A BRIEF NARRATION OF The truth of some particulars in Mr. THOMAS EDWARD'S his Book called GANGRAENA.  
Concerning one NICHOLS an Anabaptist, some Opinions he maintained to Master Greenhill, and a Discourse that passed between Master Greenhill and Master Burroughs upon occasion of those Opinions.  
By the Author THOMAS AWL.  
LONDON, Printed by T. R. and E. M. for Ralph Smith, at the sign of the Bible in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange. 1646.   

A BRIEF Narration of the truth of some particulars in Mr THOMAS EDWARD'S his Book, called Gangraena, concerning one Nichols an Anabaptist.  
SEeing the hand of providence, for so it is that hath ordered it, and doth order all things, for I had no thought nor knowledge of my being brought upon the Stage in Print, until I saw my name in Master Edward's his Book called Gangraena; for what ends Master Edward's set my name there, or the Discourse I spoke of openly to many, I know not, but himself can best make it out; But my name being in his Book, hath caused many of my friends to look big upon me, and to harbour causeless jealousies against me, and many that formerly were seeming friends have given me very scurrilous speeches and unchristian like language, and would give me no reason of their so speaking, but said I was in Master Edward's his Book, and seeing there are some things that are there that never came from me: And so there are differences grown; therefore that there may be a clear understanding of the truth, I shall impart what is and was my Relation, and leave the rest.  
The first particular wherein I am named in Master Edward's his Book, was about a Petition that was brought unto my hand for the furtherance and promoting of it; which I confess I had the handling of, and carried it up to the Dr H. his house and it was read publicly, which was I conceive the best way, so that if any had aught against it they might understand of it; and it being disliked and opposed by Master Burroughs and Master Greenhill, in the public, I followed it no further; this Petition was for the settling of the Government of the Church, the want of which maketh sad the hearts of such as are dear to God; if any say that the Government understood in that Petition was not right, I say to such, as they tender the honour of God, as they are Christians and tender the credit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, let them bring in another that is more near the Rule of the Word and we shall gladly receive it; and let us make good use of the words of an enemy; Sir Jacob Ashly when he was taken, said, that he thought the work was done, except God give us over in his judgement to fall out amongst ourselves, and so destroy one another; We may see the eyes of our enemies are upon our great divisions, which grow for want of a Government, that may restrain the great wantonness of spirit by the abuse of liberty, which in New England brought forth monstrous Errors. Therefore M. Shepherds letter of New-England (sent over here and in Print) called New-englands' lamentation for old-englands' present Errors and feared future desolation if not timely prevented; Which were worthy of our Noble Senators best and serious thoughts upon it; for experienced counsel is not to be slighted.  
2. Another thing in Master Edward's Book is about Mistress Chidly, who had some discourse with Master Greenhill, and he used arguments unto her, which is true.  
3. Another thing mentioned in Master Edward's his Book, is about one Nichols an Anabaptist, that lived in Moore-Feilds, unto which Master John Goodwin in a Pamphlet hath made some overture, and that from a testimony from Master Burroughs his hand, who said that I know no such man as Mr. Nichols, nor of no meeting concluded of about him, or any of his opinions, either intended, desired or resolved upon. Which testimony of Master Burroughs to Master Goodwin, 
Gangraena, pag. 79.  for aught I know is true in his sense, viz. that he knows no such man as Nichols, or that he never heard that there was such a man in the world, or that there was any meeting concluded of about him. But here is no denial of what I related, or what Master Edward's hath printed, except in the circumstance, that there was a meeting concluded of, at which Master Burroughs was present; for by this ensuing relation it will appear, that what Master Edward's hath related for the substance of it is true also; for I do aver and say that there was such a man as Nichols an Anabaptist in Moore-Feilds, and that the same Nichols did come to Stepney to Master greenhill's, and did hold forth unto him these ensuing damnable Errors.  

1. That God was the Author of all sin.  
2. That Children own no obedience unto Parents, except they be godly.  
3. That all lies come out of the mouth of God; and seemed to prove it out of the Kings, from the lying spirit, who asked leave of God to be a lying spirit in the mouth of the Prophets, and God said, go.  
4. Further, the same Nichols said, That no man or woman went to hell for any sin that they commit; he being asked why any went to hell, he answered, it was the will of God.   
All which particulars Master Greenhill did relate unto Master Burroughs on a Sabbath day following, after the morning Sermon at Colonel Zacharies house, where Master Burroughs usually goeth in after his morning exercise. I being there present with some others, heard Master Greenhill relate this sad Story, with great grief of spirit, and said that it made his flesh tremble to hear such horrid things uttered.  
Master Burroughs replied, Brother, were it not a sad case if so be your wife, and my servants, and children were drawn away to such damnable Errors, and that we could have no other remedy for it, but say Lord have mercy upon us? Master Greenhill said yes so it were.  
M. Burroughs again said, Brother, there is a necessity of a Government and power in the Magistrate, and power over Conscience.  
Then Master Greenhill said, that whosoever should teach unto a people any thing that raceth fundamentals, or any thing that striketh against the power of godliness, or any thing that tendeth to the disturbance of the peace of the Kingdom, aught to be suppressed. Unto whom I answered, Sir, hold forth this in public, and I hope all the godly shall well agree, saying it was as much as I desired.  
Master Burroughs further said, that he in his house was Master, and that he might keep out such a one out of his Family. Master Greenhill answered so he might.  
Again Master Burroughs said unto us, we four of six dwelling at the corner of a street together, bewailing one to the other, how our servants and children and wives are seduced, agree together to keep such a person out of our family. Master Greenhill said, so they might.  
Master Burroughs said, a whole street might join so together to keep such persons out of their families. 'Twas granted so they might.  
Again he said a whole Town might join together, and so a whole County, and then a whole Kingdom might do the same; to which some standers by seemed not to assent; but said Master Burroughs, it is as lawful in the last place as at the first.  
This is the naked truth, a near as I can remember of the discourse about these Errors. And I hope in all this there is no just cause given by me of offence to these two Worthies, Mr. Burroughs and Master Greenhill. But when I first spoke it upon just occasion, I did it to their honour, and so I hope the printing of it will be to show their soundness in judgement against such Errors.  
Now if Master John Goodwin do bundle up such horrid Errors as these to amount to no more nor higher rate than the infirmities of the Saints, as in the beginning of his Pamphlet doth appear, for he saith Satan hath been this four years sifting up; the Author might have taken in (with the same breath) the old Serpent himself into the Catalogue of such Saints, as well as such that held such damnable Errors, as are testified in this Relation. For the Serpent was more moderate, and said unto the woman ye shall not surely die; and did not so impudently say as this Nichols did, who said all lies come out of the mouth of God. But it may be the man upon second thoughts will see his mistake, as that there is no such infirmities as these to be found in the Saints; not in the whole Book of God.  
Now for such a man of Learning and parts, to vent himself with such vain words and jeers, and to make use of Scripture language to serve his own brain and humour, is not as becomes the Gospel of Christ, as will appear if the Reader well weighs his ensuing words, as followeth. Wherein he saith, the Author of the said Treatise known by the mark of a Gangraena, or Cancer in the forehead of it; being as it seems of Satan's counsel, and partaker of his intentions against the Saints, hath diligently swept his floor, & gathered together his sift, all that dross and beggary of weaknesses and infirmities, which Satan (meaning Master Edward's) within the compass of four years by his own confession, was able to sift out of them, and he to come to the knowledge of, and hath ground, kneaded and hath baked it, and made shewbread of it, for such of the Presbyterian sons of Levi, and their retinue to eat as are of his own diet and constitution. Certainly, this language of Master John Goodwin, is not becoming the Minister of the Gospel.  
Having faithfully related the truth of some particulars in Master Edward's Book, touching Nichols the Anabaptist; I thought good for a closure to speak something of a Toleration, which is too much by Master Goodwin and others, in Pulpit, and in printed Pamphlets pleaded for. I have heard some press it from the example of Amsterdame, that it is so there; and I can help them to one place more, which is at Constantinople, where the Turks have places for Mahomet to be worshipped; and they allow the Jews their Synagouges for worship; And also the Greeks have their public places for worship; so the French, Italians and English, have all their liberty of Conscience. Now if the Turks follow the Hollander in this particular, or the Hollander taketh it from the Turks; In them both, it is but for money and Trade's sake, and not for the honour of God. Which God forbidden should ever be so in England: But rather let us follow the best examples of the Saints out of the Word of God, where good Nehemiah would not suffer the Sabbath to be violated, by selling of wares and commodities. Which some in my hearing, and not dwelling far off from me, do plead for, and practise, working on their callings on the Lord's day; and do this out of pretence of Conscience. I pray was it a good law or no in Nebuchadnezar, in Daniel 3.29. where he made decree against any which spoke any thing against the God of Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego, should be cut in pieces. Much more it would hold good against any that act against the known laws of God.  
To come nearer the Gospel, you may find in that Evangelicall Prophet, Zachariah, 13.3. It is said, thou shall not live, for thou speakest lies against the Name of the Lord. So that I do not find, that pretended Consciences have any allowance in the Word of God; neither did the Apostles, and Holy men of God when they suffered use this Argument; You Magistrates, have nothing to do with our Consciences: But pleaded the justness of their cause, and innocency of their persons. Yet not that I would have any man that is a Native English one, though a Jew in opinion or a Papist, or any else, that now are, to be banished, nor imprisoned, nor fined for his Conscience and opinion: But that I would not have them to Congregate and draw others after them; but if it be their Light, as they pretend, or their Faith, let them, as the Apostle saith, have it to themselves.  
And that there may be a stop to these floods of Errors, that are cast out against the Church and truth: I conceive this course might be taken, that no man should take upon him, nor be suffered to Officiate in a Ministerial way, as a Pastor over a people; but such as shall be approved on, and allowed by Authority; as I conceive it is so in New-England; And not a Toleration for every man, to vent his own brain and Errors. For where then will the guilt of the blood that hath been shed lie? If Toleration might be suffered, the Papists sure would never have gone in the fields to have their bellies shot through with bullets; nor our ignorant Country people in Counties and Shires, would never have risen by thousands, if they might have had the Service Book, and good old Prayers (as they call them) still continued unto them. So I conclude, praying for a Reformation, and not a Toleration; and rest a well wisher to Truth and Peace.  
FINIS.   

Imprimatur  
James Cranford. April 24. 1646.