Die Veneris, 1 Martii, 1649.  
ORdered by the PARLIAMENT, That the Thanks of this House be given to Mr OWEN, for his great pains taken in his SERMON Preached yesterday before the PARLIAMENT at Margaret's Westminster (being a day set apart for public Humiliation) And that he be desired to Print his SERMON; And that he have the like privilege in Printing, as others in like Cases have usually had.  
Ordered, That Sir William-Masham do give the Thanks of this House to Mr OWEN accordingly.  
Hen. Scobel, clerk Parliament.   

I appoint PETER Coal to Print my Sermon.  
JOHN OWEN.   

The Ranters Ranting: WITH The apprehending, examinations, and confession of John Collins, I. Shakespeare, Tho. Wiberton, and five more which are to answer the next Sessions. And several songs or catches, which were sung at their meetings. Also their several kinds of mirth and dancing. Their blasphemous opinions. Their belief concerning heaven and hell. And the reason why one of the same opinion cut off the heads of his own mother and brother. Set forth for the further discovery of this ungodly crew.  
Behold our lov● to our Fellow-Creature.  
Welcome Fellow-Creature.  
Let us eat while they dance.  
LONDON Printed by B. Alsop, 165●   

COurteous Reader, having perused a printed sheet entitled The Routing of the Ranters, and finding that many things are totally omitted, and other things minced and come short of the truth, which might have been said. And having taken the advice of some friends (well wishers to the present Government) concerning some passages which I have gleaned, either from such as have accidentally happened in the society of that kind of people, or else were at the apprehending of some of them and heard their examinations before the Magistrate, it is thought fit and necessary that there should be a more perfect discovery of them, to the end that when they appear more in their proper colours (according to their deserts) they will be rendered a hissing and by word to the nation; and that if any of them pertain to the election of grace, they may return from their wickedness and live; for that which I shall relate proceedeth not from rancour and bitterness of spirit, but merely for the love of the truth, that they may be distinguished and known, and that which the Apostle calls pure Religion and undefiled may shine with the more splendour, for if these notorious Atheists (who if it were possible to excel the devil in wickedness) are not nipped in the bud, it is feared that it presageth some sad Omen to this Nation, which that the Almighty will divert is the constant prayer of him,  
That is thine in any offfice of Christian love. I. R.   

Behold, ye Despisers wonder and Perish.  
UPon the first day of November 1650. (towards evening) came one Shakespeare (that called himself a Warrenner) one John Collins a Glover, one Wyberton, and four others to the house of one Middleton, at the David and Harp in Moor lane, in the parish of Giles Creplegate, London, where some of them being known, they were soon admitted into the best room in the house, and entertained by the woman of the house, who long before was suspected to be one of the Ranting crew. When they had continued many hours in the house, and it grew something late in the evening, when the street was void of noises, and sober men prepared to go to bed, these people were heard to sing blasphemous songs in the tune of David's Psalms, and many uncivil words and actions were perceived and heard to pass amongst them; which put it into the hearts of some of the neighbours to acquaint the Constable therewith; who being as desirous to suppress disorders, as willing to bring such wicked persons to condign punishment, he took some others with him to apprehend them; but to make the fuller discovery of this wicked pack, one that had some acquaintance with an active Ranter, went alone to the door where this wicked company were, and inquired of John Collins that opened it, whether such a one were not amongst them? who replied, he was not there yet, but was expected; asking him if he was of his acquaintance? to which the party answered, that he was: then Collins took him about the neck, and kissed him, saying, Welcome fellow creature. With this the party came into the room, where the like ceremony was offered by the rest (some Women being 〈◊〉 amongst them:) presently after, one of the men let his breeches slip down in the middle of the room, and another ran and kissed his buttock, and called to the rest to come and kiss their God. And after the passing away of a little more time in blasphemous words and uncivil behaviour, a joint of meat, and some other things were brought and set upon the table, about which they flackt like bruit beasts, without any order, or sign of reverence; but on the contrary; one of them laid hold on the meat, and tearing it to pieces like a dog, both for himself and the rest of his fellow creatures, in a beastly manner he let a great Fart, and as it gave report he 〈◊〉 these words, Let every thing thing that hath breath praise the Lord.  
In the midst of which profane and wicked words and behaviour, came in the Constable and apprehended them, who thinking them to be given over to commit all manner of wickedness, thought good to search their pockets, for fear they might have some dangerous weapons about them to do mischief, and in searching them, he found two written papers stuffed with very blasphemous matter, which are not fit to be made public, especially until such time as they have received their trial, when this was done the Constable brought them down stairs into another room, and himself and others reproved them for their wickedness, in the midst of which reproof, one of them, that were taken took a candle and made as though he did seek for something that he had lost, and being asked what he sought for, in a jeering and disdainful manner he answered, That he sought for his sins but there were none, and that which they thought so great unto him, was so small, that he could not see it, by which it appears that they hold forth an opinion, that Sin is no sin, for which opinion an Officer of the Army was lately cashiered, and his sword broken over his head, at the head of the Regiment. But to return to that which I was relating before, the Constable finding them desperately incorragible and hardened in their iniquity, carried the said Collins, Shake spear, and five others to the Compter, (who had been accompanied with Mrs. Middleton herself, had she not privately ●ade an escape.  
The next morning they were brought before Sir John Wolaston, and charged with the matters before recited; as also that they had sung vile and filthy songs to the tune of Psalms, and uttered many oaths (or asseverations of oaths) and execrations: some of which were, Ram me, damn me, &c. and it being demanded of one of them what they meant by these words, he said by the word Ram, they meant God: and many other things of this nature were confessed by them: whereupon Sir John sent them to Bridewell, where for a time they beat Hemp; and are bound over to answer for their offences, according to Law the next Sessions.  
Having given you the true relation of this meeting, with the manner of their discovery, and some passages concerning their examinations, I shall proceed to some other instances to show the vanity of this mad crew (of which there be too many) for all pleasures which are not reduced to honesty and necessity, are reproachful and evil and especially those two of touching and tasting, do draw men most to offend in vice and uncleanness; and forasmuch as all occasions and opportunities, whereby the people are trained and drawn away to live dishonestly, shamelessly, wickedly, and intemperately are to be shunned and avoided, take in the next place some particulars of another meeting which they had near Thames-street (not long before the Act was made against blasphemy, and another act for whoredom, &c.) as soon as they came together they coupled men and women) choosing their mates, and when they had fitted themselves in that kind, there comes into the room a man with a pottle of sack, and a glass in his hand uttering these words, viz. Where doth God want any wine, to which presently answered one that had his minion on his knee, here, here, at which words the glass of sack was given him, and he drank to his fellow creature (as he called her) and so it went round, after this they fell to singing filthy songs and catches which are not fit to be published, yet, for satisfaction sake, I shall give one of their songs to the first Scene, when they began to act upon the devil's Stage, what every one pleased, according to the fullness of wickedness in his own heart, which was taken at the window, and in truth, is the leastoffensive of any I have heard, otherwise I should have had more modesty, than to have made it public.  

The song that was sung at the first meeting together of a company of Ranters.  

THis is the merry meeting of  
The Creatures set a part  
To exercise their liberty,  
And teach the mother's Art.   

If Adam were deceived by Eve,  
It was because he knew  
Not how to exercise the gifts  
Which nature did endue.   

The Slavish terror that men have,  
And thoughts of hell to fear  
Is unto us a laughing stock,  
We give to it no ear.   

Some men another world do prize  
Of which they have no measure,  
Let us make merry, sing, and dance,  
There is no heaven to pleasure.   

Which we enjoy with sweet content  
A short life, and a merry,  
Is all the heaven that we expect,  
Let's drink off our Canary.   

The fellow Creature which sits next  
is more delight to me  
Then any that I else can find;  
For that she's always free.   

Yet whilst I speak of loving one,  
Let no mistaking come:  
For we that know our liberty,  
In loving all love none.   

But for to satisfy our lust  
And beastly appetite,  
Not caring what we do or say,  
So we may take delight.   

Then let us rant it to the fill  
And let our love too range  
For it hath wings, and they are freest  
That in their loves do change.    
This Song being ended, they went to revelling till ten of the clock the next day, by which time, they having satisfied themselves with chamber exercise, they fetched a walk towards Smithfield, and went into Charter-house lane, where they had a lesson played on the Organs, danced mixed dances, and had an antic Mask; and during the time of the masking, the music that played, was, the Treble-Viol, the hand-cymbal and tongues: After this the Organs went anew, to the tune of a Psalm. After this, some of the creatures went into rooms apart to milk and fodder; and others (whose chiefest pleasure was in drinking) sung this catch following.  

A drinking Song.  
DRrink to day and drown all sorrow,  
You shall perhaps not do't to morrow;  
Best while you have it use your breath,  
There is no drinking after Death.  
Wine works the Heart up, wakes the wit,  
There is no cure'gainst Age, but it;  
It helps the headache, Cough, and phthisic,  
And is for all diseases physic.  
Then let us swill▪ boys, for our health;  
Who drinks well, loves the commonwealth:  
And he that will to bed go sober,  
Falls with the leaf still in October.   
Unto this I shall add another, somewhat pertinent to the business, viz. A Gent. of quality (as I am credidibly informed) meeting with a Gentlewoman of his acquaintance, after a salutation how do you, and a little familiar discourse, he told her he was indifferent well in health, but wanted a stomach, whereupon she replied that if he pleased to come to her lodging the next day, she doubted not but she should find something to which he had an appetite, for which courteous invitation, in a civil manner he returned thanks, and promised a visit the next day about 11 of the clock: at which time according to appointment he made good his promise; and being invited up unto her chamber, he found her in her night array; and after the first greeting was over, she asked him how he found his stomach? he replied, that it was as when he left her the day before; she then said, that she hoped it would soon be regained: and on the sudden, instead of putting on her day apparel, disrobed herself of what she had on, and appearing in nothing but her smock, asked him how he liked her, and whether his stomach would not come to him? to which he replied, that he understood not her meaning; but he hoped to have a stomach to his victuals when it was before him: then she said, I will try that presently; and immediately presented herself to him naked, saying, Fellow Creature, what sayest thou to a plump leg of mutton (striking her hand upon her thigh) with the cates that are now in thy view? which strange carriage of hers, did so appal this virtuous Gentleman, that he (in blushing wise) departed, wondering at the shameless uncivil carriage of her, of whom he had better confidence; which may be read and commended for a badge of his virtue and chastity, and characterise the deserved infamy of the lascivious behaviour of her that was empty of all goodness, and discover her to be a true Prosolite of Cop and Claxton and the rest of that infernal gang which have been the dispercers of a diabolical opinion that there is neither heaven nor hell, for otherwise she could not be so audacious.  
Having named Cop, I cannot let it pass without a word or two of what he is; he is one that not long, since assumed the Pulpit in a noted Church in London, and in a most wicked manner blasphemed and cursed, for an hour together saying, a pox of God take all your prayers hearing, reading, fasting, &c. And being charged before he came down with uttering blasphemy, he said that he would answer what he had done, and for this and other things of like nature laid to his charge, he is now in Newgate, and to discover what might be said of him alone, would fill many sheets of paper, at this time I have promised brevity; therefore I shall only add to that in the pulpit. a passage of his on an alehouse bench, which is this, when he had drunk very hard and the woman of the house, to avoid disorder, desired him and his company to depart the house, he said God damn me, thou needst not fear, The devil confound me, thou art in heaven, By God's blood and Wounds, thou art saved, &c. which put the woman into such a fright, to hear his curses and blasphemies, that she trembled and quaked some hours after.  
I thought to have given you many other particulars, but I hope these are sufficient to satisfy all good people concerning the wicked practices and blasphemous opinions of this generation which have too long increased, and from what hath been said by way of discovery, take warning and avoid their company which may prove dangerous to the body as well as to the soul: for I am able to justify that one Evan ap Bevan born of good Parentage near Bishops-Castle in the County of Salop, was for many years a constant hearer of the word, yet afterwards fell into strange opinions & would admit of no Scrament, no Baptism, no Duty, no Obedience, no devil, no Hell, &c. in a short time after his fall into these grand errors (the devil growing strong with him) that for no other cause but that they were conscientious and finding an opportunity, he cut off the heads of his own mother and brother, for which he was hanged in chains near Shrews-bury.  
FINIS.