TIs not any by-respect, but conviction of duty which puts us out to this humble address, First, to the Lord Christ, for his wonderful deliverances from a Pre­latical bondage, and a Presbyterian slavery, the last of which (though of but a short continuance) yet lives fresh in the memory of all good people. Se­condly, to the renouned Parliament of the Common-wealth of Eng­land, the happy instruments of our freedom, and painful Labou­rers in the work of Christ, notwithstanding whose vigilancy, we have had a sad experience of the Plots and designs of a Presbyterian party, especially in and about the City of London, who have not onely kept a correspondence with those of Scotland, but also contri­buted moneys and other encouragements to their several Invasions; And have from time to time, by most malicious scandals and forge­ries, both in the Pulpit and at the Press, endeavoured to bring an odium on the Parliament and present Government, by affirming that the Army was a Popish Army, and full of Papists and Jesuits, that Mr. Hugh Peters and divers others (who had bin principally active for the Parliament) were Jesuits, and that such lay-people who had a call of Spirit, and did dispense their gifts (without the formal humane Ordinances of the Presbytery) were Popish Priests in disguise, Nay, (which is most abominable, even to be repeated) they stuck not to affirm (such was their malice) that my Lord Gene­rall was Anti-christ, and the man of sin, with such like horrid scandals and abuses. But when their Armies of flesh were by Christs own powers subdued both at Dunbar and Worcester, to the eter­nal memory of the 3d. day of September, the fury and insolence of [Page 10] these Kirkists was in some measure debelled, and their unquiet spirits tamed; yet through the too much mercy of the Parliament towards them, and the continuance of them in places of publique trust and imployment, they begin to fancy new hopes, and (we have just cause to fear) are broaching new designs against the Parliament of this Commonwealth, whom we trust the same great God will still defend.

To this purpose we are certified from an eminent hand at Eden­borough by a letter dated 5 Junii last, and published by Mercurius Politicus, numero 106. That the Kirk Clergy preach damna­tion to such as accept of the Ʋnion, and though they agree in nothing else among themselves, yet they agree in their opposition to the Parliament. And again in the next Mercury by another letter da­ted the 12 ^th of the same June. Indeed the spirits of division, facti­on, rebellion and devil himself of pride doth wholly act this wild order and degeneration of men, and their rage is the greater, be­cause their Kingdom is falling. Nor must it be forgotten (sayes another) what hazard our Nation hath run of late, through the malice, falshood and faction of the late Presbyterian drivers, &c. Politicus, numero 111. page 1739.

Much more might be said to evidence that this rigid party of soul-drivers hath been the onely considerable party that hath oppo­sed all along the proceedings and establishment of our Paliament and Common-wealth, even beyond all Jesuits and Popish party whatsoever, but that it is in it self so clear, that it needs no other e­viction.

And that these six Subscribers are of that Tribe will also mani­festly appear, as by the sequent discourse, so by their setting the first Beacon on fire; for they are true Salamanders in a State, and delight in nothing more than in persecution of tender consciences by fire and sword; they are Boutefeux in a superlative degree, whose chief content consists in making combustions in all well-govern'd Common-wealths. And that the world may the better know these Subscribers, take their names (according to their own subscriptions) and places of abode, as follows.

• [Page 11] Luke Fawn at the sign of the Parot in Pauls Church-yard.
• Joshua Kirton at the late Kings arms in Pauls Church-yard.
• Samuel Gellibrand at the Golden Ball in the new Rents.
• Thomas Ʋnderhill at the Anchor and Bible in the new Rents.
• John Rothwel at the Sun and Fountain in the new Rents.
• Nathaniel Webb at the sign of the Bear in the new Rents.

These were the Subscribers of that Pamphlet, but the Contrivers and counsellers of it, we shall in due time, and upon just occasion discover.

Their Preamble is embellished with much seeming zeal for exal­tation of the Gospel of Christ Jesus, which were truly commenda­ble, if it came from pure hearts, but we have too great an assurance that Self-interest is their aim, and Hypocrisie their zeal.

In the first Section they intimate a fear to be necessitated to leave their calling, (for want of trade) rather than the pretence of keep­ing their consciences pure; And in the fourth they insinuate Propo­sals for effecting their desires, and so would fain serue themselves into some Office or Monopoly for licensing, printing, and selling of books, that they might engross the Trade, and lash their neighbours with some Presbyterian whips, and none be permitted to publish any thing but what they please.

In the second Section the Pamphlet saies, The Parliament well knowing that the Common People of this Nation will be of one Re­ligion or other, and if by publique authority they be not kept to the Reformed Religion, they will be easily drawn to the Po­pish.

Here they speak plain English, and would have a coercive power in matters of Religion, a ( Presbyterian Class would do well, but let it have some new name,) that may excommunicate, enjoin Penances, pronounce Censures (and what would this be less than a Spanish Inquisition) &c? And then the Subscribers would be pleased; But they know both the Parliament and Army have often declared against such proceedings, and Have disclaimed all other punishments for matters of Religion, and will not (we are [Page 12] confident) permit them to be revived under any image or shape whatsoever; See the Par­liaments An­swer to Scotch Papers in March 1647 fol. 43 & 63. the weapons of Fasting and Prayer (to speak in the Parliaments own words) being both more available and more Christian in such cases, than those of force and violence, &c.

And how simple are these Subscribers to imagine that the Truth of Christs holy Religion needs the support of human arms to sustain it, or that the Parliament will make use of any power to so unlaw­full an end? An excellent late Treatise, entituled Zeal Exami­ned, will give them better light in this point of Liberty of Consci­ence.

And how distrustfull are these men of Gods Providence, and doubtfull of our own strength, to imagine, that any Papist can say more than we, or write more than we can answer? We desire nothing more than that they and all dissenters should propound their doubts in a Christian way, either by Word or by Epistle, and meet in the love of Christ for better instruction.

They forget that about the beginning of July last a Petition was presented to the Parliament by many thousands of well-affected persons, one braneh whereof was, That the Press might be open to all, which these men would by a subtill insinuation shut against all but themselves; Yet it was not intended by that Petition, that the Press should be open for any such scandalous Books of Libells against the State and present Government, as at least some of the Subscribers will appear to have of late printed and published.

Now (if it were worth the examining) we might certainly find many Untruths also in a few leaves of that Pamphlet; As that all the Books there mentioned were printed in England, is very doubt­full, and that 1500 should be printed of every sort is most improba­ble.

And we cannot but take notice that these Subscribers rank the Chri­stian Moderator amongst Popish Books; because it equally rejects the Episcopall Bondage, and Presbyterian Slavery, & holds forth an absolute incoertion in matters of inward beleef, which these men love not to hear of, nor of any Christian Moderation; nor hath that Book (to our best remembrance) any one word against the State, or present Government, but much in honor of the same, and of di­vers Members thereof.

In page 13 they say, That Christians of a different beleef [Page 13] are not tolerated to profess their Religion among Papists.

How then do so many thousands enjoy a perfect liberty of con­science without any mulct or penalty, even in France our next neighbouring Countrey? We ought to speak truth, even of our ene­mies whomsoever.

As for the Popish Books mentioned in their Catalogue, we do beleeve (upon good information) that the greatest part of them only hold forth Morall Divinity, as they call it, with exhortation to, and rules of good life; which it seems the Subscribers do not desire to be guilty of; And if those Books have 19 parts of good Matter, and the 20th. part Popery, it were great pitty the much good should suffer for the little evill, as it was excellently said by a Worthy Member of Parliament upon occasion of debate concern­ing the Racovian Catechism, who upon that reason passed his Vote against the burning of it.

For what these Pampheteers urge against Mr. Hobbs, and Mr. Josua Sprigg, out of their Leviathan, and Testimony to approach­ing Glory, we have not time at present to examine whether the points are truly cited: however those persons are very well able to answer for themselves; only this we may gather, that they are the more violent, as we conceive, against Mr. Sprigg, for being the Author of that excellent piece entituled Anglia Rediviva, wher­in the Noble Acts of that renowned Generall, Thomas Lord Fair­fax, are memorized, by whose gallantry and success the Presbyte­rian Tyranny began first to be abated.

And to shew the Hypocrisy of these men, who though in page third say, they fear left we should be tempted, for want of other trade, to be venders of such loathsome wares (as Popish Books) or else necessitated to leave our callings to keep our Consciences pure; yet it will be sufficiently proved, that at least some of these Subscribers do daily sell both Latin and English Popish Books, if they can get Customers for them; And did lately quarrel with one of their Neighbour Book-sellers because he would not exchange the Books called the Holy Court for some of their Presbyterian Books.

Now the truth is, this party of men make an appearance of zeal against Papists and Popish Books, the better to disguise their de­signs; when as their malice and spleen is against the well-affe­cted, [Page 14] whom they stile Independents, and Sectaries, and would fain bring the world to that pass, that no Religious person what­soever should write any Book, but what should first pass the Test and approbation of their Presbyterian Censures; which we humbly hope the Parliament will never permit.