The Adamites Sermon: Containing their manner of Preaching, Expounding, and Prophesying: As it was delivered in Marie-bone Park, by Obadiah Couchman, a grave Weaver, dwelling in Southwark, who with his company were taken and discovered by the Constable and other Officers of that pl●ce; by the means of a woman's husband who dogged them thither.  
And some part likewise by means of a Gentlewoman, a widow, which is a Ministers daughter in the City of London, who was almost persuaded to become one of their Society, if her father had not dissuaded her from it.  
Also a Dialogue between an Adamite and a Brownist, concerning their Religion, etc.   depiction of a group of Adamites 
Printed for Francis Coules, in the Year 1641.   

A Dialogue between an Adamite and a Brownist, concerning their Religion, etc.  Adamite. 
PEace be upon you well beloved brother, may I be bold to know whither the Spirit moveth you to bend your course? for if I be not mistaken, your frequent and far fetched sighs, the continual elevation, and lifting up of your eyes, your sober, and very serious solitary countenance, the decent and seemly cut of your hair, made even with the top of your ears, the comeliness of your broad Hat, and narrow Ruff, the position, or putting of your Dogs-skin gloves under your girdle, and the folding of your hands one within the other, reveal unto me, that you are one of the innocent or harmless Lambs of the holy Flock.  Brownist. 
In sincerity, my dear brother, (for your insight into me shows you to be no less) I dare pronounce myself one of those harmless Lambs you speak of; I am a poor sheep whom the ravenous and greedy Wolves have pursued with eagerness and greediness to devour, but by the assistance of the holy Spirit which ruleth in me, I have like a mild and guilelesse Dove, been delivered from the Talons of the greedy Gosse-Hawk. Moreover, I am by trade a weaver, and by profession one of the brotherhood: I am now going to converse with some of our brotherhood concerning our next assembly.  Adam. 
I assure you well beloved brother, I took you to be one of our Congregation, & am hearty sorry that such pure zeal as dwelleth in you should be so misled: I profess to you, you err very much, and are gone fare out of the way: you profess yourself to be one of the brotherhood, therefore you are out of the way, because you are one of the brotherhood.  Brown. 
Dear brother you condemn me before you do apprehend me, you do not rightly conceive what the brotherhood is, but be not so passionate.  Ad. 
My zeal pusteth me up exceedingly therefore I care not what the brotherhood is; for be it what it will, the brotherhood i● superstition.  Brown. 
Dear beloved brother, I beseech you bridle and curb the fury of your hot zeal, & I will tell you what the brotherhood is, & give you good reason for it.  Adam. 
Reason: art thou of a Religion thou canst give a reason for? I say Religion ought to be guided by the motion of the Spirit, not Reason: Surely thou art one of the learned, that read in the language of the beast; thou talkest so much of Reason.  Brown. 
No, I deny I am learned in the profane tongues, and do utterly abhor and detest them: I have no more learning than my Father before me had, who did in all humility submit his neck to the yoke or collar, because he could not read: I hold it Idolatry to learn to read, because the very first letter gins with a Cross: therefore it is superstition in the highest degree.  Ad. 
I hearty crave your forgiveness, good brother for my impatience, and hope you will ascribe it to the heat of my ardent zeal, which often breaketh into passion: For myself, I am the Son of Adam, who begot me in his innocence; I follow his steps before he fell: that is, I am an Adamite: And though at this present you see me clothed in garments, which in verity and truth ought not to be worn but by the wicked, yet know, that when we expound, we lay aside those superstitious weeds and cover of our bodies: and as my father Adam was naked, whilst he was in Paradise, so do we prophesy naked; that is to say, free from sin, as our Father was whilst he was naked.  Brown. 
How oft do you prophesy, daily?  Ad. 
Not daily no, we have three days a week to meet upon mondays, wensdayes, & fridays: The first day is a day of Conference, on which day we hold parley how to increase & augment our number, and how to secure us from them that envy our innocence: the second day is a day of humiliation, whereon we humble ourselves by fasting, and praying by the Spirit.  Brown. 
What need you to humble yourselves so long as you are in innocence.  Ad. 
Yes, lest we should be subject to the like casualties our Father was, so long as we so humble ourselves, we are incapable of falling.  Brown. 
But what is done on the third and last day?  Adam. 
That is a day of rejoicing: on that day he on whom the Spirit falls is led in state between two sisters, and mounted on a Chair, circled on every side with holy brethren, and more holy sisters, where he prophesies till the spirit giveth way to the flesh, and suffers it to rebel: then he whom the Spirit so moveth, by the insurrection of the flesh makes his election among the holy sisters, the rest follow his example, and so they endeavour to propagate, and augment their number. This is the day of rejoicing, good brother follow my steps into the place of prophesying, and you shall return abundantly edified.  Brown. 
Well, in regard it is for propagation, and if I be edified as you say, I doubt not but to bring forth fruits accordingly.  
So they both departed from that place where they held this conference, and went strait to Marrowbone Park, where were gathered at least one hundred men and women, and only stayed for this Adamite; and so soon as he was come, they instantly stripped themselves naked to the bare skin, both men and women: and then in the manner aforesaid, one of this holy Tribe ascends the Chair, wherein he preached this Sermon verbatim, as followeth.   

The Adamites Sermon.  
MOst dear beloved, now we are congregated and gathered together in the fear of the Lord, like an innocent and harmless Flock of sheep in this holy place, much like that Garden of Paradise wherein our first parents Adam and Eve were placed, Let us (my holy Brethren, and more holy sisters) imitate their examples, for you know they were naked, which is to say (if we rightly expound it) they were naked or without : therefore let us lay aside and set apart these unsanctified and wicked weeds, these rags of ungodliness, and profane Relics of sin, that is to say our ; not only Gowns and Breeches, Petticoats and Doublets; but also our shirts and smocks, especially because they are of the colour white, and like to the whore of Babylon's superstitious smock, with whom the wicked commit the act of Adultery.  
To which purpose I have made choice of a Text, and will by the holy assistance of Inspiration, Interpret, Expound, and Prophesy. Therefore with holy attention, I charge & command you to give ear (for I hope none of our Sect have ever lost theirs) and mark, as you shall find it thus registered and recorded (or that the infants of grace may plainly understand) printed in the Chapter of Genesis, and the Verse, the words are these: And they were both naked; And they were both naked. Beloved, such is the sweetness of these words that I am loath to lose the taste of them out of my mouth, but to satisfy the expectation of this fair assembly, according to the motion of the Spirit I shall prophe●ie: Mark, beloved, and give attention to the sound of the words: And they were both naked: They are words indeed of pleasure for all the senses. No question but the Prophet Genesis himself was naked when he writ these words. Beloved by these words understand a twofold nakedness; The first is a nakedness, or being void or expert of garments to cover the body: whereunto a nakedness of sin is incident, and appertaining to the naked of Garments; or to explain it more fully, they that wear no , wear no cover for sin.  
The second is a nakedness of stonewalls, and windows full of Idolatrous pictures, Organs that bellow like the Beast of Rome, or to interpret it more plainly: Nakedness of a Church, is the third nakedness meant and understood in my Text: of all which, by the assistance of the Spirit, in their order. And first for nakedness of garments▪  
Those that are naked, and unclothed have no covering for their sins, whereas, those that are clothed in fine raiment, like Dives spoken of in the Evangelist, have the visible marks of the beast: they are proud, haughty, and ambitious, they are gluttons and surfeit with the Banners of pride: many wear Cloaks for their sins, yea, brethren and sisters double Cloaks, yea though they be short Cloaks, yet they are lined with Plush, they are outlandish plush cloaks, they smell of cursed Mahomet. Others my beloved brethren and Sisters, wear Cloaks of red Scarlet, side, large, and down to the hams, which are indeed covers for their sins that are as red as scarlet; they are popish and idolatrous, for they are invented by the French: they wear also locks, like the curled locks of Antichrist, to cover their ears, as if they were all Scriveners: long hair is the ensign of pride, and the world is full of these ensigns. Nay my beloved, those that are the chief heads and Governors of the Kingdom, the punishers of vice, maintain it in themselves, by wearing side and long robes of Purple, and Scarlet, under which are hid innumerable multitudes of iniquities. Nay, moreover, my beloved Brethren and Sisters, the popish Bishops do gird sin to them, and keep it close, as if they were in love with it, under their Canonical Cassocks, which are bound to them with levitical Sursingles, and upon them they wear large Surplices, made of fine linen, like Dives that is spoken of before, and they wear upon them Gowns of beyond-sea Satlens; the very name whereof is Idolatry, because it is a cousin German to Saten: thus much for Habits. Now to the next point of Nakedness, which is nakedness of a Church, They were naked, that is to say, without a Church.  
Now beloved, we must consider what a Church is. A very zealous Brother had the unhappiness to be a bookish Scholar, and to understand the profane language of Rome, but before his death he was very penitent for it, and sorrowed exceedingly. He said the name of a Church in the Idolatrous Latin tongue was Ecclesia, which is derived from a Greek word, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which signifies to call, and that is the reason those profane things called Bells were first invented so call the people to the Church. Beloved, I say it is Idolatry to have Bells in t●e Church, in regard they call men thither, whereas they ought indeed to be guided by the motions of the Spirit, and so congregate themselves together, and not be called together by those musical Bells, Bells that do ring Idolatry in Changes. There are in those Idolatrous Church's ●reat bell owing Organs, that roar like the great beast of Rome, which the wicked say is to stir up their devotion. Oh beloved, this aught nor to be so, I am sure it is otherwise with us, who (whilst we are in this Park) are in innocence like our Father: our devotion is more zealous, which is only moved by the Spirit, and not by the calling together, and compulsion of the Bells and Organs. These wicked beloved, sing their prayers in prick song, they keep men and boys purposely for singing, which are clothed in white Raiments, they provide houses for them in Pe●ty Canons; Beloved, I know you are not ignorant what Canons are, Canons I say, that were invented by the Arch-Prelate of Lambeth, wherein was included that Portentous Monster, etc. Now the singing men live in the Petty Canons, what then are the Great Ca●ons? Then the Ministers that preach in those Churches are learned and skilful in the variety of tongues such as were at the confusion of Babel, which I hope will be the confusion of their Church; for it was the confusion of languages that pulled down that high steeple, that Grantham spire steeple of Babel: They speak in that Idolatrous tongue Latin so boldly as they do in the Masses, and without contradictions my beloved, they give Logical Reasons too which is most abominable: they read prayers likewise upon the book, and not pray by the motion of the spirit that reigneth within them: and beloved more th●n all this, they perform these superstitious offices in their , which is more abominable than all the rest; for were their actions never so good, being done in their , it is most profane. Moreover beloved in these Churches there are great windows, nay painted windows, I say unto you windows full of Images and Pictures; and the wicked do kneel when they pray, and do look upon these Images, which is mere popery itself: they also marry and give in marriage in those Churches, which is altogether to be abhorred, which is a great hindrance to propagation, when a man is tied to one woman.  
These my dear beloved, are infallible signs of popery nourished in their hearts, and expressed in their actions: but there is one thing more cherished and favoured as their chief darling, which I am afraid is a sin so name. Believe me brethren, it sticks in my jaws very hard, it is a Cross, 'tis a Cross I say: Do not they set upon their Idolatrous Churches the Cross? Do not they build in the middle of their City's Crosses and put heads of Gold upon them? Do they not make Portcullises for the City gates with cross beams in them? Do they not suffer the Lettuces, or ensigns of the house of the beast with seven heads and ten horns, I mean of Taverns and Ale houses, to be made with cross bars? Do they not set up signs to their houses, (which show there is nothing but popery within) of the Cross Keys? Do they not picture Saint Laurence a cross his Gridfron? Do they not make the bottom of their Andirons in crosses? Are not their bed cords a cross? Are not the Leads in their windows a cross? are not their two-handed swords made in form of a Cross? Is not their coin, as shillings, six pences, and the like, full of Crosses? Our well affected brethren the Scots are enemies to those Idolatrous crosses, who make their two pences with Roses and Thistles upon them? have not their gold of 11. shillings the Daggers a cross? Do they not lay Sacks upon the backs of their horses a cross? Are not the Spokes of Coach-wheels a Cross? are not the horses harnesses made a cross: And moreover, lest they should not have enough of Crosses, do they not name their streets Red Cross street, and White-crosse street? Nay more than this, do they not set watchmen every night to attend the headless Cross in Barbicane with Halberds that are a cross? My beloved they deal with many more crosses, which the Spirit will not suffer me to name; But I will prophesy the destruction of these Crosses; Thou Cross in Cheapside shalt be deprived of thy h●ad, for thou art a Traitor; Thou art like tho Image that Nabuchadnezzar set up, thou hast a head of Gold: thy bars about thee shall not descend thee, thou shalt down, and the Idols which thou bearest about thee shall down also; thou shalt be like thy Idolatrous sister in the Strand, th●u shalt be robbed of thy riches, have thy head cut off, and be made a byword to the Brethren. Thou Tottenham high Cross, thou high place of Tottenham, thy steps shall be degraded, and the Boys shall no more fall down and worship thee. Thou profane Tailor that sittest cross legged, thy hands shall be troubled with the Felon, ●hy knuckles shall be troubled with the itch: bread for thy sake shall mould, an● for want of it thou shalt eat thy own vermin●; though bills shall be rend in the middle and thou shalt die a beggar. Thou Cobbler, that drawest thy threads a cross, the Sole thou tak'st in hand to translate shall fleet; for thy sake the patent for Leather shall be renewed, it shall be transported into ●ra●ce: thy old Boots hanging at thy shall shall be mouldy, and none shall buy them, thou shalt pawn thy Awl for drink, and thy end shall be in the stall. Thou wicked Waterman, that does cross the Water, there shall be for thy sake a great press, so that thou shalt forsake the River: when thou returnest, thou shalt see fires and Coaches upon the Thames, and the first Fair thou carriest after, thou shalt be paid with the P. and say I thank you mistress: these plagues my beloved shall fall upon these Idolatrous Crosses, and their Adorers. Nay more, the very name of Cross shall be utterly abolished. Let not your Daughters my dear beloved, sit like Tailors cross legged, it will hinder the increase of the godly: Let not your old men go cross gariered, nor go with crutches under their arms, that are made like Crosses, for it is popery in the abstract: Do not covet to enter their idolatrous Churches for they are abominable: This our assembly is more holy than their consecrated Church: the green Livery of these trees more pleasant than their painted windows; the Summer apparel of the earth more delightful and softer by far than their stones: the chirping of these pretty birds more melodious than their howling Organs; and lastly, our nakedness Innocence, and their vestments Idolatrous; nay, they are popish and superstitious in all their actions: but good brethren and sisters, be not seduced by them, for they be wicked, abominable, and profane.  
But beloved brethren, and more beloved sisters, it is no wonder, though they be altogether Idolatrous, when their very bread that is their chief nourishment, is Cross Buns, which is Idolatrous, and is made of corn that is ground by a wicked Miller, who hath carried it in a Sack cross his shoulders, I say, cross his shoulders, and hath ground it in a Windmill, the Sails whereof are cross: And my beloved, as if this were not Idolatry sufficient, they cloth their sails with , and never think of the golden saying, And they were both naked.  
We therefore, my dear affected, that are void of these superstitious cover, not only , but also Churches, for we prophesy in the open fields as our Father Adam did in the garden of Eden, must needs be in the state of innocence, as he was, for we have not so much as fig-leaves upon us: let us therefore rejoice exceedingly, and express our joy in the lively act of Generation, and propagation of the godly, that may be borne naked as we are at this present. And so much for this time.  
FINIS.