DIVINE OBSERVATIONS Upon the London-Ministers Letter against TOLERATION:  
By his Synoddicall, Priest-byter-all, Nationall, Provincial, Classical, congregational, Superlative, Un-erring, clerical, accademical Holiness, Reverend Yongue MARTIN MAR-PRIEST, Son, and Heir to Old Martin the Metropolitan.  
Wherein the Toleration of His Sacred Person with the whole Independent Fraternity, (by what Name or Title soever dignifyed or distinguished, whether Anabaptists, Brownists, or the like,) is justified by the Reasons of the London-Ministers, which they urge against Toleration; and themselves, by their own Reasoning, condemned.  
Psal. 7. 15.  
They have made a pit, and digged it, and are fallen into the ditch that they have made.  
1 Cor. 1. 20.  
Where is the Wise? Where is the Scribe? Where is the Disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolishness the wisdom of this world?  
The Reverend Author desires such as have received offence at the 6, 7, and 8. Pages in his Ordinance for TITHES Dismounted, to repair for satisfaction to the last Clause hereof.  
EUROPE, Printed by Martin Claw-Clergy, Printer to the Reverend Assembly of Divines, and are to be sold by Bartholomew Bang-Priest, at his shop in Toleration-street, at the sign of the Subjects Liberty, right opposite to Persecution-Court. 1646.   

To Our Reverend, Learned and Religious Brethren, the Prolocutor and the rest of the Assembly of Divines, now sitting in holy Conspiracy at King Hen●y the Seventh's Chapel, at Westminster, Cheek by Jowl to the Two Houses of Parliament; These present.  
REverend and Beloved BRETHREN, (for so I have Authority from your own sacred Precedent.) I cannot but take notice of your indefartigable vigilancy, and uncessant endeavours after this endless work of Uniformity; that rather than you will lose the vantage of an opportunity, out of your supercelestial Providence, you can even create Opportunity itself, and then like the Godly, able, Orthodox of the Land indeed, most Prudently, in all Presbyterian Piety, lay hold on the advantage, to consummate your endeavoured Uniformity: for after your so many spiritual, mystical Conspiracies, the miraculous result of your most Seraphic late Consultations for its present settlement, hath struck my Piety into an holy Admiration, that now I confess your Policy high surpassed my Sanctity; for upon the first of January, when the Injunctions from the General Assembly in Scotland came into your grave and Learned Assembly, against Toleration of Independency in this Kingdom, & was read in your Reverend Audience, you had so ordered Superior Providence, that even in that very instant of time, (just is if it had been predestinated,) this Most judicious argumentative Letter of the London Ministers, (from that Syon-Colledge-conspiracy,) should present itself; whereat the Learned Mr. Hinderson, forthwith in a Scotch Rapture, cried out of the great Providence of GOD▪ saying, Doubtless no other but God was the Father of Two such Blessed Twins! that at one instant of time, so many godly, Learned and Orthodox of the 2. Kingdoms, should so happily concur and meet with their desires, and advice for this general Uniformity: Indeed it was a Providence neatly and plausibly contrived, and doubtless would have done the deed, but that there is one thing that spoils all, The Lord frustrateth the Tokens of Liars, and maketh Diviners mad, turneth 
Jsai. 44. 25.  wise men backwards, and maketh their knowledge foolishness: But here's not all: The Assembly's Anathama against Toleration, at that instant of time, is given into the HOUSE. O, there's a Divine Providence indeed: Sure, our Zion College is even Presbyterialized into the p … Mobile, or else that supercelestial Assembly at Westminster, is REFORMED into the Imperial Heaven, that even Divine Providence itself is thus in their dispose; an exaltation even into the Throne of God Where are our Presbyters now? They even are set as god's 〈◊〉 the Temple of God, showing themselves that they are gods indeed, by the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders: Providence after Providence, etc. to deceive: All which I have here discovered, and i● all Dedicatory humility represent unto your venerable perusal those my Observations upon this Letter; that happily you may take notice therein of a rea● Providence of God indeed, that such Godly, Learned, Orthodox Divines, as the Ministers of the City of London, should be so infatuated in their wisdom, that their reasons against Toleration should inevitably conclude Toleration, condemn themselves, and their Presbytry, which I have endeavoured to evidence to the whole world, and leave it to the public Trial, either to stand or to fall by such their Reasoning, and against this fair proffer, to have our mettle tried by their own touchstone, the Presbyters themselves cannot except: If I fail, then let me wear your Church's Livery, which themselves are pleased to put upon it, a Coat of divers Colours, pag. 1. Thus then for the prizse.  
LONDON MINISTERS. When all things are examined by the Word, then that which is best may be heldfast. 
Martin. This plainly grants an equity to the holding fast, or practising that with all freedom, which every man in his own understanding, by such examination shall so discover; or otherwise, Wherefore shall any have liberty of Examination after their understandings, setting otherwise they cannot examine, if after their understandings, they may not practise, for what is written, is written for our learning, and consequently for our Practice; So that your Monopolising all Liberty and Judgement into your own hands, is condemned by the equity of your own Argument; If you will be sole Judges, you may be sole Examiner's too, for after we have examined, if your judgement restrain● us the practice, we are never the near, for Faith without Works i● dead. We may be sure, what ever our Examination discovereth which entrencheth upon your Lordliness over your Brethren, your Pomp and Pre-eminence, your Ordinance for Tithes, your congregational, Classical, Provincial, Nationall Courts, etc. to expect determination concerning the same, to be of like effect, with that of the Lord Bishops, when it was put to Vote in the Lords Ho●●…, whether the Bishops had a Right by Law to Vote therein; Or like into your Answer given by your Committee, to Mr. Tombs 1 2. Arguments against Infant's Baptism, specified in his Examen. pag. 2. Or rather more like unto the Answer which Ananias the Highpriest gave unto Paul, when he had declared, that he had lived in all good Conscience unto that day: Smi●e him on the mouth, (Acts 23. 1, 2.) with the Presbyerian clutter-fist of iniquity.  Lond. Min. The desires and endeavours of the Independents Toleration, at this time extremely it unseasonable and praeproperous▪ for, 1. The Reformation of Religion is not yet perfected and settled among us, according to our Covenant. And why may not the Reformation be raised up at last to such purity and perfection, that truly tender Consciences may receive abundant Satisfaction, for aught that yet appears? 
Martin. But what Reformation is that, according to the Covenant, that you intent, till which our endeavours are extremely unseasonable and praeproperous? Sure we must accept it in your own Presbyterian sense, and what that is, is evident to the whole world, by your Politic endeavours, both private and public, to be no other, but an absolute enslaving both of Parliament and People unto your Presbyterian Dictates, in all matters Evangelicall and Spiritual; which is no other, but the very Spirit, Marrow, root, and Quinticense of Popery, against which, that very Covenant, in its genuine intent, expressly doth engage us and our Posterity in the fundamental Extirpation thereof out of the Three Kingdoms; for indeed that pre-eminence is no other but an absolute Arrogation of Popish Supremacy, and spirit of infallibility, for plurality of Persons in that arrogation, doth not alter the nature and essence of the thing arrogated; it is as well Popish Supremacy in a Synod, Classis, or the like, as in one man.  
So that our Covenant doth engage us in the total Extirpation of LORD PRESBYTERS, their Classes, Ordinances, etc. as well as of their Grandfather the Pope, their Fathers the Lord bishops, their Courts, Cannons, etc. before them: Will, but it seems till this Popish Prelatical Prerogative (the perfection of your Reformation, after your sense of the Covenant) be absolutely Presbyterizlized; you judge it unseasonable and praeproperous: Truly, (Reverend and beloved Brethren,) I submit unto your judgements herein, for to nip it in the Bud, to crush the Cockatrice in the shell, to prevent this approaching Papal Episcopal Tyranny and usurpation of our Birthrights by the Independents endeavours for a timely Toleration, before it be absolutely Presbyterian, will utterly annihilate and frustrate your design, so that in your sense, it must needs be extremely unseasonable indeed, when our mouths are sowed up, our hands tied behind us, our feet fettered, then in your Presbyterian sense, comes in Our Season; for if before it be unseasonable and preproperous, that implies, that then it will be seasonable; when the Steed is stoll●●, you will give as leave to shut the Stable door●; Indeed we are obliged to your venerable Sanctities in the Superlative degree, that you will be but pleased to fl●p u● i'th' mouth with a Fox-tayle: Before, it is too soon, and after, it will be too late: And thus the truly tender Consciences may receive abundant satisfaction for aught that yet appears, have their Persons banished or imprisoned, their goods Plundered and confiscate, their houses pulled down, and Gibbets made of the Timber to hang their tender Consciences out, to take the Presbyterian Air; for no better as yet appeareth, and this is already evident both in their Writings and Sermons: (See Byseild; Sermon before the House, latter end of his Book.) And if they thus show their teeth before they have full power to by't, what will they do, when their power is absolute; their mercies will be cruelty, if the future may be judged by the present, as all the mercies of the Wicked are. Prov. 12. 10. And then we shall be sure (they having all Judgement in their hands) none shall be judged to be of truly under Consciences, but such as are Presbyterial, such as will be awed by their Power and Tyranny; the rest must stand upon their Peril. Well, we must stay till Reformation, according to the Covenant, be fully settled, and what your sense is, is evident; but what Reformation is that the Covenant itself doth intent? Is it not a Reformation (after the ●●presse Letter of it) according to the Word of God? As for your Presbytery, though by yourselves, in your late Petition for its establishment, you urge and avow it to be the Ordinance of Jesus Christ, yet in the Judgement of the Parliament, it was Voted false and scandalous, and the highest title they ever voted upon it, was but jure Human●; therefore, not jure Divino: and if not jure Divino, than our Covenant which doth engage u● in a Reformation, according to the Word of God, which i● such an one, as is absolutely jure Divino, doth not engage 〈◊〉 at all unto presbytery, which by the Parliaments own confession, is but jure Humano, but rather to its suppression; and the Parliament themselves, if they will but practise according to their own Votes, cannot engage us thereto by virtue of our Covenant, but are to Protect us and our Posterity from it; not suffering Presbytery no more than Papistry and Prelacy, which are but jure Humano, to insult and tyrannize over us, our Consciences, Persons or Estates; for if by our Covenant they be bound to safeguard Us from the incursions of Papistry and Prelacy, (the Two first divisions of the great City Babylon,) because they are but jure Humano, than they are equally thereby bound to Protect us from the Tyranny and Oppression of Presbyters, (the third Division,) for themselves say, it is but jure humano. And yet, forsooth, you challenge the Precedency, your turns must be served first, as though you were the Children, and the Independents the Dogs; The Independents might rather urge, that the endeavours of the Presbyters are unreasonable and praeproperous, till Independency be settled; for the Parliament never yet Voted Independency to be jure Humano, neither are yourselves able to prove it so to be.  Lon. Min. 2. It is not yet known, what the Government of the Independents is, neither would they ever vouchsafe to let the world know what they hold in that point, etc. 
Martin. If it be unseasonable (according to your reasoning,) for such Independents, whose Government is not made known to the World; (for that is the reason of your Argument, for you state the unseasonableness in the non-knowledge, etc.) then for such whose Government is made known, must needs be seasonable, after the same reasoning.  
But Reverend MARTIN, with his Brethren, whom you dignify and distinguish by the names of Anabaptists, Brownists, etc. have declared their Discipline to the whole World, both by their Preach, Writings, and continued practice, even unto this day: See the Confession of the 7▪ Churches. See Mr. Turner's model, entitled, An Heavenly Conference for Zion▪ Saints. Therefore the endeavours of Reverend MARTIN, and his Independent Brethren, must now be seasonable, even from your own reasoning.  
But I must needs tell you by the way, you need not much urge the only seasonableness of yours from the knowledge thereof: I pray you, what is it? can you tell yourselves? You tell the Independents of their reserves, but what may they say of yours? for we have yours but in part, and that neither presented, but by Peece-meals; now a little, and then a little, and still reserves in the rear, yea innumerable still, for any thing we can perceive, which are but yet hammaring out to the temper of the People; what they are, is best known to yourselves: what is known, is not so beautiful, as to make all others unseasonable and praeproperous: If drawn into a Model, I think it will rather affright then allure; for in the Bulk, it is no other than a Bundle of Tyrannical Ordinances, and wicked Laws over our Consciences, Persons, and Estates, to torment us in endless Suits and Appeals from Court unto Court, congregational, Classical, Provincial, Nationall, etc. with merciless Mulcts and Penalties upon our Persons, as your Thundering Ordinance for the Covenant, your Plundering Ordinance for Tithes, your Monopolising Ordinance for Preaching, your Romish Episcopal Ordinance for Ordaining of Ministers, your devouring Ordinance for the better establishment of your Directory, your High-Commission, Star-chamber Ordinance for the Lords Supper, etc. witness to the whole World: and truly, whether this Presbyterian Model of your Government be so honourable, to make allothers unseasonable, I leave to the woeful experience of those against whom this Model of Ordinances is in force, yea, even to the whole World, to judge.  
But not to detract from the integrity of those Independents, you here intent; it is evident, that hitherto the Assembly have suppressed the bringing in of their Model, that they (by all their unwearied endeavous, could never attain an equal and just liberty thereunto, either by dispute or otherwise, as the copy of their Remonstrance touching that business doth declare. Now let the World judge, whether this be fair and reasonable dealing, such as becomes the Ministers of the City of London. First to suppress the delivery, and then like Scholast Synodical Disputants, to urge the non-delivery, as an Argument against their Toleration. 'Tis a stout Argument, if but followed; If it be in force to any, it is to the suppressors not the suppressed.  Lon. Min. Secondly, their desires and endeavours are unreasonable, and unequal, its divers regards. 1. Because no such Toleration hath been established (so fare a● we know,) in any Christian state, by the Civil magistrate. 
Martin. It seems Holland, Poland, Transilvania, etc. where free Toleration of all sorts of Independents is established by Civil Magistrates, are not Christian States, because they are not wholly Presbyterialized, Tolerating none but Presbyterian▪ So that in your sense, they are no further Christian than they are Presbyterian: So that if this Parliament should tolerate any other but yourselves, it seems you make account to Unchristen them all, your Bull is prepared against them, you have told them what they must expect, the censure of Infidels, Heathens and Heretics, an Excommunication ipso facto, for they must not be Christian. But in case there were no such Toleration in any State professing Christianity, yet that were no Argument against Toleration, for Evangelicall Precept is not derivative from Humane Precedent: The practice of Emperors, Kings, States or the like, is no Evangelicall Rule; for Evangelicall Right, must have Evangelicall Authority, which one would have thought had been known to Evangelicall Ministers, such as you style yourselves.  Lon. Min. 2. Because some of them have solemnly professed, that they cannot suffer Presbytry, and answerable hereto is their practice in those places where Independency prevails; Therefore their Toleration is unreasonable and unequal. 
Martin. If their Toleration be unreasonable and unequal, because some of them solemnly profess, (which I scarce believe,) that they cannot suffer Presbytry; then by the same reason, the Toleration of Presbytry is much more unreasonable, and unequal, because all of them do solenmly profess, that they cannot, neither will they suffer Independency; though Independents could suffer them, would but the Parliament, according to their own Covenant and Laws, knock off their Horns, pluck out their Tusks, break their Jaws, pair their Nails, that they neither Push, gore, crush, by't, scratch or devour any more: for if it be in force to all, for that deny all by some, it is much more forceable to all, where all deny: So that, if they deny all of Toleration be a sufficient Argument, (as it seems according to the Reason of the Lon. Min.) against the Toleration of such deniers, then what must become of the Presbyters? The same pit that they have digged for others, they must be content to fall into it themselves.  
Lon. Min. Many mischiefs will inevitably follow upon this Toleration, and that both upon Church and Commonwealth. First to the Church.  
Bitten heart-burnings among Brethren, will be fomented and perpetuated to Posterity.  
Mar. The reason of this Argument is this; That which▪ will occasion heart-burnings, foment and perpetuate them to posterity, is not to be tolerated in a Commonwealth. Therefore, if I prove an Universal Toleration will be an occasion of allaying of heart-burnings to posterity, Persecution the contrary, then by the Argument of the Lon. Min. such Toleration is lawful, and that which they so ignorantly prosecute, unlawful.  
That which occasioneth murmur, repine, fears, jealousies, conspiracies, insurrections, rebellions, etc. begetteth heart-burnings, and p●rpetuates them to Posterity; and so by your Argument, not to be Tolerated: And on the contrary, That which doth not beget murmur, etc. doth not beget heart-burnings, or perpetuate them to Posterity, but tendeth to allay them, and prevent them, and so by your own reasoning to be tolerated.  
But Persecution, or Non-Tolleration which you plead for, occasioneth and begetteth murmur, repine. etc. for it enrageth the Conscience, than which, nothing is more near and dear unto us, and a wounded Conscience, (saith Solomon,) who is able to bear it? We had rather lose our lives then deny our Faith; and what will not men do for their lives? this suggesteth and provoketh to Conspiracies, Jnsu●rections, Rebellions, etc. as Holland, France, Germany, Jreland, Scotland and England, etc. have felt by woeful experience: Nothing is more desperate and resolute, than an enraged Conscience,▪ it is of a Lion-like nature in its fury, it beareth on a man, even to the shedding and laying down of his life; no dangers, no attempts, though never so difficult, never so desperate, can bear it down; it will venture, though it perish; and on the contrary, (to use mine own words in the Arraignment, pag. 12.) it is a Lamb, if appeased, and nothing more mild, more gentle and loving than it. Enraged, it is like the wild Boar out of the Forest; pleased, it is like the Dove from the Ark; no greater friend, no greater foe; Oppression (saith the Wise man) will make a wise man mad; a very worm will turn again, if troad upon; It may beget wrath, but never can beget Love, and that which doth so, must needs beget heartheart-burning and perpetuate them to posterity; Therefore by your own grant, not to be Tolerated: Thus the Fowlers are caught in their own snare.  Lond. Min. The life and power of godliness, will be eaten out by frivolous Disputes, and vain janglings. 
Mart. The Reason of this Argument, is this, That which eateth out the life and power of godliness, in the judgement of the Lon. Min. is not to be tolerated. Whence I Reason.  
That which preventeth the breaking and spreading forth of Knowledge in the Word of God, eateth up the life and power of godliness.  
But Non-tolleratition, your silensing all Disputes, trial of Doctrines, and confining unto all your Dictates, preventeth & suppresseth the breaking forth, increase and growth of knowledge; for by fair and equal Reasonings, and trial of Doctrine, light would daily break forth and increase; as common experience doth witness.  
How could you have been converted to Presbytry? How could the Rottenness of Popery, Episcopacy, etc. have been discovered, and spread through the Kingdom, had it not been for Preach, Writings, Disputations, trial of Doctrine, etc.  
Therefore your Non-Tolleration, and suppressing of all Disputes, etc. eateth up the life and Power of Godliness; and therefore not to b● settled.  
Thus fare the London-Ministers and MARTIN are agreed: Surely their Letter is a close couched Presbyterian Design of coming over to Independency; I'll promise you, this is a fair step at the first, and pretty cunningly carried: we gratulate our so happy concurrence; Sirs, You are all hearty welcome to our Sanctnary in TOLERATION-STREET, and we acknowledge ourselves deeply engaged to the London Ministers, for their good service to our cause: Be therefore encouraged, Reverend & beloved Brethren, go on and prosper, we are not offended at your Policy, to Reason thus covertly for us; we well know, that Rome was not built in a day.  
But let us proceed, and see what further Assistance your Reasons affords.  Lond. Min. The whole course of Religion in private Families will be in●●rrupted and undermined. 
The Reason of which Argument is this. Martin. That which interrupteth and undermineth the course of Religion, in private Families, is not to be settled.  
The edge of which Reason, I thus turn against you.  
That which tendeth to the making of Hypocrites, Fearers, and pleasers of men more than of God, must needs interrupt and undermine the purity of Religion in private Families.  
But the coercive Power, which you so plead for, doth so; for it maketh multitudes, (as common experience doth too much witness,) for fear of bodily punishment, deprivation of their goods, loss of their Places, Trading, etc. to dissemble with their Consciences, even practise contrary thereto, and temporize with the Time, which is an absolute perversion of the power of Godliness in them▪ Therefore.  Lon. Min. Reciprocal duties between Persons of nearest and dearest relation, will be extremely violated. 
Mar. The reason hereof is, That which is destructive to reciprocal duties, is to be abominated; the which I thus retort upon your own heads. That which setteth Father against Son, son against Father, one friend against another, King against Parliament, Parliament against King, Kingdom against Kingdom, and divideth Nations and People amongst themselves, and enrageth them one against another, extremely violateth Reciprocal Duties between Persons of nearest and dearest relation.  
But so doth Persecution; For where this principle is, of forcing the contrary-minded, will they, nill they, it engendereth and begetteth fears and jealousies one of another; and when one knoweth the other is his mortal enemy, it maketh each other to stand in defiance and defence one against the other, even to the drawing of the sword, especially when one thinks he can conquer the other, which makes them lie in wait for blood, witness our Armies of this Kingdom; and hereupon they wallow in one another's blood: Yea, what will not the oppressed do against the oppressor; Tyranny is the mother of Conspiracies, Murmur, Repine, &c, which at length break forth (after they have gotten strength,) into open Rebellions, Insurrections, etc. Therefore Non-Toleration extremely violateth reciprocal duties between Persons of nearest and dearest Relation.  Lon. Min. 9 10. All other Sects &c. (See the Letter.) 
Mar. The marrow of these two is this, That Independency i● not to be Tolerated, because other Sects and Heresies, under that notion, will seek to be tolerated: But in case they should not, then by the virtue of your Argument, it should be tolerated: So that, by your own grant, its Toleration is only accidentally unequal; not absolutely in respect of itself; but casually in respect of others. Therefore, why are you so hit against the equity of it● Toleration, seeing from your own Argument, it is equal. If it be good to tolerate that, and evil to tolerate Heresies, etc. you must not forbear the good, to avoid the evil, do evil, that good may come of it, but must do the thing that is just and equal in itself; that is, tolerate the Independents, whom you title Brethren, godly and learned, and do to them, as you say of them, what ever becomes of us; we neither expect nor crave your mercy: If we cannot have Justice on earth, we appeal unto the God of heaven, and meekly and freely submit, to suffer for his Name, with our hearts rejoicing, that we can be counted worthy so to do.  L. Min. Secondly, (mischiefs) to the Commonwealth; for thereby the Kingdom will be weakened by Scandals and Divisions, etc. 
Mart. The reason of this Argument is, That which tendeth not to keep all in Peace and Civil Society, but reduceth them to Divisions and scandals, that is not to be established by your thus reasoning: But Non-toleration keepeth not all, but one predominant Sect in Unity, dividing all others from it; persecuting, reviling, upbraiding, and reproaching them, though never so honest, godly, conscienscious, sober, meek, and neighbourly, with lies, scandals, nicknames, as Anabaptists, Brownists, Schismatics, Heretics, prodi●ious new wandering Blazing-Starres & Firebrands, pernicious mutineers, waspish Generation, schismatical, Anti-Parliamentary, inf●mous, mutinous, daring, presumptuous, scurr●lous●, libellous, scandalous, seditious, insolent, blasphemous, seditious Trumpeters, revilers of God, despisers of Government, resisters of Higher power, stirrers up of Sedition and insurrection, anabaptistical Sectaries, New furious Sectaries, avowed conspirators, contemners of Parl. Anticovenanters, audacious, contemptuous Libelers, New furious Ringleaders of Sedition, House-creepers, Incendiaries, Railing Rabshakehs, public contemners, Affronters of Parl. * blasphemers against the Assembly of Divines, &. (* See pryn's Fresh Discovery. pag. 17. Contents of the 4. Sect.) which are no other than terms of provocation and wrath, of vengeance and ignomy, tending to the breach of the general Bond of Unity, Peace, and Civil Society, which must needs extremely weaken the Kingdom, for the Kingdom lies in he Unity of the People. Therefore your Non-Toleration ought in no wise to be established.  L. Min. It is much to be doubted, lest the power of the magistrate, etc. See Letter. 
Martin. The reason hereof is, Those that are Anti-Magesteriall, or weaken the Magesteriall Power, are not to be tolerated: But your intended Prelatical Presbytry is Anti Magisteriall: Ergo, you have brought your Hogs to a fair market, held in Toleration-street, at the sign of the Subjects Liberty, etc.   

Minor proved  
Those that would not have all coercive Power in the Magistrates hands, are Anti-Magesteriall, and weakners of the Magistrates Power.  
But Presbytry would not have all coercive Power only in the hands of the Magestracy, but laboureth to encroach, as much as possibly it can into its own hands, as continued practice doth evidence. Therefore, by the London Ministers own reasoning, Presbytry is Anti-Magesteriall, and not to be settled.  
On the contrary. Those that would have all Civil Power, preserved entire in its own proper Magesteriall compass, are not in the least Antimagisteriall.  
But Reverend MARTIN, with his Independent Brethren, would have it entirely preserved in its own Magesteriall compass; they would not have it wrested or perverted to this or that Sect, to this or that Religion, but would have it, yea, expose their lives to have it preserved precisely in its own property.  
Therefore, Reverend MARTIN, and his Brethren are not Anti-Magesteriall: But in all faithfulness, acknowledge themselves not only lie bound to pray for all in lawful Authority, but even to spend their Lives and Estates in their Just Defence, against all opposition, encroachment and usurpation thereof, whatsoever: And to this our practice, hath given Witness, even when Magestracy was in greatest danger of subvertion; for when the Parliament had no other help under God, than we stuck closest to them; even, when the King came in a Hostile manner for the 6. MEMBERS in the House; while the degenerate Temporising Presbyters, stood as fare off, as from Scotland to Westminster; and have continued unspotted in our Fidelity to them, even unto this very day.  
And this I dare be bold to affirm, That if the King should conquer and confound the Parliament, the now Parliamentized-Presbyters, even the Clergy in general, would therewith be Royalised, rather than lose their several Parsonages; and that which is now Antichristian, Episcopacy, would then be as Christian as ever it was in their esteems; for they'll tell you▪ That they must submit unto the Higher Powers, and the Powers that are, are of God; and that cures all.  
If you do but consider, they have even reserved an help at a dead lift, they tell us now, That a Bishop and a Presbyter is all one, and thereupon retain their old Ordination, derived from a foreign Power, and so go forth, and ordain other young Bishops; So that if the King should subdue us, they are still in their Episcopal Ministry, and a little Royal Reformation would continue their places. Then they would take Covenants, Preach and pray against the Parliament, as much as ever they did against the King: Thus, rather than they would be confounded themselves, they would let true Magesteriall Parliamentary Government go to confusion; and in that Day of Trial, scarce any would be found to witness against Him, except the now despised handful of Separates.  
And yet we must be cast out of the Parliaments Protection, by this Temporising Faction of Presbyters: Ingrateful inhumanity! Hear O Heavens! and judge O Earth!  
BUt whereas his Holiness, out of a late spiritual Rapture, at that Inquisition Ordinance of the Supper, hath in the 6, 7. and 8. pages of the Ord. for Tithes Dismounted, even spurned at Synodean prodigy in the Highest Obbe; whereupon, through the weakness of some, and malice of others, I am misconstructed to be Anti-Parliamentory: I would have such, the Two Honourable Houses of Parliament, and the whole World know, That there was not, nor is to this day, the least thought, or intent in my heart against Magesteriall Government, either therein, or in any thing else that I have written; And of this I take God to Record, as I shall answer it at the great and Dreadful Day of Judgement, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed; Only respecting Presbyterian deprivation, or corruption too much diffused (to my heart's grief) into the Two Houses, by the bewitching subtlety, and overpowering Policy of that prevalent, deceitful, Synodean Faction; and so my writing there, is not against that High and Honourable Gou●t, or any thing in their Magesteriall capacity, but simply against the Presbyterian Exorbitancy, in the Names of the LORDS and COMMONS stretched beyond the limits and Precincts of their Magesteriall Function. As for the Congregational, Classical, Provincial, Nationall Courts and grievances, there mentioned, I was forced, in Equity and Justice, to use them in their Names, in whose they were owned and published, else how could I have discharged my Duty in the reproof of the one, or discovery of the other; so that my virulency and bittering there, is only against▪ Presbyterian Competitors, and Intruders into the Office and Royalty of my most Sovereign Lord, the King of Kings, CHRIST JESUS; against all tyrannical encroachers, and usurpers of our Birthrights, Liberties, and freedoms in Persons and Estates, under what pretence, notion or Title soever.  
So that in plain English, the proper moral and genuine intent of those 3. pages, is a mere contestation and defiance of your Presbyterian Tyranny, whether in the name of the two Houses, or otherwise glossed or presented; labouring thereby only to brush off the superior Title of the Two Houses from it, that it might be clearly discovered in its proper ugly Presbyterian shape, unto the Kingdom; only to pluck off its Parliamentary cloak, that we might the better discern that Synodean, Presbyteran Monster. That the People, under that specious Magisteriall vizor, may not entertain that deadly venomous Presbyterian Serpent into their bosoms, and be destroyed unawares.  
Thus I am resolved to oppose Tyranny itself, where ever I find it, maugre the malice of Devils, and terror of the mighty Rulers of this Earth, yea, even of the sturdy Presbyters themselves; though I, and all that's mine perish, I'll do it: were there a Parliament of no less than Emperors, Kings and Princes competitors with it, I would spare them in my just testimony against it, no more than I would so many beggars upon a dunghill; for I have not the truth of my GOD, nor the love of my Country in respect of Persons.  
And this my contestation and defiance of Presbytry, is no otherwise against it, but only as it is Exorbitant, Tyrannical, Prelatticall, Cruel and Ambitious; as for honest, meek, Evangelicall Presbytry, I am ready, through the Power of my God, to seal it with my blood, even ou● of an unfeigned love thereunto. So that in brief, my enmity is only against Tyranny, where ever I find it, whether in Emperor, King, Prince, Parliament, Presbyters, or People.  
Thus Reader, thou hast my own proper sense, as being best expounder of my own words, for no man knoweth the heart of man, but himself: All other I utterly disclaim, and only own that  Sense, and thereto subscribe.   
MARTIN MAR-PRIEST.  
DOUBT.  
Who hath won the Coat of Divers Colours, MARTIN, or the London-Ministers?  
FINIS.