NEW-ENGLANDS IONAS Cast up at LONDON: OR, A RELATION of the Proceed of the Court at Boston in New-England against divers honest and godly persons, for Petitioning for Government in the Commonwealth, according to the Laws of England, and for admittance of themselves and children to the Sacraments in their Churches; and in case that should not be granted, for leave to have Ministers and Church-government according to the best Reformation of England and Scotland.  
Together with a Confutation of some Reports of a feigned Miracle upon the foresaid Petition, being thrown overboard at Sea; As also a brief Answer to some passages in a late Book (entitled Hypocrisy unmasked) set out by Mr. Winslowe, concerning the Independent Churches holding communion with the Reformed Churches.  
By Major John Child.  
London, Printed for T. R. and E. M. 1647.   

The Preface.  
Courteous Reader,  
THE occasion of Printing this following Relation, are the sufferings that not only my Brother Robert Child Doctor of Physic, with some Gentlemen and others have suffered in New-England in their persons and estates by Fines and imprisonments there, but here in England in their repute by false reports and feigned Miracles invented and spread on purpose by some lately come from thence, and fomented by some others here to colour their unjust proceed.  
First, they give out of my Brother and others, that they desire a Toleration of all Religions.  
Secondly, that they are troublesome persons, and against all government both in Church and Commonwealth.  
Thirdly, that some of them are come from thence to Petition the Parliament for that purpose.  
4ly, that their Petition brought from thence to be presented to the Parliam. (which they had named Ionas) in a Ship called the Supply, being in a storm near Silly, out of horror of conscience, the Petition was come and thrown over board, and that then the storm immediately ceased, and they miraculously saved.  
Now for satisfaction, I present to the Reader these following particulars.  
First, the Petition of the greater part of the Inhabitants of Hingham and the proceed therein.  
Secondly, a Petition of Doctor Child and others delivered to the general Court at Boston with some passages thereupon,  
Thirdly, the Capital Laws of the Massachusets Bay, with the Freeman's Oath as they are printed there by themselves.  
Fourthly, a Relation of that story of Ionas verbatim, as it was delivered to me in writing by a Gentleman that was then a passenger in the Ship.   

The Petition of the greater part of the Inhabitants of Hingham, as it was taken out of the Records of the Court at Boston.  
To the Honoured, the General Court, consisting of the Magistrates and Deputies of the Country now assembled in Court at Boston: The humble Petition of the greater part of the Inhabitants of the Township of Hingham.  
WHereas there hath fallen out some agitations amongst us concerning the choice of our chief Military Officers, which by Order of the Court we have power to choose (as we conceive) So it is that we did elect, and present to the General Court for their confirmation, Mr. Bozoune Allin for our Chieftain: but the Court not having time to finish that business at that time, some other things and overtures have happened since, whereby it hath so fallen out that some of us have been compelled to appear before some of the Magistrates, and to give Bonds for appearance at a Quarter-Court which is to be holden after this General Court; and some for not giving Bond to answer there, are committed to prison, and remain there at present; the matters of accusation (as we conceive) is for certain words spoken by some, concerning the liberty and power of the General Court, and our own liberty granted to us by the said Courts, and to the Country in general; and also it doth concern the Liberty of an English freeborn Member of that State, and further it hath occasioned such disturbance and schism in our Church, and trouble to some of our Members for witnessing against a Delinquent: whereby the power of the Ordinances of Jesus Christ in his Church is slighted, and the free passage thereof stopped, to the endangering of the liberty of the Churches amongst us, if timely remedy be not by your Wisdoms provided. Now seeing the matters in hand doth concern the general liberty of the whole Cowntry, and the peace of the Churches, and glory of God, as we are ready upon the hearing of the Court to make it appear; We humbly sue to this honoured Court to be pleased to grant us an honourable and free hearing, and that we may have liberty to plead our common Liberties in this Court, together with the liberties of the Churches of Christ maintained. And we shall ever pray for your peace and prosperity long to continue.  
For which Petition being fined 100 l. and the Marshal sent to Hingham to levy the said Fine: Mr. Hubbard the Minister of that town being one of them that was fined, the Marshal coming to his house to levy part thereof, produced this effect as followeth taken out of their Records.   

THE RELATION.  
THe 18. of the first Month, 1645. the Marshal going to gather 100 l. in Fines of divers Inhabitants of Hingham, as they were set by the General Court, in the 3. or 4. month past; came to Mr. Peter Hubbard, who desiring to see his Warrant, which the Marshal showing him, upon a sight of it Mr. Hubbard said the Warrant was insufficient, being not sent out in his Majesty's name, he being sworn to the Crown of England; and said that they had sent into England unto his Friends the business, and expected shortly an answer and advice from thence: And that our Government here was not more than a Corporation in England, and that we had not power to put men to death by virtue of the Patent, nor to do some other things we did; and that for himself, he had neither horn nor hose of his own, nor any thing wherewith to buy his children , And he wished that the Magistrates would take some course that the Ministers might be better provided for, and he wondered by what order or rule the Ministers were deprived of their Tithes: but if he must pay it, he would pay it in Books, but that he knew not for what they were fined, unless it were for Petitioning; and if they were so waspish they might not be Petitioned, than he could not tell what to say, (about thirty or forty being present.) And further, that he had seriously considered what they had done, and he could not see any thing they had done amiss, for which they should be Fined.  
Increase Nowell, Secret.   

THE TRIAL BY THE COURT.  
THe names of the Jurymen at the Quarter-Court, the 2. of the 4. Month, 1646.  

Tho. Marshal  
Tho. Boutle  
John Clough  
Edward Dykes  
Tho. Bartlet  
Edward Pason  
Edward Breck  
John Button  
Charles Chedwick  
Richard Goode  
Fra. Smith  
Edward Clapp.   

The Return of this Jury.  
WE do find, that Mr. Peter Hubbard of Hingham, being a Freeman of this Jurisdiction, and having taken the Oath of fidelity thereunto: seeming notwithstanding to be evil-affected to the Government here established; In and upon the 18. day of the first Month last passed, at Hingham aforesaid, in the presence of about thirty persons, did utter divers speeches which are upon record, tending to sedition and contempt of the said Government, contrary to the law of God, and peace and welfare of the Country.  
Upon which Return of the Jury, the Court fined him Twenty pounds, and bound him in Forty pounds to be of good behaviour and to appear at next Quarter-Court; and Mr. Perk bound himself in twenty pounds, for the good behaviour and appearance of Mr. Peter Hubbard at the next Quarter-Court.  
Increase Nowell, Secret.  
The Court on this Trial was kept by these persons— Mr. Winthrop Governor, Mr. Dudley Deputy-governour, Mr. Pe●●im, Mr. F●m, Mr. Hibbins, Mr. Nowell, Mr. Bellingham, Mr. Broadstreet. Only Mr. Bellingham and Mr. Broadstreet required their Dissent to be recorded.    

To the Worshipful, the GOVERNOR, the Deputy-governour, and the rest of the Assistance of the Massachusets Bay in New-England, together with the Deputies of the general Court now assembled in Boston.  
The Remonstrance and humble Petition of us whose Names are here under-written, in the behalf of ourselves and divers within this Jurisdiction.  
HUmbly showeth, That we cannot but with all thankfulness acknowledge your indefatigable pains, continual care, and constant vigilancy, which (by the blessing of the Almighty) hath procured unto this Wilderness the much desired fruits of Peace and Plenty; while our native Land, ye● the Christian world is sharply afflicted with the devouring Sword, and the sad consequents of Intestine wars. And further, That you whom the Lord hath placed at the helm of these Plantations, and endowed with eminent gifts fit for such honourable callings, are best able to foresee the clouds which hang over our heads, the 〈◊〉 and tempests which threaten this poor Handful here planted; and timously to amend them. Notwithstanding, those who are under 〈◊〉, being at present unfit for higher employments, may perceive those Leaks which will inevitably sink this weak and ill compacted Vessel, if not by your Wisdoms opportunely prevented.  
We therefore in the behalf of ourselves and divers of our Countrymen, laying our hands on our breasts, and seriously considering, That the hand of our good God who through his goodness hath safely brought us and ours through the great Ocean, and planted us here, seems not now to be with us, nay rather against us, blasting all our designs, though contrived with much deliberation, undertaken with great care, and proceeding with more than ordinary probability of successful events; by which many of good estates are brought to the brinks of extreme poverty; yea, at this time laying His just hand upon our families, taking many away to himself, striking others with unwonted malignant sicknesses and noisome shameful diseases: Have thought it convenient, with all respectiveness, to present these our sincere requests and Remonstrance to this honoured Court, hoping we have found out the special Leaks, which concurring with the many and great Sins of this place, (which our Consciences know, and our Brethren of England are not ignorant of) are the special causes of the Lords turning his face from us, leaving us to ourselves, and consequently to strife, contention, unfaithfulness, idleness, and other lamentable failings, not blessing us in any of our endeavours, so as to give us any great hopes of Staple-commodities, and consequently of comfortable subsistence; though we to the utmost of our powers these many years, even to the exhausting of our estates and spirits, have endeavoured the same: but contrariwise all things grow worse and worse, even to the threatening (in our apprehensions) of no less than final ruin. Not doubting but you will receive these our Requests and Remonstrance with the same candour of mind, which we, not aiming at novelty and disturbance but at the glory of God, our allegiance to the State of England, and good of these poor Plantations, (if our hearts deceive us not) present them unto you; though for want of skill and other necessary helps roughly drawn up; and hope that you will be more diligent in an ending then we in the searching out the causes of these our present calamities, 〈◊〉 Not to trouble you (who are employed in the most serious affairs of these Plantations) with many wor●●, we shall briefly refer them to those Heads—  
1. Whereas this place hath been planted by the encouragements (next under God) of Letters Patents given and granted by His Majesty of England to the Inhabitants hereof, with many privileges and immunities, viz. Incorporation into a Company, liberty of choosing Governors, settling Government, making Laws not repugnant to the Laws of England, power of administering the Oath of Allegiance to all, etc. as by the said Letters Patents more largely appeareth. Notwithstanding we cannot according to our judgements clearly discern a settled form of Government according to the Fundamental laws of England; which may seem strange to our Countrymen, yea to the whole World, especially considering we are all English. Neither do we so understand or perceive our own Laws or Liberties, or any Body of Laws here so established, as that thereby there may be a sure and comfortable enjoyment of our Lives, Liberties and Estates, according to our due Natural rights, as Freeborn subjects of the English nation. By which many inconveniences flow into these Plantations, viz. Jealousies of introducing Arbitrary Government, (which many are prone to believe) construing the procrastination of such settled Laws, to proceed from an over-greedy spirit of Arbitrary power (which it may be is their weakness) such proceed being most detestable to our English Nation, and to all good men, and at present a chief cause of the intestine War in our dear Country. Further it gives cause to many, to think themselves hardly dealt with, others too much favoured, and the scale of Justice too much bowed and unequally balanced: From whence also proceedeth fears and jealousies of illegal Commitments, unjust Imprisonments, Taxes, Rates, Customs, Levies, of ungrounded and undoing Assessments, unjustifiable Presses, undue Fines, unmeasurable Expenses and Charges, of unconceivable dangers through a Negative or destructive Vote unduly placed, or not well regulated; in a word, of a Non-certainty of all things we enjoy, whether lives, liberties or estates; as also of undue Oaths, being subject to exposition according to the will of him or them that gives them, and not according to a due and unbowed rule of Law, which is the true Interpreter of all Oaths to all men, whether Judge, on Judged.  
Wherefore our humble desire and requesti●●. That you would be pleased to consider of our present condition, and upon what foundation we stand; and unanimously concur to establish the Fundamental and wholesome Laws of our native Country, and such others as are no way repugnant to them, unto which all of us are most accustomed, and we suppose them best agreeable to our English tempers, and yourselves obliged thereunto by the General Charter, and your Oaths of Allegiance: neither can we tell whether the Lord hath blest many in these Parts with such eminent Political gifts, so as to contrive better Laws and Customs, than the Wisest of our Nation have with great consideration composed, and by many hundred years' experience have found most equal and just; which have procured to the Nation much honour and renown amongst strangers, and long peace and tranquillity amongst themselves. And for the more strict and due observation and execution of the said Laws by all Ministers of Justice, that there may be a settled Rule for them to walk by in cases of Judicature, from which if they swerve, there may be some Power settled, according to the Laws of England, that may call them to account for their Delinquency, which may be a good means to prevent divers unnecessary Appeals into England.  
2. Whereas there are many thousands in these Plantations of the English Nation freeborn, quiet peaceable men, righteous in their deal forward with hand, heart and purse to advance the public good, known friends to the honourable and victorious Houses of Parliament, lovers of the Nation, etc. Who are debarred from all Civil employment (without any just cause that we know) not being permitted to bear the least office (though it cannot be denied but some are well qualified) No not so much as to have any Vote in choosing Magistrates, Captains, or other Civil or Military Officers; notwithstanding they have here expended their youth, born the burden of the day, wasted much of their estates for the subsistence of these poor Plantations, paid all assessments taxes, rates, at least equal, if not exceeding others: Yea, when the late War was denounced against the Naragauset Indians, without their consent; their goods were seized on for the service, themselves and servants especially forced and impressed to serve in that was, to the hazarding of the things most near and dear unto them. Whence issue forth many great inconveniences, secret discontents, murmur, rents in the Plantations, discouragements in their callings, unsettledness of mind, strife, contention, (and the Lord only knows to what a name in time it may kindle) also jealousies of too much unwarranted power and dominion on the one side, and of perpetual slavery and bondage to them and their posterity on the other, and which is intolerable, even by them who ought to love and respect them as brethren, etc.  
We therefore desire, that Civil liberty and freedom be forthwith granted to all truly English, equal to the rest of their Countrymen, as in all Plantations is accustomed to be done, and as all Freeborn enjoy in our native Country; we hoping here in some things to enjoy greater liberties than elsewhere, counting it no small loss of liberty to be as it were banished from our native home, and enforced to lay our bones in a strange wilderness. Without imposing any Oaths or Covenants on them, which we suppose cannot be warranted by the Letters Patents, and seem not to concur with the Oath of Allegiance formerly enforced on all, and later Covenants lately imposed on many here present by the honourable Houses of Parliament; or at least to detract from our native Country, and Laws, (which by some are styled Foreign, and this Place termed rather a Free State, than a Colony or Corporation of England) All of us being very willing to take such Oaths and Covenants; as are expressions of our desires of advancing the glory of God and good of this place, of our duties to the State of England and love to our Nation, being composed according to the laws and customs of other Corporations of England. But all of us are exceedingly unwilling, by any policies whatsoever, to be rend from our Native country, though far distant from it; valuing our free Denizations, the Immunities and Privileges which we and our posterity do, and we hope shall always enjoy, above the greatest Honours of this Country not cemented to the State of England; and glory to be accounted though but as Rushes of that Land, and yet that we may to 〈◊〉 to write, that we and ours are English. Or at least we entreat, that the Bodies of us and ours (English subjects possesing here no privileges) may not be impressed, nor Goods forcibly taken away; lest we not knowing the justness of the war, may be ignorantly and unwillingly enforced upon our own destructions. And that all Assessments, Taxes, Impositions, (which are many and grievous) if Civil liberty be not granted) may be taken off, that in all things we may be Strangers: otherwise we suppose ourselves in a worse case here, and less free, then, the Natives amongst whom we live, or any Aliens. Further, that none of the English nation (who at this time are too forward to be gone, and very backward to come hither) be banished, unless they break the known Laws of England in so high a manner, as to deserve so high a punishment. And that those few that come over, may settle here without having two Magistrates hands, which sometime not being possible to obtain, hath procured a kind of banishment to some, who might have been serviceable to this place, as they have been to the State of England, etc.  
3. Whereas there are divers sober, righteous, and godly men, eminent for knowledge, and other gracious gifts of the Holy Spirit, no ways scandalous in their lives and conversations, Members of the Churches of England (in all Ages famous for piety and learning,) not dissenting from the late and best Reformation of England, Scotland, etc. Yet they and their posterity are detained from the Seals of the Covenant of Freegrace, because (as it is supposed) they will not take these Church's Covenants, for which as yet they se● not light in God's word, neither can they clearly perceive what they are, every Church having their Covenant differing from another's, at least in words, yea some Churches sometime adding, sometimes detracting, calling it sometime the Covenant of Grace, sometime a Branch of it, sometime a Profession of the Free-Covenant, etc. Notwithstanding they are compelled, under a severe Fine, every Lord's day to appear at the Congregation, and notice is taken of such who stay not till Baptism be administered to other men's children, though denied to their own: And in some places forced to contribute the maintenance of those Ministers, who vouchsafe not to take them into their Flock, though desirous of the Ordinances of God, etc. yet they are not accounted so much as Brethren, nor publicly so called; nor is Christian vigilancy (commanded to all) any way exercised to them. Whence (as we conceive) abound an ocean of inconveniences; Dishonour to God and his Ordinances, little profit by the Ministry, increase of Anabaptism, and of those that totally contemn all Ordinances as vain, fading of Christian graces, decrease of Brotherly love, Heresies, Schisms, etc. The whole body of the Members of the Churches of England, like sheep scattered in the wilderness without a shepherd, in a forlorn sad condition. We therefore humbly entreat you, in whose hands it is to help, and whose judicious eyes discern these great inconveniences; for the glory of God, and the comfort of your Brethren and Countrymen, to give liberty to the Members of the Churches of England not scandalous in their lives and conversations (as Members of those Churches) to be taken into your Congregations, and to enjoy with you all those liberties and ordinances Christ hath purchased for them, and into whose Name they are baptised; That the Lord may be one, and his Name one amongst us in this place; That the Seals of the Covenant may be applied to them and their posterity, as we conceive they ought to be, till inconveniences hereby be found prejudicial to the Churches, or Colony (which we hope shall never be.) Not doubting but the same Chr stian favour will be showed to all the Members of these Churches, when they shall retire to our dear native Country, (if their conversations be righteous and holy); Or otherwise to grant liberty to settle themselves here in a Churchway according to the best Reformations of England and Scotland. If not, we and they shall be necessitated to apply our humble desires to the Honourable Houses of Parliament, who we hope will take our sad conditions into their serious considerations, to provide able Ministers for us, (this place being not so well provided as to spare any); Or else out of their charity (many estates being washed) to transport us to some other place, where we may live like Christians, and not be accounted burdens, but serviceable both to Church and State.  
These things granted, by the blessing of God to us in Christ, we hope to see the now contemned Ordinances of God; highly prized; the Gospel much darkened, break forth as the sun at noonday; Christian charity & brotherly love almost frozen, wax warm; Zeal and holy emulation, more fervent; Jealousies of Arbitrary Government, the bane of all Commonwealths, quite banished; The wicked, if any such be found, in their courses disheartened; The righteous actors, in their ways, encouraged; Secret discontents fretting like cankers, remedied; Merchandizing, shipping by special Providence wasted, speedily increased; Mines undertaken with more cheerfulness, Fishing with more forwardness; Husbandry, now withering▪ forthwith flourishing; Villages and Plantations, much deserted, presently more populous; All mechanical Trades, the great enrichers of all Commonwealths, bravely going on; Staple-commodities, the life of States, presently raised; Our almost lost credit regained; Our brethren of England's just indignation, and therefore as from a pest flying from us, turned to embraces; The honourable Houses of Parliament, Patrons of Piety, under their wings, in these dangerous times, with all alacrity shrouding us; The Privileges and Immunities which we and ours enjoy in our native Land, more firmly settled; Foreign enemies daily threatening, totally discouraged; Unsettled men now abounding, firmly planted, that the prosperity of England may not be the ruin of this Plantation, but the contrary; Hands, hearts, and purses now straightened, freely opened for public and honourable services; Strife and contention now rife, abated; Taxes and sesses, lightened; The burdens of the State, but pleasure. To conclude, all businesses in Church and Common wealth which for many years have seemed to go backward, beyond our desert, yea expectation, the good hand of our God going along with us, successfully thriving.  
And shall always pray the Almighty the only wise God, to guide you with his wisdom, strengthen you with his power, in all your undertake, that all may be to his glory and good of his people; and that he would bless your Wisdoms with the blessings of peace, plenty, and long days, etc.  
Robert Child, Tho. Fowl, Samuel Maverick, Thoma● Burton, David Yale, John Smith, John Dund.  
This Petition was presented to the General Court held at Boston, May 19, 1646.   

A Relation of the effects this Petition produced.  
THough this Petition of Dr. Child was in a peaceable way presented, only by two of the Subscribers; yet it produced these effects, and thus it wrought—  
First, the Elders (not all, some few being silent) in their Congregations publicly using several Expressions, but to one and the selfsame end; as, That it was a seditions Petition full of malignancy, subvertive both to Church and Commonwealth in their foundations; Some calling these that so Petitioned, or comparing them to Sons of Belial, Judasses', Sons of Corah with sundry appellations of that nature, with some such applications, which seemed not to arise from a Gospel spirit; usually ekeing out their Sermons in large and defamatory declamations both against their Persons and Petition, yea sometimes a whole Sermon, and that not very short neither being spent in enlarged sentences to denote the destructiveness thereof to Church and Commonwealth; yea publicly exhorting Authority to lay hold upon those Petitioners, which the same night they did.  
Nor were the Magistrates in the mean season altogether silent, but spoke in the same key; yea, One publicly in open Court gave charge to the Jury to take notice of such of a Petition, and of such as were that way affected, for they were both Presentable and punishable by their Law; for he said it was a wicked Petition, full of malignancy, subverting the very foundations both of Church and Commonwealth, or words to that effect; And how far it reached, he knew not, pointing (as was apprehended) at a Capital Law there made, here reprinted.  
Now at the next sitting of the General Court, six of the seven that Petitioned, were sent for by the Marshal to come to the Court, where they were charged o'er temus, with great offences contained in their Petition and Remonstrance, against the Court and Government, and that such of them as were bound out of the Jurisdiction, should enter into Bond with security, to stand and abide the Judgement of the Court, and the rest were confined, and charged to attend the Court to the same end. The Petitioners desired to have their Charge in writing, which was then denied; and some added, That was but a trick of them that they might carry it and show it in England: They replied, If the offences were contained in the Petition, they then must needs be such as concerned Government; and that the Parliament, now sitting in England, were competent Judges, and could best discern such errors; and therefore they did appeal to that High Court, and did tender sufficient Security therefore. For which two of them were presently committed, and forced thereby to give Bond to stand to the Order of that Court therein. And the Cause afterwards came to Hearing, notwithstanding they did appeal to the high Court of Parliament, and would have given Security; they were Fined, as appears by this their Censure. And since, two of them, Dr. Child and another, had their Trunks and Studies broke up, and their Papers taken away, and imprisoned close prisoners, and are in danger of their lives by reason of that Capital Law here recited.   

BY THE COURT: In the Years, 1641. 1642. Capital Laws, established within the Jurisdiction of MASSACHUSETS.  
IF any man, after legal conviction, shall have or worship any other god, but the Lord God, he shall be put to death. Deut. 3.6, etc. and 17.2, etc. Exod. 22.20.  
2. IF any man or woman be a Witch, (that is) hath, or consulteth with a Familiar spirit, they shall be put to death. Exod. 22.18. Leu. 20.27. Deut. 18.10, 11.  
3. IF any person shall blaspheme the Name of God the Father, Son, or Holy Ghost, with direct, express, presumptuous, or high-handed blasphemy, or shall curse God in the like manner, he shall be put to death. Leu. 24.15, 16.  
4. IF any person shall commit any wilful murder, which is Manslaughter, committed upon prnmeditate malice, hatred or cruelty, not in a man's necessary and just defence, nor by mere casualty against his will, he shall be put to death. Exod. 21.12, 13, 14. Num. 35.30, 31.  
.5 IF any person flayeth another suddenly in his anger, or cruelty of passion, he shall be put to death. Num. 35.20, 21. Leu. 24.17.  
6. IF any person shall slay another through guile, either by poison, or other such devilish practice he shall be put to death. Exod. 21.14.  
7. IF a man or woman shall lie with any 〈…〉 by carnal copulation, they shall sure 〈…〉 the beast shall be slain and buried. Leu. 〈…〉  
8. IF a man lieth with mankinee, as 〈…〉 both of them have committed abo● 〈…〉 surely be put to death. Leu. 20. ●●.  
9 IF any person committeth adultery v● 〈…〉 used wife, the Adulterer and Adulte 〈…〉 to death. Leu. 20.10. & 18.20. De 〈…〉  
10. IF any man shall unlawfully have carnal ●●peration w●● any woman child under ten years old, either with or without her consent, he shall be put to death.  
11. IF any man shall forcibly and without consent ravish any maid, or woman that is lawfully married or contracted, he shall be put to death. Deut. 22.25, etc.  
12. IF any man shall ravish any maid or single woman, (committing carnal copulation with her by force, against he will) that is above the age of ten years; he shall be either punished with death, or with some other grievous punishment, according to circumstances, at the discretion of the Judges: and this Law to continue till the Court take further order.  
13. IF any man stealeth a man, or mankind, he shall surely be put to death. Exod. 21.16.  
14. IF any man rise up by false witness, wittingly, and of purpose to take away any man's life, he shall be put to death, Deut. 19.16, 18, 19  
15. IF any man shall conspire or attempt any invasion, insurrection, or public rebellion against our Commonwealth, or shall endeavour to surprise any Town or Towns, Fort or Forts therein; or shall treacherously or perfidiously attempt the alteration and subversion of our frame of Polity or Government fundamentally, he shall be put to death. Num. 16. 2 Sam. 3. & 18. & 20.  
Per exemplar. Incre. Nowell, Secret.   

THE OATH OF A FREEMAN.  
I (A. B.) being by God's providence, an Inhabitant, and 〈◊〉 within the Jurisdiction of this Common●● 〈…〉 knowledge myself to be subject to 〈…〉 ●fe And therefore do here swear 〈…〉 ●ful Name of the Everliving God, 〈…〉 faithful to the same, and will ac● 〈…〉 ●ce & support thereunto, with my 〈…〉 equity I am bound; and will also 〈…〉 maintain and preserve all the liberties 〈…〉 of, submitting myself to the wholey 〈…〉 ●inde and established by the same. And further, that I will not plot or practise any evil against it, or consent to any that shall so do; but will timely discover and reveal the same to lawful Authority now here established, for the speedy preventing thereof.  
Moreover, I do solemnly bind myself in the sight of God, that when I shall be called to give my voice touching any such matter of this State, in which Freemen are to deal, I will give my vote and suffrage as I shall judge in mine own conscience may best conduce and tend to the public weal of the body, without respect of persons, or favour of any man. So help me God in the Lord Jesus Christ.   

Concerning the throwing the Petition overboard as a Ionas, it was as followeth.  
WHen the first ship that came this Year 1646. from New-England, was almost ready to come from thence; Mr. Cotton, in his Thursday-Lecture at Boston, preached out of that Scripture, Cant. 2.15. Take us the little Foxes, etc. In his Uses took occasion to say, That if any shall carry any Writings, Complaints against the People of GOD in that Country, it would be as Ionas in the ship, with many words to persuade from such Complaints in England, saying that they should seek for remedy of those things that were amiss, in that place, & tell it not in Gath, nor publish it in Askelon. He also advised the Shipmaster, that if storms did arise, to search if they had not in any chest or Trunk any such Ionas aboard, which if you find (said he) I do not advise you to throw the Persons overboard, but the Writings; or words to that effect.  
Whereupon, having great 
* In the winter-season all passages from N. England are tempestuous.  storms (as could not be otherwise expected) some of the Passengers remembering Mr. Cottons Sermon, it seems were much affected with what he had said; and a woman amongst them came up from between the Decks about midnight, or after, in a distracted passionate manner, to Mr. William Vassal who lay in the great Cabin, but for the present was in the Sterage-door-way looking abroad: she earnestly desired him, if there were any Ionas in the ship, that as Mr. Cotton had directed, it might be thrown overboard, with many broken expressions to that purpose. He asked her why she came to him? and she said, because it was thought that he had some Writings against the people of God: but he answered her, He had nothing but a Petition to the Parliament that they might enjoy the liberty of English subjects, and that could be no Ionas; and that if the best of New-englands' friends could show him any evil in that, he would not prefer it. After this she went into the great Cabin to Mr. Tho. Fowl in like distracted manner; who told her he had nothing but the Copy of the Petition which himself and others had presented to the Court at Boston; and shown, and read it to her, and then told her, That if she and others thought that to be the Cause of the storm, she and they might do what they would with it; but he professed that he saw no evil in it, neither was his Conscience troubled with it. So she took it and carried it between Decks to them from whom she came, and they agreed to throw it overboard, and it was thrown overboard: but the storm did not leave us upon the throwing of this Paper overboard, as it is reported; for they had many great storms after that; much less was the great and wonderful deliverance which by God's mercy he gave unto them from shipwreck and drowning at the Isles of Silly, upon the throwing of that Writing overboard; for that was thrown over long before, at least 14 days. Also the error is the more in this, That the report is that it was the petition to the Parliament that was thrown overboard; and it was only a Copy of a Petition to their own Court at Boston, and the Petition to the Parliament was still in the ship, together with another Copy of that which was thrown overboard, and other Writings of that nature, some of which are printed in this book, and were as well saved as their lives and other goods, and are here in London to be seen and made use of in convenient time.   

POSTSCRIPT.  
THere is a book lately setforth by Mr. Edward Winslow of New England, against Samuel Gorton, entitled [Hypocrisie unmasked] in which there is a deep and subtle Plot against the Laws of England, and Liberties of English Subjects, and the Gentlemen that are now suffering in New-England. This man being a principal opposer of the Laws of England, in New-England; One who is usually in place of Government in New-Plimouth there. Now in N. England there are many several Governments distinct and independent one from and on the other, and none of them have, ever since they came into that Country, governed by the Laws of England, but by an Arbitrary government of their own, nor indeed can they endure the Laws of Eng. This New Plymouth, where M. Winslow is a Magistrate, was the first Plantation in New-England; and as the rest that came after them thither, followed them in their Church-ways, so they follow them in their Arbitrary government. And now he is come over hither, being sent as an Agent for the rest, that the may get strength from the Parliament here, to maintain what they have begun, & made so great a progress in. They have made a Law, that it shall be death for any there to attempt the alteration and subversion of their Frame of Polity or Government, as it is apparent by those Laws in Print set forth by themselves, the Copy whereof is in pag 16. of this Book set forth; and also proceeded to the Fining and Imprisoning of some well-affected English, whom they fear will complain of this their Arbitrary government, that so none may dare to seek for a remedy from the Parliament. We have cause hearty to pray, That (as Mr. Baily sets forth in his book of Dissuasive from the Errors of the times) as from New-England came Independency of Churches hither, which hath spread over all parts here; that from thence also (in time) Arbitrary Government in the Commonwealth may not come hither.  
Now if any man ask how 'tis evident there is such a Plot laid down in that Book? I answer, (to be very brief) I shall give the Reader this light into this design. In his Epistle before the book which he dedicates to the Honourable Commissioners for Foreign Plantations, he makes five Requests to them, the fourth of which is, That they will take into consideration, how destructive it will be to their Plantations, and proceed there, (which saith he are growing into a Nation) to answer to complaints here. See and observe (Reader) how he seeks to stop all Appeals from all their unjust Sentences, whatsoever they may be contrary to the Laws of England. Secondly, he would make their Honours to be the Instruments to stop the Currant of the greatest Liberty of English subjects there; he would engage the Parliament in it; and what a desperate business this would prove, every wise man may easily see: For being begun at this Plantation, by the same rule others might seek it should extend to all other Plantations, and then why not to Ireland? and why shall not example, custom, and fair pretences bring it into Wales and Cornwall, so over England? And by the way (Reader) mark his great boasting that they are growing into a Nation; high concel●s of a Nation breeds high thoughts of themselves; which makes them usually term themselves a State, call the people there Subjects, 〈◊〉 four Governments together without any authority from the King and Parliament, and then term themselves the United Colonies, are publicly prayed for by that title; not giving forth their Warrants in his Majesty's name, no not in time of his most peaceable government, neither taking the Oath of Allegiance before they take upon them their Government, nor ever giving it to any of his Majesty's subjects, etc. Now (Reader) observe their policy, they take the advantage of promoting this design, by beginning to write against Gorton, a man whom they know is notorious for heresy, that so behind him they may creep and get a shot at a better game, may beget a good opinion in the Honourable Commissioners by writing against such a evil man; as also that they may wash away the opinion that good men heretofore have had of them, that they are Separatists and Schismatics, Mr. Winslow their Agent insinuates several things of the good agreement & communion that the Independents in New-England hold with Presbyterians and the Reformed Churches, of which he had discoursed with some godly Presbyterians since his coming over into England, and saith he was earnestly requested by some of the Presbyterian party to publish to the world as much, pag. 97. and thereupon tells a long story of the Church of New-Plymouth belonging to Mr. Robinson of Leyden, holding communion with French and Dutch churches, yea tendering it to the Scots; as also (pag. 93.) how the rest of the Churches in New-England do suffer Presbyterians, and have offered all liberty and privileges to Presbyterians, p. 99 100 But for answer, I say there is a great deal of fallacy in this discourse, and the contrary is too well known and daily practised among the Independents both there and here, not admitting the most godly men into communion among them, not to the acts wherein they hold communion stands properly; keeping Communion with them in Word and Prayer, which they admit to their Indians too. And let them instance, if they can, among many hundreds, yea some thousands of Independents that have come from New-England and Holland, that have come to the Lords supper in our Churches, or done any act among us, in which they hold Church-communion properly stands? 2. Rather than Mr. Winslow will fail of his purpose, he will make the world believe that the Reformed Churches are as much Separatists as themselves are, by describing them with the same description that the Separatists describe themselves, p. 96. That they are a People distinct from the World, and gathered into a holy Communion (he should have said Covenant, which is his sense) and not National churches, and that the sixth person is not of the Church (meaning amongst them) which falsehood of his he boldly affirms, thinking that many will believe because he saith it, but the contrary is well known to those that know them; for in Holland they refuse not to baptise any of their Country-mens-childrens who bring them to be baptised, else would their unbaptized be seen amongst them as well as they are to be seen in New-England; besides 'tis well known the Church of Scotland holds themselves a National church, and hath a National Assembly, and so the Church of Holland and France hold themselves National churches against the Independents. 3. As to the great love he insinuates they of New-England bear to Presbyterian churches, by the example of Proffering certain Scots a Plantation amongst them, where they should share with them in their lands, and enjoy their liberty of Presbyterial government, p. 100 I answer, that passage is strange, and I can hardly believe it, that they who denied so many godly Ministers well known to them, Mr. Ball, Mr. Rathband, etc. English men, the liberty of enjoying Presbyterial government, should grant it to strangers of the Scotish nation. Now that they denied them, is apparent; besides Mr. Rathband and other Ministers testimonies (now with God) and Mr. Ash of the Assembly and others testifying so much, themselves in Print, in the book entitled Church-government and Church covenant discussed, in ans. to the 31 quest. p. 83, 84. confess it, and give reason of their denial. But if it be true there were any such promise to the Scots (which I much question) I am confident they had some design of their own in it, some worldly end or other; as namely, That in those dangerous times, when it was likely that the time in England would soon be so bad that they could not be supplied of necessaries from England, they might then be supplied from Scotland with cloth as leather, & ot●●r commodities; which Plot a very dull Statesman might easily have contriv●●. 4. As for that he says, that Mr. Noyce, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Hubard, have their liberties in New England, who yet are Presbyterian; I answer, the Church of the two first was founded in the Church way of the Independent manner, which is not anew constituted, though they in their judgements are somewhat different, and still they hold many Independent principles, as may be seen by Mr. Noyse's Book lately printed, though some Presbyterian principles. 5. For Mr. Hubard, dares Mr. Winslow says that Mr. Hubard was not punished neither directly nor indirectly, for baptising some children whose parents were not members of their Churches, and that his sharp fines & disgraceful being bound to the good behaviour, had an influence from the baptism of those children? 6. Can any man think that the despiteful passages vented in Pulpits against the Church of England there, by some of their chief Elders, calling England Egypt & Babylon, and saying, that out of their Church-ways we cannot go to Heaven, denying the Scales of the Covenant to some, because they would not confess that there was no way of God lawful to govern the Church by, but the Independent way; and for no other cause as it is ready to be proved, when ever Mr. Winslow or any other Independents will desired meeting, in London, before indifferent Judges; and much more than I will here relate) is a sign of love to the Presbyterian brethren, and of keeping communion with them. 7. Concerning the offer that Mr Winslow saith was made not long before he came away, by the Court, to certain discontented persons demanding liberty for Presbyterial government, that it was freely is openly tendered to them; this is strange news to us here, for we hear not one word of that offer from those Petitioners, although here are letters from some of them dated since M. Winflows coming from thence, that relates that Dr. Child & others of them remained still in prison, save that D. Child hath the liberty to be confined to M. Laeders house upon security of 800. l. bond being given for his abiding there. For a conclusion of this Postscript, I shall desire the Reader by all that hath been said, to observe how Independents are all of a piece, for subtilltie, designs, fallacies, both in New-England and in Old.  
FINIS.