A BLOODY PLOT Discovered against the INDEPENDENTS: WHEREIN Is laid open, the manner of this horrid Conspiracy, and how it should have been executed. With the place and hour when this fatal Blow should have been given.  
Whereunto is annexed: Six Propositions presented to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax; concerning certain Arguments held and maintained by the Independents.  
LONDON: Printed for G. E. January 21, 1647.   

NEWS FROM THE ARMY.  
FRom the Army it is certified, that his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax doth use his utmost endeavour for the appeasing of any Tumults or Mutinies that are (divers times) at their full height and growth, by reason of some contrary Opinions: And is also very desirous that all differences whatsoever may be composed, which are too much springing up in the hearrs of divers Officers and Soldiers in the Army.  
Nay further, divers malignant Spirits in the Countries are too busy in sowing of Discord in this unparallelled Army, by covering their gallant actions with calumnious aspersions.  
Therefore to be brief, and to instance some of these unto you, I shall in the first place intimate unto you, a thing worthy of recital, and fit for public view, viz.  
Upon the last Fast day, divers honest and well affected persons had appointed a meeting within a mile of Northampton, resolving, to express and declare the Scriptures each to other, which accordingly they did: but (with some difficulties) they plunged through certain distempered waters: For, when they were at this holy Exercise, and laying open the Word, comparing chapter with chapter, and text with text, divers of the townsmen seemed somewhat offended, desiring their Minister to send for the chief Instrument of this private Assembly, and to have some conference and disputation with him, concerning their opinions, & the arguments they held, which was accordingly done; and immediately one Mr. Gregory made his appearance at the Minister's house, where it seems some expressions were uttered, that gave him offence; thereupon he declared himself to the General, his Excellency (after some consultation thereupon) referred the business to a Council of War (so ready was his Excellency to redress all grievances of this nature) the Parson presents his Articles to that Council, viz.  

I. THat the said Mr. Gregory had said, that the Parson was a Minister of Antichrist, and not of Christ.  
II. That he thought he was bound to unfold the mind of Scripture, as it was revealed to him.  
III That he had preached not long before in two tubs in Oxfordshire.  
iv That he would preach in the steeple house-yard.  
V That he hoped to see free trading on the Sabbath day.  
VI That he said, that the Psalms were no Scripture.   
The Council of War had a long debate about these Articles, and upon examination of them it was resolved, that none of them were against the Laws and articles of War except only the first article, which (that they might not ways seem to connive at any offence) they brought under that attickle of reproachful speeches, and ordered Mr. Gregory to make an acknowledgement to the Parson. And for further satisfaction, examined the particulars of the other articles (of which few could be proved) yet he made a satisfactory Declaration, concerning what he published in them, and what not, and that he did not deny the Psalms to be Scripture, etc. (as was suggested) so that this judicious Council discharged him upon this acknowledgement, and committed him to prison for one night, leaving the Parson to accuse him elsewhere, if he thought fit.  
Another passage I shall think meet to intimate unto you, which happened very lately in Buckinghamshire, where one Mr. Ives a trooper, preached at the request of some of his friends, and was by divers very well approved of. But the inveterate malice of the Malignant party were grown to such an aspiring height, that most wickedly and barbarously a great number of them had complotted together, to cut of those precious Saints, who had assembled together, in the Name of the Lord Jesus, for the searching & laying open his sacred Word, that so they might be the better able to discover those sweet & soulsaving Notions expressed therein, and to know the Will of their Redeemer. The complotters came to the place where the Independents were, giving out many reviling words, and threatening language, saying that they should all suffer very suddenly. Whereupon, some of the Parliaments forces being near, and hearing of it, came immediately to rescue them, and to apprehend the Conspirators, but being overpowered, they received the worst, divers of them being dangerously wounded. For the Malignant party had got a word, (for the King) that so they might know all those that would side with them against the Roundheads. And being somewhat powerful, and too strong for the Parliaments Party, they got the day, making their escape, and wounded a Captain, and divers others. There is great care taken, though out the Parliaments quarters, for the apprehending of these Complotters. Some of them are men of eminency; but it's hoped a short time will produce their appearance.  
FINIS.