A Second BEACON FIRED. Humbly Presented to the LORD PROTECTOR AND THE PARLIAMENT By the Publishers of the First. With their humble Petition, that they would do what may be expected from Christian Magistrates, in suppressing Blasphemous Books. For zions sake we cannot hold our peace. ANCHORA SPEI. LONDON, Printed for the Subscribers hereof. 1654. A Second Beacon Fired. THat supreme Magistrates ought to have a care of their people's souls, in keeping from them the pestilential infection of Idolatry and Blasphemy, as well as of their temporal weal, is so well known unto You, as also the danger of knowing the Masters will and not doing it, that it would be needless for the most able men to teach You, and therefore great presumption in us. But for the danger that these Nations are in of being overspread with Popery, Socinianism, and enchanting Quakerism, may not be known to many of You, or at least through other great affairs not throughly considered of, as through God's blessing it may be upon a true and faithful information. Be pleased therefore to give us leave to remind You, 1. Of the contrivances and actings of the Papists to introduce their Religion. 1. By sending forth their Emissaries, disguised under the name of Army-men, Church-members and Anabaptists, as we are able to demonstrate. 2. By their setting up an Hierarchy and Consistory, consisting of an Archbishop with other dependants on him in this Nation, as appears by the Lord Protectors testimony in his late Speech (viz.) We know very well, that Emissaries of the Jesuits never came in those swarms, as they have done since these things were set on foot. And I tell you, that divers Gentlemen here, can bear witness with me, how that they have had a Consistory abroad, that rules all the affairs of things in England, from an Archbishop, with other Dependants upon him. And they had fixed in England (of which we are able to produce the particular Instruments in most of the Limits of the Cathedrals,) an Episcopal-power, with Arch-Deacons, &c. And had persons authorized to exercise and distribute those things, who pervert and deceive the people. Thus far the Lord Protector. 3. By their publishing in the years 1650, 1651, 1652, 18 several sorts of Popish Books in the English tongue, an Impression of each, in all (as we have cause to judge) no less than 30000, and all printed in London we are sure; the Names whereof do here follow, 1. The Golden Treatise of Vincentius Lirinensis. 2. The Verity of Christian Faith. 3. The Felicity of a Christian Life. 4. The Profit of believing. 5. Saint Austin's Care for the Dead. 6. Parson's Resolutions. 7. Sales his Introduction. 8. The lost Sheep returned home, or The motives of the Conversion to the Catholic Faith of Tho. vain D. D. 9 A Missive to his Majesty K. James by Dr Carrier. 10. The Love of the Soul, by G. M. 11. A Manifest touching Mr. W. P. Aversion from the Protestant Congregation, and his Conversion to the Catholic Church. 12. The Examination of the late Act of the Convocation at Oxford, containing their Reasons against the Scottish Covenant and Presbytery. 13. The Right Religion Evinced by L. B. 14. Prayer to the Saints Vindicated by F. P. 15. A prudent and secure Choice, being a sure landmark to all those who have been tossed to and fro in these wavering times, by H. G. 16. A Treatise of schism, by Scot. 17. The Christian Sodality, or Catholic Hive of Bees, by E. P. alias Gage, as is said. 18. The Christian Moderator. All which we humbly minded the Parliament of, with the Contents of each Book, in a Book two years ago printed, called The Beacon set on fire. And we are very sure that since that time there hath been printed divers Impressions of other Popish Books not there named. 2. Of the great increase of Socinianism, Quakerism, and other fundamental errors. 1. By the public meetings and Exercises that Socinians have in London and elsewhere every week, blasphemously holding and teaching their damnable doctrines. 2. By the like meetings of Quakers in London, whose opinions are Blasphemous, Paganish, Antiscriptural and Antichristian, even as the former. 3. By the Printing and Publishing many thousands of Books, containing Blasphemous, heretical and antimagistratical opinions, tending to unchristian and disorder the people of the Nations, and introduce paganism, Popery, Socinianism and libertinism. A taste of the loathsome, poisonous, blasphemous errors contained in the foresaid Books, we do herewith humbly present unto you, to provoke your zeal against them. A Catalogue of some of those Blasphemies and errors that have been Published within these two or three years' last past. 1. THat no Opinion is damnable, or, that a man may be saved in any Religion. A Discourse touching the Peace of the Church, Chap. 5. 2. That Christ is a mere man, not having any other nature, besides his human nature. Bidle's Confession of Faith, Article 3. 3. That the holy Ghost is not God, but only the chief of the ministering Spirits. Bidle. 4. That God hath a similitude or shape, hath his place in the heavens, hath also affections or passions. Bidle's Preface to his catechism. 5. That in case any assurance of the unchangeableness of God's love, were to be found in or regularly deduced from the Scriptures, it were a just ground to any intelligent man to question their Authority and whether they were from God or no. Redemption Redeemed, p. 335. 6. That water-baptism is to be laid aside. Dell the Doctrine of baptism. 7. That if any man consider diligently, he will find the Scripture and all ordinary catechisms are at so wide a distance, that he will begin to question whether the Catechists gave any heed at all to what they wrote, and did not only themselves refuse to make use of their reason, but presume that their Readers also would do the same. Bidle's Preface to his catechism. 8. That Christ's death did not reconcile God to us, but only us to God. Bidle catechism, p. 68 9 That we are not justified by Christ's imputed righteousness, but by faith and by good works. Bidle Catech. p. 82, & 96. 10. That the wicked shall not live for ever in torments, but shall be annihilated and utterly perish after the judgement. Bidle Cat. p. 133, 135. 11. That the righteous enter into life for their good-works. Bidle brief. Script. Catch. 12. That the Sacraments in use among us are not appointed in the Scripture. Farnworth's Answer to a Petition. 13. That the light of God that is in all meu, viz. natural conscience, the spirit of a man being the candle of the Lord, is sufficient, if we give heed unto it, to discover all sin, inform us of all duties, change our wills, turn our hearts from all sin unto God, to delight in God, and to show us the way to salvation; And that this light within every man is the grace of God, and that spirit which searcheth all things, even the deep things of God: yea, that it is Christ in us. Farnworth's general good to all People. 14. That men clothed with the Name of God and Religion, are generally the most dangerous and deceitful men in the whole world, for instance, Aaron, the Kings, Priests, and Prophets in both Old and New Testaments, nor can it be otherwise whilst Kings and Priests claim a right from God to be above other men, Norwood's Additional Discourse. 15. That man is a right rule, yea, the rule of all things. Ibid. 16. That God never did, nor doth, nor possibly can hurt us, and therefore not to be feared. Norwood's Pathway. 17. That unbelievers that are under the Law should keep the seventh day Sabbath from the Creation, but believers must keep the Lord's day. brains New Earth. 18. That the worship that is performed by the people of England in fellowship with the Ministers thereof, is heathenish worship. Easter Reckoning. 19 That those Ministers that sing David's Psalms, baptize Infants, wear double cuffs, or boot-hose tops, take Tithes, say men are not perfect in this world, and but sanctified in part, or that say the Letter of the Scripture, or the written Word is the Light and Word of God, and that salvation is in the Scripture, and call the four Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John the Gospel, are Seducers, nor Ministers of the Word, and show the spirit of error. Easter Reckoning. 20. That acquired Learning by its self and of its own nature is nothing else but sin, and can no more truly and properly said to be sanctified, than sin. Webster's Book. 21. That it is a Question whether the godly actions of Saints are duties or privileges. Ibid. 22. That those who in print say, The Ministers of England [are of the Synagogue of Satan, and know nothing of God, but are enemies of God, being guided by the spirit of error, without, among dogs, whose humility is feigned; That their Sermons are fleshly fancies and Conjurations, dirty miry Doctrine, a stinking puddle; That their hearts are filthy, deceitful, seeking praise from men; That they are scandalous, folluwing the ways of Balaam and Cain, worse than Simon Magus, knowing nothing of the life of the Gospel; That they are heathens, wallowing in the mire and filth of the flesh, on whom all the Plagues of God are to be poured, blind guides, proud, Baal's Priests, liars, Blasphemers, Enemies to Christ Jesus, murderers, Sorcerers, Whoremongers, Children of disobedience, greedy dumb dogs, Witches, Antichrists, Antichrists Merchants, Robbers, Deceivers, Ministers of the world, Conjurers, Devils of a Serpentine nature, a Brazen faced Beast, Covetous, Idolatrous Priests, thieves, Devilish Priests, Priests of the world, Foxes, Ministers of Antichrist, Proud Pharisees, Envious, malicious Priests, Egyptians, Sodomites, Gog and Magog, a Seed of evil doers, children of the devil, blind Watchmen, backbiters, railers, Seducers, Taskmasters of Egypt, Devouring, Lions, Firebrands of hell, sons of Belial] are themselves notwithstanding holy, perfect, new creatures, called out of the world, an humble, meek, innocent people, yea, though they are the maintainers of the errors contained in this Paper. Out of most of the Books before and after quoted. 23. That none are Ministers of God, and called by him who are sent forth by authority of man. Farnworth's Answer to Pet. 24. That he who is not infallible in his judgement when he gives counsel and advice, is no Minister of Christ. Ibid. To the Law and to the Testimony. Antimagistratical errors. 25. That the Magistrates are not to have Titles of worshipful or Right worshipful. Ibid. 26. That the Subjects of a commonwealth which is not the commonwealth of Israel, are to disturb and destroy that commonwealth. Ibid. 27. That no civil Government is to be acknowledged but the Government of the Law within us. Ibid. 28. That in the apostolical Precept, Let every Soul be subject to the Higher Powers, By power is meant God the Father of Jesus Christ, and by King the Lord of Hosts. Farnworth's Gen. Good to all people. 29. That no man having the absolute entire Rule and Government of himself in himself, inseparably united to him in his very essence and being, none whomsoever upon any pretence whatsoever may or aught to challenge, assume, or exercise in any measure, in any kind or sort, any right or power with him or over him herein, for he was made perfect, which admits of no supplement, and is commanded to have no other God. Norwood's Additionall Discourse. 30. That in a people, no one or more part or parts whatsoever, can in any proper and true sense, be called or said to be the sovereign or supreme. Norwood's Pathway to England's settlement. 31. That as we find not any rule or dominion given unto one man over another in the beginning, neither is it so now here. Ibid. 32. That the soldier shall take down the Law-rule or Government that is by the Commons in Parliament, as being of the fourth Monarchy. Brains New Earth. 33. That the Civil Magistrate hath not any positive power to punish any man, or restrain any for their light, judgement, conscience, opinion or way of worship, if so be they act or speak nothing that is destractive or destructive to the Civil Power, or tending to the breach of the Peace, or to injure one another; The reason is, because the Magistrate man, as he is natural, knoweth not what is Blasphemy, error or Idolatry, they are foolishness unto him, neither can he discern them. Webster's Book. 34. That under the fifth Monarchy now setting up, the world must be governed without the mixture (as now is) of men's Laws and Inventions, whether in respect of Magistracy or Ministry, Church or Civil affairs. Declaration of Church members walking with Mr Feake, Dr Chamberline, Mr Highland, Mr Barbone, &c. What true Christian can read or hear such things as these without much trouble of soul and spiritual indignation? How can the Friends of Christ choose but endeavour the stopping of this mouth of Blasphemies? But alas, for some years last past, either there have been none that could or at least that would do it; So that the children of Zion have only spread the blasphemies and errors of the time before their God, who in answer to their prayers, we hope, hath by his Providence assembled you, conjoined, and united your Powers and counsels, to try if you will own him as your King, by suppressing the grand Traitors and Treasons against his Majesty. Will Heathens allow men to blaspheme their false gods? Oh ye Rulers of these Nations, kiss the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way; and if your rule, power, sitting, should miscarry upon this account, you will come off with more honour and quieter consciences than shall accompany any Successor or Successors in his or their taking part with the enemies of God by a boundless Toleration. And now we hope your highness and your Honours will consider, that the Printing and Publishing so many thousands of such Books aforesaid, argues that there are many buyers, and the many buyers argue a great infection by them, which like a Gangrene spreads more and more, and chiefly in London and the North parts of England, where there was a meeting lately of about Two thousand Quakers. And that this four leaven threatens the leavening of the whole lump, and that too soon, though it should not be completed until by age or death you be called off the stage, when the Lord shall examine how you have improved your talon: And what a Popish, or what a Paganish Parliament shall we have then, if any? Where then will be our Laws, Magistrates, Religion, Ministry, Liberties, Strength, when a Papist or a Nero, taking the advantage of our confusion, shall get into the saddle, though by the stirrup of a pretended Fifth Monarchy? If you should judge us too presumptuous in this address (as we hope you will not) our apology is, that through grace we are Christians, that judge it no great adventure to appear before the Rulers of this world in so good a cause, sith we are used to frequent admittance into the presence of the King of Kings our dear Lord and Master. And if it shall be blamed as discovering the nakedness and wounds of our dear Country, to the Churches and Nations round about; we hope that reason will plead for us, that you cannot cure these wounds until they be discovered and searched; and that if such Books and blasphemous Opinions were not suffered to be spread all the Land over, we had not troubled You with the mention of them. The Premises considered, we humbly renew our Petition to his highness the Lord Protector and the Honourable Parliament, and heartily implore You by God and man's Expectations, your own public Professions and Engagements, and as ever you expect to appear before God with comfort, who hath put power into your hands to do much for his beloved Spouse and Cause; That you would stir up your strength and your zeal against the Enemies of both the souls and bodies of the people of this Commonwealth; by suppressing of Popish, Blasphemous, Antimagistratical and antiministerial Books, which are the nursery of error, Idolatry and Rebellion, Putrefaction and Shame of a Nation, Provocation of Divine vengeance, and highway to eternal perdition. And to the end so good a work may be accomplished, and effectual means may be applied, we shall humbly offer our Proposals (if commanded) how it may be done, without any trouble to the State; In the mean time begging leave, that without offence we may say, we humbly conceive, that we shall despair of ever seeing a sufficient redress in this case, unless the way of Licensing Books, by faithful able men that are sound in the Faith, be strictly enjoined, and an equitable Penalty laid upon all that Print and Publish, or cause to be Printed and Published, any Book not licenced; and the said Penalty to be recovered by any that shall prosecute the Offender at the Common-Law, with good encouragement to the prosecutor. And lastly, lest the Parliaments great Affairs about war and Peace should hinder such an Information as this from being heard; we do beg (in the Name of Christ) of all persons, of all degrees, whether Ministers of the Gospel, Gentlemen or others, by what Names soever distinguished, that are or would be esteemed real Friends to true Religion, the Lord Protector, the Parliament and Commonwealth of England; that they would improve all the Interest they have both in God and men in authority, for the effectual Suppression of such Books, as are destructive to the Religion and welfare of these Nations. Octo. 9 1654. And the Petitioners shall ever pray, &c. Luke Fawn. Samuel Gellibrand. Joshua Kirton. John Rothwell. Thomas underhill. Nathanael Webb.