A Lamentable REPRESENTATION of the Effects of the present TOLERATION.  
ESPECIALLY As to the increase of Blasphemy and Damnable Errors by the Liberty of Teaching and Printing of them, to the great Damage of RELIGION, and the provoking the Lord JESUS to destroy the present Government, and to inflict Ruin and Desolation upon these NATIONS.  
Together with a Proposal of some good Work for Christian Legislators.  
Humbly laid at the feet of His Highness the Lord PROTECTOR, and every Member of the High Court of PARLIAMENT.  
By a Friend of true Reformation, and his Native Country.  
LONDON, Printed by A. M. for Thomas Underhill at the Anchor and Bible in Paul's Churchyard, 1656.   

TO His Highness OLIVER Lord PROTECTOR, AND THE Knights, Citizens and Burgesses convened in PARLIAMENT at Westminster.  
High and mighty Sirs,  
THese things hereafter following concern you above all men in the world; the reward from God of good Laws against evil, and for the promoting of goo, shall be the Law makers, besides their share in the common benefit of them. The sin of not making good Laws against sin will be yours, and all the sins that shall be committed by others for want of such Laws will be yours, and therefore also a larger share in the common calamities ensuing, if having opportunity you notwithstanding on it the same. And how often doth God punish a people for the sins of their Rulers? How then can I hold my peace (being convinced that to speak is my duty) and yet love God, You, or my Country? Almost every individual man of you, when occasion is offereed, being apart among your friends (I presume) approves of most of the things moved for in these papers. Oh that God would keep those evil spirits out of your Assembly that may hinder you, being met together, to speak them thrice over into a Law, that may be heard all the world over; and that may sufficiently evidence that in England we have a Christian Protestant Protector and Parliament. Certainly, the sincere promoting of Christ's interest is the surest bulwark to a Nation What Princes, Governments, People, did God ever destroy, but he upbraided them, or might have done, with falseness to him and his interest? I move no for persecuting the Godly, the Sons of Zion, the Generation of the Righteous, but for the punishment of apparent evil doers, that are Gods and your enemies, at least that they may be hindered from ruining the souls of others mention not small matters, but such as consist not with Godliness in the same subject, nor with the peace and welfare of Church or State. Shall such be tolerated? The Letter from the General meeting of Officers at James' to all the Soldiers, Jan. 28. 1652. profess their desire of protection in worship to be given only to all the truly godly, they plead for none else. If the Laws against profane swearing and Sabbath-breaking be good, the you would do well to make Laws against other, as great or greater breaches of the first Table, or else repeal the former. What shall, what can men say or think, if the Protector and Parliament meet, and fit, and rise, and part without acting for Christ against Hell and Rome, in such a time as this, when the powers of both are set upon destroying us with damnable Doctrines and Divisions? If holy Jewel, Cartwright Raynolds Whitaker Perkins, Preston, Ball, Dod, Sibs of Old England, and Cotton and Hooker of New should rise from the dead, and see what abominations are allowed of in this Land; with what a torrent, Blasphemy, Error and Profaneness run over these Nations without any effectual control, they could not but question, What men governed England; of what Nation of what religion they were of; And what was become of the children of those who through their Ministry were principled with sound Judgements and Zeal for God.  
Most honoured Sirs, Shall I fancy this attempt of mine bold and dangerous? No, for its Duty and service to you. However I conceive a man is not capable of suffering in a better Cause; I have great hopes that the great God (in whose hands are the hearts of Kings and Rulers) is so dealing with the heart of the Lord Protectors Highness, and the members of the Parliament, that they will not speak a word for the interest of the grand enemies of mankind, but readily own and promote any motion that so nearly tends to the advancement of the Interest of Christ, to the furtherance of the Gospel; And that God hath brought you together at this time to be the repairers of our breaches. Blessed be God for the great mercies his people enjoy under, and by means of the present Government; The Lord incline you to make up what is wanting. I have not let a word fall of disapproving your joining together as one, in acting for the Civil Welfare of the present Government, and of these Nations, against all the enemies thereof, whether domestic or foreign; My fear of Gods blasting all such endeavours, if these greater things be neglected, put me upon this attempt. I pray unto God that you may approve yourselves Nursing Fathers to his people under you, and that you may not suffer wicked Nurses, pretending to be feeders of Souls, to give them poison in stead of the sincere milk of the Word.  
Your Remembrancer at the throne of Grace U.T.   

A Lamentable Representation of the Effects of the present TOLERATION.  
I Am not ignorant or insensible, how strange the thoughts, and different the expectations of men will be at first sight concerning the Contents of these few following pages: But I am not in the least solicitous how to please any, but profit all: I come not with the fictions of distempered brains, or to promote any of the parties of this divided Age, but in the words of Truth and plainness to propound matter of Universal concernment to all the Inhabitants of these three Nations of England, Scotland, and Ireland, who have any love to the Kingdom of Christ on Earth, and have any hopes of being received into his Kingdom of heaven, that have any bowels of affection towards the souls of their Countrymen, or the little children of their loins (especially the great ones, The Lord Protector, the Parliament, the Council of State, and the Commanders of the Army) all that are not given up to such ignorance and heedlessness in observance, as not to see the present evils, and the danger we are in of Gods destroying us, or that like Gallio regard not these things. O that they would consider what a lamentable Condition these Nations are in, not only in respect of the present evils that are upon us, but also of the symptoms of utter ruin to the present Government, the Laws of the Land, and true Christianity itself, besides some sweeping plague or other from the hand of an angry God upon so wicked a people, and set themselves, every man in his place, to stand in the gap, to keep off the miseries that are coming upon us.  
Who of us can plead ignorance of the Popish Design, laid long since, of procuring great Divisions among us, by Jesuits and other Emissaries of Rome, to the end we may destroy one another, or be unable to resist a foreign Power; also that men may be brought thereby to question their Religion, slight the Ministry and Learning, the Bulwarks thereof under God; and to take us off from the Scripture, under pretence that it's a dead letter, not the Word of God, unable to determine matters of faith, that so we may seek for a standing Judge without it, which Antichrist is well content shall be every man's own fancy (though in opposition to the clearest Scripture-evidence) coloured over with fine names (as the voice of Conscience, the Light of Christ within, Christ in us, the Spirit in us, the teachings, yea the immediate teachings of the Spirit within us, the teachings of God) until the number of those who have thus lost their Religion be so great, the fallibility and deceitfulness of their Judges (every man's own fantasy) and contrariety one to another, so obvious, as that there will be a necessity of embracing the decision of some visible standing Judge as an infallible Dictator, by all those so deluded, as aforesaid, who have left upon them any considerable sense of a God, a Heaven, and a Hell for men after this life, but have lost the true Rule and Judge, and so the means and way to escape the one, and get to the other; Which of you can be ignorant of this Design, and how vigorously it hath been carried on, and yet is, unto great success without any considerable suitable opposition?  
In the late King's days Popery was so abhorred, and Arminianism likewise, and the later the more, because suspected to be a bridge to the former, that to put a stop to both, was the greatest inducement that prevailed with the generality of the sincerest Professors of Christianity in the Land, to take up Arms, and venture their Estates, Lives, and all that was dear to them under the Banner of the two Houses of Parliament. And before that war, how were the very beginnings of those evils banded against in several Parliaments, to the no small detriment of many worthy Patriots, from the Court and Canterburian party? But alas, what were those small seeds of Error to our harvest of Blasphemy! Oh the woeful success that the envious man hath had in his sowing the Tares of Blasphemy, Error, and ill Manners in the field of this Commonwealth, while the Husbandmen have been asleep!  
So great hath been the falling off to the Blasphemies and Heresies of Papists, Socinians and Quakers, and to the contempt of the Ministry and Ordinances of our Lord Jesus Christ within these seven years last passed, that should the contagion of those plagues continue to infect persons of all ranks and Sexes a few years longer after the same rate of success (and probably it will much more, or some other Judgement befall us in stead of it, if yet the Magistrate lay it not to heart) It will no doubt endanger both Ministry and Magistracy, the Oracles of God, and the Laws of the Land; Who may not but see that the growth of Error, and Division thereby, threatens another bloody War, both from home and abroad? And if the men of these abominations should prevail, either by Vote or Sword, then farewell England's hoped for happiness. Our long Reforming Commonwealth will prove Pagan, or at the best Popish, for Quakers and Socinians are scarcely deserving the name of Christians, and if they be out-witted the Jesuit will wear the Laurel.  
That the Enemies of Religion do thus increase, is plain; For the men almost of every Country can tell how they swarm, & are so bold as to meet by hundreds and thousands, labouring to infect all they come near, compassing Sea and Land, and sparing no cost, that they may gain Proselytes. The Socinians publish their Blasphemies, and teach them openly in their Assemblies, and so do the Quakers. I went once to the meeting at Glasiers-Hall in Thames-street, where a great company was assembled, and from my coming into them for a quarter of an hour, there was not one word spoken by any, but such hideous, inharmonious howl, groan and skreekings (the like I think not to be heard, except in Hell) filled mine ears, that I could not but conclude that they were possessed with Devils, and in some fear I began to give back but (Reason and Scripture having showed me before I came, my God's approbation of my coming thither in order to an endeavour of suppressing such service of Devils) by saith I received strength from my Lord to stand to it; then one advanced upon a bench, and spoke very wickedly, teaching the people, That the Scripture was not the Rule, but the light within them that was in every man that came into the world, and that our Ministers were Ignorant, Carnal, Deceivers, etc. And after I had endeavoured to undeceive the people, I left them.  
If any would with their own eyes (who yet have not) behold the whorish forehead of these times, that have without shame bid defiance to God and man, blasphemed both divine and humane Majesty, belied the Truth, and scolded with the Messengers of the Lord with most hellish language, they may cast an eye upon the two Beacons fired by those honest, moderate Stationers, who took not the least notice of Presbytery, Anabaptism, or Independency, as such, and yet were waspishly barked at by some from whom better carriage might justly have been expected. These two pieces will show them, that in two or three years backward from the time of their publishing of them, so many Popish Books in English had been printed and published in England, and printed in London of their knowledge, as amounted to by a rational computation thirty thousand, and probable it is that the number was as many more; since which time I have seen eight and twenty several sorts of Popish Books, which were not named in the Beacons fired, being some Devotional, others persuading to Popery, as full of Error and Superstition, as Popish Books use to be, all printed within the space of these three or four years' last passed or thereabout, in the English Tongue, and of my knowledge in England, and consequently in London, I being one of them that dare profess themselves to know what Prints are of England, and which not, and reckoning to each Book an Impression of fifteen hundred, which is an ordinary Impression, the whole number of the Popish Books printed in the said time, 
Q. Whether here be not too short reckoning? I think it is rather seventy two thousand in all.  whereof these eight and twenty are a part, amounts unto forty four thousand. And it being so difficult for me to get the sight of such Books, its probable there have been as many more printed and published. The Names and Contents of these eight and twenty Books, I forbear specifying, lest by my light some should be guided to buy them, that may catch much hurt by them. And if I should have set down the Names and Contents of every Popish, blasphemous, and otherwise ungodly Books that hath come abroad within these two last years, it would make this Representation too large, either for me to write, or any man to read that hath not more time, or business of less concernment than myself, or those to whom it is chief intended.  
They publish their Blasphemies and Errors in printed Pamphlets, which they disperse all these Lands over, in such abundance, as is incredible almost, every week bringing forth several Chapters of an Anti-Bible, much worse than the Turkish Alcharon, which probably are printed, or paid for after they are printed by a General Bank; for such is the contrivance, that those that are sold, are sold cheaper than Books ever used to be sold these many years, and many hundreds, if not thousands of many of them given away, and left at houses, by Agents which they have in every County, to perform both the one way of dispersing, and the other, by sale and gift, with indefatigable diligence, suitable enough both to the Devotion and Policy of the Grand Juncto of Jesuits, who (we may rationally judge) as they project and counsel these courses, so do they like well these proceed, and say, Ha', ha', so would we have it.  
I do not doubt but it can be proved, that this last year, there came forth in Print two Books every week one with another, that are either Blasphemous, Heretical, Seditious or Obscene (having a direct tendency to un Christian and uncivilize all the Youth of the Land) besides many Popish Books; and supposing that but a thousand of a sort were printed (as no doubt we may allow so many to each Impression, for though it may be but five hundred of some of them were printed, yet fifteen hundred of others of them, and some of them have been printed two or three times) the number then of such Books as were printed this last year amounts to 104000, which is twice the number of what Bibles have been sold in that time in all these three Nations. And by this (were there no other demonstration) it is manifest that the increase of Quakers, and other Antichristian and Anti-magistratical persons, is very great, and no less is the danger from them, which indeed is the greater, by how much the less they are feared. or by how much the more they are slighted. Can les, be expected than open opposition (by force of Arms) to Magistracy and Ministry from such men, when their number and advantages shall concur, who generally so slight the one, as not accounting it fit for so much honour, as a Cap or Title of civil respect doth signify, and malign the other so much, as the names of enemies of God, Heathens, Baals-Priests, Murderers, Sorcerers, Witches, Conjurers, Devils, Egyptians, Sodomites, Fire brands of Hell, etc. do imply?  
The Books of the Quakers are so well known, that any may easily be informed what their Opinions and Blasphemies are, many of them (as well as Socinians, Seekers, Levellers) are set down in the Second Beacon Fired, I shall only name the drift of one Book, which came forth this Year 1656, and sold very much, entitled, A Cloud of Witnesses, That Christ Jesus is the Word of God, and not the Bible, which is called the Scriptures, made by Henry Clark, and printed by Giles Calvert; in which blasphemous Book there is a great show of Argumentation, managed with no small craft and subtlety to make out the thing undertaken, also reviling and jeering the Ministers for calling it the word of God, when they take their Text out of it, or quote it for the proof of any thing they deliver: The words of the Book are these, Pag. 3. lin. ult. But the blind Guides, the Priests of England, that preach for Tithes, Hire, Gifts and Rewards, they do teach the people, and say, Harken to the Word of the Lord, as it is written in a Chapter and a verse. Pag. 6. lin. 28. Do not hearken any longer to the blind Guides, the Priests, which cry, Lo here, Harken to the word of the Lord, saith one, as it is written in the Chapter and the verse; Lo here, saith another, Harken to the Word of the Lord, as it's written in this Chapter, and this verse: See here, saith one, it is written in this Chapter and this verse: See here, saith another, as it's written in this Chapter and this verse. But they are false Prophets rose up to seduce, if it were possible, the very Elect, but saith Christ, Go not forth, believe them not, the Kingdom of Heaven is within you, the Law is written in the heart. And with half an eye one may see the Spirit of Rome and Spain guiding this Authors paw, which because it cannot deprive us of our Bibles here, as it doth the people of those Dominions, hath always laboured by throwing lies and slanders upon it, to work us to such a disesteem of it, as voluntarily to disown it: For Pag. 3. lin. 32. he tells us. That since the first giving of the Scriptures forth, they have been translated by private Interpreters into many Languages, and the many Languages have several Copies of their private Interpretations, with some words added to, and some words left out.  
To these great evils may be added, the Atheism, Ignorance, Profaneness, Beastiality, Rebellion (against Superiors) of so great a part of the people in England, both old and young, fare exceeding the wickedness of former times, which if let alone, England will prove a fruitful nursery of Traitors, Murderers, Beggars, Thiefs, and hereby we shall bring down wrath from Heaven upon the Land.  
It is reported by our own Countrymen that have travelled in other Lands, That England is by strangers noted to be as infamous for uncleanness, as Venice itself.  
The Causes of all this wrath of God poured out upon the Land (for to be given up to such wickednesses, or for a Land to be defiled with such abominations, are judgements as well as sins) is next to the policy of Hell and Rome, The sins of the Land.  
I. The sins of every individual person, either in rejecting the Gospel, and easy yoke of Christ, despising his Ambassadors, or not being zealous in promoting Piety and Truth in ourselves and others, in opposition to lukewarmness, and fond indulgence toward those over whom we have Authority, or in whom we have any interest, or not mourning for the sins of others which we could not prevent, or in not being thankful for mercies received, both Personal and National, and fruitful in good works under the enjoyment of them.  
Upon this occasion, I shall name one famous mercy, which I fear most men have not seriously laid to heart, and been thankful unto God for; sure I am, he hath been very little publicly praised, though it was a public mercy, and as great a one to these Nations as the Deliverance from the Powder-plot.  
After the late King was cut off and the long Parliament dissolved, there was a strange Linsey wolsey mixture of men of several interests, and different Opinions, woven together in a new fashioned Parliament; The major part we feared (and justly) were enemies to the Ministry, Universities, and to all Magistracy too that should not reside in themselves or their party. The Government was unsetied, and the hearts of all sober, intelligent Christians filled with fears of sudden ruin to true Religion, from that Assembly; Some being known enemies, and most of the rest no known friends, the then General also thinking meet for a time to conceal which side he would take. The better (I should say the greater) half of that Parliament being resolved to put down the very Office of the Ministry, take away Tithes, and the Revenues of the Universities, enlarge the Toleration (for aught we know) unlimitedly. At which time, setting aside the General, the Scales were even, nay rather worse, for the worst end was the heavier; And was not this a sad time of imminent danger? Had they all united, or the one half of them but headed, we had been ruined, except preserved by a miracle. At this time there wanted nothing but the removal of the General, or his closing with the Antichristian crew: But this time of Extremity was God's Opportunity; God divided our Enemies, and engaged the heart of the Lord General to join with that Party which made a good profession of Love, and Reality of Affection to the Ministry, their Maintenance, and the Universities, who took an opportunity, though they were the minor part, if the House had been full, to break up that Meeting, to their perpetual Honour, and so we were delivered; The Lord pardon our unthankfulness for this great Deliverance, and make us Thankful for the future, and our children after us.  
II. The sins of the Supreme Magistrates in suffering too much their Children, their Family, the People under their command, to do what they list, in these respects, contrary to the end of Government Certainly, the Magistrate doth (at least) interpretatively allow of these evils, while he omits by good Laws to reform these things, or so lisps that he cannot be understood. I shall here presume to assert,  
1. That there is either no Law against Blasphemy and Heresy, or else the Law is so dark and questionable, that it's taken for granted, by most that are chief concerned, that there is a Universal Toleration, except of public Mass.  
2. Nor any Law or Ordinance in Force against the licentiousness of the Press.  
3. Nor against any man's being and doing almost what himself will in matters of Religion, Every man may learn God's Word, or not learn; Hear it, or not hear it; Go to Church, or stay at home; Profess the Truth, or hold forth Error, or neither.  

Of Blasphemy and Error.  
As concerning the first: It is true, that there is an Act of Parliament of August 9th, 1650. against the Blasphemies of the Ranters, which alone hath quite vanquished all that way and manner of Blaspheming, by the dread of it, though scarce ever any person suffered the penalties of it; A HAPPY ACT IT WAS. And it is as true, That there is an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons of the 2d of May, 1648. very full against the Socinian Blasphemies. But the Instrument of the present Government, seems to repeal that Act, and that Ordinance, and all other Laws whatsoever that lay restraint upon men, as to their Opinions, and the professing of them, if any other were in being at the making thereof. The words of the Instrument are these,  

ARTICLE XXXVII.  
That such as profess Faith in God by Jesus Christ (though differing in Judgement from the Doctrine, Worship and Discipline, publicly held forth) shall not be restrained from, but shall be protected in the Profession of the Faith, and Exercise of their own Religion, so as they abuse not this Liberty to the civil injury of others, and to the actual Disturbance of the Public Peace on their parts: Provided this Liberty be not extended to Popery or Prelacy, nor to such as under the Profession of Christ, hold forth and practise Licentiousness. And   

ARTICLE XXXVIII.  
That all Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, and Clauses in any Law, Statute, and Ordinance to the contrary of the aforesaid Liberty, shall be esteemed as null and void.   
So that if any man should prosecute a Blasphemer upon either the foresaid Act or Ordinance, or upon any other Law (if any were in force at the making of the Instrument, as it's believed there was none) all would depend upon the Judgement of the Court (where the Cause is tried) of the sense or extent of those words in the Instrument, viz. Art. 37. Such as profess Faith in God by Jesus Christ: And provided this Liberty be not extended to Popery, etc. Nor to such as under the Profession of Christ hold forth and practise Licentiousness.  
And though it may be the opinion of one Judge and Court, that it is not the intent of the Instrument to repeal any Law, or clause of a Law against Blasphemy, yet it may not be the opinion of another, but the clean contrary. Besides, it is a great Question, Whether an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons be in force, and did not expire with the Parliament that made it? Which was one of Biddle's Pleas.  
It may charitably be presumed, that the Lord Protector his Highness, did doubt, whether the Sessions of Peace for London, would in the Case of John Biddle adjudge the foresaid Ordinance of May 2d, 1648. (upon which he was indicted) to be in force, notwithstanding the Instrument of Government, and that therefore he the Lord Protector did with the Advice of his Council remove Biddle by a special Warrant from Newgate, before Judgement, unto the Isle of Silly, there to be kept close-prisoner (to hinder him from infecting the people with his damnable Opinions) notwithstanding the Petition of his Disciples and Abettors (styling themselves to be of such and such a Church) for his enlargement.  
And because I have mentioned Biddle's Case, I think it not amiss to give this brief Account of him and it, that any that desire it may know what's become of him, and his Trial.  
On June 28th, 1656. John Biddle engaged himself in a Disputation in Paul's before many hundreds, with a weak man (just as the Devil would have it) upon this Thesis, Jesus Christ is the Almighty, or most high God; Where Biddle was the Opponent; and indeed very learned, witty and zealous he was to baffle all that heard him out of their Christianity: The day being spent, that day seven-night was appointed to carry on the Dispute in the same place, to the heart-cutting of some that dearly love our Lord Jesus, who carried in an Information of the whole unto his Highness and the Council of State, humbly begging, that the said Bidle, or any others, might not be suffered to propagate his or their Blasphemous Assertions against the Son of God our Saviour, or his Laws, and Statutes, the holy Scriptures. Whereupon the Council sent an Order to Sr Christopher Pack, Lord Mayor of London, to cause Biddle to be apprehended, which was honestly done by the Marshal of the City, and thereupon a City-Officer was sent to acquaint the Honourable Council, that Biddle was apprehended, and to know their further pleasure in the Case, who returned such an answer as gave encouragement for the prosecuting of him at the Common Law: Whereupon the Ordinance of the 2d of May, 1648. entitled, An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for the punishing of Blasphemies and Heresies, was pitched upon as the only Law in force that would reach him, if any, for other Law against Blasphemy none could be found (since the way of Convicting a Blasphemer by Bishops was at an end) except that against the Ranters, which would not reach him. And according to that Ordinance process was made, one being bound to prosecute, did exhibit these two Indictments against him.  
London ss. At the Gaol Delivery of Newgate, holden for the City of London, at Justice-Hall in the Old Bailey, London, On Wednesday the fifth day of September, In the Year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred fifty and five.  
London ss.  
THe Jurors for the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, etc. upon their Oaths do present that John Biddle of London Gent not having the fear of God in his heart, nor the Laws of England any whit regarding, the four and twentieth day of March, In the Year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred fifty and five, at London, That is to say, in the Parish of Gregory's, in the Ward of Faringdon within London aforesaid, out of his Devilish mind and Imagination, falsely, willingly and feloniously, did devise, compose and write a certain Heretical and Blasphemous Book, entitled, A two fold Catechism, The one a Scripture-Catechism, the other, A brief Scripture Catechism for Children. In which said Book, amongst other things, the said John Biddle then, that is to say, the said four and twentieth day of March, in the said Year of our Lord, one thousand six hundred fifty and four, at the Parish and Ward aforesaid, falsely, Devilishly and Feloniously did write, put, assert, affirm and maintain, That God is not present in all places, doth not know and for● kn●w all things; That the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, are not one Eternal God; That Christ is not God equal with the Father; That the Godhead and Manhood of Christ are not several Natures; That the death of Christ is not meritorious in behalf of Believers. And the same Book afterwards, that is to say, the said four and twentieth day of March, in the Year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred fifty and four, there with the said Errors, Heresies and Blasphemies aforesaid therein contained, falsely, willingly, devilishly and feloniously, did imprint and publish, and caused to be imprinted, and published, with the intent to spread abroad within this Commonwealth of England, the Errors, Heresies, and Blasphemies aforesaid, to the high Dishonour of Almighty God, to the great Danger of the growth and spreading of Heresy and Blasphemy within the Commonwealth of England, in Contempt of the Laws of England, against the Form of an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for the publishing of Blasphemies and Heresies, made, published and set forth on Tuesday the second day of May, In the Year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred forty and eight, and against the Public Peace, etc.  
SADLER.  
London ss. At the Gael-Delivery of Newgate, holden for the City of London, at Justice-Hall in the Old Bailey, London, On Wednesday the fifth day of September, In the Year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred fifty and five.  
London ss.  
THe Jurors for the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, etc. upon their Oaths do present, that John Biddle late of London Gent. not having the fear of God in his heart, nor the Laws of England any whit regarding, the eight and twentieth day of June, In the Year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred fifty and five, at London, That is to say, in the Parish of Faiths, in the Ward of Faringdon within London aforesaid, by Teaching publicly in the presence and hearing of very many people, then and there present, Unlawfully, Willingly, Obstinately, Devilishly and Feloniously did maintain and publish, That Jesus Christ is not God; And that Jesus Christ is not equal with God the Father; To the high Dishonour of Almighty God, to the great Danger of the growth and spreading of Heresy and Blasphemy within this Commonwealth of England, in Contempt of the Laws of England, against the Form of an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for the punishing of Blasphemies and Heresies, made, published and set forth on Tuesday the second day of May, In the Year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred forty and eight, and against the Public Peace, etc.  
SADLER.  
The Bills being found by the Grand Inquest, the Trial began, Witnesses ready; Among whom an eminent and worthy Gentleman of Public Place was one, to evidence, That a Book which he brought with him from the Parliament Records, that contained all the Blasphemies charged upon him in the first Indictment, was that very individual Book, which he owned at the Bar of the last Parliament, as published by him. The Indictments were read, Biddle with much ado was prevailed with to plead, and obtained leave of the Court to put in his Exceptions to the two Bills of Indictment, engrossed in these words,  
London ss. At the gaol-delivery of newgate, holden for the City of London, at Justice-Hall in the Old-Bailey, London, on Wednesday the fifth day of September, In the Year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred fifty and five.  
Exceptions taken by John Biddle Gentleman, Prisoner at the Bar, to two Bills of Indictment preferred against him, grounded upon an Ordinance, entitled, An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for the punishing of Blasphemies and Heresies. Dated Die Martis secundo Maii, 1648.  
First, The Prisoner saith, That the said Indictments are insufficient, both in Matter and Form. because they are grounded upon an Ordinance of Parliament, which is not binding longer than the Parliament sitteth, and that Parliament is long since dissolved.  
Secondly, There is nothing of obstinacy expressed in the Indictment, without which, though the Ordinance were of force, there is no Offence against it.  
Thirdly, The Ordinance, if it were of force, doth direct the offender to be indicted the next Gaol. Delivery, and therefore this being the second Gaol-Delivery after complaint and imprisonment, the Ordinance is not pursued by elapsing the time prefixed.  
Fourthly, Though the Ordinance were admitted to bind after the Dissolution of the Parliament; Yet the same Parliament, did after the said Ordinance, viz. the ninth of August, 1650. make an Act against the same Opinions as are mentioned in the Ordinance, and therefore, if cause were, the prisoner may be proceeded against upon the Act, but cannot be proceeded against upon the said Ordinance, which was precedent to the Act, and intended by the Parliament to expire with itself.  
Fifthly, That although the said ordinance had not expired with the Parliament that made it; Yet by the 38th Article of the Instrument of Government, the same Ordinance is made and esteemed as null and void.  
Jo. Norbury, Moses Keling, John Biddle. SADLER.  
This the Court having received, adjourned the further Trial of the Cause, until the next Sessions after: But two days before the said next Sessions, his Highness the Lord Protector (possibly upon the ground before specified) by a special Order, took him out of Newgate, and sent him by a party of horse to the Isle of Silly, where no doubt he is kept a prisoner.  
IN the second place, as to the Licentious Liberty of the Press, it may be affirmed, That there is no Law sufficient to prevent the Printing and Publishing of Blasphemous, Heretical and Obscene Books, which I shall make out, as followeth,  
After the Decrees of Star-Chamber for regulating of the Press were nulled, the Lords and Commons put forth an Ordinance, June 14th, 1643. and therein ordained, That no Book, Pamphlet, Paper or Sheet be Printed, Bound, Stitched, or put to sale by any person or persons whatsoever, unless the same be first approved of, and Licenced under the hands of such person or persons, as both or either of the Houses of Parliament shall appoint, and in the same Ordinance did authorise certain persons to make diligent search in all suspected places, for such scandalous, unlicensed Books, Papers, Pamphlets, and all other Books not entered in the Register-Book of the Company of Stationers, or not signed with the Printers name, and the same to seize and carry away to the Stationers-Hall, there to remain at the dispose of both or either of the Houses of Parliament, and to apprehend the persons employed about them.  
Afterward the Ordinance of Lords and Commons of Septemb. 28, 1647. Ordained these penalties on the Makers, Printers and Publishers of any Book, Pamphlet, Treatise, Ballet. Libel, Sheet, or Sheets of News, except the same be Licenced, viz.  
Upon the Maker 2, or forty day's imprisonment.  
Upon the Printer 1, or twenty day's imprisonment, and the Presses to be broken in pieces.  
The Bookseller 10●, or ten day's imprisonment.  
The Hawker or Pedlar to lose all the Books, and to be whipped.  
Thus far the business grew better and better.  
But Septemb. 20. 1649, the Parliament did enact, That whoever shall Write, Print, Publish, Sell or U●ter, or cause to be Made, Printed or Uttered any Scandalous or Libellous Books, Pamphlets, Papers or Pictures whatsoever, shall be punished, viz.  
The Author 10, or forty day's imprisonment.  
The Printer 5, or twenty day's imprisonment, and his Press broken in pieces.  
The Bookseller 2, or ten day's imprisonment.  
And repeals the penalties in the Ordinance, 1647. Not at all enjoining the Licensing of Books, as the former Ordinances did, except only new books concerning the Parliament and the Army.   

The Differences between the former Ordinances of Parliament, which are repealed, and the Act of Septemb. 20. 1649.  

The Ordinances.  
1. Provided, That nothing should be printed under a penalty, that was not first Licenced.  
2. The Ordinance did appoint Licensers for all Books.  
3. The Ordinance made the not Licensing of a Book to be as a Judgement upon it, that it was a breach of the Law to print it, so that no man could plead ignorance.  
4. The Ordinance permitted no Books whatsoever to be printed, until Licenced, though they had been entered (though indeed none in those days were entered that were not first Licenced.)   

The Act.  
1. The Act provides under a penalty, that only no News-Books be printed without Licence.  
2. The Act appoints none, for any but News-Books.  
3. The Act allows of the Printing and Publishing of any thing that shall not prove in the Judgement of the Council of State, or two Justices of Peace, faulty, so that it falls out often, the Printer, Bookseller or Writer of a Book cannot certainly tell, whether his action in Writing, Printing or Publishing of a Book be unlawful, until it be so adjudged by the Council of State, or two Justices of Peace, after the fault is committed.  
4. The Act permits all Books whatsoever to be printed, if they be but entered in the Stationer's Register-books, without any Licence, except News-books, and accordingly Books are now entered, and not Licenced.   
Whence I infer, 1. That there is no Law in force for the sufficient hindering of the Printing of Blasphemous, Heretical and Scandalous Books.  
If it be said, That the Council of State, or the Justices mentioned in the said Act have power to hinder by judging a Book scandalous, etc.  
The Answer is, It is acknowledged that they have, but they will not, they cannot leave their great employments to repair to all Printing Houses every week or oftener in their own persons, and there stay and read all Books that are to be printed, and pass an orderly judgement upon each, which they must do, if by the Acts in force they will hinder the printing of such Books, and this as it never was done, so is it impossible to be done.  
2. That the late Orders of his Highness the Lord Protector to Major-General Barkstead, and others, to put in execution the Acts and Ordinances against Blasphemous, Heretical, and Scandalous Books, are altogether ineffectual, as to the suppression of them, there being no such Acts or Ordinances indisputably in force.  
And now I am come to the third and last thing, which is,  
That there is no Law against any man's being and doing almost what himself will in matters of Religion, and the concernments of his soul, he may learn the Principles of Religion, or live in Ignorance, hear God's Word, or reproach it, and the Ministers thereof, yea and teach his children to revile them, go to Church, or stay, and fuddle, or sleep at home, and teach all that are under him, or near unto him to be like himself, miserable Atheists, slaves to the Devil, the world and the flesh, ready to sink into hell continually, and do not know or consider of it; whence it comes to pass, that millions of persons seldom have the Word of Salvation preached unto them, they perish for want of knowledge, all manner of wickedness spreading and growing like weeds that are let alone. Among all sorts of people, rich and poor, young and old, who are profane, seditious and uncivil? but those of them for the most part that have no Teacher, but blind, wilful, conceited Self: Who are Blasphemous and Heretical, and Profane? But those who either had not good Teaching, or if they had, yet were at Liberty whether they would learn, or no: Whence is it that so many are so busy in contriving and forming of parties and factions, yea in plotting Rebellion, and the disturbance of the Public? But because they are not trained up in Christ's school, and employed in learning the principles of Religion, the will of God's Commands and Promises, yea compelled to hear and set themselves to learn, that so their minds may be better exercised, and through God's blessing their hearts wrought upon to be both good Christians and good Subjects. And for ill manners, Who are the unruly crew, that have no command over either their tongues or hands, and that put the Magistrate to such great trouble to keep men from ruining each other? but untaught people for the most part; What a vast charge do such people put the Land too, to keep them quiet, and the innocent from being wronged by them? Whereas if all persons were compelled to be under the rule of some good Teacher or other, How easily might (as we may hope through God's blessing) one quarter of the Magistrates and Officers of the Land that are, govern the people, or the same number that are, govern them with one quarter of the trouble? Oh that these miserable men were more pitied than they are! Many have taken compassion on the poor Indians in New-England, and with the concurrence of the Magistrate do use means for their conversion (a blessed work that deserves the prayers and furtherance of all God's people) and must the ungodly Christians of Old-England, be neglected and cast off the mean time? Are those Indians more dear to us then the men of our own Land, and of our own blood and bone? The Lord put it into the hearts of all the Lords people, both Magistrates, Ministers and others, to pity poor ignorant ungodly ones, as well as take care of those that are religious; thereby will God be honoured, souls saved, the Land blessed, themselves comforted, when they shall, perceive how God hath enlarged their hearts desire after the advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   

An Humble Proposal of the Remedies of the forementioned evils, and some more good work for a Parliament.  

That Laws may be made,  
I. AGainst speaking or printing the Blasphemies mentioned in the Act of August 9 1650. and in the Ordinance of May 2. 1648. which were chief made against the Blasphemies of the Ranters and Socinians.  
II. Against the Blasphemies and Errors of the Quakers.  
III. Against reviling the Ministry and Ordinances of the Gospel.  
iv Against the printing or publishing any Book or sheet in print (at least Divinity) that is not first Licenced by such fit men, as by Authority shall be appointed for that end.  
V Against Ministers delivering the Sacrament to the grossly ignorant and scandalous.   

To the Encouragement of the Ministry and furtherance of the Gospel.  
I. By confirming the Ordinances of his Highness for the ejecting of scandalous and insufficient Ministers.  
II. And the Ordinance for the dividing and joining of Parishes, where need is.  
III. To empower some in every City and Market-Town in England, where the common Tithe of the place is not sufficient to maintain the Ministry of the place, to revise, correct and augment the Parish-rols of the rates set upon each house for the Maintenance of Ministers, that there may be an equality, and a sufficiency, and a standing Power to rate men according to their houses or estates, by some Rule or other.   
The Reasons of that motion are these.  
1. Most Parishes in London, and other Market-Towns, consisting of Merchants, Shopkeepers and handicraft Tradesmen, who hold no Lands, are sufficient easily to maintain a good Minister, and many of them two, or three, or four, the want is hearts, or a Law to order it so.  
2. Many Parishes have, through the Malignancy, carelessness and death of their Officers quite lost their Tythe-Roll, so that nothing can be recovered by Law.  
3. Where Tithe Rolls are and can be proved ancient and good in Law, yet there, many houses upon new foundations are not assessed at all, and many houses through the altering, bigning and lessening of houses are very unequally rated, insomuch that many houses of 10 per annum, are rated at more than other houses of 30 per annum; and many a man that is worth but a hundred or two of pounds in money, debts and ware, rated at as much as some others that are worth twice so many thousands of estate in the same kind.  
4. By this means many very great Parishes may be divided into more Parishes, and have means enough for Ministers to them so divided, whereas now the means is but enough to maintain one.  
5. In one considerable City of this Nation, and it's probable it is so in many more Cities and Market-Towns there is no Tythe-Roll at all, but all are at liberty, to give any thing or nothing, whereas if all were rated, Then  
6. A great part of the Augmentation-money, which is a blessed Gift, might be saved, or disposed of to such other places, that being Impropriate, or otherwise unable to maintain a Minister, are in great need of an Augmentation.  
III. A Law to compel all persons whatsoever that are in health, to hear two Sermons of God's Word every Lord's Day from some approved Preacher or other, except such as shall be allowed by a Justice's Licence to stay at home to dress meat, or to look unto children or sick persons. For surely God would have men compelled to hear that Word, whereby he useth to make men willing to be saved. Oh blessed Severity, that drives undone men and women to hear tenders of grace and mercy from an offended God, that forces them from the very brink of Hell! How can sinners believe in Christ, unless they hear him preached? Without knowledge the heart cannot be good, and where there is no vision the people perish.  
The Officers of the Army in their Letter, from a general meeting at Jameses, Jan. 28. 1652. to all the Soldiers of England, Scotland, and Ireland, Profess, That it is a duty very much incumbent upon them by all lawful ways and means to endeavour the procuring, That the Gospel of Jesus Christ may be dispensed to all the people of this Commonwealth. It was worthily said of them. And no doubt but the Lord Protector, and the Parliament, do believe that the same duty is much more incumbent upon them, I know they will say so. The great Question is, When may it be said, that his Highness and the Parliament have by all lawful ways and means endeavoured that all might hear the Gospel? Is providing able, pious Ministers all they can do? I'll tell a Story, A godly Citizen of London took to be his Apprentice an ignorant profane Lad out of the Country, as void of Christ and grace, and of divine knowledge, as any Heathen; His Master was very instrumental in procuring to the Parish where he lived a Spiritual Soulsearching Minister, to his more than ordinary cost, much hoping that God would bless it to the new moulding of his Servant, he tells him, what good means he had provided for him, if he would go and make use of it, and after he had gone once or twice, alas poor boy, his heart was opposite to such holy matter, as preaching and praying, so he would come no more there; The Master questioned, Whether he had done all that was incumbent upon him toward the conversion of his servant, and resolved, that to command and compel him constantly to hear the Minister, was his duty, which was done accordingly, and the Boy was converted, and became a very godly man, and ever after praised God for that good providence. What Christian can or will blame this Master?  
The Officers of the Army in their Garrisons (I am sure at the Garrison of Jameses) do compel their Soldiers to hear the public Sermons that are in those Garrisons, even all except some Anabaptists, that (give cause to believe) do scruple it, as to theological Legality, and they are permitted to go to hear elsewhere. And how smartly have I seen the soldiers caned unto the Sermons in Westminster-Abby. A pious work it was to drive dreaming idle sots to the receipt of their pay, if I may so allude, or rather of an Alms to keep them from perishing. It is a good example for all in Authority, from the greatest Prince and Parliament, to the meanest Master or Parent. And I hope there is sufficient reason to look upon his Highness the Lord Protector, as the chief appointer of such Discipline in the Army, and then he will not deny it in the Commonwealth.  
Object. This is against Liberty of Conscience: No such matter, it's against Liberty of being as bad as men will, but not against their Liberty of being as good as they will. If neither Anabaptist, Presbyterian or Independent Minister will serve them, their Consciences are not tender in any sense, but seared, Papists and Jews excepted; And how can it be against their Consciences, or any others, to hear a Sermon or an Oration only, of what Doctrine soever, where a profession of their assent is not required, until from inward conviction they do it willingly? Indeed they had more to say against it, if they were compelled to be at our worship of God, or Sacrament, where it is supposed all say Amen, to what is said or done.  
iv A Law to compel all Persons, if it may be; if not, than all under such an Age (for if God's servants cannot have what they would, they must be thankful for what they can get, better some be looked after then none at all) to learn a good Catechism, and to attend upon the Minister of the Congregation to which they belong, if a Member either of an Independent or Anabaptist Church, otherwise upon the Minister of the Parish where they live, if there be one approved of there, at such time and times, as the Minister shall either visit them, or send for them, and give him an account of their learning and progress in the mysteries of the Gospel, and submit to his teaching and instructing of them, so often as he shall take the pains to deal personally with them, that so Ministers may be encouraged to do that, which probably would do a world of good to millions that now reap but very little benefit by their Ministry. Without all controversy the Devil and the Pope will rage's at these two last things, if they were done, and then they must needs be wellpleasing to God, and his righteous seed, that desire nothing more in subordination to God's glory, and in conjunction with their own happiness, than the conversion of sinners; Yea, it would be a greater mercy to this Commonwealth, than the gaining an hundred millions of gold from that grand enemy of our Nation and Religion the Spaniard.  
And thus having cast in my poor Mite toward the repair of the Temple, I desire that what I have writ may be looked upon but only as the work of a Remembrancer, to those, who, I hope, will do all these things in their own way, method and time, according to the wisdom which Almighty God hath given them, and the piety which he and his servants expect from them. And in regard I plead for no particular interest, but the general interest of Protestants, which lieth in these two things, The increase of their number, and their Liberty and Agreement, I cannot but promise myself, if not acceptance, yet pardon from my Governors for what weaknesses shall be found among these overflowings of my love to Jesus Christ and his Kingdom, to whom I have made my prayer, that he will be pleased to direct and incline the Lord Protector and the Parliament to do in the premises in such wise as may be answerable to their Allegiance to his Majesty, who is the King of Kings, and Judge of all, even God blessed for evermore, To whom with the Father and the holy Ghost, three Persons, but one God, be everlasting Thanksgiving and Obedience. Amen.   
FINIS.