AS YOU WERE: OR A reducing (if possibly any) seduced one's, to Facing about, turning head, Front against God) by the Recrimination (so intended) upon Mr. J. G. (P●stor of the Church in Colemanst●eet) in point of Fight against GOD.  
By an unworthy Auditor of the said (juditious-pious-divine) Master JOHN GOODWIN.  
Supposed 〈◊〉 Ezech: Woodward  
nouemb: 13: Printed in London the year. 1644.   

AS YOU WERE.  
1. THe Recriminator (so he may be named, if a quality, disposition, may denominate its subject) saith; That to build on what Gamaliel here speaks is to build on a rotten and unsound Foundation. Reader, if the Council had not done thus, how had the Apostles fared? Certainly bad enough, they had lost their lives by the sentence of the Court. But why saith the Recr: as he doth?  
1. He tells us that he never heard so much good of Gamaliel except from Popish Interpreters. But (to believe him herein, haply he read none other on the place) may not others here so much from some other not Popish? Truly I have read but two, and they sufficient enough in such a case, viz. Piscator & Baeza; The first saith that Gamaliel is here commended: the latter says no whit less, some what more than the former; according to him, Gamaliel was a Patron of Christ's cause. Indeed the Minister spoke not a word of any personal goodness in the man, but of the authority of what was spoken by him. Balaam, Saul, and Caipha's may prophesy; But he tells us the best Interpreters judge him irreligious, etc. Who are they? He tells us not. Wherein Gamaliel thus? he shows us not. But let them be what they will, and this speaker so and so too, yet it prejudices not the Preachers Doctrine.  
2. He saith gamaliel's scope was but the preservation of himself and the Council (he might well have preferred the Council in placing his words see verses 35, 38, 39) from the fear of Jews and wrath of Romans; Poor man! The first would be but at the Apostles apprehension (as of Christ, it's said they laid not their hands on him for fear of the people, not execution (as it appears in the example,) the latter they oft regarded not in such a case (as appears in the stories of the Gospel and Acts. Eminently in that they oft would have killed Paul a Roman borne, (Acts 23. 27.) and I dispute not how by their Law. Cap. 24. 6. The Recr: without ground runs astray from the Text, to fetch a meaning which will not agree with this place. For the speech of Gamaliel tends manifestly (to any not partial, prejudiced) to withholding from these [Apostles] and that respecting their Council and works, and all least endeavouring to overthrow it, they be found [even] fighters against God, vers. 35. 38. etc.  
3. He saith, though there be some truth in the speech, yet three great errors; namely, 1 He makes it uncertain whether the Apostles Doctrine & Miracles were from God or men? True, he makes it if 'ttwere uncertain; but to prove that he indeed held it so is more than this Annymus can prove; He might, and in all likelihood did thus express himself for fear, or policy (as many most think.) So did Hushai strangely for an honest heart, in that case of david's, in his Council to Absolom, whereby he defeated that of Achitophel 2 Sam. 17. Were Gamaliel certain of that he speaks of doubtfully, he exceeded a Politician, was not a Neutralist, nor Adieophorit, Nullifidian, but believed) and so haply exceeded his judgers. But whether dubious or grounded herein, its evident he here fought for God. And that he said, was good, (1) in itself; Therefore Godly learned Gualther saith it should be to us as an Oracle to learn from, etc. (which no evil speech may be) I qote it because the Minister doth (2) In the rise also, probably, God's spirit was the motive as of Nicodemus his admonition. Joh. 7. 50. 51. It's the Interpreters instance. (3) In the means lawful. He a Doctor of the Law one of this chief Council, Assembly gives this advice (and that seasonably) at a consultation (4) In the end it's rendered so. It saves the lives of the Apostles, and that intendedly.  
2. He would himself and have others judge this (or things to many seeming dubious, whether of God or no, uncertain for the present) by the event. Truly God gives such a Law; he would have Prophets whether false or true, tried thus, Deut. 18. last; and hereby this Council were such judged, and according to God's rule and ordinance and least found fighters against him. They yield to this Doctor of the Law, his advice of letting these (Apostles alone till God and themselves clearly discover what now appears dubious, uncertain (which supposed uncertainty in Gamaliel is this man's first exception, error.  
3. According to his Council Heretics and Heresy should be let alone in confidence, that if such ways if not of God will come to nought. How now? dost thou not understand, or dost you be — Gamaliel; Gamaliel was (possibly, yea probably) as great an enemy of, adversaty, destruction to Heretics, Heresy as this Recr: and would have acquitted himself as such an one, and had the whole Council also, like Jews indeed rooted out, plucked up these, if he had known them so to be and evidenced it to them. But the case standing as it did, Gamaliel speaks for the Apostles, and the Council agree to him, not proceeding to their slaying. (According to this the Minister spoke, that till we are certain that such a Doctrine is Heresy, we cannot without danger of being found fighters against God, endeavour to overthrow it.)  
Next he would show an odious comparison; which is not so unless every comparison be odious. It's true, some Ministers of the congregational way are of a very choice anointing. God hath given them a spirit of discerning [that truth] above some others: yet may those some others be pillars and prime men in the House and Temple of God, and haply willing to be thought s● too, as it seems Paul was as well as Peter, Gal. 2. where Paul no● only compareth but preserreth himself unto Peter (so saith earned King James in his Epistle to all Christian Mornarch, pag. 48.) and that on purpose to heighten his own estimation. Here the Recr: quotes descriptions and conceits (in the prime thickness of his wit) that there was a contradiction among them; but afterwards (reading good ingenuous lines, sh●rpens, raiseth, quickens the invention, w●t) he his on reconci●ing them, (the apparition disappears.) But why inserts he the Section? It's likely wh●n he began he intended not to dead ingenuously, to show this: but now he is contented to do it, haply in caution to prevent the Reply. For sure enough there is no such great art, etc. in this Act for our rearning, his glorying.  
Next he saith the congregational way doth hinder the Presbyterial ways driving on. In truth the case is thus, the Presbyterial drivers will rather in state, stand and not go on, then suffer the congregational way (the elder sister) to go a foot before them.  
To the next quotation the Minister, speak not what he said that way is like to prove to many, without ground: For if the roaring at a distance is so terrible, afflicts so, what will be the misery of its persence? probably— So as the dread, Psal. 90. 11.  
To the next quotation, if this Recr: be a Preacher I commend his reach he takes Text enough. If Mr. John goodwin's writing will not do, he turns to the Apologists. (Reader, remember his Chimaera) who knit a knot with Mr. Goodwin, yet the say abide single and apart, unentangled. The Apologists deny not what Mr. Goodwin says nor Mr. Goodwin what the Apologist writ, who add if the Magistrate's power bacl the sentence of Non-communion, it will be as effectual [as the Presbyterial way is supposed to be.] Sir, here effectualness is not simply ascribed to the Presbyterial way, nor to the congregational by this backing, where then is the tye?  
To the next quotation, if he like not the answer he should have well answered Naziaren, and not have crept away with a Tempora mutan●ur, etc. Well, God mend us, and so the times. Here next the Recr: falsely quotes the words. The first sentence is this, why may we not think but that God may aswell say, that there are too many learned and wise men in great Council, for God to reveal truth, or to give truth victory, against error by §. 2. He quotes half a line out of a sentence containing 15. lines Which in effect say, that where greater numbers of men accomplished with grace, etc. shall assemble, etc. to argue etc. only with an intent to be helpers of the Saints, and not to exercise a dominion over their faith. (2 Cor. 11. 24) they may expect a special presence of God with them. The third is plainly this, that even in Counsels, etc. its ' usually seen that some one or few either of predominate parts or authority among them, sway and steer, etc. And is any the least appearance of evil, in saying this? (1) Have not even those admirers, worshippers of Counsels (the Papists I mean) spoken more and ill of Counsel? But herein comes not Mr. Goodwin near the Arminians? etc. A poor shift for a calumniation. I find the Arminians in their confession (cap. 25. d● Synodis) saying, that Synods ought to be convented by the example of the Apostles themselves, Acts 15. And that they ought in the first place to drive Heretics from the Churches, etc. And that the Christian Magistrates (after God and Christ's chief) authority ought to intervene, and say not all Presbyterians the same? come not they near the Arminians? Thus it is to argue like the Recriminator. 2. Have not our worthy writers against Papists said as much as Mr. Goodwin (in this point) and seven times over and once more: In perticu●iar Whitaker whom he quotes? I will instance in places if cause  
Next he would clasp the hands of the Apologists and Mr. Goodwin, and make us believe they give a blow to Parliaments power, viz. coercive in matters of Religion, (he should like a man have manifested what that power is, and that God hath given it, etc. And that these give less to the Magistrate than the principles of the Presbyterians. This would have abundantly rendered him acceptable to the congregational men. If the man emulate such an honour, let him appear in the Cause.  
Next he would have Mr. Goodwin give his first borne for his transgression what transgression? Forsooth, he against his Doctrine lifts up a thought, etc. against the Presbyterial way which claimeth origination and descent from Heaven, and that without security upon security, etc. How knows he that? Did Mr. Goodwin tell him or any other so, or hath he faculty without his acknowledging, to know his evidence? Surely neither, but we be— Mr. Goodwin. Well then, suppose Mr. Goodwin hath such a demonstration etc. yet may not another, or any without so much proof, appear in contestation against this or that Doctrine as Heresy? etc. Alas. The whole book answers this objection, yet the— asks it. But yet (saith this never contented man) falls not this upon the excommunication in the congregational way such evidence, proof, demonstration, security, a heritick may, aught to be after orderly proceeding, rejected, cast out of the lines of the Church's Communication, etc.  
From my Countinghouse. October 24. P. P.  
REader,  
The charge of the blood of our men, etc. lost at the defeat in the West, is a heavy charge: it hath and will make the bears speak when the murder of Jesus, was laid on the heads of the Jews, they are cut to the heart, and take Council to slay the Apostles, vers. 23. of this Chap. and Chap. 7. 54. they are again cut to the heart at this, and gna●● on Steven with their teeth, and yet truly there it lies. vide cap. 5. 28. Now I remember what Mr. Peter (that faithful countryman and laborious for the States good) said but th' other day, (a Tuesday the fast day for our Armies.) I am confident, it was that (he had spoken against scratching, afflcting our brethren) gave us the blow in the West. Upon which Mr. Goodwin preached these Sermons.   
FINIS.