VOX NORWICI: OR, The Cry of NORWICH, Vindicating their MINISTERS. WHEREIN, The City of Norwich, viz. the Court of majoralty, and Common-council by their Act of Assembly; The rest of the well affected Citizens, and Inhabitants, by the subscription of their names hereunto, do vindicate their Ministers, Master Thornebacke, Master Carter, Master Stinnett, Master Fletcher, Master Bond, Master Stukley, Master Tost, and Master Mitchell, from the foul and false aspersions and slanders, which are unchristianly thrown upon them in a lying and scurrilous Libel, lately come forth, entitled, Vox Populi, or the People's cry against the Clergy, or rather the voice of a Schismatic projecting the discouragement, and driving away of our faithful Teachers, but we hope his lies shall not so effect it, jer. 48.30. Jer. 6.28. They are all grievous Revolters, walking with slanders. Psal. 105.14, 15. He suffered no man to do them wrong; yea, he reproved Kings for their sakes, saying, Touch not mine Anointed, and do my prophets no harm, LONDON, Printed for William Franckling, and are to be sold by Richard Tornlins, at the Sign of the Sun in Pie-Corner. MDCXLVI. To the Impartial READER. Reader, Upon the 26th of August last passed, 1646, being the day of the solemn Fast, there came to our City a scurrilous and malicious pamphlet, or Libel, entitled, Vox populi, or the people's cry against the Clergy: wherein our most godly and faithful Ministers; namely, Master John Thornebacke, Master John Carter, Master ●illiam Stinnett, Master Phinees Fletche, Master John Bond, Master John Stukley, Master Thomas Tost, and Master Nathaniel Mitchell, are most maliciously traduced, slandered, and falsely accused. Our Ministers will not be persuaded to engage their pens in answering that farthel of untruths; partly; because they have other more necessary employments for their precious time, but chief because they are humble and meek men, who are resolved to tread in the steps of their Lord and Master Jesus Christ; who when he was reviled, reviled not again, and when he suffered, threatened not; but this we are assured of, that although they be willing in the gentleness of their spirits to put up those intolerable injuries, yet God will not put them up, neither can we their people who have lived under their Ministries, and received so much comfort and benefit by them be silent, God and our consciences, Religion and humanity binds us to vindicate them from those gross and Diabolical slanders and aspersions which are cast upon them, and if we should hold our peace, the stones would cry. The great design of the Libel appears plainly; viz. through the sides of our City Ministers, to wound (and if it were possible) at one blow) to take off all the Orthodox Ministers, and fixed Stars of the Church of England; but more especially to discourage and drive away from us all our godly and faithful Ministers, and to leave us in a scattered condition, as sheep without shepherds, or rather, to leave us as lambs in the midst of ravening wolves; They would have our Ministers think that their people's hairs are set against them, and their tongues cry out against them. But God knows, and all Israel shall know, that our City generally (excepting only some malignants, and members of separated Congregations) doth honour, love, and reverence them for their works sake; As appears by the Act of common Council, and this Treatise following. VOX NORWICI. A true Copy of the Act of Common-council. Civitas Norwici. Congregatio tent' die Mercurij, scilicet secundo die Septembris, Anno Regni Domini Caroli, Dei gratia Angliae, Scot' Eranc' & Hybern' Rex, fidei defensoris, etc. vicesimo secundo tempore Henrici Watts Maior Civit' praed' Iohan' Cory, & Williel' Rye vicecom' ejusdem Civitat ' We the Major, Sheriffs, Aldermen, and Common-Councel of the City of Norwich, having seen a scandalous pamphlet, lately set forth, styled, Vox Populi, or the people's cry against the Clergy, do hereby declare, that we, nor any of us have any hand, or did give any counsel or consent to the compiling thereof, until it came to public view, and we are so fare from countenancing of it, as that we utterly disclaim it: And we do further declare, that there are several particulars in the said Book, which do very falsely and scandalously impeach and asperse the Ministers of this City, named in that pamphlet; And we do hearty wish that the Author thereof may be found out and punished according to the Law of the Land. Baleston. The Cry of NORWICH, Vindicating their Ministers. IN that libellous Packet, called Vox populi, are contained many blasphemies, heresies, errors, and malignant expressions. To point at a few of them: In the preface. First, That difference in judgement in the mysteries of Divinity, is more our sorrow then our sin; and the reason they give for this, is, because it is the product of our depraved nature, etc. whence it follows they hold. 2. That the depravedness of our nature by Adam's fall is no sin to be sorrowed for, or Original sin is no sin: and in that they do sorrow for it, they sorrow for that which is no sin. They say difference in affection, anger, and choler, etc. is more our sin then our sorrow, whence it follows. 3. That difference in affection, and injuries to others, are sins of the greatest magnitude, or sins against our neighbour, are greater than any sins against God. Their desires are merely to be let alone, whence it followeth. In the book, pag. 3. lin. 28. 4. They hold that every man must be left to the liberty of his conscience. 5. That it is a state-troubling principle to compel men against their consciences, Pag. 12. lin. 7. to Uniformity in Church-Government. 6. That our solemn League and Covenant is the same to the Presbyter, that the Mass-book is to the Papist, Pag. 25. lin. 28 and the Service-booke to the Prelate. These things we will not meddle withal, but leave them to be censured by Authority, and confuted by the pens and tongues of the learned. Neither list we to render evil for evil, or rebuke for rebuke, to revile them that have reviled the servants of Jesus Christ, we dare not bring against them any railing accusation, but only say to them, as the Archangel said to the Devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, The Lord rebuke thee. We will meddle only with matters of fact, and be faithful witnesses in behalf of our faithful Ministers, as we are bound by the ninth Commandment, to clear them from those foul aspersions, and false accusations which are cast upon them, that their innocence and integrity may appear to all the world, we shall hold forth a Catalogue to public view, not a complete enumeration of all the lies in the Libel, for that were an endless task (every Page manifesting so many) but of some of them of the greatest magnitude, lies with a witness, such as almost every child in Norwich of any discretion, is able to testify the untruth of them; as, First, they charge Master Thornebacke, that in his Sermon upon the 16h of June at the Greeneyard, Pag 1. lin. last. he exhorted the people to strike in with some Petition, Pag. 5. lin. 20. etc. and that this was seconded in the afternoon by Master Bond, * He uttered not a word to that effect. who violently pressed the people according to the pattern delivered him in the Mount (meaning Master Thornebacke his Morning Sermon. Answ. Where by the way, Reader thou mayst perceive that this Libeler doth not spare to abuse the divine Oracles of God, when he is in this jeering strain; but concerning this we testify, That Master Thornebacke, and Master Bond, did both of them in their Sermons exhort the New Magistrate, and the whole City there present in general, to do something to the utmost of their power, which might conduce to the public good and settlement of truth and peace, but we do not remember any such word used in either of their Sermons, as Petition or Remonstrance; But we believe it was the desire of them, and the rest of the Ministers, not violently to press the people to subscribe any Petition of theirs, but only to stir them up to be active, in doing something by mature advice▪ which might tend to the peace and benefit of Church and Commonwealth. 2. They charge our Ministers thus; Drunkards, Swearers, Gamesters, Liars, Whoremongers, Adulterers, etc. are not petitioned against. We answer, some of us have seen the Petition framed by the Ministers of Norwich, and we testify, that in a special manner, it strikes expressly at Blasphemy against God, Sabbath-breaking, Tippling, Gaming, Ale-houses-haunting, etc. and the main scope of it was to suppress sin, disorder, and profaneness, to procure peace, and to advance the power of godliness. Observe Reader the secret conveyance of these jugglers the emphasis lies in these words, we hear nothing almost, etc. and what's the reason our Ministers reprove these sins daily in the Pulpit, but they are absent; viz. in Mrs Ashwells chamber. 3. They charge our Ministers thus: We hear nothing almost in every Pulpit, but Church Discipline, Uniformity, nothing against the known God, provoking sins of the times, swearing lying, defrauding, cozening and overreaching one another, little or nothing of the Doctrine of Faith towards God, repentance from dead works, love amongst Brethren, Communion with God, Union with Christ, fellowship with the Spirit, etc. These things are almost banished the Pulpits, and we have nothing but the very forms and shell of Religion. To this we answer, with amazement, and wonder at the impudence of these men in putting forth such gross lies, the falseness whereof, are known to our whole City, except only Recusants and Separatists that never frequent our congregations, we do testify all of us, as eare-witnesses, that those very sins they mention, were never more constantly and severely reproved, Faith and Repentance, etc. never more faithfully and powerfully preached by any, then by these our Ministers whom they nominate; and as for Discipline, and Uniformity, we never heard any of them make it their work in any Sermon to preach of them, if they meddle at any time with these, it is but a touch and away, as they meet with occasion in their Text, their main work is to lay a good foundation, and to teach the substantial grounds of Christian Religion. 4. They say our Ministers were unwilling to let their Remonstrance be read in the Court of majoralty, that they refused to let the Town Clarke read it, but would read it themselves, and would not require the advice, Counsel, and help of the Court. We answer, the Remonstrance was read at least thrice, publicly in the Court, the reason why it was read by one of themselves, was because there was but one Copy, and that imperfect, interlined, blotted out in many places, and none else could well read it, but one of themselves; yet to satisfy them, the Copy of it was left in the Court, June 17▪ from morning till night, also upon the 19, of June the Common-council had it in their hands a competent time. The Ministers were so far from refusing the advice of the Magistrates and Court, that they did offer divers times, that a Committee of three of four of them might be appointed to join with so many of the Ministers, to advise about it, altar it, and prepare it for another meeting; This being denied, the Ministers thought it was to no end to part with their Copy; and having but one in all, they took it away with them; by which it appears to all men, that our Ministers did go to advise with the Court, and not having their approbation, left off the prosecution of their Remonstrance, though they were encouraged by many to go one with it, by getting hands among the people. 5. They tax our Ministers of Jesuitical practices and undermining principles. Pag 7. line 7. But they confute themselves, for page 5. line the 9 ●nd 10. they confess the Ministers appear public in ●heir designs, we are sure that is not the Jesuitical way, for their principles are undermining and secret, here they give themselves the lie. 6. They charge M. Thorneback, M. Carter, M. Stinnet, and the rest, pag. 8. lin. 1. that they take upon them to exercise authority over the Court, that they proceed by way of command, expecting their obedience, that they should go when the Ministers bid them go, etc. though it be to lick the dust at their feet. We answer: here's a deal of malice, but not a word of truth, Master Thornebacke and the rest, went all in a humble way to the Court, as Petitioners, They did not threaten our chief Magistrate that they would set up a Lecture and maintain it in despite of him, as some of you have done. with their hats in their hands, they only contributed their advice, propounded their fears, proposed a remedy, gave their reasons, and submitted all to the wisdom of the Court: This is true, and if this be to exercise authority, let the world judge. 7. Master Thornebacke, Master Carter, and the rest, are accused to be steered by the deceitful campasse of carnal interests, and are moved and acted up and down according to the motion of their primum mobile, worldly preferments, and popular concurrencies, submitting themselves to the precepts of men, to Surplice, Tippet, High-Altar, Liturgies, Homilies, Cannons, Injunctions of the Bishop, Writ, Preach for them, and glory in them; and as the times wheel about, they can throw them all by, and be as zealous against them, as ever they were for them, etc. We answer, and testify before the Lord, that all this is so notoriously false and scandalous that we even blush to read it, here we cannot satisfy in a general way, we will therefore give some short account of our Ministers severally. Master Thornebacke since he came to Norwich, did never appear to us as a man that had any eye or aim at worldly preferments, his preaching is against prelatical tyranny and ceremonies, but not for them, and though we can speak positively only, for so long as he hath lived with us; yet we conceive he was ever the same that he appears now to be, and therefore we will give a hint of what we have heard from good hands viz. That Master Thornebacke living in Essex at Steeple-Bumsted in the heat and height of the Prelatical persecution, had an excommunication sent out against him which was never revoked to this day, because he refused and opposed the constant wearing of the Surplice, and reading of the Service-Booke Wednesdays and Fridays, and for persisting in his inconformity after his citation to the Court, publicly and privately in those times he proclaimed the fall of the Bishops for their Pride and Insolency; he was offered a very little Parish, but a great living, some two hundred pound perannum and he refused it because the work was little, and did rather choose to take a place of far lesser means, where there was more of Christ's work to do, this is his ambition of worldly preferment, all this we have heard, and let Mr Thorne-backes greatest enemies inquire, and they shall find the truth of these things. Master Carter hath lived Minister of St. Peter's Parish now these Seventeen years, except only that time in which he was banished by Bishop Wrenn, and his Chancellor, we never could discern that ever he did seek after, or affect any worldly preferment; he hath had advantages of raising himself, but never improved them so fare, as ever we could see or hear, this we know he hath often been about to leave St Peter's Parish for a less people, and less means, only as he professed out of the sense of his own weakness, being not able to bear so great a burden as lieth upon him: and as for the Prelatical ceremonies, he hath ever groaned under them, declaimed against them bitterly, both publicly and privately, and because his conscience would not suffer him to yield to their trash, he was unmercifully persecuted by Bishop Wrenn, and his Chancellor suspended, deprived and molested: So he was forced to leave Norfolk, and seek hiding places, he suffered with joy the spoiling of his goods, and counted exile a Paradise, only to be free from the base trash of the Prelates: He hath ever been the same, keeping close to his principles; and if he have varied in any thing, it hath been in the increase of his detestation of superstition and Prelacy: We all testify of seventeen year's experience of him, that these aspersions of him are foul, and the accusations most false and gross. Master Stinnett hath lived Minister of Saint john's of Maddermarket Parish thirty years, and upwards: His spiritual living is about twenty four pounds ter annum; and although it be no more, we never heard that ever he sought any other place for his preferment. If in some things he hath conformed, it is no more than some of the five Apologists have done: who have been seen in Norwich to read the Let any in the Surplice, and use the Cross in Baptism; but that it may appear he hath ever showed a dislike of them, it is upon record, that long ago he hath been troubled and suspended, more than once, and another put in his place, for neglecting the Book of Common Prayer, and other Ceremonies. Master Fletcher, a learned, pious, and grave Divine, whose living hath been mean in the Country where he hath shined as a light for many years: sure if he had been ambitious, he might have raised himself much higher, by his noble friends, being a man of great relations. Since he came to Norwich, he hath carried himself like a grave and sound Minister of the Gospel, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, and an enemy to Ceremonies, etc. as appears by his being suspended in Bishop Wrens time for the omission of some Ceremonies Master Bond, a hopeful and learned young man, he hath for two years together been coadjutor to Master Carter, that is his highest hitherto; yet we never perceived, that ever he made after any worldly preferment, he never wore Surplice since he was Minister, nor baptised with the Cross, nor observed any Prelatical Ceremony, but hath preached and appeared against those ways often zealously. Master Stukley is but a stranger in our City, of no long standing; but for the time he hath been amongst us, he never sought worldly preferments that we know of, he hath declared himself against Prelatical Ceremonies, and joins the right hand of fellowship, with the most godly party. Master Tost was bred, borne, and brought up amongst us, descended of a religious Family, hath been settled in a Pastoral charge some five years, his Living not worth much above twenty two pounds per annum; yet we never heard he sought for any worldly preferment; he never wore the Surplice since he was a Minister in Norwich, nor observed other Ceremonies, but hath often preached and appeared against them. Master Mitchell, a Citizen of Norwich borne, an able godly and precious young man, he hath some employment, but no settled station; he hath refused places, affording good means, but never that we know did seek for any worldly preferment; he left off the wearing the Surplice (as can be proved) before he left the college in Cambridge; he is clear of all the old taint that cleaveth to our Church. And now let all the world judge the falseness of these accusations of our faithful Ministers. 8. They accuse our Ministers, that they oppose, preach against, Pag. 12, 13. and trouble those that do settle Church-Government according to their Covenant. Observe Reader the secret craft and subtlety of these men; they would bear the world in hand, that they desire peace and union with us, as they speak in their Epistle, and yet they profess to have a way differing from us, and a Covenant differing from the Nationall Covenant: And they blame our Ministers, because they preach against, and trouble them in settling Church-government according to their covenant; which that ye may know what it is, we will give you a touch of the particulars thereof: First, they will avouch the Lord to be their God: Secondly, that they will endeavour to walk in all his ways: Thirdly, that they willingly and humbly submit themselves to the government of Christ: Fourthly, that they will labour to improve their communion; and fifthly and lastly, they covenant that they will not confine themselves to the words of this covenant. Now I would feign know of any ☞ rational man what these men are tied unto by their covenant; yet how arrogantly do they bear themselves upon their church, and privileges, and covenant, and we know not what, even till they draw their necks out of the yoke of Christ; and under the name of the church, they go about to kick out God's Ministers and Ordinances, hating our Ministers because they preach for, and endeavour to settle Church-government according to our Nationall Covenants. But O my soul, come not thou into their Assemblies. 9 They speak as if our Ministers in their Remonstrance did desire the Parliament-men to baptise their children. Pag. 13. For answer to this, we who have seen the Remonstrance, do testify it is false; For they petitioned for some order for Ordination of Ministers, who might baptise and that none might be suffered to preach that will not baptise, and not otherwise. 10. They tax our Ministers, that they have not taught our people to relieve the poor, and that's the reason they are not provided for. But our whole City knows that our Ministers have ever, but especially of late laid down the Doctrine of Charity, and Alms, almost in all their Sermons, and zealously pressed the care of the poor, even till they have reaped much ill will of divers; And God hath made their Ministry so successful, as that the Magistrates have doubled their relief by rates; so as the poor have hardly been ever so well provided for as now they be. It is true, we cannot so well acquit ourselves of the poor, as your party can do; for you will not so easily admit them, as you will do silke-gowns, for they shall be offered to have their confessions to be made out for them: besides, you can get so many good women to you, that their husbands cannot bear the charge of our poor, because their wives prove so chargeable to them. 11. They endeavour to asperse our Ministers with the guilt, Pag. 14. lin. 4. Pag. 9 middle and bring them under the suspicion of Malignancy. But let the world inquire what Ministers in the Kingdom have preached more against Malignants than they, who more for the Parliament, for the Nationall Covenant, * Though not for your Covenant. for Reformation, who balks the secrecy of Malignants more than they, who have spent their estates in the Parliaments service more freely than they; you must recant this as a most malicious and false accusation. 12. They charge our Minister's Remonstrance with this passage, Pag. 15. that Traitors to the King were not executed. The answer is ready; In all the Remonstrance which was presented to the Common-council, June the 10th. there was not so much as the word Treason, or Traitor named. Reader, we will not tyre thy patience any further, thou mayst by this time judge of the Beast by the foot: This short collection of these few notorious falsehoods, may teach thee what to think of the whole: And truly we must from henceforth, call into question the truth and integrity of all those that go this way, though never so glorious in profession. One word only to the Authors and Abettors of this unchristian Libel, we speak to you as Joshuah to Achan, you have troubled our Israel this day, now therefore we pray you give glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him, repent of your Injustice, ask God and the Ministers of the City of Norwich (whom you have abused) forgiveness, lest the Lord trouble you, and all Israel perish for your wickedness. The truth and substance of what is contained in this Book, for the clearing and vindicating of our Ministers herein mentioned, Is avouched by us whose names are hereunto subscribed, to be the general Vote of the whole City: And if any man desire to be satisfied herein, they may repair to the house of Hamond Craske, in the said City of Norwich, where they may see, the Inhabitants of the said City, with one consent have subscribed their hands to several Papers that testify the same. Peter Thacker. Hamond Craske. Thomas Browne. Samp. Townsend. John Billingsley. Nehemiah Bond. William Browne, Viols Benion. Edward Woodyard. John Ploasa●ts. Thomas Hoth. Samp. Saberton. B●●. ●aker. William took. R●●●●●●l●asants. FINIS.