Qvatermayn's conquest OVER canterburies court. OR A brief Declaration of several Passages between him and the Archbishop of CANTERBURY, with other Commissioners of the High Commission Court, at six several appearances before them, and by them directed to Doctor Featly; with their several Conferences; and the doctor's Reports to the Court. As also his imprisonment by virtue of a Warrant from the Lords of the council, with ten privy counsellors hands to it. With his appearance before the Lords of the council, and his Answers to the Archbishop and the Lord Cottington, concerning Conventicles, and his Answer to four Queries, propounded unto him concerning the Scots. As also his trial three several Sessions, by virtue of a Commission in Oyer and Terminor at the Guild Hall London, and his blessed Deliverance. And lastly, A Prayer, and thanksgiving, in an acknowledgement of God's mercy in his Deliverance. By ROGER QUATERMAYNE LONDON Printed by Tho. Pain, for Roger Quatermayne, and are to be sold by Samuel Satterthwaite, at the sign of the black Bull in Budge Rowe near Tantlings Church, 1642. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER; Grace, Mercy, and Peace, from God the FATHER, and from our LORD JESUS CHRIST. BEloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing had happened unto you; but rejoice in as much as you are made partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. It was the counsel of the blessed Apostle Peter, as you may see in the first Epistle of Peter the fourth Chapter the 12 and 13 Verses. And the same Apostle giveth the reason thereof in the 14 v●…rse of the same Chapter, saith he, If you be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are you, for the spirit of glory, and of God, resteth upon you. But saith he in the fifteenth verse, Let none of you suffer as an evil 〈◊〉, a murderer, or as a busy body in other men's matters; Vers. 16. But if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this behalf. For as the Apostle Paul saith in the twel●… Chapter to the Hebrews, vers. 6. Whom the Lord loveth he chastiseth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. And he layeth down a reason why the Lord doth chastise his children, and that is not for their loss, but for their benefit, which is that they might be partakers of his holiness For I●… that the sufferings of this 〈◊〉 are not worthy of the glory that shall be revealed, Rom 8. vers. 18. For it is an apostolical Injunction laid upon the Saints, that every one that wi●…l live godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer persecution. And indeed, it is a great honour for believers to be called thereunto, being the proper gift of God: For to you it is given, not only to do but to suffer for his Name. upon all these blessed Considerations, (Christian Reader) I have made bold to present before the eyes of thy understanding, a view of several afflictions which have be●…alne me in this my Pilgrimage, by those which have taken upon them the name and title of the Fathers of the Church, but are indeed, and in truth, the enemies of Christ, and his Gospel, and as opposite to the power of godliness, and the sincere ways of the Saints; as that cursed Abaddon, or Apollyon of Rome is or can be, as hath and doth appear daily by their bloody proceedings against the faithfullest Ministers, and sanctifiedst, and sincerest Professors, that hath been, and are living amongst us; witness their 〈◊〉 proceedings against Doctor Layton, Master Peter Smart, Doctor Bastwick, Master Prin, and John Lilburne, with divers others. And lastly, Concerning myself, who had like to have suffered Ship wrack under the guidance and conduct of these Romish Pilots, leading and guiding me through so many byways, Rocks, and Sands, that had not the Lord mercifully and miraculously preserved me, I had been taken in their Nets, and swallowed up in the pit that they had digged for me; so maliciously were they bent against me; as in the sequel of this Story following, shall with God's help more fully appear. B●…loved, (Christian Reader I would not have troubled thee with these few rude lines, had not I be●…n solicited thereunto by many, both judiciously wise, and religiously honest; whom I much respect, as in duty I ought, they persuading me that the carriage of the business, by God's especial assistance, might prove to be a ground of great encouragement unto others, that might in time to come be brought to the same condition, and put to the same straits that I have been in. Truly, there is no reason why we should be troubled or discouraged with any of their frowns or threats; for the Lord hath to me, and will to all his, make good his promise, That He will give us a mouth, and a tongue to speak, that the enemies shall not be able to resist. You see it to be a truth in all those valiant warriors of the Lord Jesus before named; with many others that I could name, but that I am unwilling to be tedious. Only look to thy Cause, that it be warranted by the Word; look to thy Conscience, that it be cleansed from sin; look to thy heart, that it be purified by faith; and to thy Conversation, that it be unspotted in the world; and then being thus armed on the right hand, and on the left, go on thou valiant man in this thy might, in a strong opposition against the foolish, ridiculous, popish, superstitious Ceremonies, and deadread-Service, which the blind, lame, dumb, scandalous Priests and Prelates of this age so stand for; and be you not discouraged from your holy duties of Religion, by reason of these vile 〈◊〉 of Conventicles, and the like, that is cast upon it. For assuredly it is and hath been, the strong arm of our God, to shake this 〈◊〉 Antichristian hierarchy, and therefore for sake not the Assembly of the Saints, as the manner of some is, Heb. 10. 25. Through the disheartening Sermons of some Ministers among us, who by their preaching formerly did promise much better service, than now they perform to the Church, whereby they give us just cause to suspect their fidelity in their Master's work, and they brow beat their weak Brethren, who according to their measure, and the gift of God received, do labour to build up one another in their most holy faith, and comfort others with the same comforts that they themselves are comforted of God. But Beloved, You that have tasted how sweet the Lord is in these sacred Ordinances, let not go your hold of Christ by them, but follow after the mark, 〈◊〉 the prize of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus; For, in due time ye shall reap if you faint not; therefore, lift up your weak hands, and strengthen your feeble knees; For certainly, Your redemption draw●…th nigh; You shall be delivered from the power of these Antichristian Prelates, and their tyranny. But, Beloved, lest whilst I go about to counsel and encourage you, I forget myself, I will address myself to make you acquainted with some passages in the ensuing Discourse, that so I may insinuate myself into your affections, and gain some time from your more necessary employments, to cast your eyes upon some of these more pleasing passages, in my following Discourse, that may recreate your spirits, and not corrupt your judgement. Christian Readers, For unto you do I dedicate this Narration of my troubles, pain, and charge, that you may be encouraged in your Christian Course without fear; for, wh●… is it that can harm you, if you be followers of that which is good? 1 Pet 3. 1. In the first place, You may gather some things to inform your judgements from my Answers to the great Arch-Pilot, who would seem to be the guide of all the Ships that float on the Cantaburian Sea; he writing himself to be the Primate and metropolitan thereof; who if you trace him aright, you shall (as I have done) find out his ignorance, untruths, malice, and flattery. Secondly, You may there find all the brood of Inquisitors in a strait, for want of an honest Rule to walk by, there being no Law to justify their proceedings. Thirdly, You may there find the Advocates complaining like Diana's chaplains in Ephesus, for the loss of their Trade, with execrable curses on me for the same. Secondly, Some benefit you may get in the several passages at the several appearances that I had before them at the High Commission Court; where you may find them put to a stand, when I come up close unto them, in regard of the laws of God and of the Land. Thirdly, Some benefit you may get, if you be not wanting to yourselves, by reading the Discourse that was between Doctor Featly and myself, concerning an action and rule, as is there laid down. Fourthly, Some benefit you may get by reading that large Discourse I had with the Lords of the council; wherein it pleased the Lord most graciously to carry me along in my Answers without offence unto them, and yet kept my Conscience uncorrupted. Lastly, Some profit you may reap by the proceedings against me at the Guild Hall London, three several Sessions, both in point of charge, in respect of jury, as also in regard of witness, and the malice of my persecutors; and in observing the hand of the Lord in my deliverance, which was not ordinary, but extraordinary, his blessed Name be praised therefore. Thus have I given you a hint of some things considerable in the ensuing Discourse, which if thereby God may be glorified, you may be edified, then have I that which I aimed at. How if it be against all this objected, that I seem in this my Epistle to justify myself in my carriage of the whole business, and much to derogate from the credit of mine enemies. You know what the Apostle saith, You suffer fools gladly, because you yourselves are wise. Truly, if I had known any thing in any of my spiritual Adversaries worthy of remembrance, for their credit I would not have detained or kept it back, but have freely yielded it unto them. Put when I consider what I have by experience found, and what others have felt and found by their cruel proceedings and dealings with them or against them, I could do no otherwise than I have done, lest as Job saith, While I give flattering titles to men, the Lord should confound me. And to Apologise for myself, if I be not mistaken, I have already said, that I have put this to the press by Solicitation of others. And ●…not seeking shelter, as is usually done, under some great Patron to defend me, thought it my duty not to detain the truth in unrighteousness, but to declare it nakedly, without either fear of foes, or hope of reward, but only that God might be glorified; for whom I have suffered all this, and much more; and will with God's help continue to the end, what ever may fall out in the way. As also that you might be encouraged to go on in your Christian course of profession of the Gospel without fear, and to store yourselves with such promises of divine knowledge in spiritual things, as that those which walk in darkness, observing no Rule, by leaning to their own understanding, may be convinced by your invincible boldness in standing in, and for the truth. And thus not troubling you any farther at this time, only one Request I have unto you, that you will be thus favourable unto me, that where I shall come short, or overlash, through want of memory, or weakness of judgement, in any of the several passages and carriages of my Answers, you would be pleased to cover them with the Mantle of love and charity, and by observing my imperfections, to get strength to overcome the enemies of God and of his truth. And thus I commit you to God, and to the Word of his grace, who is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among those that are sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus. I rest your loving Brother, and fellow-soldier, in the quarrel of Christ and his gospel, ROGER QUATERMAYNE. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. CHRISTIAN READER. IT is an axiom in Nature, That things are so much delightful, as they are seasonable; and we have it confirmed by more than ●…mane authority in Pro 25. 11. Words in season ar●… as apples of gold with pictures of silver. This Consideration (Courteous Reader) without any other Preface, might hallenge a mat●… between thine eye and this Discourse Thou are bear presented with a suffering Discourse in suff●…ring times; It hath been the lot of the Church and people of God in all ages and generations to be the butt and mark, at which the enemies of God's truth and glory, have shot their 〈◊〉 arrows of malice and cruelty; God hath but a few precious ones in the world, upon whom, he hath set his love and glory; and they are the men which are most of all vilified and contemned: the enemies of God's Church have been always exceeding enraged against them, but now more than ever, their time being but short, and their enmity everlasting: there hath sprung up in this last age of the world, a cursed generation, (shall I say of men) nay, of Vipers, who slily and insinuatingly have more ruined the Church, than all the open persecutors that ever were, who under pretence, of being called Fathers of the Church, have been the most merciless, and dangerous tyrants that ever it had; I mean the Prelates, with all their hellish retinue, who have drunk so deep of the poison of asps, and have so intoxicated their brains with that same bloody Cup of the Scarlet Whore, that they can spit nothing but poison and malice, against the truth and people of Christ. And therefore have they laboured to put scandals, and nicknames, (never heard of among Christians, until these innovating Prelates brought them in) scandals, I say, upon Religion, and the sincere Professors of it; calling them factious, seditious, Cum id genus monstris; their foul-mouthed chaplains, and their graceless Curates, in every Sermon almost, have not ceased, in their Turkish Dialect, to pour out their venom on the most judicious, and holy Christians: Neither was this their malice only against some malignant Spirits (as they called them) but even against the very power of godliness, in any poor soul that professed it. As one of their reverend Champions most wickedly said, That if he had Jo. Lincol. now York. had the power that Canterbury had, he would not have left one Puritan in England this day. Manifold and apparent discoveries we have had of their cruel tyranny, and their arch-pity, both on the bodies, estates, and precious Consriences of the dear Saints of God; they have not only undone many families in the kingdom; but have the guilt of the blood of thousands of souls upon them, which are this day in hell for want of the precious means of grace, which should have fed their souls to life eternal. I need not acquaint thee with their cruel tyranny in the persecuting of th●…se worthies of God in their High Commission Court, that Hellish Inquisition of our Land; thou hast here a sufficient light to see their grace in their dealings with this Worthy of God; of whom I may say in another cause as the Apostle saith of himself 2 Corinth. 11. 5: He is not a whit behind the chiefest of these worthies that have sacrificed their lives for the cause of Christ. Concerning the Discourse, I shall say no more, but only this, read it, and if thou find any good by it, give God the glory, and the author thanks. I know (Christian Reader) that manifold are the temptations which thou meetest with daily in the flesh: And indeed, Christ tells before hand, what his service will cost, If any will live godly in Christ, he must suffer persecution: But yet be not discouraged, though we sow in tears, we shall reap in joy: though we have a nipping autumn, we shall have a joyful Spring; go on thou blessed Christian, and the Lord go with thee; fight the battles of the Lord Jesus, quit thyself like a man, be courageous for God and his Cause; start not aside for all the malice of the enemies; God hath whet his Sword against them, and thou shalt ere long see them all dead on the shore before thee. Our Fathers believed in him, and they were delivered; David, and Jeremiah, and Daniel, and Paul, and all the excellent ones of the Earth have gone this way, and are now in Heaven singing Hallelujahs to all eternity. And these were for Examples to us, saith the Apostle, 1 Cor. 10. 6. God never set any upon high employment, but he gives him proportionable strength, He will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will give an issue with the temptation, that you may be able to bear: The dugs and breasts of the Scripture are even bursting with promises of this kind, Open your mouth wide, and he will fill it: There are a kind of people in the world, who go for professors and would think it a great matter to deny them the name of Christians) who will be content to follow Christ, while Christ is advanced in the world, and seems to be a good neighbour, but when he comes to be thrust out of the Court, and out of the council, and out of esteem with the men of the world, they are afraid to follow him too close at the heels, lest he should dash out their brains; they will be religious and wise, they must not thrust themselves into danger they say; it is good sleeping in a whole skin; and indeed, it is no marvel to see men fall away as leaves in autumn, and perish everlastingly; for they never took Christ upon his own Conditions, they never were really ingraffed into him; they hung as the ivy to the ●…ake, they had a kind of external being in Christ, but they never drew the sap and luice of spiritual life from him. In a word, they never had the true and genuine blood of Christ running in their veins. Yet (Christian Reader let not thy heart fail, neither be discouraged at this, Be faithful to the death, and thou shalt have the crown of life. I will not Apologise any farther for the author or the work, they both deserve thy Christian acceptation; only my prayer to the throne of grace for thee shall be, That a double portion of the authors Spirit may be poured on thee in the reading of it, that thou Mayst be able more valiantly to stand in the Cause of Christ, and fight his battles against Gog and Magog, and all the cursed enemies of God's Church, that so having fought a good fight of faith, thou Mayst in the end receive the end of thy faith, the salvation of thy soul; so prayeth thine and the authors friend CUT. SIDENHAM. ERRATA. PAge 2. line 13. for first of Numbers, read fift of Numbers, page 21. line 33. for Gavaston read Carlton. QVATER MAYNES conquest, OVER canterburies court. MY first Apprehension was on Ash-wednesday in Hillary My first Apprehension. term, the 12th. day of February 1639. At which time, came two pursuivants unto me, with an Attachment from the High Commission-Court; under the hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sir Nathaniel Brent, and Sir John Lamb: at which time, I unwisely entered into Band of one hundred pounds, to appear in their Court: and my first appearance was in Easter term, the second day of the term, being Thursday the 23th of April. 1640. My appearance being made, I was called, and presently they My Appearance called for a book, which being tendered unto me; I asked what I should do with it: they told me I must take my Oath; I answered, I would not take any Oath, I knew no cause why I should; the Officer that attended the Court, opened the book, and I said, I could open it myself, if I would read in it. Then Doctor Reeve said, I must take my Oath, to answer to such Articles, as were in Court against me; I told him, I knew of no Articles; neither do I know wherein I have offended: The Doctor told me, if I would take my Oath, I should know: I answered, I would take no Oath, I did not hold it lawful. Thus much between the Doctor, and myself. Archbishop. Then said the Archbishop, Master Quatermayne, Master Quatermayne; I hear you, though you speak but softly, you seem to scruple at the Oath taking; you need not to do it, you think it to be an accusing Oath, but it is not so, it is a purging Oath. Quatermayne. My Lord, I think it to be an accusing Oath indeed. Archbishop. It is not so, but it is a purging Oath. Quatermayne. My Lord, I need no purging, for I have not offended: yet nevertheless, if you will so administer it, I will take it: because I find in the first of Numbers, an Oath of Purgation, so that it agree with other Scriptures, that it may be an end of strife. Archb. Such an Oath may this be, for any thing that I know to the contrary. Quater. My Lord, I do not know wherein I have offended, nor any that doth accuse me. Archb. Yes, there is your accuser, Doctor Reeve. Quater. Doctor Reeve, are you my accuser? Doctor Reeve. Yes, said Doctor Reeve. Quater. Then put you in my Articles, according to Law, and I will take forth a Copy of them, and show them to my counsel, and I will advise with my counsel, and I will either demur to them, if they be illegal, or else I will put in my answer, upon my Oath: that is as much as the Law requireth, and so much I will do, and more I will not. Doct. Reeve. That the Court will not allow, said Doctor Reeve. Quater. Then said I, I will do no otherwise. Archb. Master Quatermayne, said the Archbishop, you speak like a very rational man, and I do admire you should be so rational in one thing, and come so short in another! Truly, I will do you all the favour I can; Nay, more than the Court will allow, or bear me out in: I should be very loath you should cast your self into danger. Quater. My Lord, I am not willing to thrust myself into danger. Archb. Nay, said the Archbishop, give me leave to express myself. Doct. Reeve. Hear my Lord, said Doctor Reeve. Quater. I will, said I. Archb. I will tell you, said the Archbishop, the danger of not taking the Oath; and I will tell you the utility, and benefit of taking the Oath: The danger lieth in this, that after twice or thrice admonition, we can proceed against you, pro 〈◊〉, and that is as you know, to take you as guilty of those things that are objected against you, and then we can imprison and fine you, as we shall see cause: and the benefit l●…eth in this; that after you have taken the Oath, for any thing that I know to the contrary, you may presently be freed. Quater. My Lord, it is not the danger, of not taking the Oath, that doth dismay me; nor the utility orbenefit that doth allure me: I have kept a Court in my own Conscience, before I came hither; and I have sought all the Records, and from the first of Genesis, to the last of the Revelations, I do not find it lawful for me to take the Oath. Archb. Master Quatermayne, this Court hath stood this hundred years, and hath been established by all the Acts of Parliament that hath been since, and do you come to judge our Court, and question our Authority? Quater. My Lord, I come not to judge your Court, nor to question your Authority: the thing that I come to question and find, is the things that are enjoined me; whether I may do it with a good Conscience, yea, or no? Archb. Master Quatermayne, what Ministers are you acquainted with? Quater. Withmany, both in the city, and in the country. Archb. I think so; what Minister will you make choice of, to resolve you? Quater. None my Lord. Archb. None, that is strange. Quater. My Lord, I need none; for I am already resolved: besides, no Minister can satisfy me, but the Word and Spirit of GOD. And again, I will not ensnare, nor entangle any Minister to resolve me, that am already resolved. Archb. Nay, Master Quatermayne, there shall be no Minister entangled nor ensnared, I will promise you. Quater. Not by me, said I. Archb. Nor by me, nor yet by the Court: What Minister do you know, that hath been entangled or ensnared? Quater. My Lord, I do not come to accuse. Archb. Master Quatermayne, then let me appoint you to go to a Minister. Quater. My Lord, I will not be refractory; I will reason with any man, in things that concern God's glory, and my own good, so it be within the compass of my time, place, and calling. Archb. Nay, I will not lay any heavy charge upon you, do you know Doctor Featly? Quater. Yes. Archb. Will you go to him? Quater. Yes my Lord, or to any other whom you will appoint. Archb. Nay, it shall be only to him: I hope he will give you full satisfaction. Quater. I do not doubt, but I shall be satisfied; for I am already satisfied. Archb. Master Quatermayne, where dwell you? Quater. In Mary Overis Parish. Doct. Reeve. In Mary Overis Parish, said Doct. Reeve; and why not Saint Mary Overis Parish? Quater. Saint Mary Overis, or Saint Saviours, call it what you will, it hath a double Name, and I care not for the Titles. Archb. That is not far from Doctor Featli's. Quater. If it were much farther, with God's help I would go to him. Archb. Do so, I pray Master Quatermayne, and reason with him, and let him report, how he finds you, and repair hither again. Doctor Reeve. The next Court day, said Doct. Reeve. Archb. No, said the Archbishop, repair hither this day fortnight, and I hope by that time, you will be resolved. Quater. My Lord, I am already resolved. Archb. By that time, I hope, you will be otherwise resolved. Master Quatermayne, what do you follow now? Quater. I follow now soliciting of Causes. Archb. Oh! in the Common Law; why then you know there is an Oath administered in all Courts. Quater. My Lord, I know there is, there is an Oath for the King; there is an Oath between King and Subject; also, there is an Oath between plaintiff, and Defendant; and there is an Oath for clearing a man's self in some particulars. Archb. You know in Star-Chamber, there is such an Oath as this is. Quater. My Lord, with subjection to better Judgements, if you do proceed, as they do in the Court of Request, Chancery, or Exchequer, or Star-Ch●…mber, which is in this manner: the plaintiff, or Informer, doth first put in bills of Articles, Informations, or Complaints, or the like: and then the Defendant taketh forth a Copy of them, and car●…eth them to his counsel, and adviseth with his counsel, and doth after demur to them, or putteth in his answer upon Oath: and so will I do here, if you please, or the Court, to let me see those Articles that are against me. Doct. Reeve. The Court will not allow of that, said Doctor Reeve. Archb. Who was it that came to you, Mr. Quatermayne, said the Archbishop? Quater. It was mail the pursuivant, such a one, so that he may g●…t money, he careth not what hurt he doth. Archb. Mr. Quatermayne, we do not use to have the Officers of our Court traduced, or evil spoken of. Quater. It may be so; but will you be pleased to give me leave to prosecute against him, according to Law, and I will make him appear to be as Notorious a wretch, as liveth. Archb. Ay, with all my heart, I will give you free leave to prosecute against him, or any other Officer of the Court whatsoever: We do not fit here to maintain any in their wickedness. Doct. Reeve. You have so affronted the Court, I have been the King's Advocate almost these twenty years, and I never saw the Court so affronted before; you have spoken enough to lay you by the heels. Quater. Did not you say, Doctor Reeve, even now, that you were mine accuser? Doct. Reeve. Yes. Quater. Then it is not fit you should be my Judge. Archb. Mr. Quatermayne, I have often heard of your name, but I never saw your face before. Quater. My Lord, I was borne not far from you. Archb. In what place? Quater. At Watlington in Oxfordshire. Archb. That is a good way off, above ten miles. Doct. Reeve. near Challgrove, said Doctor Reeve. Quater. Within two or three miles of it, on this side. Archb. It was not in the country, but here in London, and near to it; but I am sorry to hear, what I do hear of you. Quater. My Lord, I have not offended the Law in any thing, to my knowledge. Archb. Where did the Messenger find you? Quater. At my own house. Archb. Who was with you? Quater. My Wife. Archb. And who else? Quater. nobody else. Archb. What time was it, that the Messenger came to you? Quater. At five of the clock in the Morning. Archb. You rise betimes in the Morning Mr. Quatermayne, and go abroad, and he could not find you at home at other times. Quater. I do rise, and go abroad, as my occasions serve. Archb. Yea, and it is very well, and honestly done so to do Mr. Quatermayne: Well, Mr. Quatermayne, I pray repair to Doctor Fea●…ly, and then come hither again this day fortnight; I hope by that time, you will have your judgement rightly informed; we have done for this present: farewell Mr. Quatermayne. This is the sum, and substance of my first Appearance at Lambeth house, and when I went away, a great number of people, came away with me, which was agreat offence unto them; in so much, that the Officers said, half the Court goeth away with Master Quatermayne. Now followeth the Conference between Doctor Featly and my self at his house. I Came to Doctor Featly, according to my direction the The Conference. next week following, to confe●…e about the Oath; whom I found very Wise, rational, and discreet; and he took much pains to persuade me, the Oath was lawful, and might be taken; so it were ministered with Caution, and according to Law: and he pressed me with his own Example, who had taken the Oath, and as he said, had warily, and wisely subscribed thereunto; did avoid much danger, which other wise had fallen upon him: then I requested the Doctor to give me some Scriptures, as might clear the thing in hand, 〈◊〉 he very reddily condescended thereunto: which Scriptur●…, I here insert in Figures, for brevity sake: The 〈◊〉, was the 4th of jeremy, and the second verse. The 22. of Exodus, the 11. verse. The first of Kings, the 8. chap the 31. verse. The 10th of Ezra, the 7. verse. The 13. of the Romans, the 1. verse. Which Scriptures, how purtenent they are to the Oath, Ex officio, I leave to you to judge. After the Doctor and I had much talked, concerning the lawfulness, and the unlawfulness of the Oath, he very modestly, and moderately, reasoning with me; told me, he did commend me, in using the best means that I could, in satisfying of my Conscience, in things of such Consequence as this is: and therefore saidhee unto me, the Cause being your own, it lieth you upon to give me your doubts, and I will do my best endeavours to give you satisfaction: Then Sir, said I, I will be bold to propound some things unto you; then said the Doctor, I pray do Master Quatermayne, what you please. I have been a Doctor this one and twenty years, but I Doctor Featly. never had any man so rational to reason with me before; I hope our meeting will be to God's glory, and our own goods, I hope you will get some benefit by me, for I will do my best endeavour to get by you, I promise you; therefore I pray Master Quatermayne speak your mind. Quater. Sir, if you please, we will reduce the Oath to action, and then bring it to rule. Doct. Featly. Yea marry Sir, with all my heart, that is a good way indeed. Quater. With subjection to better judgement, I do conceive every action that is good, must have these three things in it, that which is last in prosecution, must be first in intention. Doct. Featly. In truth, well spoken Master Quatermayne, it must be so indeed. Quater. The end to which it must tend, the rise from whence it springs, the means by which it is accomplished; they must be all good, or else the action cannot be good; the end must be the glory of God, and the good of the creature; the rise must be from a soul sanctified, in covenant with God by faith in Christ Jesus, or that is conducible thereunto; and the means must be according to the will of God revealed in his Word: all which I refer to your grave and wise co●…deration. Doct. Featly. Nay, certainly, Master Quatermayne, all this is truth. Quater. Then Sir, with subjection to better judgement, I shall produce and lay down, three Rules to try an action by. Doct. Featly. I pray do Mr. Quatermayne, this is a very profitable way of reasoning. Quater. The first Rule is the third of the Romans the eight verse, Thou shalt not do evil, that good may come thereof: The second Rule is the fourth of the Philippians, the eight Verse, Furthermore Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are worthy of love, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, or if there be any praise, think on these things: The third Rule is the first of the Thessalonians, the fift Chapter, the twenty-two Verse, Shun all kind or appearance of evil. Now Sir, if you please, we will bring the Oath Ex Offic●…o to Rule, as it is an action; and Sir, as I conceive, under correction, of all the Scriptures you have named, there is but one that is purtenant to the purpose. Doct. Featly. Then said the Doctor, it is the fourth of Jeremy, the second Verse. Quater. You say true, said I, and therefore I pray Sir, bring the Oath Ex Officio to that Scripture, and open that Scripture, and show how lawfully by that Scripture I may take the Oath. Doct. Featly. That will I gladly do, said the Doctor. First, Thou shalt swear in truth, saith the Prophet; and that do I believe you will do, saith he; for, I take you for an honest man, and therefore you will speak nothing but the truth. Secondly, Thou shalt swear in judgement, and that do I believe you will do, because you are an understanding man. Thirdly, Thou shalt swear in righteousness, and that do I also believe you will do; because the Oath being in a lawful way administered unto you, it is a righteous and a just thing for you to submit thereunto. Quater. Now good Sir, give me leave to deal with the Oath, and with 〈◊〉 Scripture, and to bring it to the Rules aforecited. Doct. Featly. Yea, with all my heart, said the Doctor, God forbid else, it is very fit that we should labour to have our judgements informed in every thing. Quater. Then Sir, in the first place, I cannot swear in truth, and therefore if any should ask me, as Pilate did Christ, what thing is truth, I must answer him in this particular, I cannot tell, and that because truth is wrapped up and hid from mine eyes, either in the administration of the Oath, or in the Oath itself, that I cannot see it. Secondly, I cannot swear in judgement, because my judgement wanteth information from my understanding, by reason of the darkness and obscurity of the Oath; and ye know what Solomon saith, Where there is not judgement, the mind is not good. Thirdly, I cannot swear in righteousness; for it is an unrighteous thing for me, either to accuse myself, or my brother, and therefore, I conceive, by virtue of this Scripture, this Oath can lay no weight on my conscience; and therefore we will bring it to the Rule, as to the touchstone, to try it by, for I do conceive, the end of this Oath is void, because neither is God glorified, nor my brother edified; which ought to be the end of every action. And now as concerning the rise from whence it came, we will examine that. Doct. Featly. I pray do so, I like this very well. Quater. Then Sir, you may remember the Oath was grounded on a Statute in Henry the fourths time, and it was a cursed curb or scourge, invented by the Papists and Prelates, to punish and put to death the people of God, under the name of Lollords, who then were true Christians. And this Oath was suppressed in King Edward's days; and in Queen Mary's days it was set up again; and in the first of Queen Elizabeth, it was suppressed, and the High Commission Court was established, and hath continued by the Bishops ever since; and they have made use of this Oath, both to suppress the people & truth of God, and therefore the rise of this Oath cannot be good. Thirdly, This Oath is contrary to all good means, for by the Law of God, every thing should be determined by two or three Witnesses; and this Oath causeth a man to be his own accuser, witness, and judge, contrary to the Law of God, and of the Land, and the Law of Nature, and therefore this Oath as it is an action, neither is nor can be good, and therefore to be avoided. Quater. Now Sir, I pray, let me ask you a question or two. Doct. Featly. What you will Mr Quatermayne, and I will endeavour to answer you. Quater. What benefit shall I have by taking the Oath? Doct. Featly. A two fold benefit: The first is your liberty, and that is a great benefit, as you know. Secondly, If you will call for it, you may have a Promoter of the cause, and he shall give you good security to pay the cost of the Suit, if you overthrow him, and this the Court cannot deny, if you will challenge it at their hands. Quater. I do acknowledge Sir, that both these be good, so that I might have them with a good conscience. Now Sir, I will bring it to the first Rule, and that is this, Thou mayst not do evil that good may come thereof; thy damnation is just in so doing; for me to have my body at liberty, and my conscience in prison, it is an evil and a bitter thing so to do, and therefore by this Rule to be avoided. Again, secondly, for me to have my cost allowed me, and go further in debt with God by reason of sin, that will not hold by this Rule; and therefore as our Saviour saith, What will it profit a man to win the whole world, and lose his own soul. Again, for the second, bring the Oath Ex Officio to the second Rule, and see what good report it hath among its neighbours; I never heard wise man nor fool, good man or bad, speak a good word for it; surely, if it were good, there would not yesterday have been at the Parliament House so many hundreds as was to speak against it. Thirdly, Bring it to the third Rule, which is, Shun and avoid all appearance of evil; and this is not only an appearance, but evil itself, and therefore to be avoided. Doct. Featly. Truly Mr Quatermayne, you have reasoned to the purpose, I am sorry that time calleth me away from you. What is it you would have me to write? I will write what you will have me to write. Quater. No good Sir, by no means, I will not appoint you what to write, for than it will be my report, and not yours; therefore I will leave it to your wisdom, and God's guiding to direct you; write what you please. Doct. Featly. Truly Mr Quatermayne, I will write nothing that shall do you any hurt. I pray will you fetch it upon thursday morning, and my man shall deliver it unto you. Quater. This is the sum and substance of the Conference between Doctor Featly and myself, being to him directed by the High Commission Court. Here followeth a copy of Doctor Featly's Report to the High Commission Court upon our Conference. To the Right Honourable and most Reverend Father in God, WILLIAM, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace, Primate of all ENGLAND, and Mettopolitan. IN obedience to an Order made by your Grace in the Dr Feally his report. Honourable Court of High Commission, on Roger Quatermayne, Gent. Came to my House the fift of this instant May, to confer with me; whom I found conformable to the Doctrine, Discipline, and all holy Orders and Constitutions of our Church; save only he maketh some scruple in taking the Oath Ex Officio, and in that also he seemeth to me very desirous to receive satisfaction; and if by your gracious favour and goodness, he may obtain a longer time of respite, more maturely to consider of the point, and resolve his Conscience, I conceive good hope that he will conform himself to the public Justice of this kingdom, and submit in all things to the proceedings and Order of this Honourable Court. Your gracious humbly devoted, DANIEL FEATLY. Quater. My second appearance in the High Commission Court, was the seventh of May 1640. Bishop wren. I being called by Bishop wren (the Archbishop being absent that day) the Bishop of Ely asked me, if I would take the Oath. Quater. To whom I answered, as before, that I would not take it, for I did not hold it lawful. Bish. wren. Why, said the Bishop, you were to go to Doctor Featly, and that he should report hither how he found you. Quater. To whom I answered, I did go according as I was directed. Bish. wren. Well, said the Bishop, and what do you say of Doctor Featly? Quater. I answered and said, that he was a very wise and judicious Gentleman. Bish. wren. How? said the Bishop, a wise and judicious Gentleman, and yet not give you satisfaction, concerning the lawfulness of the Oath. Quater. I answered, that doth not follow, he may be a wise and a judicious Gentleman, and yet we may differ in our judgements in this thing. Bish. of bath and Wells. Then said the Bishop of bath and Bishop of bath & Wells. Wells, it is like you will never take the Oath while you live. Quater. To whom I answered, it is very like so indeed. Bish. of bath and Wells. Where is Doctor Featly's report? Quater. Here it is, said I, and gave it into their hands. Bish of bath and Wells. Then said the Bishop of bath and Wells, the Doctor speaketh very well of you. Quater. I answered, I hope I shall give him no cause to the contrary. Bish. wren. Well, said B●…shop wren, Master Quatermayne, take a longer time for it, and inform your judgement. Doct. Then said a Doctor, inform yourself with wise and judicious men, such as Mr Suitt, Doctor Gouge, and the like. Quater. I answered, trouble not yourself, I will go to such as I think fit, both wise and honest. Bish. wren. I pray, said Bishop wren, do so, and come hither the first day of the next term. Quater. I answered, I could not come then. Bish. of bath and Wells, Then said the Bishop of bath and Wells, why? Quater. I answered, I was to go into the country to visit my friends, and that I could not return so soon. Bi. Wren. Well, said Bishop Wren, let it be the second Court day, and in the mean time inform your judgement; for assure yourself, if you do not conform yourself, we will take another course with you. Quater. I answered, I would do any thing that an honest man should or aught to do, or else I would suffer for it: if you will convince me by Scriptures, I shall willingly submit thereunto, or else suffer as a Delinquent. Bishop Ba. Well, M. Quatermayn, I hope you will between thy and the next term satisfy your conscience. Quatermayn. I answered, I am already satisfied. Bish. Bath. I pray M. Quatermayn come again the next term. Pursuivant. Then said the pursuivant, I pray M. Quatermayne, pursuivant. take your company with you, for here be an hundred and fifty puritans. Thomas Squire. How do you know that? said an honest man. Thomas Squire. Pursuivant. I know them, said the pursuivant, by their eyes, they look upward. Tho. Squire. Well said the honest man, there shall be three hundred the next Court day (which was done accordingly, as I suppose.) Doctor. Then said a Doctor, A pox a God on him, if he will not take the Oath, we may burn our books. And this is the sum and substance of my second appearance. Quater. My third appearance in the High Commission Court, was the eighteenth day of June, 1640. at which time the Archbishop and Bishop Wren were both present together, the Archbishop with a very stern countenance spoke unto me in this manner. Archbishop. Mr Quatermayne, are you yet resolved to take the Oath? Quater. I answered, I am not yet resolved to take it, I do not find it l●…wfull. Archbishop. Then said the Archbishop, It was lawful before you were born; and I will make it both Law and Justice too, before I have done. Quater. My Lord, if you do, than you and I shall not differ. Archb. Then said the Archbishop, you were wished to go to Doctor Featly, and that he should report to the Court how he found you. Quater. I answered, I did go according as I was directed. Archb. Then said the Archbishop, where is the Report? Quater. I answered, I brought it into the Court the last term. Archb. Where is it? read it, said the Archbishop. Clerk. Then the clerk read it. Archb. What is the reason you are not resolved to take the Oath? Did not Doctor Featly labour to inform your judgement? Quater. I answered, he did his best endeavour. Archb. You stand much upon Scripture, did he not give you Scripture enough for it? Quater. I answered, he gave me four Scriptures. Archb. Well, and what do you say of those Scriptures? Quater. I answered it was the holy Word of God, but nothing to the purpose, for the lawfulness of the Oath taking. Archb. Then I see it is not Scripture that will satisfy you. Quater. I answered, if you do convince me by the Scriptures, I will submit. Archb. I pray by what rule will you be judged? Quater. I answered, by the Law of God, and of the Land. Archb. What do you mean by the Law of God and the Land? Quater. By the Law of God, I mean the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament. And by the Law of the Land, I mean●… the Stature Law of the Kingdom. Archb. You are very often up with the Law, pray God you are as willing to live by the Law, as you are to vindicate your own cause by the Law. Quater. My Lord, if I do not, the Law is open against me. Archb. Well, you sh●…ll know before I have done, that our Court is both Law and Justice; and that we do not sit here to keep sheep: and I promise you we will not wait upon you no longer than the next Court day, and therefore inform yourself, and resolve to take the Oath; for I am resolved to take another course with you, if you do not. Divers spoke. Then said divers Doctors, send him away to Diver●… spoke. prison, you have admonished him oftentimes enough. Archb. No, said he, I will wait upon him one Court day more. A Doctor. My Lord, said a Doctor, pray ask him if he hold A Doct●… not our Court, and the Administration of the Oath unlawful, but the Archbishop answered nothing. Doctor. Then said a Doctor, do you hold our Court and the administering the Oath unlawful? Quater. To whom I answered, What have you to do to examine me? you are no Commissioner, if your Court or you do that which is unlawful, you shall answer 〈◊〉 it your s●…lves for my part. What I do shall be lawful, or else I will not do it. Archbishop. Well, said the Archbishop, repair to Doctor Featly once more, and see if you can receive satisfaction from him, and repair hither again this day 〈◊〉, and resolve beforehand to take the Oath; for, assure yourself, we will not have his majesty's Court so slighted, and Commission ●…spected; and if you do not satisfy yourself, you shall go another way directly. Quater. This is the sum and substance of my third appearance at Lambeth. House; and when we had done, the Purse●… did wish they were rid of the Puritans, for they were ready to be stifled with them. Pursev●…nt. Then said one of them, this is the C●…mpion of Purs●…vant, the Puritans. Doctor. No, said a Doctor, Master Quatermayne is no Puritan, he doth not fast and pray, he is too fat. Quater. Whence we may take notice, that they are convinced in their consciences, that these duties of Religion ought to be performed, and that those whom they call Puritans, do perform them. My fourth Appearance was the twenty-fift day of June, 1640. Quater. I having been with Doctor Featly the second time, with divers others; and his occasions were such as we could not reason together, and therefore he did report to the Archbishop, that after the term he would do his best endeavour to give us satisfaction, which gave me good content, for by this means I was preserved out of prison. To the Right Honourable and most Reverend Father in God, the Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace, Primate of all ENGLAND and metropolitan. MAY it please your Grace, I understand by my servants, that Master Roger Quatermayne, and Io Garbraim, and divers others were at my house, since the beginning of the term, appointed, as they affirmed, by order of this Honourable Court, to confer with me; but being this term to provide for a trial at the Exchequer bar, and being Sued both in Chancery concerning a Lease pretended to be made by the Provost and fellows of Chelsey college, and in the King's Bench, for the House wherein I dwell, and by occasion of these Suits, enforced to attend in divers Courts, I could not appoint them any time or place where they should certainly meet me: But as soon as the end of the term shall give me some respite from these vexatious Suits, I will do my best to give them satisfaction; the rather be●…ause I find them all willing to be informed, as they profess to me, and some of them conformable in all things to the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England, save only they make scruple of the Oath Ex Officio. Your Graces humbly devoted, DANIEL FEATLY. WHen I came and appeared in the Court, I being called the Report was read, and the Archbishop was so impatient, that he would not endure to hear it read thorough, but said Archb. That Mr Quatermayne was the ringleader of all the Separatists. Quater. Notwithstanding, I was one of their greatest opposites in regard of some particulars then said. Archb. The Archbishop, Mr Quatermayne, I perceive that Doctor Featly hath no time to reason with you, by which you have a long time to consider, and so have we also, I pray do you resolve yourself between this and the next term, for we will demur no longer; you stand very much upon Scripture and Law. Bish. wren. Ay, said Bishop wren, he is a great Scriptureman, I warrant you my Lord. Quater. My Lord, if you please to make proof of me, I shall be able to answer you, if you please, or any other to convince me by Scriptures, as I said before, I shall be willing to submit or suffer. Archb. Well Mr Quatermayne, I pray satisfy yourself between this and the next term; and I pray let us request one thing at your hands when you are gone, that you do not report that we are cruel, and merciless, and oppressors of men's consciences; you have found no hard measure at our hands, we have not dealt unkindly with you, but it is the course of you all, to raise evil reports of us, though we in obedience to his majesty's command, sit to do justice. Farewell Mr Quatermayne, and God speed you, and inform you against the next term. Officers. Then said the Officers, we are glad we shall be rid Officers. of the Puritans, I pray take th●…m along with you Master Quatermayne. Quater. I answered, where one will go with thee, ten will follow me; this is the sum and substance of my fourth appearance at Lambeth House. Quater. And home I went accompanied with the Saints of God 〈◊〉 my house, and mail the pursuivant like the devil in the first of Job went with us. My fift appearance at Lambeth-House was the fifteenth day of October 1640. When I came thither the Court was Adjourned to Paul's; and I asked of medal, one of the Notaries, where the Court was kept, and he told me it was appointed to be kept in the Convocation-House all this term. But, said he, let it be kept where it will, there is nothing for you to do, for you are not in the Bill this week, nor will you be called upon this week. Quater. I answered, are you certain of it? Notary. And he said, yes. Notary. Quater. So I returned home accordingly; and so much for that time; yet nevertheless, there was a hubbub at the Convocation-House that day, although I was not there; and therefore I was not the cause of the tumult. Quater. My sixt appearance was at the Convocation House in Paul's, the 22 day of October 1640. At which time the High Commission Court was pulled down; but for as much as the whole business was opened before the Lords of the counsel, and answered before the Justice of Oyer and Terminer, by virtue of a Commission under the great seal of England (for the Prelates use when the King went into the North) I was caused to answer three several Sessions holden in the Guild-Hall for the city of London; all which I shall hereafter lay down, therefore I refer all till its proper time and place. Quater. In the next place, followeth my whole business before the Lords of his majesty's privy council: First, my apprehension; and secondly, all our proceedings. Quater. On Saturday, which was the 24th day of October 1640. about eight of the Clock at night, as I was going to my House, a Messenger from the privy council came unto me, with a Warrant, and ten privy councillors hands to it, and carried me away prisoner to the Catterne. wheel in Southworke; for his Warrant was so strict, that no bail would be admitted of, for I had neighbours that offered body for body, but the Messenger durst not accept of them. Truly, the Messenger was in such a condition, that he trembled, as if he would have sunk. But I bless the Lord, I was never more cheerful in all my life; but there was such vild aspersions cast upon me, and such false informations given to the Lords against me; and the Messengers charge so strict, that he wondered to see me so cheerful and well contented; and I told him, there were three things that made a man cheerful; a good God, a good Cause, and a good Conscience; and I praise God in this thing all these I have. Afterwards, I understood that the Lords had given him order, that I should not be carried to prison, for the prison would be pulled down, and I rescued from him; neither that he should carry me with any tumult, for fear of the like danger that might ensue; so upon the Lord's day following, as aforesaid, in the afternoon I was brought to White-Hall before the Lords of the council, and when I came thither, Sir Dudley Gaveston his clerk began to examine the Messenger, clerk of the Co●…cell. whether he had found me or no. Pursuivant. To whom he answered, yes; what Quatermayne, yes, Quatermayne, said the Messenger. Where is he, said the clerk. Here is he, said the Messenger. Quater. Then the clerk looking upon me, supposing I had not heard them, said, he is a proper tall man; but before God, he will be hanged, all the world cannot save him. I nnderhearing of him, thought though all the world cannot save me, yet God can, and I was no whit discouraged by his words, as knowing my hope was not in the world, but in God only. There I waited certain hours, while men stared on me, and every one censured me, and condemning me. At the length I was called in before the Lords, where was about sixteen or seventeen of them together, and when I had stood there a pretty while, the Lords looking one upon another, and then upon me; at last spoke the Lord privy seal to the Archbishop privy seal. of Canterbury, My Lord, what say you to this man? Archb. Then the Archbishop said, this Mr Quatermayne standing here before your Lordships, is such a one as will not submit to our Court, nor our authority, especially our High Commission Court; neither will he subscribe to the Oath Ex Officio, although I have used all means to inform his judgement, and resolve his conscience, and therefore I appointed him Doctor Featly, to whom he himself was willing to go, that so he might receive information of his judgement from him, and I never used him unkindly, I appeal to himself, for I never imprisoned him, nor threatened him with imprisonment, and yet notwithstanding, he is so far from the taking the Oath, that he hath been in the country in divers places, both in Oxfordshire and in Berkshire, and there hath drawn much people together, and preached unto them and made Conventicles, as I am credibly informed by divers wise and judicious Gentlemen, that he hath preached and made Conventicles in the country in divers places, and at sundry times. Archb. Master Quatermayne, were you not at Farrington the latter part of this Summer? Quater. No, my Lord, I was never at Farrington in all my life. Archb. I was informed that you were, and that you drew much people there together, and made Conventicles. Quater. I was never there. Archb. Were you not that ways? Quater. Yes, my Lord, though I will not take the Oath Ex Officio, yet I will speak the truth in any thing that shall be demanded, I was at Longworth. Archb. And did you not there draw people together, and make Conventicles. Quater. No, my Lord, I did not draw people together, nor make Conventicles. Archb. My Lords, for any thing that I do know to the contrary, Master Quatermayne was the principal cause of the mutiny upon Thursday last at the Convocation House at Paul's, although he was not called, nor did we intend any more to call him, and therefore in as much as he doth not, neither will submit to our authority, I will have no more to do with him, but refer him to your Lordships. Quater. Then spoke the Lord privy seal in this manner following. Lord privy seal. Quatermayne, Quatermayne, Quatermayne, Lord privy seal. You keep a fair quarter, you quarter it indeed, you are a Separatist, an Anabaptist, a Brownist, a Familist, and you are Preacher to them all, and they all receive quarter from you; and you upon Thursday last raised a multitude of them, and made a mutiny, and you pulled down the High Commission Court, and no Court of Justice can stand for you, you will pull them all down, as you were the cause of the High Commission Court pulling down the other day, as we shall justly prove, and you are like to suffer for it, I will assure you. Quater. My Lords, is it your pleasure, that I shall speak? (and they all answered, Yes.) Quater. Then I turning myself to the Archbishop, said, for answer to your Lordships, whereas you say, I do not submit unto your High Commission Court, I thus far submit, as being bound in a band of one hundred pounds to attend your Court, I have always attended, as I have been appointed; and whereas your Lordship saith, you have used all means to inform my judgement, by appointing me to go to Doctor Featly, I do acknowledge it a truth, and the Doctor did take pains therein. And whereas you say, you used me not unkindly, in not imprisoning, nor threatening of me, I do not lay any hard thing to your charge. But for my not taking the Oath Ex Officio, my Lords, I will give all your Lordships a reason thereof; it is not for want of information of my judgement, for my judgement is rightly informed, and I do know and will prove it, that the Oath Ex Officio, is contrary to the Law of God, and of the Land, and of the Law of Nature, and therefore I neither did nor never will take it. Then turning myself to the Lord privy seal, I answered him in this manner; As for all that your Lordship hath said, it is impurtenent, and to no purpose, it is no way proper, nor appertaining unto me at all; all that your Lordship hath spoken, I will reduce into two heads, and answer it in two words. Whereas your Lordship saith, I am a Separatist, a Brownist, an Anabaptist, and a Familist; all which, I do deny, and will prove the contrary; and for proof hereof, if you will be pleased to call in the Messenger, he shall prove that I was at Saint George's Church, and heard both Service and Sermon this day. Lord of Dorset. Can you make that appear, said the Lord Lord of Dorset. of Dorset. Quater. Yes, my Lord, if you please to call in the Messenger, he shall justify it. Lord Dorset. No, said the Lord of Dorset, it shall suffice, I think you speak truth. Sir Francis Windebank. Master Quatermayne, said Sir Francis 〈◊〉 Francis Windebanke, Secretary of State. Windebank, do you receive the Sacraments in our Church? Quater. Yes, I receive both the Sacraments, baptism and the Lord's Supper; and all my children have been Baptised in this Church, according to the 〈◊〉 of the same. Lord of Dorset. Can you make all this appear to be true, M Quatermayne, said the Lord of Dorset? Quater. Yes, my Lord, by a thousand witnesses, I will not tell a lie before your Honours for a hundred pounds. Lord of Dorset. I think you will not, saith the Lord of Dorset. Quater. Then I turned myself to my Lord privy seal, and 〈◊〉 my second head, thus; That I was not nor could. not be the cause of the mutiny in Paul's, I will give your Lordships a just account, how I spent my whole time on Thursday 〈◊〉. In the Morning when I went from my own house, I passed over the Water to Bridewell, to an honest man, that hath some Suits in Law, to advise with him the best I could for his own good, and stayed with him the space of an hour; and from thence I went to Friday street, to a Merchant, and there I continued about an hour more; and from thence into CloakeLane, and from thence into St Thomas Apostles, and there stayed until dinner time; and from thence I with one more went to the Dagger in friday-street, and there we dined, and our dinner cost nine pence; and from thence we walked together to Pauls-Church-yard, and from thence he went about his occasions, and I into Paul's to attend the High Commission Court; I went alone, nobody with me, and when I came thither, there stood a man in the Convocation. House-door, and I asked him if the High Commission Court would be kept there that day or no, and he answered me, yes, then said I, what is the reason the door is not yet opened, than said he because the Court is not yet come, and when they are come, there will not be room enough for them; then said I, remove the Court where room is, and I walked down into the body of the Church, and one came unto me, saying these words; Master Quatermayne, what do you here? To whom I answered, I was bound in a band of one hundred pounds there to be. Friend. Why, said he, Is your business not yet ended? Friend. Quater. I answered, no; neither do I know when it will. Friend. Then he asked me, what they did intend to do with me? Quater. I answered, I could not tell. Friend. Then said he, will you take the Oath Ex Officio? Quater. I answered, no; I will never take it. Friend. Then said he, what will they do? Quater. I answered, I know not, it may be they will imprison me, the Archbishop did threaten me, that he would the last term. Friend. No, said he, I think they will not be so forward, they have other business to do. Quater. Then I left him, and I walked quite thorough Paul's, all alone, nobody with me, and went into the booksellers churchyard, and there made water against the pails, and returned again thorough Paul's to the High Commission Court, and the Court was set, and I went up into the Court, and did diligently harken when my name should be called; and after a while people coming in, they made a hemming, hooting, and shouting, and thronging into the Court, and upon myself, so that I was forced and constrained to put on my hat to save my belly, and cried out unto them, take heed of my belly, you hurt me with your thronging upon me; and presently as the people shouted, the Court began to rise, and Sir Nathaniel Brent, being one of the first that came down, I went down together with him, and he turning back unto me, said: Sir Nathaniel Brent. What a tumult is here, Mr Quatermayn, Sir Nathaniel Brent. this is not long of you, I hope? Quater. It is in no wise, but Sir, I am bound in a band of one hundred pounds here to appear, and if you have nothing in Court against me, why should honest men be troubled? The Knight replied thus: Sir Nathaniel Brent. Pray Mr Quatermayne, come to my house to morrow or next day. Quater. To whom I replied, I would with God's help; and while we were thus talking, came the Register, and said: Register. This is long of you, Master Quatermayne, all this Register. tumult. Quater. To whom I answered, you speak falsely, are you the Register of the Court, and do you lie, you do speak falsely, you have my band of one hundred pounds, give me my band, and I will neither trouble you nor your Court. Then I parted from the Knight, and I came to the South door of Paul's, and the Court was shut up, and all the people were gone, and then I went into Pauls-Church-yard, to look for my wife, and leaning my back against a draper's stall, I saw the Cushions fly over men's heads, and into the dirt, and men kicked them; but who they were, I know not; but my Lords, under your lordship's favour, I do conceive that the Commissioners themselves were only in the fault; for, if they had done as in other Courts of Justice, that is, in this manner, Be uncovered in the face of the Court, Gentlemen keep silence, Give audience to the Court; or my Lords, in the third place, if they had made Proclamation, and deferred the Court until some other time, there would have been no tumult at all, but they broke away from the Court, and the people followed hooting as Birds at an owl. After all this, my Lords, I with my wife and her sister and two or three more, went into the uppermost house in Carter-Lane, and there we drank a cup of beer together, and then parted some of the company; myself, my wife, and one other went to Master seaman's his Lecture in Bred-street, and there heard both Service and Sermon. And thus have I given your Lordships an account, how I spent the whole day on Thursday last. Archbish. Then said the Archbishop, but you were in the country, and there you made Conventicles and preached. Quater. My Lord, I was in the country, but made no Conventicles, nor yet did preach. Quater. My Lord, I never made any Conventicle since I knew any thing that was good. But I was close by where a fearful Conventicle was, and that upon the Sunday or Lord's day, where were at the least two thousand met together, to blaspheme God, and to profane his holy Sabbath, abuse his creatures, and to misspend their precious time, to the great dishonour of God, and the provocation of the eyes of his glory. And my Lords, except your Lordships speedily look to it for a Reformation, the judgements of God will fall upon this kingdom. But my Lords, if this be a Conventicle, when the judgements of God be upon the Land, for a people to meet together, and humble themselves, and pray before the Lord; we are far off from Salomon's judgement; for he saith, If the Lord send a judgement among the people, if the people that are called by his Name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek his face, and depart from their wicked ways, God will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal the Land. And my Lords, are not the judgements of God upon us? is here not the plague of pestilence, and a threatened famine, and the sword of war hanging over our heads? and shall not we my Lords, humble ourselves in the sense of God's displeasure? It is an argument, my Lords, that there is no Religion among us. Lord Newborg. Then said the Lord Newborg; at such meetings Lord Newborg as these are, Master Quatermayne, in what manner do you perform your d●…ties? Quater. My Lord, thus; we pray, and we read the Scriptures, and as well as we are able find out the meaning of the Holy Ghost therein, and what we understand from the Word, we impart to our company. A Lord. So, said one of the Lords, and is not this Preaching? A Lord. Quater. No, my Lord, I do not understand it so, it is nothing but godly Conference, which every Christian man is bound to do and perform; for it is our duty to edify and build up one another in our most holy faith, which we cannot do, except it be opened unto us. Archb. Then said the Archbishop, this is his constant practice in city and country, to draw people togeth●…r, and to make 〈◊〉. Quater. My Lord, I want information in my judgement, I understand n●…t wh●…t you mean by Conventicle, I did alw●…yes think, that public duties did not make void private, but that both might stand with a Christian. Archb. No more it doth not, said the Archbishop, but your Conventicles are not private. Quater. My Lord, I am sure they are not public; I pray, my Lord, inform my judgement what a Conventicle is. A●…chb. Why, this is a Conventicle, said the Archbishop, when t●…n or twelve or more or less, meet together, to pray, read, preach, expound, this is a Conventicle. Quater. My Lord, I do not so understand it. Archb. No, saith he, my Lord chief Justice, I appeal to you, whether this be a Conventicle or no. Sir Edward Littleton. But my Lord chief Justice answered Sir Edward Littleton. nothing. Quater. My Lord, under your lordship's favour, I know it is no Conventicle, neither by any Statute, nor Cannon Law of this kingdom, if this be a Conventicle, than I will be a Conventicler while I live, with God's help, I kept a Conventicle in my house the last Wednesday, if this be a Conventicle. My Lord, I did never come to your Court, but I set apart the day before to 〈◊〉 to God for a blessing to direct me how to carry myself before you. Archb. Ay, so you may in private, so it be only with your own family. Quater. And nobody else, my Lord, truly my whole family consists wholly in my wife and myself, and therefore I must call in my neighbours to help me, for this duty if it be kept as it ought, will require more than a man and his wife to keep it. Archb. You were at Watlington, and there be many of the Scottish faction there. Quater. At Watlington, my Lord, I was borne there, will you not give me leave to go into the country to visit my friends. Archb. Yes, but not to make Conventicles, and Preach. Quater. My Lord, you said I m●…ght in private, and when I am there, I am as at home, and my Lord, we always did it in private, and not in the public Congregation. Lord N●…wborg. Then said the Lord Newborg, how do you pray, M●…. Quatermayne, at such meetings? Quater. My Lord, I will tell you how we pray, we pray thus, that the Lord will be graciously pl●…ased, out of all these combustions and confusions, to bring forth a sacred Order for the establishment of the gospel, the rooting out of Popery, superstition, and Idolatry. For the uniting of the two kingdoms together, England and Scotland, in peace, and settling his majesty and his posterity royal in peace, that so we may live under our own Vines and figtrees, to serve our God, and to be loyal and obedient to our King and sovereign, and loving and charitable one to another. Lord Cottington. Then said the Lord Cottington, the Lord, Lord Cottington. the Lord, and why not our Lord, or Jesus Christ, or God almighty? Quater. My Lord, I am not willing to misphrase the Scriptures, neither am I willing to displease your Lordships, therefore, whether I say our Lord, or God, or Christ, or God almighty, the Scripture will bear me out in what I say. Lord Cottington. The Lord, the Lord, what Lord do you mean; do you mean the Lord Wentworth? Quater. No, my Lord, I do not mean the Lord Wentworth, I know him not, nor am I acquainted with him, but that Lord that I mean, is the Lord of Heaven and Earth. Lord privy seal. The Lord, said the Lord privy seal, Lord privy seal. do you find fault with the man, for saying the Lord, he speak●…th to the purpose, why is not the Lord in Scriptures as well to be spoken, as our Lord, or Christ, or God almighty? Lord of Dorset. My Lord, said the Lord of Dorset, you loose time, the man speaketh punctually to the purpose, the Lord, it is the principal title that God is denominated in the Scriptures by. Archb. You were at Watlington, and there be of the Scotish faction. Quater. My Lord, I know not what you mean by the Scotish faction. Lord Cottington. Yes, said the Lord Cottington, I think you do, and I believe, if you were well examined, you would be found one of the principal. Then many of the Lords cried out of the Scots, and called them rebels and traitors. Archb. Ay, said Canterbury, we have proved them traitors and Rebels. Lord Cottington. They must needs be traitors and rebels, when they shall come in such hostile manner, to invade his majesty's realm, and rob and spoil his Subjects. Archb. Ay, said Canterbury, and under pretence of Religion, to invade the Land. Lord Cottington. Then said the Lord Cottington, what do you think of the Scots, Mr Quatermayne? Quater. My Lord, if you examine my conscience, I pray do it by Scriptures. Archb. You say right, said Canterbury, I never did otherwise, nor will do. Lord Cottington. Then said the Lord Cottington again, Master Quatermayne, what do you think of the Scots? Quater. My Lord, I think more than I will speak. Then said another Lord, you hear that they be proved traitors, what do you think of them now? Quater. My Lord, I have thought formerly, that those things that your Lordship now says were not true, I know not now what cause I may have to al●…er my thoughts. Another Lord. But what do you now think of them, Master Quatermayne? Quater. Then said I, my Lord, if they be traitors, let them suffer as traitors. Lord. Master Quatermayne, what do you think of them? Quater. My Lord, whatsoever I think, I will say nothing. Lord Goring. Then said the Lord Goring, Master Quatermayn, how do you judge of the Scots? speak your mind freely, you need not be so shy, here is none that will wrong you. Quater. My Lord, I cannot judge at uncertainty, I hear one thing now, and another ●…hing anon, I hardly hear one thing twice together, and therefore I will suspend my judgement. Then said two or three Lords together, what do you say of the Scots? speak your mind freely, you hear they are proved traitors. Quater. My Lord, you say you have already proved the Scots traitors, and I have said, if they be traitors, let them suffer as traitors, and my Lord, if you have proved them traitors, you do not want my approbation; for if I say, they are traitors, or if I say, they are not, it proves them neither to be, nor not to be traitors, and therefore I will say nothing. Sir ●…homas Row. Then said Sir Thomas Row, and the Lord 〈◊〉 Tho. Row. Goring, What do you believe concerning the ●…cots, i. Master Quatermayne? Quater. To whom I answered, my Lord, I do believe all the Articles of my Creed. Sir Thomas Row and Lord Goring. Then said both those, I Sir Tho. Row. and Lord Goring. think you do, for you seem to be a man of judgement, but do you believe the Scots are traitors? Quater. My Lord, it was never no Article of my faith, for I never found it in my Creed; with that they all smiled. P. S. and Arch. Then s●…y the Lord privy seal and the Archbishop, Well, for all this, we shall prove, that you were the chief cause of the riot at Paul's on Thursday last, and therefore Sir John banks, I pray receive information from Master 〈◊〉 general. Lathom, and Master Lathom go you to Master attorney general, and give him instruction, how he shall draw the Bill of information. Quater. My Lords, if you please, you may make an end of the busin●…sse without any further trouble, for whatsoever I have spoken before your Lordships, I will prove by sufficient witnesses. Then divers of them said, we have sufficient proof Master Quatermayne, that you were the cause of the Tumult, you shall go forth, and if we have occasion, we will call you in again anon. Quater. So I departed from them, thinking by their fair speeches and carriage, I had been directly freed, but it proved otherwise; for in my absence, the Register had informed them very falsely and wickedly, and promised to prove against me, whatsoever he said. Then afterwards the Messenger was called unto, and was by the Lords charged to look unto me, and keep me safe, but to use me kindly. And one of the Lords said, for aught I see, he will maintain any thing he hath done. And so I returned again in peace to my prison in Southwark. And this is the sum and substance of the Conference had with the Lords of the council. And the Lords writ a Letter, and sent it by another Messenger to Sergeant green in London, (I will not say as David by Uriah but I leave it to your wisdom to judge by the sequel of the Story following. Upon the next day, which was the twenty sixth day of October, 1640. I was carried into London to Sergeant GreenesHouse, and when I came to him, he did appoint me to be at the Guild Hall at two of the 〈◊〉 the same d●…y. And when I came there, there was a great preparation, both halberts, Bills, and constable's Staves, to the number of three or four hundred, n●…ver the like in London seen before, and three or four thousand Auditors and Spectators, and all their Conference was about me; and all concluded, that I should die; and many sweet and worthy Christians came to me, to comfort me. But especially, Master Goodin, that Reverend Divine, who told me, I was not a man to be pitied; and his reason was, because I was able to bear my burden, and those that were miserable, were to be pitied. Then came the Lord Major and his Brethren in Oyor and Terminor, the Commission being read, a Jury of inquiry was impanelled, of three and twenty men, round about doctor's Commons, which is the foundation of Ignoramus school; a Jury of life and death being in readiness, (for their intent and purpose was I should have died before next morning) the Bill was given to the Jury, where in were fifteen persons more, for show only, their aim being only at me, as by the sequel it did appear; a great number of persons were produced to take their Oaths against me, which they did to the purpose, as they thought; Then was I had into the Court of Aldermen, to be examined by Sir Christopher Clethero, Sir Edward 〈◊〉 Sergeant Greene, and Sergeant pheasant: which examination of mine, with my own hand 〈◊〉 annexed; because it is included in my Speech with the Lords of the council, I here omit, as being too tedious. After my Examination, I was caused to walk in the Gallery, conveyed into that place (as it seemed unto me) as a sheep to the sl●…ughter. It was in such a place, as I might have called long enough before I could have been heard, and there was a back way that I should have gone to execution, had the Jury but found the Bill, as I was informed by honest men. And now I return to the Jury, for the carriage of that there were indirect courses used by all the Sergeants, to inform the Jury against me. Likewise a Sergeant of the sheriffs, did most grossly abuse the jury and hi●…selfe. But the jury could not agree, there, were many want 〈◊〉 among them, that had never been of a jury before, as I have been likewise informed. There were two very understanding men, one Master Nicolson, and Mr Mcredith, that h●…d been Grand jury men oftentimes before, and they made it appear plainly to the Lord Major and the Sergeants, that I was every way innocent, and could not be guilty, and all the Oaths that had past were to no purpose, and not concerning the thing at all; yet notwithstanding, by the information of the Sergeants, and the pressing upon them by the Officer of the Court, one and twenty of them were agreed to find the Bill. But beloved Christian, take notice I pray thee, of the special hand of God, and join with me 〈◊〉 thanks giving to the Lord, for so great a Deliverance. When the jury came in, Sergeant Stone, who ●…ar Judge of the Court, asked them if they were agreed, Master Nicolson said, We are not agreed; we find it ignoramus, we cannot find Master Quatermayne guilty; with that, there was a great shout in the Hall with a thousand voices, as taking it for granted, I should be freed. Then said the Forman of the jury, there be one and twenty of us agreed; then said the judge, you may yield up the Bill, they are some wise men that shall stand against one and twenty, Who shall speak for you, said the Iudge●… our Foreman, said the jury, Give up your Bill, said the judge, here it is, here is nothing written in it, said Sergeant Stone; then said the Foreman of the jury, But we are all agreed of our Verdict; How do you find it, said Sergeant Stone. Then said the Foreman, A B●…ll of error, wherein the words of the Prophet a●…e made good, Man purposeth, h●…t God disposeth; You are all agreed indeed, said the Lord Major S Hen: 〈◊〉: For one saith, ●…gnoramus, and all the rest saith, A Bill of error. Wherein Christian Reader, 〈◊〉 give thee another hint of a special mercy; for, if the Lord Major had been willing to have had my life, as I judge more charitable of him, he might have bid them return into the jury room, and write upon the Bill, and then I had been found, but the Lord 〈◊〉 his heart, that he appointed them a longer tim, and adjourneth the Court until the Tuesday 〈◊〉 following, which was the third day of November (the first day of the Parliament) in the afternoon. I conceive one reason my Lord Major might have the twenty-nine of October, he was to leave his place, and it was his wisdom not to carry the guilt of innocent blood with him upon his conscience, and peradventure he might also think that they would proceed no further, in regard of the Parliament. And this is the sum and substance of the first proceedings in this Sessions, which continued until between seven and eight a Clock at night, and then to my prison again, with as much joy and peace as I could contain or hold, attended on by hundreds of the Saints of God. I looked on that place in the one and thirty psalm, the fifteenth Verse, where the Prophet David saith, My times are in thy hands: Whence I concluded thus much, that if my times were in God's hands, then neither in Canterbury's nor in Cottingtons' hands, and that as the creature could not give life, no more it could not take away life. But I concluded, if my death might be as Samson's, the pulling down of the English Antichristian hierarchy, the pulling down the devilish spiritual Courts, than should I gladly sacrifice my life in the cause of the gospel, for Christ and his true English Church. And now to return back to that from which I have a little digressed; between that time and the next Sessions, the old Lord Major going out of his place, and the new one coming in, the spirit of jealousy fell into the hearts of my enemies, and wrought so deeply in them, that they plotted more cunningly to take my life then before, they being afraid, as indeed it did fall out, that the jury would learn more wit and be better advised between that and the next Sessions, made the Commission, and Bill, and jury, and all void, as if nothing at all had been done, and our three London Sergeants in their Scarlet road in thei●… Co●…ches to the Court, to procure a new Commission sealed, which they got upon the Lord's day in the morning Of Sir Jo. Finch Lord Keeper. about Sermon time. And then the new Lord Major, Sir Edward Wright sent for Smith the Sergeant, giving him a strict Charge to warn a Jury of special able men, telling him that it was for a business of greater consequence than he took it to be, and so it was done accordingly. And now Christian Reader, I will lead thee along from my Prison in Southworke, to my next Sessions holden in the Guild Hall in London; where were twenty Constables, and each man had twenty Watchmen to attend with Bills, and halberds, and a greater number to see me then at my first coming; more to see me then were to see Doctor duck let down and pulled up with a Rope at the High Commission Court in Paul's. So we ascended up into the Court, and the old jury fitting themselves to give in their Bill, all jointly did assent to give up their Bill Ignoramus. But when they came into the Court, supposing to begin where they left off, they found it otherwise, for there was a new jury impanelled, and a new Commission read, and a new Charge given, and the old forsworn Witnesses anew swo●…ne, and the old jury much disgraced by Stone our London Sergeant: which jury had learned more wit or wisdom in his absence, than ever he would have taught them being present. So the new jury being called by their names, they answered to them, three and twenty were summoned to appear, and did all appear, but six of them were not called, because (Said the Register) they are Puritans, of Quatermayns faction. Then Stone the Sergeant, sitting as Judge, told me it was not fit I should be in the Court. Then said I to my Lord Major, my Lord, so your proceedings be to God's glory, and the good of the commonwealth, and in a just way for my own particular, my presence shall not be hurtful to you; you have chosen a jury of wise discreet Gentlemen, I am willing to refer myself unto them. Then said Sergeant Stone, K●…epe him safe Messenger, you must look unto him; Then I answered him again, My cause is good, and I will not start, though you would give me a thousand pounds. Then answered my Lord Major, I think you will not Master Quatermayn, than the jury looked upon me, and when they looked upon the Witnesses, how like Rogues they looked; then I answered Said the Jury. they are of the Court, meaning they were of the High Commission Court. So the jury going into the jury-room, my adversaries thought, they had expunged all Puritans out of the company, but they were utterly deceived; for one Master Lee, a Vintner at the sun Tavern at Cripplegate, a very wise and judicious man, did so debate the matter with the rest of the jury, that notwithstanding my enemies, which were the enemies of the truth, had cast such aspersions upon me, saying, that I was an Arian, an Anabaptist, a Separatist, a Familist, and the like, he made them to see clearly, that the Bill could not be found against me, yet notwithstanding, they did not make an end that night. At length the jury being often called upon to bring in their Bill, it being late in the night, the jury came forth, and Sergeant Stone asked them if they were agreed, they answered they were not agreed, than inquiry being made how the business stood, seven would have found the Bill, and ten were against it, and so the Sessions for that night ended, until the next Friday following, being the sixth of November 1640. Loving Christian Reader, I will put thee in mind of one thing, my persecutor said, he would have my life, though it cost him five hundred pounds, and another said, that if Quatermayn were not hanged within six hours, he would be hanged for him; but the first hath missed of his purpose, and the l●…st hath time enough to choose his gallows, or to repent hims●… of his precipitated malice. And this is the sum and substance of our second S●…ssions, and I returned home to my prison again, waiting upon the Lord for my free and full deliverance in his own good time. In the mean time, there were three or four Letters sent from the Lords of the council, or the councillor of the The Archbishop. Lords, to the Lord M●…jor and the Sergeants; but what was in them, I know not, God in his due time, I hope, will reveal it. Besides, divers Messengers were sent to the place where I was imprisoned, to see whether I were safe or no. And now Christian Brother, I shall lead thee to my jail-delivery. And this proved a Sessions of peace, for when we came thither, there was neither Constable nor Watchman, so the jury after some certain time came forth and desired audience, for they would give up their Bill, and the three Sergeants would not receive it, by reason that my Persecutor the Register of the High Commission Court was not there, but at length Lathom came in, and then the jury was called, and they were all agreed but one, and they yielded up the Bill, and it was a Bill of Vera., for one Reynolds a Waterman and Ignoramus for all the rest. At which word, there was a great rejoicing among the people; but Lathom looked as pale as ashes, than I blessed God with these two words, Truth is strong and will prevail; and then divers good Christians took me by the middle, and said, Master Quatermayne, you are sr●…ed; and I said, Blessed be God, who is the deliverer of his people. Then William Barrife, who was one of the jury, was called for, who would not assent with the rest of the jury; but see the hand of God in this also; for he was fined forty shillings for his absence, and was glad to submit to his Brethren, and entreat the favour of the Court for his fine. Then I spoke to my Lord Major and his Brethren, saying; Is it in your power to free me, seeing I am freed by the jury? And they answered, No. Then I asked if they had not authority in those Letters that they had received, to free me; but they answered me, No. Then I told them, I would use means myself. And thus was I most graciously delivered from the lion, and the bear, and the uncircumcised Philistines, and the Diotrephes, the troubler of the people of God, by their prating of many swelling words of vanity; But the Net is broken, and I am delivered; to God only. be the glory; and to the Instruments thereof due respect and praise. AMEN. THE PRAYER. THou, oh Lord God omnipotent reigneth, holy are thy ways, just are thy works, great are thy mercies, dreadful are thy judgements, oh King of Saints. Oh Lord, who is like unto thee? Thy goodness and mercy, Oh most mighty God, encompasseth us round on every side. Thou, oh Lord, hast said, Thou wilt be a wall of fire round about thy people, and the glory in the midst of them. Thou h●…st said, Thou wilt be a sun and a shield to thy Servants, and no good 〈◊〉 wilt thouwithhold from them that walk uprigh●…ly before thee, but grace and glory wilt thou give unto them. Thy people of old believed in thee, they called upon thy Name, and were delivered. Thou never ●…allen them that put their 〈◊〉 thee. Oh Lord who is it then that doth know thy Name, but will trust in thee. Oh Lord, I am thy Serva●…t; the son of thy hand●…; Thou haste broken my bands in sunder, and set my fe●…te in a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that I ●…ht 〈◊〉 the ways of thy C●…mmandements, ●…nd so serve thee with an upright heart, and a willing mind. I have ●…ound by 〈◊〉 experience, Oh Lord, that the issuos from death are in thy hands. The enemies plotted and contrived to take away the life of thy Servant, and yet behold Lord, thou didst most 〈◊〉 deliver him. The Net was laid, the Pit was digged, thy servant freed, and his and thine enemies ensnared and covered. Oh Lord, praise waiteth for thee in Zion, and unto thee shall the Vow be performed. Thou hearest Prayers, and therefore unto thee shall all flesh come. O Lord, thou haste done wondrous things. Thy promises of old are faithfulness and truth. Oh Lord, what shall I render unto thee for thy great goodness, and loving kindness, showed to thy Servant. I will take the cup of Salvation, and give praise unto thy name, Thou haste good Lord, preserved me from the lion and the bear, and the usurping tyrannous Philistines of the Kingdom, to what end, dear Father, but that I should not forget the loving kindness of the Lord, but be still mindful of his Covenant. Thy outstretched arm hath been my defence. Thy right hand, Oh Lord, hath the pre-eminence. Thy right hand dear Father, hath brought mighty things to ●…asse. I shall not dy●… through the malice of the enemy, but 〈◊〉 live, through the goodness of my God, to declare the loving ?…?ness of the Lord. I am resolved to make my boast of thy praise, all the day long my tongue shall never cease to speak of thy goodness whilst I have a being; for, Thou bringest down to the grave, and raisest up again. Thou dost all thy works to be had in remembrance of all that are ●…ound about thee. If any Creature that ever thine ●…and hath made, hath cause to magnify thy Name, and to declare thy praise, then have I much more. Mine enemies did as it were cast Lots upon my Vesture, and had so numbered my days, as that they thought within six hours to take away the life of thy Servant; and yet behold Lord some dead, ●…me run away, and others imprisoned, as thine the Churches, the States, and G●…mmon mealths enemies and yet dear Father, thy Servant preserved alive, to take notice of thy mercy in believing thy holy promise, where thou sayest, Thou wilt deliver the righteous out of trouble, and bring the wicked in their stead. Oh Lord, I have found that my tim●… are in thy hands, and not in the han●… of my enemies; yea, I ●…ve and do find by blessed experience, o●… Lord, that as the creature cannot give life, so neither can it take life away, dear Father, I received my life from thee, to glorify thy Name in the discharge of the several actions and duties in my place and calling, and should the enemies deprive me of it, to th●… shame and reproach of the gospel. Oh Lord, thou haste forbidden it, and so it is come to p●…sse, for ever blessed be thy N●…e for it. Lord, thou haste said, that we should be brought before Princes and Rulers for thy Name sake, and yet we should not fear nor take care what to speak, for thou wilt g●… a mouth and a tongue, and behold, dear Lord, thou haste made this promise also good to thy servant. Wherein thou didst so guide him and direct him, as that he did neither deny the truth, nor corrupt his conscience, to please the times; at that time, dear Father, thou didst skill his heart full with joy, and peace in believing, that all things should work together for his good, when the enemies, oh Lord, did coop him up and appoint him as a sheep for the slaughter. ●…hen didst thou lengthen his life, and prolong his days, to tell of all thy wondrous works. I will therefore sing of thy praise all the day long; for thou haste showed kindness to thy servant. Thou haste multiplied thy hand of bounty, I will never forget thy free and full acts of love vouchsafed to me. dear Father, I beseech thee to direct thy Servant what to do, and how to carry himself in this his Pilgrimage, that so ●…e may glorify thy Name, and endeavour to 〈◊〉 thy people, that others may by his example be encouraged to walk on constantly, conscionably, and faithfully, in the pursuit and practice of all the duties of Christianity. Blessed Father, Lord of life and glory, I do most humbly desire thee so to direct me by thy Word and Spirit, that as thou hast miraculously and mercifully preserved me from all dangers on the right hand and on the left, from the malice and fury of mine enemies, I may now in an humble acknowledgement of thy goodness, walk before thee in all holy and humble subjection to thy blessed will in all things. To this end, I beseech thee, ●…athe my soul 〈◊〉 that ●…ountaine that thou hast opened to the house of Judah, and the johabitants of Jerusal●…m to wash in. Make good that holy promise more and more to my soul, wherein thou hast said, Thou wilt wash me from mine uncleanness, and sprinkle me with clean water. dear Father, it is thy good pleasure, that in Christ the godhead should dwell bodily, that so I might be made partakers of the divine nature, yea, that in him all fullness should dwell, that so I might receive grace for grace. Now I besecch thee, dear Father, let it not be with me as with Pharaoh's lean Kine, that I may still feed upon the fat and 〈◊〉 promises of the Gos●…ell, and yet remain a starveling to thy great dishonour, and the reproach of Religion. But grant, 〈◊〉 beseech thee, that in the use of all holy means I do so plentifully enjoy, I may grow up to that age, stature, fullness, and 〈◊〉 of thy saints in Jesus Christ, that so as thy band hath and still is upon me for good, so my heart may always meditate on thy Statutes, and my tongue may speak of all thy wondrous works. Blessed Father, I beseech thee to anatomize my heart, and spiritualise my soul, and see if there be any wickedness in me; and by thy Word and 〈◊〉 it, divide between the soul and Spirit, and joints and marrow of my corruption, and so separate between the precious and the vile; that all iniquity may be removed far away from my person, and from my Tabernacle, that so O Lord, for the time that is to come, I may wall evenly with thee in the path that is called holy, that so I may have my fruit in holiness, and at the end eternal life, that being guided by thy counsel here, I may at last be brought to glory. Good Lord grant that I may never be of that number that doth so we to the 〈◊〉 to reap●… corruption, but of those that doth so we to the Spirit and reap life everlasting, that I may never as formerly dig broken 〈◊〉 that will hold no water, but that I may drink deeply of that fountain of the water of life, my fresh springs being found in thee, that so 〈◊〉 soul may be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which is to the praise of thy rich grace by faith in Christ ●…esus. dear Father, I have three grand enemies to grapple with, the world, th●…●…lesh, and the devil, the least of which is too great for me to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, if my weakness be not supported, and my wants supplied. But yet I know that thorough Jesus Christ that strengtheneth me, I may by faith make the devil fly, overcome the world, and get my own heart purified: 〈◊〉 although holy Father of myself being poor, weak, and contemptible, I can do nothing, yet thorough Jesus Christ that strengtheneth me, I can do all things; for he is the right hand of thy power, and strong arm of thy salvation, in and from whom thou hast received full compensation to divir●… just●…ce for the sins of all the Elect, and in particular for me thy unworthy servant. I beseech thee 〈◊〉 Lord, so long as thou hast any employment for thy unworthy servant in this 〈◊〉 and transito●…y life, so long as these few broken ends of mortality doth remain, be thou pleased, who doth all things according to the counsel of thine own will, so to uphold me in the way of holiness, that in all th●… actions of my general and special calling, I may glorify thy great Name, 〈◊〉 my Brethren, propagate the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, stop the mouths and put to silence the tongues of wicked and ungodly men, for this is the will of thee my God as touching thy servant. I beseech thee, O Lord, be not angry with poor sinful dust and ashes, and I will speak but this one time, and it is in the behalf of the generation of thy first borne, whom thou from eternity hast set thy love upon, and still 〈◊〉 delight in to extend mercy to. It is the Vine which thine own hand hath planted holy holy, Lord, look down from Heavn, behold, and visit this Vine. The straits of thy people are great, but deliverance is in thine own hands, thy mercies are thine own, I beseech thee therefore, O Lord, consider how deeply thine own glory is involved in the great cause of thy Church. Behold, the insolency, pride, and subtilti●…, of thine enemies, and look upon the imbecility and weakness of thy people, and let that ancient motive which from the beginning, and 〈◊〉 ages, did stir thee up to do good to thy people, provoke thee at; this time to be merciful to thy Church, because mercy 〈◊〉 thee. O Lord, thou h●…st in thy Word spoken great things of thy Servants concerning their deliverance, and also gathering thy Churches from the four Corners of the World; and that thou wilt raise up thy Jerusalem, and make it the praise of the whole Earth, and is not now the time come wherein thou wil●… extend thy mercy to Zion? O Lord is not yet the time fully come? Hath she not line long enough in the dust? Hath not the Plowers ploughed long furrows on her buck for a long s●…ason? Hath not O Lord, the Fox●…, the subtle Foxes broke off her fruitful bows, spoiled her grapes, and would not let them cluster? Good Lord, hath not thine enemies mingled our Wine with water, our silver with dross, and thy pure worship with superstitious vanities? And shall they, O Lord, prosper, that thus run along in their wickedness, eating up thy pe●…ple even as bread, ●…vouring thy precious Saints, and sacred truths, as much as in them lieth? And will not our God return, and cause the light of his countenance to sh●…ne upon his. Sanctuary? Thou hast said, O Lord, that thou never biddest the sons of Jacob seek thy face in vain; is not the time yet come that the Stone cut out of the mountain without hands, shall grow to be a mountain, and fill the whole earth? When, O Lord, wilt thou give the Kingdoms of the earth to the Saints of the most High? When shall our Sister that hath no breast, desire the sincere milk of the gospel? When Lord, shall those dry bones live? When dear Father, shall the great River Euphrates be dried up, that thy redeemed may pass over? When shall that Monarch of Rome and Hiera●…chy of England which makes the real Antichrist, not only be discovered, but rooted out and consumed, that thy Saints may rejoice their hearts, and warm their hands at that great bonfire so long desired, that the Lord Jesus Christ may reign in his Church. dear Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, Gird thy Sword upon thy thigh, O thou most mighty, strike thorough the loins of thine, and thy church's enemies. Root out all them that delight in superstitious vanities; avenge the quarrel of thy Covenant, and maintain thine own glory. Bless thine own work, O Lord, the great Reformation already begun in this kingdom; yea, bless O Lord, the Parliament, that strong arm of flesh, which thou hast sanctified and preserved to do great things by, let not our hopes be made frustrate; let not the malicious purposes of thine enemies come to pass, lest they grow too proud. O Lord, bless the King's majesty, with spiritual, corporal, and eternal Blessings, that he may so comply with his Parliament, that all differences may quietly be composed, Religion may flourish, scandalous dumb dogs removed, and faithful Pastors and Teachers planted in their rooms, with those sacred governors and government; which Christ hath instituted in his Church. Bless the Queen, the Prince, and the rest of that royal Race: Lord, let thy blessing be upon all states and degrees of people, as if their names were particularise before thee. Good Lord, cause wars to cease in Ireland; let justice and mercy meet together in that kingdom, that thy enemies may justly be punished, and thy people mercifully delivered. Bless those Forces that are employed for that service; send more, and prosper them also; that the great good work hoped for, may be most blessedly accomplished. Good Lord, bless thy blessed people of the Scots Nation, by whom thou hast done so much good to this kingdom, and all others, that thy poor servant is bound to pray for, by duty, Religion, or any band or tie of nature or grace, even for the Lord Jesus Christ his sake. In whom, and for whom, thou receivest poor sinners to mercy. To whom with t●…ine own Majesty, and God the holy Spirit, three persons, one only holy wise God, be rendered, as is most due, all honour, praise, glory, and thanks, now, hence forth, and for ever. AMEN. FINIS.