AN ANSWER To a printed Paper ENTITLED ARTICLES EXHIBITED IN PARLIAMENT. Against Mr. JOHN SQVIER, Vicar of Saint Leonard Shoreditch. August 7. 1641. 2 Sam. 16.11, & 12. Let him curse, it may be the Lord will look upon my affliction, and requite me good for his Cursing this Day. Printed in the year, 1641. The Apology. THE said John Squier saith, that since He doth humbly submit himself to the Censure of the high Court of Parliament, he supposeth that this is enough for Him, becoming the Obedience of an Englishman, and the patience of a Christian man. And He doth believe, that God and good men will accept it. But since ignorant Pamphleteers, who know nothing, but believe any thing, which they would publish, to brand Him, who already lieth under a public disgrace, have printed this Paper; He thinketh that a Necessity is laid upon him, to vindicate his innoceucy against this scandalous and slanderous Paper. 1. He doth call God a witness, to this his Apology; that there shall not fall one falsehood from his pen; for he loveth Truth and his Conscience, better than his Reputation. Of which, if others had done either for themselves: this untrue, & uncharitable Relation, durst never have looked upon the light. But this is the Method of malice against that calling, those who are faulty, to report them faultier,: and those that are faultless, to report them faulty: thereby to make all odious, as I shall make it more than manifest by this particular. Article 1. THat this Squire did arrogantly introduce many Popish Ceremonies into their Parish Church, Tyrannically insulting over the consciences, and liberties of the Parishioners, commanding them to subscribe thereunto without any interdiction. Answer. To the first he answereth, that he did never use any Popish Ceremonies, much less introduce, or impose the use of them upon his Parishioners, by commanding them to subscribe. He doth deny this, by two undeniable witness. 1. By i testimonial of the most & best of his Parish hereto annexed. Then by the testimony of his adversaries themselves; for he doth entreat this Pamphletter, those that informed him, & those that do believe him; that they themselves will come to Shoreditch church upon any sunday, & be Eye-witnesses; Whether he doth use any offensive ceremonies not established by Law: Or whither he doth omit any ceremonies now, which he hath used heretofore. Article 2. That he affirmed publicly in the Pulpit, that the Papists were the best subjects in three regards. 1. In regard of their liberality, who were always ready to extend their charity, and did present themselves with their purses in their hands, always before his. Majesty. 2. In regard of their loyalty, who did not only seem hospitable in their purses, but were always in their own persons ready to do his Majesty service. 3. In regard of their patience, who (notwithstanding the many affronts and persecutions offered them by Englishmen) have patiently submitted to their cruelty, & buried all in oblivion: wherefore upon the consideration of these three regards he was confident (as he related) that they were the King's best subjects. Answer. The 2. he did say, and more also: viz. That the Papist were the King's best subjects: But, as they did boast of themselves, to leave out part of what was said, you learned this of an evil Master. Mat. 4.6. Psal. 91.11, 12. His case is, what david's was; They lay to my charge, things that I knew not. Psal. 35.11. Article 3. That He called all those Schismatics, who would not bow at the name of Jesus; but being afterwards privately examined upon that point, he could not lawfully call those Schismatics which did not, unless those Idolaters which did. Answer. He never was examined in private concerning that point: nor did he call them Schismatics, who did not bow at the name of Jesus; for he keepeth a charitable correspondence with divers, who do not bow. It may be, he did call such Schismatics who did not bow, who did call him and them Idolaters, who did bow at the name of Jesus, who is God, our Saviour, to be blessed for evermore. Article 4. That he writes himself commonly Priest, and approves of it to be an Honourable Name, and despiseth the nomination of Minister, or Pastor, etc. although we have had sufficient testimony, that this Name was abrogated after Christ's coming, and more decent names given them in the holy Gospel. Answer. He doth acknowledge that he writeth himself Priest, & that he approveth of it to be an Honourable name, and to make it more Honourable; he saith it is approved by the most honourable Court of Parliament, in the book of common Prayers, & in the book of Ordination. But that (as you say) he despiseth the Nomination of Minister & Pastor, and that there is testimony that the Name of Priest is abrogated (but you show not that testimony) He answereth to the first no, to the second nothing. Article 5. That our King was like unto the wounded man that fell among thiefs (the Scots by his imaginary supposition) robbing His Majesty of his Castles, Holds, and withal the hearts of His subjects: & that the formal Confessors was like unto the Levits, that passed by; the Protestant like unto the Priest; but the Papists like unto the good Samaritan, who lifted up His Majesty from those wicked enemies to our Nation, and by their Hospitable benignity were very indulgent to His Majesty. Answer. Concerning the application of that Parable of the Samaritan, he saith; for the words you have been misinformed, and you do misinform the world. But for the substance, that He delivered (as he thinketh) only what he was warranted unto by His Majesty's Proclamation: and that since the time of Pacification, He never mentioned a syllable concerning that business. Wherefore He hopeth, that He doth stand upright in the judgement of all charitable & knowing men: and of yours too; if you be such a man: I add, it was spoken not absolutely, but by way of supposition; as it is testified by the voluntary subscription of above forty of my constant Hearers: who gave that testimony without my knowledge. Article 6. That it was a sin of Damnation for any man to hear voluntarily any other Minister than his own, only three Causes excepted. 1. Either going to the Christening of a Child. 2. Or to an Offering. 3. Or unless invited forth to Dinner. Although St. chrysostom, St. Augustine, St. Hierome, and all the Fathers in next Antiquity to Apostolical men, do with one assent affirm, that the Church in the Gospel is taken catholicly, & is universal. Answer. If this accusation be true; He yields himself to be delivered into the Hands of This, and his other Accusers, and punishment enough He expecteth, if they might have him in their power. Article 7, That any man which passed Excommunication from the Priest publicly in the church, unless reconciled before His death, went directly to Hell in His judgement, although we have sufficient prohibitions in the Gospel that no man (much less a Minister) should judge any man before the time. Answer. His words were these, I use not to pass my judgement of Damnation upon any. But for myself I say, I would not for the price of my soul, die under an Excommunication, passed against me, clavae non errante. Article 8. That it was lawful for any man to play and take any recreation on the Sabbath Day, if so be it were not service time. Answer. He saith he doth conceive it a greater fault to tell an untruth, than to approve of lawful Recreation on the Sabbath, out of Service time. What, His practice hath been concerning the Lord's Day, these 30. years almost: His Parish doth testify by their Testimonial here annexed. But you have boldly printed a gross untruth; for He was never questioned in the Parliament concerning this Article. Article 9 That He did alter the ancient structure of the said Parish church, and withal did insolently induce many Pictures therein, against the will, intent, and subscription of any of the people, and such Images, as He pleased without prohibition. Answer. All the clauses of this Article, and more, are untruths. He did never alter the structure of the church. He did never induce Pictures or Images. He did never any thing in the church, against the will, intent, or subscriptions of his Parishioners. Moreover, he was never questioned in the Parliament for this Article. Article 10. That He allowed the Pictures of the Virgin Mary, of Christ, and his 12. Apostles at his last Supper in Glass, & the Parishioners desired rather that in their stead a Crucifix might be erected, but he would not condescend thereunto. Answer. The Picture of the Virgin Mary is not in his church, the Picture of Christ & his 12. Apostles are there: and if any of his Parishioners desired rather that in their stead a Crucifix might be erected, but He would not condescend thereunto; because the Crucifix had been adored in the time of Popery: what offence was committed by Him? Article 11. That He was persuaded those had not safe consciences, who would not bow with all humility, & great reverence to the Communion table, both at their entrance into the church, and at their departure thereout. Answer. He never did bow himself; nor did He persuade any other to bow to the Communion table: neither was He questioned by the Parliament for this Article. Article 12. That He would not administer the Holy Sacrament to those which would not come up unto the Rails, and bow thereunto with humble adoration; whereupon most of the Parishioners for conscience sake have (not presuming to submit to this Ceremony) omitted the receiving of the said Sacrament. Answer. He did never refuse to administer the Holy sacrament to any who would not come up to the Rails: nor did any ever refuse to come up to the Rails. Neither was he ever questioned by the Parliament for this Article. Article 13. That He did oftentimes exasperate, and foment strife & enmity betwixt Neighbour & Neighbour; and those who would not subscribe to his Ceremonial Innovations, He was their perfect Enemy, until many of them have been compelled to leave that Parish, to the great detriment of their Trade. Answer. He did never foment strife (but compose it) betwixt Neighbour & Neighbour: nor did he use or persuade Ceremonial Innovation: Nor did he compel any to leave the Parish, but used such as were obstinate against the Ceremonies established by Law, with all Lenity (as his Neighbours shall testify.) Neither was he ever questioned by the Parliament for this Article. Artic. 14. That He affirmed publicly in his Pulpit, that it was a damnable fin for any man to deprave or speak against any of those Canons which were published by superior authority. Answer. He did never speak any thing in his Pulpit concerning the Canons. Nor was he questioned by the Parliament concerning this Article. Article. 15. That if the King should demand either the Lands, Houses, Possessions, and whole Estate; Nay, the very life itself of any subject, without any offence by him committed, unless he did voluntarily attribute, & surrender it unto him, that he committed a most abominable sin of damnation. Answer. This is an abominable untruth, He did never say it. He did never think it. Neither is this Article in the Petition to the Parliament against him. Article 16. That he hath brought many of his Parishioners into the Court, and thereby great troubles have been incident to many, and to some Excommunication, only because they would not subscribe to these Ceremonies, and withal, that he hath caused great sedition, and discord in the said Parish. Answer. He never brought any of his Parishioners into the Court, but enforced thereunto by their own obstinacy, and by the Oath of the Church-warders, Nay, he hath kept many of those obstinate persons out of the Court for a long time & helped them) yea some of these very persons that now pursue him in the Parliament) out of the Court. Nor did he cause discord in His Parish, but compose it as the most & best of His parish are ready to testify. Neither was he ever questioned by the Parliament for this Article. Article 17. That in all these Popish Observations, and Ecclesiastical Ceremonies, he hath been no less offensive than Canterbury himself, in some respect, a man prompted for exalting that Roman Religion. And to incur the favour of many Bishops, He hath been extreme diligent to execute all their Canons and Ceremonies, to the full extent. Answer. He never had Relation to nor favour from any Bishop. Nor did He every any thing to incur their favour; but out of His Canonical obedience Neither was He ever questioned by the Parliament for this Article. And finally He faith Anathema to His soul, if He be prompt to exalt the Ronian Religion. Finally to clear all scruples; if it shall please this Reverend Pamphletter, or any of His Confidents to travel into Shoreditch, beginning at which end of the Parish he wil Let Him inquire of every Housekeeper, from House to House, what Testimony they will give to this Relation, and what thanks they will con Him for His labour. But for the Reader! To save Him this pains; He need not go to the Parishioners, the Parishioners do come to Him, in this testimony, which I have annexed, & they subscribed. Besides, for His further and full satisfaction, as occasion shall offer them to His acquaintance, he may inquire of any of these Subscribers, the truth of these imputations. And accordingly let john Squier, Vicar of Shoreditch, stand or fall, in the charitable and understanding judgement of the Christian Reader. NOW! O that my head were waters, & mine eyes a fountain of tears to weep— not for myself! I bless my God these groundless Calumnies cannot climb so high as mine heart, like the prompter of them, they bruise but my heel— and there I leave them. But for mine uncharitable & unplacable Calumniators, that any Christians should be so transported, either with affected ignorance, or blinded zeal, or Avarice or malice, or (which God forbidden) with invidence and hatred of the truth; to vent such shameful & shameless Untruths. For them, O that I could weep sufficiently! Notwithstanding, to show that I am a true conformable Minister of the Church of England, I conclude with a part of our Common Prayer, & with that part which is most commonly cavellid at, the Litany. That it may please thee to forgive our Enemies, Persecutors, and slanderers: and to turn their hearts. We beseech thee to hear Us good Lord. Matth. 5.11. These are to testify, that Master Squier of the Parish of Shoreditch, hath about Thirty years been very painful in discharging his Cure, by his constant preaching twice every Sunday; As also in His Catechising of the Youths of the Parish, and in His Sermons continually beating down Popery: And in His Catechising, instructing the Youths with Arguments against the papists. As also, hath in the great sicknesses not forsaken his Flock. But hath procured the charity of many, for the relief of the poor in that time of Extremity, and hath lived blameless, and done much good in His Parish. ALexander St. john, Richard Gips▪ William Cholmeley, Edmond Muschamp, William Bolton, Richard Gips, Jasper Cholmeley, Thomas Mainwairing, William Burton, Samuel Speigzt, Hugh Edmondes, William Permer, Richard Wichaels, Thomas Preswicke, Richard Allen, Thomas Pont, John Joanes, James Cresson, Francis Hutchison, Andrew Fresell, William Ellwortzie, Richard Marrington, John Perriman, John Benbrick, William Curtis, John Hunt, John adam's. Daniel Carpenter, Henry Empson, Thomas Wright, T. Crowder & Churchwardens. John Hill, George Argent, Richard Robinson, William Burbage, John Bride, Richard Sanderson, William Badger, Robert Bratzawit, Robert Moor, Thomas Chip, Thomas Snow; Rowland Dod, John Taylor, John Preston, John Bird, Sawnell Catarill, Robert Cock, John Noble. William Mouse, William Tison, William Bearstow, Edward Pares, Nath. Fox, John Vicaris, Robert Borne, Edward Eales, Anthony Watson, John Horner, Godfery Fox, Robert Asplin, Thomas Skingle, Thomas Hinton, Edward Pit, William Morris, John Riley, Robert Foster, Richard Blagrave, Alexander Lillington. Joh. Hodges, Thomas paddon, Thomas Williams, Edward Only, William Smith, George Catterill, Henry Joanes, Joh. Rolfe, Henry Spenser, Thomas Robinson, John Staines, Ralph Ashby, Henry Cock, John Hall, William Rawlings Kichard Hill, John Harding, William Parkor, Henry Eton, William Tison, William Sowgate, James Ekersley, Christopher joyle, Salat haell Purser William Porter, Edward Airs, John Coleman, Rowland Davis, Edward Travers, Mark Croxon, john Porter, Daniel Waltham, George johnson, Thomas Higby, Thomas Prat, Giles Hill, Barnet Heyward, james Brathwit. Henry Waybut, William Hurls, Steven Leonard, Nicholas Wakefield, john Wix, Thomas Love, Richard Handsmore john Bradley, john Holding, Edmond Harding, Edmond Cage Thomas Green, john Hand, Peter Woodhouse, Water Lo, I. Savill, William Cock, Edward Dunckle, john Nicks, Richard Crowder, William Lanslet, William Blakeley, Richard Harington, joh. Gothridge, Edward Edgerton, Joh. Bidle, Thomas Miles, Francis Chandler, john Warner, Henry Pilthford. William Addison, Edw. jackson, joseph Atkinson, Robert 'Tice, Griffith Joanes, John Bould, Matthew Morris, Thomas Simpson, William Mountfort, Henry Robert, John Smith, I. Smith Isaac Smith, Peter Atkinson, John wilson, Will. English, George Smith, Edward Ewen, William Ward, John Badger, Hen. Smithson, John Turner, Rich. Holden, William Banister Will: Lancaster, Hen. Starmore, William Dawly, Rich. Mason, Thomas Lamb. Thomas Coles, T. Braklebancke Joh. Okeman, Joh. Herbert. Joh. Barber, Edmon. Bearstow Joh. Martin, Roland Dodd. Robert Lee, George Aperley, Thomas Bullock, Roger Woodard, Mark Blower, Philip Boys, Andrew Tedham John Bullock, Rob. quinne, William King, W. Cunningham, George Lawson, William White, Rob. Johnson, W. Hawkins, Walter Ekin, Rich. Thomas, Geo: Fremlen Isaac. Herbert, Tho. Morris Paul Hudson, Francis Hall, Rob. Nash, William Wyar Isaac Summer, Abra. Summer; Will: Smalebroke James Monnex, john Exon, William Pigitt, Abra. qui Thomas jackson, Edw. Dearing, Robert Wright, Anthony Bowyer Anthony Brown, John Williams Vmphry Rowse, George Adenly, Rich. Young, Roger Coates, George Franck. Rob. Batisford, Thomas Cotterel, Rob. Cheesman, William Waters, Edw. Joanes, Samuel Hony, Fran. Bourne, john Wellman, John Castle: Vrius Lacie, Ralph Searle, William Austin FINIS.