
           to
           have
           his
           
             accusers
             come
             face
             to
             face
             ,
          
           and
           that
           he
           might
           have
           libertie
           to
           Answer
           for
           himselfe
           :
           and
           that
           this
           Justice
           neither
           they
           ,
           (
           since
           they
           had
           laid
           a
           charge
           against
           him
           ,
           nor
           wee
           (
           if
           wee
           would
           carry
           it
           righteously
           
             a
          
           )
           could
           deny
           him
           .
           That
           wee
           desired
           to
           know
           whether
           they
           did
           joyntly
           attest
           all
           ,
           and
           every
           of
           the
           miscarriages
           charged
           in
           the
           
             Declaration
             ,
          
           or
           severally
           .
           If
           not
           all
           joyntly
           ,
           but
           some
           severally
           ,
           then
           we
           desired
           to
           know
           which
           of
           the
           particulars
           were
           attested
           by
           one
           onely
           witnesse
           ,
           and
           which
           by
           two
           or
           more
           ,
           since
           we
           could
           not
           proceed
           upon
           a
           single
           testimony
           ,
           but
           must
           desire
           further
           proofe
           .
           That
           
             L.
             O.
          
           had
           brought
           a
           Certificate
           
             b
          
           under
           the
           hand
           of
           a
           man
           beyond
           exception
           faithfull
           ,
           (
           who
           spake
           not
           by
           hearesay
           ,
           but
           as
           an
           eye
           and
           eare
           witnesse
           ,
           point-blank
           ,
           contrary
           to
           one
           maine
           thing
           charged
           in
           the
           
             Declaration
             ,
          
           and
           also
           another
           man
           (
           that
           had
           great
           reason
           to
           know
           the
           state
           of
           the
           businesse
           to
           which
           he
           spake
           ,
           attesting
           that
           
           which
           is
           contrary
           to
           the
           maine
           thing
           charged
           by
           them
           ,
           as
           we
           should
           give
           them
           fully
           to
           understand
           ,
           if
           they
           pleased
           to
           give
           us
           the
           meeting
           .
           That
           there
           was
           also
           one
           thing
           mentioned
           in
           the
           
             Declaration
          
           in
           generall
           termes
           ,
           
             viz.
             certaine
             summes
             of
             money
             received
             that
             were
             not
             given
             in
             in
             his
             accounts
             ,
          
           but
           no
           
             particulars
          
           specified
           ,
           and
           we
           desired
           that
           the
           
             particulars
          
           might
           be
           given
           in
           ,
           and
           so
           attested
           by
           themselves
           ,
           or
           otherwise
           .
           That
           these
           things
           considered
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           righteously
           deny
           us
           the
           meeting
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           distinctnesse
           ,
           and
           clearnesse
           in
           matter
           of
           fact
           pretended
           to
           be
           in
           their
           
             Declaration
             .
          
        
         
           And
           as
           for
           the
           second
           ,
           it
           was
           answered
           in
           Mr.
           
           
             Taylors
          
           Letter
           aforesaid
           ;
           That
           if
           they
           did
           not
           judge
           it
           unfit
           to
           give
           in
           their
           accusation
           in
           their
           
             Declaration
             ,
          
           though
           they
           did
           not
           look
           upon
           us
           as
           
             authorized
             to
             administer
             an
             Oath
             to
             them
             ;
          
           why
           might
           they
           not
           corroborate
           ,
           and
           make
           out
           their
           accusation
           before
           us
           (
           in
           things
           wherin
           there
           should
           be
           need
           of
           further
           light
           ,
           )
           though
           we
           were
           not
           in
           a
           capacitie
           to
           administer
           an
           Oath
           unto
           them
           ?
           These
           were
           the
           most
           material
           ▪
           p
           ssages
           in
           Mr.
           
             Taylors
          
           Letter
           .
        
         
           Mr.
           
             Smiths
          
           Answer
           in
           the
           most
           considerable
           pertinent
           passages
           was
           ;
           That
           he
           would
           have
           appeared
           before
           us
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           believed
           us
           invested
           with
           any
           
             lawfull
             power
             by
             God●
          
           to
           have
           taken
           his
           Examination
           ▪
           That
           to
           comply
           with
           us
           in
           thi
           〈…〉
           way
           ,
           would
           be
           a
           remedy
           worse
           then
           the
           disease
           .
           That
           if
           
             L.
             O.
          
           desired
           is
           accusers
           to
           come
           
             face
             to
             face
             ,
          
           why
           according
           to
           his
           
             counsell
          
           had
           he
           not
           brought
           his
           Accusers
           before
           the
           
             Committee
             ?
          
           That
           he
           would
           not
           trouble
           himselfe
           with
           〈◊〉
           Certificate
           he
           〈…〉
           ve
           ,
           or
           from
           whom
           procured
           ,
           since
           he
           〈…〉
           to
           make
           out
           the
           maine
           particulars
           of
           his
           〈…〉
           wn
           Accounts
           and
           Confession
           and
           by
           sufficient
           〈…〉
           ony
           upon
           Oath
           ▪
           That
           he
           〈…〉
           not
           the
           
             Declaration
          
           to
           one
           
           Church
           ,
           nor
           in
           any
           of
           his
           Letters
           had
           acknowledged
           Mr.
           
             Taylor
          
           a
           Minister
           .
           That
           if
           we
           desired
           a
           meeting
           in
           a
           Christian
           way
           ,
           and
           not
           in
           a
           Church-way
           ,
           and
           pleased
           to
           let
           
             Manchester
          
           be
           the
           place
           ,
           he
           would
           meet
           us
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           to
           ingage
           his
           two
           friends
           ,
           and
           such
           other
           Witnesses
           as
           should
           be
           necessary
           .
           That
           for
           other
           particulars
           in
           the
           Letter
           ,
           
             (
             i.
             e.
             
             Whether
             they
             did
             attest
             the
             things
             charged
             in
             the
             Declaration
             severally
             ,
             or
             joyntly
             ,
             and
             if
             not
             all
             joyntly
             ,
             but
             some
             severally
             ,
             then
             which
             were
             attested
             by
             one
             Witnesse
             ,
             and
             which
             by
             two
             or
             more
             )
          
           Wherein
           we
           desired
           satisfaction
           ,
           he
           conceived
           it
           would
           be
           fitter
           to
           give
           in
           account
           to
           the
           Committee
           for
           Sequestration
           then
           to
           us
           .
           To
           which
           Mr.
           
             Taylor
          
           replyed
           ,
           That
           whether
           he
           acknowledged
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Duckenfield
          
           a
           
             Church
             ,
          
           the
           
             Elders
          
           a
           
             Presbyteris
             ,
          
           or
           himselfe
           a
           
             Minister
             ,
          
           neither
           the
           one
           ,
           nor
           the
           other
           ,
           nor
           himselfe
           did
           regard
           .
           
             For
          
           with
           them
           
             it
          
           was
           
             a
             small
             thing
             to
             be
             judged
             of
             him
             ,
             or
             of
             mans
             judgement
             .
             To
             their
             own
             Master
             they
             must
             stand
             or
             fall
             .
          
           That
           the
           scope
           of
           this
           desired
           meeting
           (
           on
           our
           part
           )
           was
           not
           to
           steale
           from
           him
           an
           acknowledgement
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           or
           Ministries
           ,
           but
           an
           improvement
           of
           it
           to
           this
           end
           ,
           that
           our
           Brother
           might
           be
           healed
           in
           his
           
             Conscience
             ,
          
           if
           he
           had
           done
           any
           iniquitie
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           
             reputation
          
           (
           so
           far
           as
           in
           us
           lay
           )
           if
           none
           of
           those
           things
           whereof
           he
           was
           accused
           were
           found
           in
           him
           .
           And
           forasmuch
           as
           a
           meeting
           of
           them
           in
           the
           capacitie
           of
           Christians
           ,
           would
           be
           of
           equivolent
           conducency
           to
           the
           attainment
           of
           our
           end
           ,
           wee
           should
           as
           willingly
           meet
           them
           under
           that
           Notion
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           capacitie
           of
           a
           
             Presbytery
             .
          
        
         
           
             This
             Answer
             being
             thus
             returned
             ,
             we
             were
             in
             plenary
             expectation
             ,
             that
             this
             businesse
             would
             speedily
             be
             issued
             one
             way
             or
             other
             .
             But
             though
             we
             condescended
             to
             meet
             Mr.
             
          
           Smith
           
             upon
             his
             own
             termes
             ,
             yet
             in
             his
             Answer
             to
          
           
           
             Mr.
          
           Taylor
           ,
           he
           totally
           
             (
             contrary
             to
             his
             own
             ingagement
             ,
             and
             promise
             under
             his
             own
             hand
             ,
             )
          
           refused
           to
           meet
           us
           ,
           
             and
             not
             onely
             so
             ,
          
           but
           expressed
           himselfe
           resolved
           to
           forbeare
           all
           further
           intercourse
           with
           Mr.
           
           
             Taylor
          
           in
           writing
           about
           this
           matter
           .
           
             The
          
           reason
           
             alledged
             by
             him
             of
             his
             refusall
             to
             meet
             us
             ,
             was
             ,
          
           That
           he
           was
           inhibited
           by
           the
           Committee
           of
           Accounts
           ,
           who
           were
           resolved
           to
           take
           the
           full
           examination
           of
           the
           businesse
           themselves
           ,
           conceiving
           that
           our
           private
           debates
           ,
           would
           no
           way
           advantage
           the
           publick
           ,
           and
           might
           prejudice
           them
           in
           their
           proceedings
           .
           Assuring
           us
           that
           if
           we
           would
           have
           but
           a
           little
           patience
           ,
           things
           would
           be
           discovered
           to
           our
           full
           satisfaction
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           examination
           taken
           upon
           Oath
           .
        
         
           When
           we
           were
           thus
           deserted
           by
           Mr.
           
             Smith
             ,
          
           and
           his
           two
           confederate
           friends
           ,
           refusing
           to
           tell
           us
           which
           of
           the
           charges
           were
           attested
           by
           one
           onely
           
             witnesse
             ,
          
           and
           which
           by
           two
           or
           more
           ,
           or
           to
           give
           any
           
             particulars
          
           attested
           where
           the
           charge
           was
           
             generall
             ,
          
           refusing
           also
           to
           give
           us
           the
           meeting
           for
           the
           making
           out
           of
           his
           charge
           ,
           where
           it
           needed
           proofe
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           in
           such
           things
           ,
           whereof
           he
           ,
           and
           his
           two
           friends
           ,
           were
           onely
           the
           relators
           ,
           and
           accusers
           ,
           but
           could
           not
           possibly
           be
           the
           attestors
           or
           witnesses
           :
           When
           wee
           were
           thus
           deserted
           ,
           (
           wee
           say
           )
           yet
           wee
           left
           no
           stone
           unmoved
           ,
           further
           to
           informe
           our selves
           concerning
           this
           businesse
           .
           And
           having
           notice
           that
           
             L.
             O.
          
           was
           to
           come
           to
           his
           
             Answer
          
           before
           the
           
             Committee
          
           of
           
             Accounts
          
           for
           
             Lancashire
             ,
          
           upon
           Tuesday
           the
           second
           of
           
             Febr.
          
           1646.
           (
           to
           our
           best
           remembrance
           )
           in
           
             Manchester
             :
          
           Wee
           both
           came
           thither
           ,
           and
           sent
           to
           the
           
             Gen
             Gentlemen
          
           of
           that
           
             Committee
             ,
          
           to
           desire
           libertie
           that
           wee
           might
           sit
           by
           and
           heare
           what
           passed
           that
           day
           for
           our
           further
           satisfaction
           .
           But
           this
           libertie
           was
           denied
           us
           by
           the
           
             Gentlemen
          
           at
           that
           time
           .
           After
           this
           Mr.
           
             Taylor
          
           having
           intelligence
           of
           the
           meeting
           of
           the
           
             Committee
          
           upon
           a
           Tuesday
           ,
           came
           to
           
             Manchester
          
           to
           desire
           
           a
           Copie
           of
           
             L.
             O.
          
           his
           charge
           ,
           the
           better
           to
           enable
           them
           to
           discover
           the
           truth
           of
           this
           matter
           .
           But
           after
           he
           had
           come
           twice
           or
           thrice
           to
           the
           place
           where
           usually
           they
           sate
           ,
           he
           was
           informed
           ,
           that
           the
           Countrey
           people
           came
           not
           in
           ,
           and
           so
           they
           would
           not
           sit
           that
           day
           ,
           and
           so
           lost
           his
           labour
           at
           that
           time
           .
           After
           this
           he
           applied
           himselfe
           to
           one
           of
           them
           particularly
           ,
           expressing
           the
           desire
           that
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           his
           Brethren
           had
           to
           be
           throughly
           possessed
           of
           the
           state
           of
           that
           businesse
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           would
           be
           a
           very
           great
           courtesie
           to
           us
           ,
           if
           wee
           might
           but
           have
           a
           Copie
           of
           the
           
             Depositions
             .
          
           The
           Gentleman
           answered
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           resolved
           at
           their
           Board
           ,
           that
           
             L.
             O.
          
           should
           not
           onely
           be
           allowed
           
             Breviates
             ,
          
           but
           also
           
             Copies
             at
             large
             of
             the
             Depositions
             ,
          
           and
           there
           was
           but
           onely
           one
           thing
           undetermined
           ,
           and
           that
           was
           ,
           whether
           since
           all
           the
           
             Examinations
          
           were
           not
           taken
           ,
           he
           should
           have
           the
           
             Depositions
          
           piece
           meale
           ,
           or
           the
           whole
           together
           .
           Mr.
           
             Taylor
          
           went
           away
           well
           satisfied
           in
           the
           candor
           ,
           and
           impartialitie
           of
           the
           
             Gentlemens
          
           proceedings
           in
           that
           matter
           .
           And
           so
           wee
           hope
           that
           in
           due
           time
           we
           shall
           enjoy
           the
           advantage
           of
           those
           
             Depositions
             ,
          
           to
           enable
           us
           to
           make
           a
           Judgement
           of
           the
           cause
           ,
           and
           till
           then
           wee
           shall
           suspend
           our
           thoughts
           and
           determinations
           about
           that
           matter
           .
           Onely
           this
           wee
           cannot
           but
           take
           notice
           of
           ;
           That
           Mr.
           
           
             Smith
          
           after
           some
           
             Depositions
          
           were
           taken
           ,
           before
           
             L.
          
           
           
             O
             ▪
          
           had
           answered
           for
           himselfe
           ,
           (
           for
           that
           is
           not
           yet
           done
           )
           or
           the
           
             Gentlemen
          
           had
           passed
           any
           Censure
           against
           him
           ,
           (
           which
           also
           is
           not
           yet
           done
           )
           he
           writ
           up
           to
           a
           Gentleman
           a
           friend
           of
           his
           in
           
             London
             ;
             That
             the
             Deacon
             of
          
           Duckenfield
           
             his
             knavery
             is
             proved
             before
             the
             Committee
             upon
             Oath
             ,
             and
             be
             turned
             out
             of
             his
             place
             .
          
           His
           Letter
           bore
           date
           ,
           
             Jan.
          
           30.
           1646.
           
           Who
           reading
           this
           Letter
           ,
           would
           not
           conclude
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Committee
             ,
          
           after
           a
           full
           hearing
           of
           both
           sides
           ,
           had
           found
           
             L.
             O.
          
           guiltie
           ?
           and
           for
           his
           guilt
           (
           or
           
             knavery
             ,
             to
             speake
             in
          
           
           
             Mr.
             
          
           Smiths
           
             Dialect
             )
          
           had
           turned
           him
           out
           of
           his
           place
           ?
           and
           so
           his
           friend
           in
           
             London
          
           took
           it
           up
           .
           Whereas
           the
           
             truth
          
           is
           ,
           the
           
             Examinations
          
           are
           not
           yet
           all
           taken
           ,
           neither
           to
           this
           day
           of
           our
           present
           writing
           ,
           hath
           
             L.
             O.
          
           a
           Copie
           of
           any
           one
           
             Deposition
             ,
          
           nor
           have
           the
           
             Committee
          
           of
           
             Accounts
          
           passed
           any
           Censure
           at
           all
           against
           him
           ,
           much
           lesse
           put
           him
           out
           of
           his
           place
           .
           But
           the
           
             Committee
          
           of
           the
           Countie
           to
           ease
           the
           publick
           charge
           ,
           did
           diminish
           the
           number
           of
           the
           
             Agents
          
           for
           Sequestration
           ,
           and
           (
           without
           any
           Character
           of
           disgrace
           at
           all
           )
           did
           suspend
           him
           from
           the
           execution
           of
           his
           place
           ;
           as
           they
           did
           also
           many
           other
           persons
           of
           unspotted
           side
           litie
           to
           the
           State
           .
           A
           Copie
           of
           which
           
             Suspension
          
           is
           as
           followeth
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 
                   At
                   the
                   Committee
                   ,
                   January
                   15.
                   1646.
                   
                
                 
                   
                   FOr
                   as
                   much
                   as
                   by
                   reason
                   of
                   the
                   many
                   and
                   great
                   Sequestrators
                   within
                   this
                   County
                   ,
                   which
                   have
                   lately
                   been
                   suspended
                   ,
                   and
                   taken
                   off
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   compositions
                   at
                   
                     Goldsmiths-Hall
                     :
                  
                   this
                   Committee
                   doe
                   conceive
                   it
                   necessary
                   to
                   
                     reduce
                  
                   the
                   Agents
                   employed
                   in
                   the
                   Sequestrations
                   in
                   the
                   severall
                   limits
                   ,
                   and
                   divisions
                   ,
                   hereafter
                   particularly
                   expressed
                   ;
                   
                     viz.
                     Oliver
                     Edge
                  
                   in
                   
                     Manchester
                  
                   divisiou
                   :
                   
                     Isaack
                     Dehoo
                     ,
                  
                   in
                   
                     Middleton
                  
                   division
                   :
                   
                     Richard
                     Bradshaw
                     ,
                  
                   in
                   
                     Bolton
                  
                   division
                   :
                   
                     William
                     Kindsly
                  
                   and
                   
                     William
                     Parr
                     ,
                  
                   in
                   the
                   Parishes
                   of
                   
                     Warrington
                     ,
                     Winwick
                     ,
                     Wiggan
                     &
                     Leigh
                     ;
                  
                   and
                   
                     Peter
                     Ambrose
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   
                     John
                     Case
                  
                   in
                   the
                   remainder
                   of
                   the
                   hundred
                   of
                   
                     Derby
                     ,
                     William
                     Eccleston
                  
                   and
                   
                     Thomas
                     Jackson
                     ,
                  
                   for
                   
                     ●●yland
                  
                   hundred
                   :
                   
                     Charles
                     Gregory
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   
                     John
                     Haworth
                     ,
                  
                   in
                   
                     Blackhurne
                  
                   hundred
                   :
                   
                     James
                     Smith
                     ,
                     Richard
                     Whitehead
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   
                     William
                     Audeland
                     ,
                  
                   in
                   
                     Amundernesse
                  
                   hundred
                   :
                   and
                   
                     Thomas
                     Towlinson
                     ,
                     Thomas
                     Gardner
                     ,
                     Adam
                     Sands
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   
                     John
                     Sawry
                     ,
                  
                   in
                   
                     Lonisdale
                  
                   hundred
                   .
                   And
                   that
                   all
                   other
                   Agents
                   
                   employed
                   in
                   the
                   Sequestrations
                   in
                   this
                   Countie
                   ,
                   shall
                   from
                   and
                   after
                   the
                   first
                   day
                   of
                   
                     March
                  
                   next
                   ,
                   
                     suspend
                     and
                     forbeare
                  
                   the
                   execution
                   of
                   their
                   places
                   or
                   employments
                   as
                   Agents
                   .
                   And
                   in
                   the
                   meane
                   time
                   they
                   are
                   to
                   perfect
                   their
                   accounts
                   ,
                   and
                   deliver
                   the
                   same
                   to
                   Mr.
                   
                     Okey
                  
                   upon
                   such
                   penalties
                   as
                   are
                   imposed
                   by
                   the
                   Ordinance
                   of
                   
                     Parliament
                     .
                  
                   And
                   the
                   Collectors
                   for
                   sequestrations
                   in
                   
                     Lonisdale
                  
                   hundred
                   are
                   from
                   hence
                   forward
                   to
                   forbeare
                   the
                   execution
                   of
                   their
                   employments
                   .
                   And
                   the
                   Agents
                   of
                   that
                   hundred
                   are
                   to
                   performe
                   the
                   same
                   accordingly
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         J.
                         Bradshawe
                         .
                      
                       
                         John
                         Starkie
                         .
                      
                       
                         Thomas
                         Birche
                         .
                      
                       
                         Robert
                         Cunliffe
                         .
                      
                       
                         William
                         Knipe
                         .
                      
                       
                         N.
                         Rigbie
                         .
                      
                    
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Vera
                     Copia
                     Examinat
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       Per
                       me
                       
                         Oliver
                         Edge
                         .
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
         
           And
           yet
           even
           since
           that
           time
           ,
           that
           
             Committee
          
           that
           put
           him
           out
           ,
           hath
           put
           him
           in
           againe
           ;
           which
           doubtlesse
           they
           would
           never
           have
           done
           ,
           had
           they
           judged
           him
           unfaithfull
           to
           the
           
             State
             .
          
           A
           Copie
           of
           which
           order
           for
           re-execution
           of
           his
           place
           is
           as
           followeth
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 
                   At
                   the
                   Committee
                   ,
                   March
                   4.
                   1646.
                   
                
                 
                   
                   IT
                   is
                   ordered
                   ,
                   that
                   
                     William
                     Kindsly
                     ,
                     William
                     Parr
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   
                     John
                     Hampson
                     ,
                  
                   shall
                   be
                   employed
                   for
                   the
                   Sequestration
                   in
                   the
                   Parishes
                   of
                   
                     Warrington
                     ,
                     Winwicke
                     ,
                     Leygh
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   
                     Wiggan
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   that
                   they
                   shall
                   have
                   one
                   Collector
                   to
                   assist
                   them
                   .
                   And
                   that
                   
                     Richard
                     Bradshaw
                  
                   shall
                   act
                   as
                   Agent
                   for
                   Sequestrations
                   in
                   the
                   Parishes
                   of
                   
                     Bolton
                     ,
                     Deane
                     ,
                     Bury
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   
                     Ratliffe
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   that
                   he
                   shall
                   have
                   one
                   Collector
                   for
                   his
                   assistance
                   
                   therein
                   ;
                   And
                   that
                   
                     Isaac
                     Dehoo
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   
                     Edward
                     Dutton
                  
                   shall
                   be
                   agents
                   in
                   the
                   Parishes
                   of
                   
                     Ashton
                     under
                     line
                     ,
                     Ouldham
                     ,
                     Middleton
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   
                     Rachdale
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   one
                   Collector
                   to
                   assist
                   them
                   .
                   And
                   that
                   
                     Oliver
                     Edge
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   
                     Laurence
                     Owen
                     ,
                  
                   shall
                   be
                   agents
                   in
                   the
                   Parishes
                   of
                   
                     Manchester
                     ,
                     Eccles
                     ,
                     Drestwich
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   
                     Flixton
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   that
                   the
                   parties
                   aforenamed
                   ,
                   shall
                   doe
                   ,
                   execute
                   ,
                   and
                   performe
                   all
                   things
                   pertaining
                   to
                   that
                   employment
                   ,
                   as
                   by
                   Ordinance
                   of
                   
                     Parliament
                  
                   is
                   appointed
                   .
                   And
                   that
                   for
                   their
                   care
                   and
                   paines
                   to
                   be
                   taken
                   therein
                   ,
                   they
                   shall
                   all
                   of
                   them
                   receive
                   the
                   usuall
                   salarie
                   ,
                   and
                   pay
                   ,
                   as
                   hath
                   been
                   accustomably
                   used
                   to
                   have
                   been
                   allowed
                   ,
                   and
                   paid
                   to
                   others
                   of
                   the
                   like
                   employment
                   :
                   saving
                   that
                   there
                   shall
                   be
                   allowed
                   to
                   Mr.
                   
                     Dutton
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   Mr.
                   
                   
                     Dehoo
                     ,
                  
                   the
                   weekly
                   pay
                   of
                   twenty-foure
                   shillings
                   ,
                   onely
                   untill
                   further
                   order
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         J.
                         Bradshawe
                         .
                      
                       
                         John
                         Starkie
                         .
                      
                       
                         Thomas
                         Birche
                         .
                      
                       
                         N.
                         Rigbie
                         .
                      
                       
                         H.
                         Eleetwood
                         .
                      
                    
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Vera
                     Copia
                     Examinat
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       Per
                       me
                       
                         Oliver
                         Edge
                         .
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
         
           Farre
           be
           it
           from
           us
           ,
           to
           bring
           any
           
             rayling
             accusation
          
           against
           Mr.
           
             Smith
             ,
          
           but
           
             let
             the
             tree
             be
             judged
             by
             its
             fruits
             ,
          
           the
           man
           by
           his
           actions
           .
           As
           for
           
             Laurence
             Owen
             ,
          
           and
           his
           businesse
           ,
           we
           shall
           leave
           it
           in
           the
           middle
           ,
           and
           neither
           cleare
           him
           ,
           nor
           condemne
           him
           ,
           (
           further
           then
           matters
           of
           fact
           ▪
           reported
           in
           this
           
             Narrative
          
           are
           of
           a
           tendency
           one
           way
           or
           other
           )
           till
           the
           businesse
           be
           issued
           before
           the
           
             Committee
          
           of
           
             Accounts
             .
          
           Onely
           hereby
           it
           doth
           appeare
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Elders
             ,
          
           have
           laboured
           in
           some
           good
           measure
           to
           doe
           their
           duty
           .
        
         
         
           Now
           we
           passe
           to
           the
           prodigious
           Story
           of
           the
           invisible
           DRUMME
           .
        
         
           In
           
             pag.
          
           164.
           there
           is
           the
           story
           of
           a
           
             Drumme
             ,
          
           and
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
          
           makes
           a
           godly
           Minister
           of
           
             Cheshire
          
           to
           be
           the
           
             reporter
          
           of
           it
           to
           him
           ,
           but
           his
           name
           is
           concealed
           ;
           wee
           may
           not
           know
           him
           ,
           yet
           we
           may
           aske
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
          
           whether
           the
           Minister
           were
           an
           eye
           or
           eare
           witnesse
           of
           it
           ?
           If
           he
           were
           not
           ,
           nor
           yet
           asserted
           so
           much
           to
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
             ,
          
           how
           comes
           it
           that
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
          
           saith
           in
           his
           Preface
           ;
           
             For
             other
             Relations
          
           (
           alludeing
           to
           relations
           of
           fact
           )
           
             I
             have
             them
             from
             such
             knowne
             godly
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             Christians
             ,
             being
             eare
             and
             eye
             witnesse
             thereof
             .
          
           This
           will
           be
           found
           a
           monstrous
           untruth
           in
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
             :
          
           However
           ,
           because
           there
           was
           no
           such
           
             Minister
             ,
          
           an
           
             eare
             ,
          
           or
           
             eye-witnesse
          
           of
           this
           matter
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           found
           a
           
             loud
             lye
          
           betwixt
           them
           ,
           upon
           which
           of
           them
           soever
           it
           will
           fall
           .
        
         
           But
           because
           there
           is
           great
           Enquiry
           made
           in
           some
           parts
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           about
           this
           matter
           ,
           wee
           thinke
           it
           necessary
           for
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           all
           that
           would
           be
           informed
           in
           the
           truth
           of
           it
           ,
           to
           give
           a
           briefe
           
             relation
          
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           at
           
             Duckenfeild
             ,
          
           and
           afterwards
           to
           manifest
           what
           a
           
             Bundell
          
           of
           untruths
           were
           knit
           up
           together
           in
           the
           story
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           represented
           to
           the
           Kingdome
           .
           And
           for
           the
           truth
           of
           what
           we
           say
           ,
           wee
           shall
           appeale
           to
           many
           
             impartiall
             Auditors
             ,
          
           who
           (
           as
           they
           sometimes
           repaire
           to
           the
           
             Chappell
             )
          
           so
           they
           were
           
             eare
          
           and
           
             eye-witnesse
          
           of
           the
           whole
           matter
           that
           very
           day
           .
           Their
           Testimony
           (
           they
           being
           neither
           Members
           of
           our
           
             Church
             ,
          
           nor
           of
           our
           opinion
           )
           wee
           hope
           will
           currantly
           passe
           with
           all
           rationall
           men
           .
           Which
           is
           as
           followeth
           .
        
         
           
             Upon
             one
             Lords
             day
             ,
             while
             Mr.
             
               Eaton
            
             was
             preaching
             in
             
               Duckenfeild-Chappell
            
             ,
             there
             was
             the
             noyse
             of
             Rapping
             or
             Striking
             upon
             one
             of
             the
             Pewes
             or
             Seates
             
             in
             the
             Chappell
             ,
             and
             (
             they
             being
             made
             of
             thin
             Wainscoate
             ,
             and
             standing
             hollow
             from
             any
             wall
             )
             the
             sound
             was
             the
             greater
             ,
             but
             continued
             not
             long
             .
             Upon
             the
             first
             hearing
             of
             it
             ,
             Mr.
             
               Eaton
            
             turned
             his
             eare
             towards
             the
             place
             whence
             he
             conceived
             the
             sound
             came
             ,
             and
             after
             he
             had
             finished
             the
             sentence
             he
             was
             speaking
             ,
             he
             made
             a
             short
             pause
             ,
             as
             his
             manner
             hath
             often
             been
             to
             doe
             ,
             and
             the
             noyse
             immediately
             ceased
             ;
             and
             he
             began
             againe
             to
             speake
             ,
             and
             so
             continued
             to
             the
             end
             ,
             both
             of
             Prayer
             and
             Sermon
             ,
             as
             at
             other
             times
             ,
             without
             any
             further
             interruption
             .
             In
             the
             place
             ,
             whence
             the
             noyse
             proceeded
             ,
             there
             was
             a
             dogge
             which
             lay
             under
             the
             Seate
             ,
             and
             it
             was
             then
             ,
             and
             still
             is
             supposed
             ,
             that
             the
             dogge
             in
             Scratching
             of
             his
             eare
             ,
             struck
             upon
             the
             Wainscoate
             with
             his
             foote
             ,
             which
             in
             so
             little
             a
             place
             as
             
               Duckenfeild
            
             Chappell
             ,
             might
             well
             cause
             as
             great
             a
             noyse
             ,
             as
             was
             there
             heard
             :
             But
             before
             it
             could
             certainly
             be
             knowne
             what
             caused
             it
             ,
             the
             noyse
             was
             ended
             ,
             and
             the
             dogge
             was
             immediately
             put
             forth
             from
             the
             seate
             upon
             it
             .
             In
             witnesse
             to
             the
             truth
             of
             this
             we
             set
             to
             our
             hands
             .
          
           
             
               Robert
               Duckenfeild
               .
            
             
               William
               Bardsley
               .
            
             
               George
               Hurst
               .
            
             
               Henry
               Aritage
               .
            
             
               Henry
               Hurst
               .
            
             
               John
               Taylor
               .
            
             
               William
               Hampson
               .
            
             
               Thomas
               Ouldham
               .
            
             
               Joseph
               Ashton
               .
            
             
               William
               Aritage
               .
            
             
               Joseph
               Andrew
               .
            
          
        
         
         
           Having
           thus
           brought
           the
           
             truth
          
           to
           light
           ,
           the
           
             untruths
             ,
          
           that
           have
           been
           most
           maliciously
           and
           unrighteously
           forged
           upon
           it
           ,
           will
           more
           easily
           be
           manifest
           to
           all
           mens
           eyes
           .
        
         
           
             First
             ,
             That
             the
          
           noyse
           was
           like
           the
           beating
           of
           a
           March
           upon
           a
           Drumme
           .
        
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
             That
          
           the
           noyse
           came
           in
           at
           the
           doores
           ,
           and
           passed
           up
           the
           Isle
           ,
           and
           so
           compassed
           about
           the
           Chappell
           .
        
         
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             That
          
           it
           interrupted
           Mr.
           
             Eaton
             ,
          
           in
           such
           manner
           ,
           that
           it
           caused
           him
           to
           desist
           from
           preaching
           ,
           and
           to
           betake
           himselfe
           to
           prayer
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           That
           
             at
             length
             (
             the
             noyse
             continuing
             so
             long
             )
             it
             caused
             the
             dissolution
             of
             the
             Assembly
             ,
             and
             forced
             all
             to
             flee
             from
             the
             Chappell
             .
          
           These
           are
           foure
           desperate
           malicious
           untruths
           ,
           by
           whomsoever
           first
           devised
           ,
           and
           each
           
             untruth
          
           is
           more
           horrid
           and
           
             wicked
          
           then
           other
           .
        
         
           Whereas
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
          
           doth
           Comment
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           it
           the
           more
           remarkeable
           ,
           would
           have
           it
           observed
           ,
           that
           
             this
             was
             the
             first
             visible
             framed
             Independant
             Church
             that
             was
             set
             up
             in
             England
             ,
          
           and
           before
           the
           
             Apologists
          
           came
           from
           
             Holland
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Wee
           
             answer
             ,
             visible
          
           it
           hath
           been
           from
           the
           first
           day
           it
           was
           a
           Church
           ,
           for
           wee
           have
           carried
           all
           things
           
             publickly
          
           in
           the
           face
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           to
           prevent
           the
           many
           foule
           aspersions
           which
           have
           been
           wont
           to
           be
           cast
           upon
           domestick
           and
           clandestine
           meetings
           ;
           that
           with
           Christ
           wee
           might
           be
           able
           to
           say
           to
           all
           malicious
           false
           witnesse
           bearers
           ,
           
             wee
             speake
             openly
             daily
             ,
             in
             secret
             have
             wee
             said
             nothing
             ,
             if
             therefore
             wee
             have
             done
             evill
             ,
             beare
             witnesse
             of
             the
             evill
             ,
             if
             not
             ,
             why
             smile
             you
             us
             ca●s●esly
             ?
          
           But
           whether
           we
           were
           
             visible
             ,
          
           and
           framed
           before
           the
           
             Apologists
          
           came
           from
           
             Holland
             ,
          
           (
           seeing
           that
           it
           is
           not
           yet
           full
           three
           yeares
           since
           the
           Constitution
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           and
           little
           above
           two
           yeares
           
           since
           it
           was
           compleated
           with
           Officers
           ,
           )
           let
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
          
           himselfe
           (
           who
           knowes
           the
           time
           of
           their
           coming
           from
           
             Holland
             )
          
           more
           considerately
           compute
           :
           and
           finding
           it
           false
           ,
           (
           as
           we
           are
           confident
           he
           will
           )
           let
           him
           retract
           so
           bold
           an
           assertion
           .
        
         
           The
           Conclusions
           which
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
          
           builds
           upon
           it
           ,
           are
           
             foolish
             ,
             cruell
             ,
          
           and
           
             absurd
             ,
          
           as
           may
           appeare
           from
           what
           hath
           been
           presented
           in
           the
           Premisses
           ;
           And
           let
           it
           be
           considered
           ,
           whether
           he
           hath
           not
           
             dipped
          
           his
           pen
           
             deeply
          
           in
           
             Bloud
             ,
          
           while
           he
           would
           
             prophesie
          
           what
           should
           become
           of
           the
           
             Independants
             ?
          
           and
           whether
           he
           hath
           not
           shewed
           himselfe
           a
           
             Bloudy
             man
             ,
             and
             hath
             already
             in
             his
             heart
             split
             a
             great
             deale
             of
             innocent
             Bloud
             :
          
           As
           for
           us
           ,
           the
           prayers
           that
           wee
           have
           put
           up
           day
           by
           day
           in
           places
           where
           we
           preach
           ,
           for
           peace
           betwixt
           us
           and
           our
           Brethren
           of
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           will
           cleare
           us
           that
           we
           are
           not
           the
           men
           he
           chargeth
           us
           to
           be
           :
           And
           wee
           commit
           it
           to
           
             God
          
           to
           have
           our
           innocency
           cleared
           to
           all
           mens
           
             Consciences
          
           in
           his
           time
           .
           In
           the
           
             Interim
             ,
          
           wee
           are
           contented
           that
           those
           foule
           and
           hatefull
           
             Charges
             ,
          
           that
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
          
           hath
           made
           against
           us
           ,
           may
           passe
           with
           the
           world
           upon
           such
           evidence
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           presented
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           may
           be
           received
           and
           credited
           upon
           those
           grounds
           upon
           which
           they
           are
           built
           ,
           which
           are
           most
           
             impudent
             falsities
             ,
          
           viz.
           
             For
             [
             certainly
             ,
             and
             assuredly
             ,
             ]
             as
             there
             was
             a
             Drumme
             heard
             ,
             beating
             a
             March
             in
          
           Duckenfeild
           
             Chappell
             ,
             so
             [
             undoubtedly
             ]
             doe
             the
          
           Independants
           
             delight
             in
             warre
             .
          
           Againe
           ,
           
             [
             so
             surely
             ,
             and
             unquestionably
             ]
             as
             the
             beating
             of
             this
             Drumme
             ,
             drove
             us
             out
             from
             the
             Chappell
             ,
             and
             brake
             up
             our
             meeting
             ,
             so
          
           [
           certainly
           and
           infallibly
           ]
           
             shall
             the
             warre
             which
             wee
             have
             sought
             ,
             overthrow
             all
             our
             opinions
             ,
             and
             meetings
             ,
             and
             cast
             us
             out
             of
          
           England
           ,
           
             as
             an
             abominable
             branch
             for
             ever
             :
          
           And
           so
           
             [
             infallibly
             ]
             shall
             some
             of
             our
             heads
             be
             served
             up
             by
             the
             Presbyterians
             ,
             and
             put
             into
             Bloud
             ,
             as
             King
          
           Cyrus
           
             his
             head
             was
             by
          
           Tomyris
           .
        
         
         
           In
           
             pag.
          
           166.
           and
           167.
           there
           is
           a
           
             Letter
             ,
          
           in
           which
           the
           
             Sectaries
          
           are
           charged
           to
           have
           promoted
           a
           
             Petition
          
           for
           toleration
           ,
           the
           members
           of
           
             Duckenfeild
          
           to
           have
           framed
           it
           ,
           the
           
             subscribers
          
           to
           be
           
             Seekers
             ,
             Soule-sleepers
             ,
             Anabaptists
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           And
           amongst
           others
           ,
           one
           common
           
             Drunken
             Minister
             :
          
           It
           is
           styled
           ,
           
             The
             Petition
             of
             the
             peaceable
             and
             well-affected
             ,
             who
             desire
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             as
             was
             promised
             by
             the
             House
             of
             Commons
             in
             their
             Declaration
             .
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Truth
           it
           is
           ,
           there
           was
           a
           
             Petition
          
           on
           foote
           ,
           both
           in
           
             Cheshire
             ,
          
           and
           
             Lancashire
             :
          
           The
           fiercenesse
           of
           some
           
             Presbyterians
          
           in
           their
           
             Petitions
          
           in
           both
           Counties
           against
           their
           
             Brethren
          
           (
           who
           would
           have
           lived
           
             peaceably
          
           by
           them
           )
           was
           the
           cause
           of
           it
           .
           It
           was
           not
           for
           
             Toleration
             ,
          
           but
           against
           violence
           ,
           where
           moderation
           and
           forbearing
           ought
           to
           be
           :
           It
           carried
           no
           such
           
             Title
             ,
          
           as
           the
           
             Letter
          
           imports
           .
           Some
           
             Presbyterians
          
           were
           at
           the
           framing
           of
           it
           with
           
             Independants
             ;
          
           many
           
             Presbyterians
          
           employed
           in
           the
           promoting
           of
           it
           .
           The
           greater
           part
           of
           the
           Subscribers
           were
           
             Presbyterians
             ;
          
           the
           Minister
           that
           is
           said
           to
           be
           a
           
             Common
             Drunkard
             ,
          
           and
           yet
           signed
           it
           ,
           is
           one
           who
           is
           entertained
           by
           a
           very
           godly
           People
           in
           
             Lancashire
             ,
          
           who
           have
           spoken
           very
           hopefully
           of
           him
           to
           one
           of
           us
           .
           However
           it
           prove
           ,
           a
           
             Classicall
          
           man
           he
           is
           ,
           or
           was
           ,
           a
           little
           after
           he
           had
           subscribed
           it
           ,
           and
           therefore
           not
           for
           the
           honour
           of
           the
           
             Informer
             ,
          
           to
           mention
           him
           as
           a
           
             Drunkard
             .
          
           If
           any
           young
           Schollar
           which
           subscribed
           it
           ,
           said
           
             he
             would
             defend
             Independency
             with
             his
             Bloud
             :
          
           the
           speech
           was
           rash
           ,
           but
           may
           admit
           of
           as
           favourable
           a
           construction
           ,
           as
           that
           somewhat
           like
           expression
           of
           a
           
             Presbyterian
             ,
          
           who
           said
           ,
           
             He
             would
             burne
             at
             a
             Stake
             ,
             before
             he
             would
             reade
             the
             House
             of
             Commons
             Declaration
             of
             the
          
           
             
               17th
            
             of
             Aprill
             .
          
           But
           how
           many
           untruths
           have
           been
           written
           in
           these
           
             Informations
          
           given
           in
           about
           this
           
             Petition
             ,
          
           may
           be
           worth
           the
           observation
           of
           the
           considerate
           
             Reader
             .
          
        
         
         
           In
           this
           
             Extract
          
           also
           some
           
             Gentlemen
          
           of
           
             noble
             Qualitie
             ,
          
           are
           most
           unworthily
           and
           falsly
           charged
           ;
           And
           though
           they
           be
           not
           nominated
           ,
           yet
           being
           it
           is
           notoriously
           known
           who
           are
           intended
           ,
           the
           injury
           is
           not
           the
           
             lesse
             ,
          
           but
           the
           
             greater
             ;
          
           for
           they
           might
           vindicate
           themselves
           from
           such
           aspersions
           had
           they
           been
           nominally
           mentioned
           .
        
         
           The
           one
           of
           them
           is
           said
           to
           be
           
             become
             a
             great
             Zealot
             for
             Independants
             ,
          
           for
           no
           other
           reason
           ,
           but
           because
           he
           is
           not
           causlesly
           transported
           ,
           with
           that
           rage
           and
           fury
           against
           them
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Author
          
           of
           this
           
             Letter
          
           is
           ,
           and
           many
           other
           of
           the
           
             Pre
             byterians
          
           are
           in
           that
           
             County
             ;
          
           That
           
             he
             threatned
             any
             godly
             Minister
             to
             make
             their
             places
             too
             hot
             for
             denying
             their
             Pulpits
             to
             Mr.
             Eaton
             ,
          
           is
           most
           calumniously
           asserted
           against
           so
           honourable
           a
           person
           .
           The
           one
           of
           us
           was
           an
           
             eye
          
           and
           
             eare
             witnesse
             ,
          
           when
           this
           man
           (
           not
           a
           godly
           as
           it
           is
           said
           )
           but
           an
           unworthy
           
             scandalous
             Minister
          
           behaved
           himselfe
           insolently
           and
           audaciously
           against
           this
           
             Gentleman
             ;
          
           and
           yet
           he
           bore
           it
           with
           remarkable
           patience
           ,
           onely
           told
           him
           
             his
             own
             unworthy
             intemperate
             offensive
             carriage
             in
             his
             function
             ,
             might
             ere
             long
             be
             brought
             against
             him
             ,
             to
             cast
             him
             out
             .
          
        
         
           The
           
             other
             Gentleman
          
           is
           said
           to
           have
           incouraged
           
             Sectaries
             ,
          
           discouraged
           and
           borne
           downe
           the
           Orthodox
           well
           affected
           
             Gentlemen
          
           and
           
             Ministers
             ,
          
           that
           they
           could
           never
           to
           this
           day
           ,
           get
           any
           thing
           done
           against
           them
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           But
           this
           is
           a
           most
           ingratefull
           accusation
           against
           so
           deserving
           a
           
             Gentleman
             ,
          
           who
           hath
           done
           his
           
             Countrey
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Kingdome
             ,
          
           such
           noble
           service
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           full
           of
           malicious
           slander
           .
        
         
           For
           ,
           first
           ;
           The
           persons
           that
           he
           is
           said
           to
           have
           incouraged
           ,
           are
           knowne
           to
           be
           as
           
             godly
             and
             as
             Orthodox
             (
             Independency
          
           excepted
           ,
           which
           in
           point
           of
           Oxthodoxnesse
           is
           under
           doubtfull
           disputation
           )
           
             as
             any
             other
             .
          
           And
           what
           hath
           his
           incouraging
           been
           ,
           but
           his
           entreating
           them
           to
           take
           
           their
           Turnes
           in
           preaching
           with
           others
           :
           which
           service
           also
           the
           
             Parliament
          
           hath
           required
           from
           some
           of
           their
           judgement
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           What
           Instance
           can
           be
           given
           of
           any
           one
           
             Orthodox
             Gentleman
             ,
          
           or
           
             Minister
             ,
          
           that
           he
           hath
           discouraged
           and
           borne
           downe
           ?
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           When
           were
           there
           ever
           any
           attempts
           made
           ,
           and
           set
           afoote
           by
           any
           of
           the
           
             Gentlemen
          
           or
           
             Minister
          
           against
           such
           person
           ,
           and
           he
           opposed
           them
           therein
           ,
           and
           ingaged
           himselfe
           for
           the
           other
           party
           ?
           if
           none
           of
           these
           ,
           then
           is
           he
           unworthily
           dealt
           with
           .
           And
           let
           it
           be
           observed
           ,
           that
           whereas
           there
           is
           an
           implication
           in
           his
           words
           of
           a
           forwardnesse
           among
           the
           
             Gentlemen
          
           and
           
             Ministers
          
           to
           
             suppresse
             Independency
             ,
          
           there
           is
           an
           untruth
           closely
           wrapped
           up
           in
           it
           ;
           for
           no
           such
           thing
           hath
           appeared
           from
           the
           
             Gentlemen
             ,
          
           nor
           generally
           from
           the
           
             Ministers
             .
          
        
         
           It
           is
           also
           considerable
           ,
           how
           to
           usher
           in
           ,
           what
           (
           by
           way
           of
           defamation
           )
           he
           would
           have
           the
           world
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           concerning
           this
           
             Gentleman
             ,
          
           he
           takes
           upon
           him
           to
           discover
           the
           state
           of
           
             Cheshire
             ,
          
           and
           therein
           his
           own
           horrid
           apprehensions
           of
           the
           
             Independents
             ,
          
           (
           for
           he
           instanceth
           onely
           in
           them
           )
           and
           he
           compares
           them
           (
           by
           way
           of
           implication
           )
           to
           some
           
             hideous
             devouring
             Monster
             ,
          
           and
           all
           that
           are
           taken
           with
           them
           he
           resembles
           to
           a
           
             miserable
             prey
             ;
          
           as
           if
           
             Independency
          
           were
           
             mortiferous
          
           and
           
             deadly
          
           to
           all
           the
           imbracers
           of
           it
           ,
           poysonous
           and
           destructive
           to
           mens
           soules
           .
           It
           is
           of
           sad
           consideration
           to
           thinke
           unto
           what
           an
           unjudiciousnesse
           of
           mind
           ,
           and
           to
           what
           
             moastrous
             conceptions
          
           men
           are
           left
           ,
           through
           want
           of
           charity
           .
           And
           then
           to
           confirme
           what
           he
           had
           asserted
           of
           
             Cheshire
             ,
          
           he
           strengthens
           it
           with
           a
           notorious
           untruth
           ;
           
             There
             are
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             two
             or
             three
             Independent
             Churches
             ,
             set
             up
             by
             them
             already
             ,
             and
             they
             are
             setting
             up
             two
             or
             three
             more
             ;
          
           the
           latter
           part
           of
           this
           relation
           is
           totally
           false
           .
        
         
         
           
           
             Having
             done
             with
          
           Cheshire
           ,
           
             he
             proceeds
             to
             lay
             his
             defaming
             pen
             ,
             upon
             some
          
           Parliament-Members
           ,
           
             and
             delivers
             himselfe
             in
             such
          
           language
           ,
           
             as
             if
          
           some
           abominable
           thing
           might
           be
           laid
           to
           their
           charge
           ,
           which
           it
           would
           be
           lesse
           safe
           for
           men
           to
           mention
           ,
           then
           to
           blaspheme
           all
           the
           persons
           in
           the
           Trinity
           ;
           
             And
             by
             and
             by
             he
             addes
             words
             ,
             which
             reflects
             upon
             the
             whole
             Assembly
             of
             Parliament
             :
             His
             Expressions
             are
             these
             ;
          
           The
           suffering
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           to
           be
           rent
           and
           torne
           in
           pieces
           by
           heresies
           ,
           schismes
           ,
           and
           divisions
           ,
           the
           retarding
           reliefe
           for
           poore
           bleeding
           
             Ireland
             ,
          
           the
           grieving
           and
           sadding
           the
           hearts
           of
           our
           Brethren
           of
           
             Scotland
             ,
             &c.
             
             The
             words
             need
             no
             Comment
             upon
             them
             who
             can
             permit
             and
             suffer
             ought
             ,
             which
             the
          
           Parliament
           
             will
             inhibit
             ,
             and
             so
             of
             the
             rest
             it
             may
             be
             said
             ;
             therefore
             the
          
           Parliament
           
             is
             struck
             at
             ,
             but
             most
             unjustly
             ;
             For
             ,
             how
             they
             have
             carried
             it
             in
             all
             these
             things
             ,
             is
             abundantly
             evidenced
             to
             all
             that
             will
             open
             their
             eyes
             .
          
        
         
           There
           are
           other
           passages
           in
           these
           very
           
             Letters
             ,
          
           and
           in
           other
           
             Letters
          
           which
           wee
           have
           read
           ,
           which
           reflect
           upon
           some
           
             Independent
          
           Churches
           in
           these
           parts
           ,
           and
           wee
           are
           able
           to
           contradict
           those
           things
           ,
           wherewith
           they
           ,
           and
           their
           
             Officers
          
           are
           aspersed
           ,
           and
           to
           declare
           the
           falsitie
           of
           them
           .
           And
           if
           we
           conceived
           ,
           that
           themselves
           would
           be
           silent
           ,
           we
           should
           thinke
           our selves
           bound
           to
           say
           somewhat
           ;
           But
           it
           is
           probable
           ,
           the
           sense
           of
           injuries
           done
           them
           ,
           will
           lie
           upon
           them
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           put
           them
           also
           upon
           
             vindication
          
           of
           themselves
           in
           due
           time
           .
           Wee
           therefore
           shall
           rest
           satisfied
           in
           pleading
           our
           own
           innocercy
           ,
           and
           shall
           intreat
           the
           
             Impartiall
             Reader
             ,
          
           to
           consider
           with
           what
           dishonest
           and
           deceitfull
           stuffe
           ,
           both
           
             Relations
          
           and
           
             Letters
          
           are
           filled
           ,
           which
           will
           not
           abide
           
             Tryall
             .
          
           Our
           request
           to
           God
           shall
           be
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           teach
           them
           ,
           (
           who
           
             thinke
             they
             doe
             God
             good
             service
             ,
             in
             beating
          
           and
           baiting
           
             their
             Brethren
             ,
             )
          
           
           more
           love
           ,
           candidnesse
           ,
           and
           ingenuity
           in
           all
           their
           relations
           of
           others
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           who
           are
           the
           
             subjects
          
           of
           all
           their
           
             Exclamations
          
           and
           
             oppositions
             ,
          
           more
           innocency
           ,
           and
           integritie
           in
           all
           their
           demeanor
           ,
           that
           thence
           it
           may
           come
           to
           passe
           ,
           that
           all
           that
           would
           accuse
           their
           good
           conversation
           ,
           may
           be
           ashamed
           .
        
      
       
         
           The
           Copie
           of
           a
           Letter
           from
           Mr.
           
             
          
           
             Henry
             Rootes
             ,
          
           Pastor
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Sowerbie
          
           in
           
             Yorkshire
             ,
          
           in
           Vindication
           of
           himselfe
           against
           a
           sinister
           and
           dangerous
           ,
           yet
           false
           and
           groundlesse
           insinuation
           ,
           conteined
           in
           the
           Copie
           of
           a
           Letter
           out
           of
           
             Yorkshire
             ,
          
           divulged
           by
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
          
           in
           the
           third
           part
           of
           
             Gangranna
             .
          
           pag.
           69.
           
        
         
           To
           his
           loving
           Brethren
           ,
           Mr.
           
             Eaton
          
           or
           Mr.
           
             Taylor
             ,
          
           these
           be
           presented
           .
        
         
           
             Dearely
             beloved
             Brethren
             ;
          
        
         
           HAving
           received
           Intelligence
           from
           my
           Brother
           
             Taylor
             ,
          
           of
           your
           purpose
           of
           answering
           some
           slanders
           of
           Mr.
           
             Edwards
             ,
          
           I
           desire
           to
           give
           you
           a
           true
           and
           faithfull
           accompt
           of
           what
           I
           delivered
           in
           that
           Sermon
           ,
           which
           is
           toucht
           upon
           in
           that
           Letter
           of
           
             James
             Robinsons
             ,
          
           which
           is
           Printed
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           
             unchristian
          
           dealing
           in
           that
           particular
           .
        
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           I
           exhorted
           all
           godly
           men
           to
           joyne
           themselves
           to
           some
           visible
           Church
           ,
           if
           they
           have
           opportunity
           .
           
             I
             explained
             my selfe
             ,
          
           I
           say
           to
           some
           visible
           Church
           ;
           not
           this
           or
           that
           ,
           but
           some
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           if
           they
           have
           opportunitie
           ;
           for
           if
           God
           take
           away
           their
           opportunitie
           ,
           
           they
           must
           wait
           Gods
           time
           :
           
             These
          
           Cautions
           
             premised
             :
             these
          
           Motives
           
             were
             added
             ;
             First
             ,
          
           Whosoever
           joynes
           not
           to
           some
           ,
           sinneth
           ,
           
             Heb.
             10.
             25.
             
             Jude
          
           ver.
           
             19.
             
             Secondly
             ,
          
           God
           will
           punish
           such
           ,
           
             Zach.
             14.
             17
             ,
             18
             ,
             19.
             
          
        
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
             I
          
           exhorted
           all
           godly
           men
           ,
           being
           joyned
           to
           some
           visible
           Church
           ,
           to
           strive
           to
           walke
           in
           some
           neernesse
           of
           Communion
           with
           that
           Church
           :
           
             as
             ,
          
           1.
           
           In
           love
           ;
           
             2.
             
          
           Peace
           ;
           
             3.
             
          
           Watchfulnesse
           ;
           
             4.
             
          
           Christian
           toleration
           of
           Infirmities
           ;
           
             5.
             
          
           Seeking
           one
           anothers
           welfare
           ;
           
             6.
             
          
           Defending
           one
           another
           from
           common
           enemies
           ,
           
             Gen.
             14.
             14.
             
             Act.
             7.
             24.
             
             Act.
             9.
             24
             ,
             25.
             
             Where
             you
             may
             see
             a
             mistake
             in
             the
          
           Relator
           
             of
             this
             last
          
           Quotation
           ;
           
             this
             is
             the
             real
             truth
             ,
             as
             I
             can
             produce
             mine
             own
             notes
             ,
             and
             skores
             of
          
           Witnesses
           
             to
             atrest
             the
             same
             .
          
        
         
           First
           ,
           Observe
           that
           this
           relation
           which
           now
           is
           printed
           ,
           was
           carried
           on
           the
           Sabbath
           day
           to
           another
           
             Chappell
             ,
          
           a
           mile
           distant
           ,
           and
           there
           written
           downe
           in
           all
           hast
           ,
           and
           the
           next
           morning
           posted
           away
           to
           
             Manchester
             ,
          
           and
           that
           week
           to
           
             Yorke
             :
          
           spread
           fifty
           miles
           distant
           in
           a
           few
           dayes
           :
           the
           next
           weeke
           I
           hearing
           of
           it
           ,
           both
           from
           
             Yorke
          
           and
           
             Manchester
             ,
          
           I
           took
           occasion
           to
           speake
           with
           Mr.
           
             Hollingworth
          
           about
           it
           ,
           who
           said
           he
           had
           seene
           such
           a
           
             Letter
             ,
          
           and
           I
           related
           unto
           him
           mine
           own
           Expressions
           ,
           and
           sense
           ,
           who
           said
           after
           he
           heard
           me
           ,
           that
           I
           had
           a
           deale
           of
           wrong
           done
           unto
           me
           ;
           I
           desired
           to
           know
           the
           party
           that
           did
           write
           the
           
             Letter
             ,
          
           that
           I
           might
           vindicate
           my selfe
           ;
           but
           he
           desired
           to
           be
           forborne
           in
           that
           ;
           I
           intreated
           him
           then
           to
           doe
           mee
           that
           
             Brotherly
             Office
             ,
          
           as
           to
           deale
           with
           the
           party
           himselfe
           ;
           who
           promised
           he
           would
           ,
           yet
           after
           all
           this
           ,
           the
           Letter
           is
           sent
           to
           
             London
             ,
          
           and
           printed
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           next
           
             Lords
             day
          
           after
           I
           heard
           of
           this
           ,
           I
           publickly
           before
           all
           the
           Congregation
           ,
           related
           what
           I
           had
           heard
           was
           written
           to
           
             Yorke
          
           and
           
             Manchester
             ,
          
           (
           the
           writer
           being
           present
           )
           I
           then
           desired
           to
           repeate
           what
           I
           had
           
           delivered
           ,
           and
           did
           so
           ;
           and
           shewed
           before
           all
           ,
           my
           sense
           ,
           that
           I
           meant
           it
           of
           the
           Common
           enemy
           of
           the
           
             Kingdome
             ,
          
           (
           we
           being
           at
           that
           time
           imbroyled
           in
           Civill
           warre
           ,
           )
           and
           I
           added
           ,
           
             That
             I
             was
             so
             farre
             from
             judging
             it
             lawfull
             ,
             for
             the
             Congregationall
             men
             to
             take
             up
             Armes
             against
             the
             Presbyterians
             ,
             that
             I
             held
             it
             unlawfull
             for
             any
             private
             man
             to
             take
             up
             Armes
             ,
             except
             he
             was
             backed
             by
             Publick
             Authoritie
             .
             Yea
             ,
             I
             thought
             this
             warre
             ,
             now
             in
             being
             ,
             could
             not
             be
             justified
             ,
             but
             that
             it
             hath
             the
             Authoritie
             of
             the
             State
             to
             mannage
             it
             .
          
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           diverse
           weekes
           after
           this
           ,
           (
           learning
           who
           was
           the
           
             Writer
          
           of
           this
           
             Letter
             )
          
           I
           dealt
           with
           him
           about
           it
           before
           one
           of
           his
           intimate
           friends
           ,
           
             Paul
             Greenwood
             ,
          
           shewing
           him
           how
           unchristianly
           he
           had
           dealt
           with
           mee
           in
           it
           :
           
             Paul
          
           answered
           ,
           indeed
           he
           should
           have
           knowne
           my
           sense
           before
           he
           had
           divulged
           it
           :
           and
           for
           his
           part
           ,
           he
           observed
           the
           passages
           of
           that
           Sermon
           as
           diligently
           as
           he
           could
           ,
           and
           did
           not
           finde
           any
           thing
           of
           just
           exception
           against
           it
           :
           and
           I
           judge
           this
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           as
           judicious
           a
           Christian
           as
           most
           about
           us
           ,
           yet
           all
           this
           would
           
             not
             cause
             the
             Letter
          
           to
           be
           recalled
           ,
           or
           
             stayed
             from
             Printing
             .
          
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           It
           may
           clearely
           be
           discerned
           by
           this
           
             Relation
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Circumstances
          
           here
           set
           downe
           ,
           that
           divers
           sinnes
           ,
           divers
           wayes
           have
           been
           committed
           .
           First
           ,
           by
           the
           first
           
             Relator
             ,
          
           who
           upon
           the
           
             Lords
             day
          
           leaving
           his
           owne
           
             Chappell
             ,
          
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           the
           day
           ,
           to
           goe
           to
           carry
           a
           piece
           of
           a
           
             Relation
             ,
          
           which
           proves
           the
           seed
           of
           
             slander
             ;
          
           if
           
             wittingly
          
           he
           minced
           the
           
             relation
          
           in
           the
           limitation
           ,
           there
           's
           
             Doegs
          
           sinne
           in
           it
           ,
           yea
           if
           he
           related
           it
           in
           that
           sense
           which
           the
           
             Scribe
             ,
          
           and
           Publisher
           in
           Print
           seeme
           to
           import
           ,
           (
           as
           it
           is
           very
           probable
           ,
           by
           his
           
             hasty
          
           telling
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           others
           
             hasty
          
           writing
           of
           it
           abroad
           )
           it
           was
           in
           that
           sense
           then
           the
           like
           sinne
           ,
           to
           their's
           that
           were
           the
           false
           witnesses
           against
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           26.
           60
           ,
           61.
           
             cum
             Joh.
          
           2.
           19.
           21.
           
           But
           if
           it
           
           was
           
             rashly
          
           done
           ,
           without
           any
           sinister
           intention
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           much
           to
           be
           doubted
           ,
           )
           yet
           there
           was
           evill
           in
           it
           ,
           to
           relate
           a
           Passage
           ,
           and
           to
           leave
           out
           principall
           circumstances
           for
           the
           understanding
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Sinnes
           committed
           by
           the
           Writer
           ,
           and
           divulger
           were
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           A
           
             receiving
             an
             accusation
             against
             an
             Elder
             upon
             one
             witnesse
             ,
          
           without
           enquiring
           of
           the
           Elder
           ,
           whether
           it
           were
           so
           ,
           though
           he
           might
           have
           done
           any
           day
           ,
           and
           then
           divulging
           of
           it
           ,
           behinde
           the
           backe
           ,
           and
           never
           to
           the
           face
           ,
           in
           a
           slanderous
           manner
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
             Impenitency
             ,
             and
             hardnesse
             of
             heart
             ,
          
           for
           when
           he
           was
           shewed
           his
           sinne
           ,
           and
           could
           not
           but
           see
           it
           ,
           yet
           to
           this
           day
           ,
           he
           
             never
          
           gave
           
             any
             satisfaction
             ,
          
           or
           testimony
           of
           repentance
           to
           the
           party
           wronged
           ;
           neither
           did
           he
           suppresse
           the
           divulging
           and
           printing
           of
           it
           ,
           which
           he
           might
           easily
           have
           done
           ,
           had
           he
           timely
           improved
           his
           endeavours
           ,
           which
           in
           godlinesse
           he
           ought
           to
           have
           done
           ;
           but
           it
           appeares
           in
           this
           particular
           act
           ,
           
             he
             loved
             evill
             more
             then
             good
             ,
          
           and
           slandering
           more
           then
           speaking
           righteousnesse
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           52.
           3.
           
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           sinne
           of
           him
           that
           published
           in
           print
           these
           things
           was
           ,
           his
           printing
           slanderous
           Relations
           upon
           so
           sleight
           Grounds
           ,
           without
           enquiring
           into
           the
           certain
           truth
           ;
           yea
           having
           been
           admonished
           before
           of
           such
           dealings
           by
           Mr.
           
             Burroughs
             ,
          
           Mr.
           
             Saltmarsh
             ;
          
           and
           Mr.
           
             John
             Goodwin
             ,
          
           and
           found
           faulty
           in
           the
           same
           kinde
           ,
           and
           yet
           goes
           on
           in
           the
           same
           trade
           ;
           surely
           the
           Wise
           man
           layes
           a
           heavy
           doome
           on
           such
           ,
           
             Pro.
          
           29.
           1.
           
        
         
           All
           this
           shews
           by
           wofull
           experience
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           a
           spirit
           of
           malice
           workes
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           Brethren
           against
           some
           of
           their
           Brethren
           more
           virulent
           in
           this
           kinde
           ,
           then
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Episcopacy
           ,
           striking
           not
           only
           at
           our
           peace
           ,
           
           libertie
           ,
           and
           livelihood
           ,
           but
           at
           our
           good
           names
           and
           reputations
           unjustly
           :
           which
           the
           Bishops
           never
           could
           so
           touch
           :
           But
           I
           hope
           ,
           God
           will
           in
           his
           time
           cleare
           us
           ;
           as
           in
           this
           particular
           by
           his
           goodnesse
           he
           hath
           done
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           world
           may
           see
           it
           ,
           if
           they
           will
           but
           view
           this
           .
        
         
           Brethren
           ,
           thus
           I
           have
           given
           you
           the
           truth
           ,
           which
           I
           will
           avow
           ;
           if
           you
           please
           to
           adde
           any
           thing
           within
           these
           bounds
           which
           is
           defective
           ;
           to
           blot
           out
           any
           thing
           redundant
           or
           unnecessary
           ,
           or
           alter
           any
           phrases
           which
           are
           harsh
           or
           unpolished
           ,
           I
           give
           you
           free
           libertie
           ,
           nay
           I
           intreate
           you
           as
           Brethren
           to
           doe
           it
           ,
           and
           insert
           it
           with
           your
           owne
           ,
           and
           I
           will
           acknowledge
           my selfe
           much
           obliged
           unto
           you
           .
           I
           salute
           you
           both
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           desire
           to
           be
           remembred
           to
           all
           the
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           so
           remaine
        
         
           
             Sowerbie
             
               March
               2.
               1646.
               
            
          
           
             Your
             truely
             loving
             Brother
             in
             Christ
             ,
             HENRY
             ROOTE
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A37635e-350
           
             Titus
             2.
             8
             ▪
             
          
           
             Gangrae
             .
             p.
             
               165.
               
            
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             
               Gangr
               .
               pag.
            
             164.
             
             &
             165.
             
          
           
             Act.
             25.
             16.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             167.
             
          
           
             The
             Marginal
             note
             .
             
               Pag.
            
             68.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A37635e-1740
           
             3d.
             
               Gang.
               
            
          
           
             Gangrae
             .
          
           
             Gangrae
             ▪
             
          
           
             
               Pag.
            
             68.
             
          
           
             a
             Acts
             25.
             16.
             
             &
             26.
             1.
             
          
           
             b
             The
             same
             Certificate
             was
             since
             subscribed
             by
             another
             godlyman
             ▪
             
          
           
             ☜
             
          
           
             Preston
             in
             Com
             :
             Lane
             .
          
           
             Wiggan
             in
             Com
             :
             Lane
             .
          
           
             3d.
             
               Gang.
               Pag.
            
             167.