THE INDEPENDANTS MILITARY ENTERTAINMENT.  
OR, Certain Reasons and Arguments why Independants ought not only to be admitted into the Army raised for defence of Church and State, but also both by Law of God, Nature, and Nations, are required to put their hands to the Plough of the Kingdom.  
TOGETHER With the answering of such grand Objections as tend to the contrary.  
By W. L.  
Licenced, Entered, and Printed according to Order.  
LONDON, Printed for Henry Overton, and are to be sold at his Shop in Popes-head Alley. 1645.   

THE INDEPENDANTS MILITARY ENTERTAJNMENT.  
SInce it hath pleased God to put into the heart of, and to enable our ever honoured Parliament to new form and constitute the armies raised for the defence of themselves and Kingdom, by which means consequently many Malignant and disaffected instruments, formerly employed, are outed, whose spirits daily speak out their former disaffection and profane insides, the Devil also gins to be very busy to blow the coal of contention, and to sow the seed of strife and division, amongst such who are yet Engaged in the work, and who under God are like to be very Instrumental to put a timely end to our unhappy troubles: And therefore labour might and main to beget such a disaffection between them, to wit, the Presbyterian and Independent party, as if the entertainment of both in the Army were inconsistent with the well being, and success of it. Now seeing that both of them have ever been engaged in the work, since the beginning, and that party so much pointed at, no whit behind any other, either in faithfulness or courage; I thought good to declare to the public, that Independent party, so much stumbled at, are not only very precious Instruments to promote the present military affairs: but are no ways to be discountenanced, or their assistance and brotherly help declined for these reasons ensuing.  
FIrst, that our divisions are the enemy's hopes and our own hurt, and they daily endeavour to disunite us, that they may have the greater advantage upon us.  
2. Those our friends whose absence we would so willingly wave, are neither Heathens nor Turks, but men professing the same Religion with us, having the same God, the same Christ, of the same faith, partakers of the same hope, borne with us in Baptism in the same Covenant, only differing in and about Circumstance, not the substance of God's Worship, not any fundamental points of religion.  
3. If Papists, Malignants, and desperate Delinquents are the common adversaries of the Kingdom, these men of all other are most likely to be real in their undertake against them, whose principles are so utter contrary to them, they being formerly the objects of our Prelates persecution, for that they knew them utter enemies to Prelacy, Popery, and profaneness.  
4. They have through God's assistance behaved themselves in the Field, and in the face of the Enemy very gallantly, as the common adversary himself confesseth and certainly if it be a received tenant among Commanders to entertain fight men, although otherwise dissolute, and profane, certainly these men that are conscientious, that abhor oaths, blasphemies, and profaneness, should not only be admitted, but required and desired to assist the State, if for nothing else, yet because they will fight.  
5. It hath been too too apparent that divers professing themselves Protestant's at large, as our adversaries themselves do, have proved very perfidious, who having taken up arms for their own ends have made use of their best opportunities to attain them, by betraying their trust, and although we have had too many experiments of this kind, yet I never heard of any, usually called Independent, since the war began, that proved perfidious.  
6. Consider our Enemis are accounted old Soldiers and Politicians, and they tell us it is lawful for the King to call to his assistance papists out of all Countries, yea and the most desperate wretches in the world, nay and our Malignants will tell you he doth well in receiving any that will stick to him in his necessity, although by experiece, they are such as endeavour both the ruin of himself and kingdom, and whose tenants are so utterly inconsistent, with the well-being or the being of the Church or Kingdom, that a man may safer live with a Turk, a jew, a Pagan, then with a Papist, and shall we be so void of reason to decline the help of our faithful friends, of whose courage and zeal, we have had sufficient testimony? Let us not suffer the children of this world, to be always wiser than the children of light especially in this Generation wherein such abundance of light is discovered.  
7. It is displeasing to God when men of one and the same religion, whose judgements differ in point of Ceremony, not substance, are disunited in affection, and so either decline, or deny each other assistance, and indeed we can expect little peace in the Kingdom, so long as we have wars and fightings in our spirits, one against another, God who is our wise Father, will lash his children if they fall out one with another, believe it he will make a third man among them, till they agree better.  
8. The cause of God and Kingdom lies at stake, and they as well as others are bound in Conscience to help against the Common adversaries, and shall we tie their hands behind them, in opposition to our own assistance, not suffering them to help the Lord against the mighty? shall Herod and Pilate become friends to Crucify Christ, and Christians suffer themselves to become a prey to the Adversary rather then mutually to be helpful?  
9 They are not truly called Independent, otherwise then to distinguish them from the Episcopal and Presbyterians, for no true Church is independent, neither know we any such in New-England, or elsewhere that wholly decline the brotherly advice and assistance of the Neighbouring Churches in Points of difficulty either in Doctrine or discipline.  
10. What occasion of slighting have they given? have they not been active and zealous to promote the affairs of the Kingdom, both with their persons and purses? or do we emulate and envy them for that they are more zealous than ourselves, although in conscience they are bound to it, knowing a heavy curse hangs over the heads of such as do the work of the Lord deceitfully, or negligently.  
11. Me thinks above all men our brethren the Scots, should be so far from disaffecting them, that they should join heart and hand with them, for these men were especially those that in the day of their trouble stuck closest to them, although at that time not baptised into the Name of Independants; Prelates were not acquainted with any such titles.  
12. Herein we shall use the same method to ruin ourselves that the enemy doth to destroy us: they fight against us under the notion of Brownists, Anabaptists, Separatists, and Roundheads, under which terms they comprehend all not so vild as themselves: and we quarrel one with another under the notion of Presbyterian, Independent, nay we use the same tone of Brownists, Anabaptists, Sectaries, etc. condemning all not of their own opinion, as men extremely prejudicial in their very assistance of the State, although the most godly and learned in the Kingdom, viz. the Synod, dare not condemn them. Nay further in some sense I may truly say, we are all Independants the Kingdom over: for ever since Episcopacy was condemned and made shorter by the head, no other discipline being settled in the Church, wherein the great difference lies, every man doth that that is right in his own eyes, and how long it may be thus who knows?  
13. If we would have them cashered the Army, why not also cast out of the Kingdom? believe it, he that is not fit to be trusted in the Army, is in these dangerous times as unfit to live in a Commonweal: he that is not with us is against us, and he that is not thought fit to assist us, must consequently be thought as unfit to live amongst us, especially such men as hate neutralizing: Yet I believe neither Parliament or Synod have any thoughts to deny them the liberty of freeborn subjects: nor do they, I believe, at all doubt of their honesty: But as Independants account the Presbyterian godly, so the Presbyterian accounts also of the Independent. And if they be found fit to live in the Kingdom, and men approved godly by those best able to judge, why shall we condemn them for unprofitable and unuseful members? And although doubtless there are some, nay too too many, that think if Independency be tolerated in the Kingdom, it will be like Moses rod, etc. and therefore would gladly have it cast out of the kingdom. Truly I say this should satisfy that it was Moses rod that devoured the rest, and the rest were but the effects of enchantments. And if we shall cast out Independants for their conscience, sake, by the same ground we may banish all Religion.  
14. They are men known to be lovers of Religion and Law all of them, and as they have a birthright in both they are bound both by the Law of God and Man, of Nature and Nations, to lend their assistance when these are endangered. Besides, they have both lives and estates to save or lose as well as others.  
15. Again, we have more need to encourage them to join with us, then decline their help, many of them already having laid down Arms in reference to the Covenant, and many never would take up Arms to fight for any cause, or upon any terms at all, holding it unlawful: these than that are willing, resolved, and men sufficiently known for their fidelity and courage, should rather be encouraged, than any way discountenanced.  
16. Consider who they are that are principal opposers of Independants, and would so gladly have them outed the Army, certainly, none that are truly godly, whatsoever they pretend: for it is not that they are Independent, but that they are godly they are envied: it is the power of godliness aimed at: and he that is now an enemy to Independants, were there not one of them left in the Army, would be as arch an adversary to Presbyterians, so fare as the power of godliness is held forth in their conversation: this I am confident of, if men will swear and swill, drink and drab, as those that would have sway in the Armies have too long done, and would still, which can neither stand with the power of godliness or common honesty; let them be Independent, Presbyterial, Prelatical, or Popish, all is one, Birds of a feather would flock together. Not that I condemn all now by course dismissed their commands and employments, for I know many choice, worthy, gallant Gentlemen are outed by means of the new Model; I only point at the profane Atheistical party, for whose sakes the Army hath been new form: and who are the only enemies of Independants, and the power of godliness, in whomsoever it is.  
Q. But these Independants will not take the Covenant, what should they do amongst us? why shall we trust them?  
A. Many, nay most of them have or will take it, only some few decline it in point of conscience, questioning the lawfulness of pressing it upon them with all its circumstances; yet men resolved without any such tye, having a principle within them leading them to be true to their trust, and no whit the more backward in their assistance. And as a worthy Gentleman said once concerning forcing men to our public Assemblies, by reason of a complaint made against such as used private meetings on the Lord's day, quoth he, let us force them to Church that make no conscience at all, rather than force those that withdraw out of tenderness. So I say concerning the Covenant, although many thousands both godly and conscientious have taken it, and who doubtless will to their utmost endeavour to keep it, yet there are many thousands in the Kingdom that make no conscience at all what they swear, nor ever care to keep any Oath or Covenant whatsoever: mists and millstones are alike: it is good to impose it upon such with reasonable instruction concerning it; but let us take heed of pressing it upon a tender conscience: say not, How shall we trust them? for he that fears an Oath fears God, and let him alone with his conscience, he will wrong no man, he will neither kill his King, nor poison his Prince, nor blow up a Parliament: his tenants are no way destructive to Church or State; nay though he swear not, yet he will assist the kingdom to the utmost of his ability: these take heed of offending one of those little ones that desire to walk according to their light.  
Q. But they are principal causers of divisions in the Army, by preaching and teaching they know not what: they must be all Preachers forsooth, although they have neither call to the Ministry, nor parts to discharge that function; hereby they poison abundance of ignorant people with their errors, and wrong Scriptures by their misinterpretations.  
A. For that general charge of being causers of divisions, it is no more than what formerly even from the beginning to this day hath been laid upon the back of Religion, therefore was Eliah counted the troubler of Israel, Paul a sour of sedition: and indeed the profession of Christ hath ever been cause of division, therefore he saith he came to set the father against the son, the mother against the daughter, etc. and it is necessary such offences should be, that the approved may be known: flesh and spirit, light and darkness, godliness and impiety must needs be divided; and thus it hath been, and so will be to the end of the world in all Christian Kingdoms, Churches, nay and persons too, the flesh lusting and warring against the spirit: they are always contrary.  
Indeed for that men of weak or no abilities, without any warrant or call from God or man, do preposterously thrust themselves into public dispensation of ordinances, this is to be rather bewailed then pleaded for; and I doubt not but that the Parliament and Assembly both will take care to prevent this enormity, and to furnish our Armies with able conscencious Preachers, and so also prevent the great mischief that often necessity brings with it: yet I presume not one of forty do take upon them public administrations, and why should we condemn all the rest for those? as well may we cry down all godly painful Ministers, by reason some were ignorant, some profane, some superstitious, many of them very sots, fit to serve swine then seed the flock of Christ: yet I hope we reverence the godly learned of them; and so though some few forget themselves in this, making an Idol of Ignorance, as too many of us do of Learning, yet take heed of condemning the rest that are both wise and godly.  
Neither must I condemn any man for exercising his talon in the place where God hath set him, to his glory, but with Moses, hearty wish that all the Lords people were Prophets, enabled for his work, knowing every Master of a Family, every Commander in an army, according to his light received, and the charge committed to him, aught to improve it to God's glory, and the benefit of those related to him: no man ought to hid his talon in his napkin, or put his candle under a bushel, but to pray with and for those committed to his charge, to exhort and instruct them in the ways of God, provided they deliver known practical, and received truths, & meddle not in things too high for them, questions and disputations engendering controversy, rather than tending to edification, leaving things more dark and doubtful to the godly: learned and called by God and man to public administrations, know that the Scriptures are of that latitude that a Lamb may wade, and yet the Elephant swim in their Ocean, so shall men do much good in their places, and may by their praiets, tears, and Christian duty wrestle with God, as usefully and profitaby as fight with an enemy, for the peace and welfare of Church and Commonweal: thus shall we build with one hand, and fight with the other. Let us therefore bless God for such Commanders and Soldiers, and not envy them for their zeal.  
But above all let it be our shame, that swearing, blasphemy, drunkenness, and all manner of profaneness, things out of question unlawful and sinful, are suffered in our Armies, while such practices as tend to the power of godliness are opposed and oppugned: and who ever thou art that art an enemy to the Independants entertainment in the Army, be silent till all profane ones are cashiered, and especially profaneness out of thy own heart and conversation cast out: pluck out thy beam first, and then thou wilt see more clearly the mote: if this course were taken, few or none would either spurn at the power of godliness, or despise the day of small things. To conclude know this, he that hath the least spark of true grace in his heart, will not envy the power of godliness in any man's conversation whatsoever.   
FJNJS.