A discoverie of Brownisme: or, a brief declaration of some of the errors and abhominations daily practiced and increased among the English company of the seperation remayning for the present at Amsterdam in Holland. By Thomas White

A BRIEFE DISCOVERYE, of some of the errors and abhominations, dailye practised and increased, amongst the English Companye of the seperation, remaining for the present at Amsterdam in Holland.

IT may seeme strange, that any, who pretend (aboue all other) sinceritie in Religion, and there-vpon forsake their owne natiue Country, should yet notwithstāding, be found to abound aboue others with all kinde of debate, malice, adulteries, cousonages, and such other like enormities: And that so much the more in the dayes of their banishment and ex∣treame pouertie, which outward affliction, doth euen humble the wicked: And yet so farre from re∣pentance, that when they are shewed and admoni∣shed of their euill dealinges, they seeke to couer,

hide, cloake, reproach and reuile their admonishers of better counsaile; which for mine owne part I could haue borne in silence, committing it to him that iudgeth iustly the sonnes of men: yet least o∣thers be deceaued by thē, as some of vs haue beene, and should be drawn by them through their pain∣ted colour of holinesse to partake with their abho∣minations and vnfruitefull workes of darkenes, & to runne with them to that fearefull extreamitie in cōdemning al other churches & men: I thought it my duetie according as my leasure (which is small, & my abilitie which is lesse, would permit) vpō ex∣perience to giue warning to others of their leaders euil dealing, wherby their people are deuoured.

And, although I knowe I shall object my selfe heerein but to the reproach of virulent and vene∣mous tongues, yet shall I be content to beare it, that others may reape benefit thereby. Neither doe I this, any way to discourage the true vpright hearted, but rather that all that call vpon the name of the Lord, may learne to cast frō them the cloake of hypocrisie, and the leauen of contention and maliciousnes, and so not in showe, but in deed departe from jniquitie, least they reape the fruites thereof as these haue done.

I haue already written to their leader M. Fr. Iohnson, of his (with the rest of their elders) falshood, shiftings, and other contraryties: as also laying to their charge, partaking in and with their church in these blasphemous doctrines.

1, That they held it lawfull for a man to liue with her that is not his wife, rather then to reueale him∣selfe, which first denyes the prophecy of Christ; secondly destroyes the nature of repentance, and thirdly is a fundamētal error cōtrary to these scrip∣tures. Math. 3. 2. 8. Rom 3. 8. & 6. 1. Heb. 6.

2. That there are qualities in God not essentiall, & that loue in God is not of his being, but that the selfe same loue that is in god, that is also in vs, which ouer∣turnes the nature of God, and the simplenes of his being, and is a ground of famulisme, and a blasphe∣mous Doctrine contrary to these scriptures. Ex. 3. 14. Es. 43, 25. 1. Iohn. 4. 8.

To this he promised answere and performed it not, though he tooke no small paines by falsifying to discourage the witnesses, but was content to let it lye vpon him vnanswered, so becomming by his own confessiō a dūbe Minister.* 1.1 Now therfore I see no further cause of writing to him, but will turne to the Christian Reader; giuing him a taste of their dealing, both in writing and practise, profession & conuersation, and yet laying that to their charge wherof due proofe can bee made, as the Reader shall well perceiue by my proofes, & their answers iudging indifferently.

They indeede are the men,* 1.2 that accuse others of simplicitie, absurdity, inconstancy in turning their coates, of being hearers and not doers of the word, of retayning open offenders & so becomming ca∣ges of euery vncleane bird, of being neither willing

nor able to iustifie their estate, and this not alone of their country-men but against those Churches al∣so with whome they liue.* 1.3

1. But what if themselues haue. 1. betrayed their owne cause in writing. 2 Giuen the blacke letter of condēnation not alone to the churches of Christ that eyther are, or haue beene since the Apostles daies, but also to thēselues, & their practise by their describing of a visible Church?

3. Doc practise that amongst themselues which they condemne utterly in others, & haue amongst themselues open and notorious cousners, and such other like offendors?

4. Haue giuen themselues ouer to Sathan, and brought the curse on their owne heads by wick∣ed and vngodly excommunications.* 1.4 Are they then the holy assembly of Saints marching in such a heauen∣ly order after the Lamb, whether soeuer hee goeth, whereunto no vncleane thing entreth, nor remaineth? whether these accusations bee true or no, let the se∣quele declare.

And first that Master Fr. Ih. hath vtterly dispro∣ued the maine drift of all his booke, and so betray∣ed his owne cause, As Christ alleaged against the Pharises,* 1.5 the example of their owne Children, that they might be their iudges: so may I his owne wri∣tings against himselfe, that they may be his iudge, which thus I shew.

The drift of His booke is by the description of a true church,* 1.6 to discouer the false. This discription

as oft elsewhere, so also he hath, Page 196. last an∣swer to M. Iac: viz.

That a true visible Church of Christ, is a company of faithfull people, called out by the word of God, and sepe∣rated from the world, and the false waies thereof, ga∣thered and ioyned together in fellowship of the Gospell, by a voluntary profession of the faith and obedience of Christ. And his meaning of this discription doth further appeare by cōparing it with the third false Doctrine alleadged by him, Page 158. of the same booke, as also with the 17. Art: of ther confession, where hee expoundes it, by seperating his Church from vanitye, Idolatrie, dissolute life, and all false workes of darkenes.

This discription so propounded and expounded,* 1.7 he thus ouerthroweth, page 47. of the same booke before cited, where he affirmeth, that the Israelites in Egipt were Gods Church, prooues it by Exod. 4. 22. 23. euen then, while they sinned with the Idols of Egipt, alleadging Ezek. 20. If they committed Ido∣latrie with the Idols of Egipt, how were they then a company of faithfull people seperated from all false wayes? If he say this their sinne was not their generall estate,* 1.8 as he answers in an other case to M. H. Page 49. The place quoted by himselfe out of Ezek. 20. shewes the contrary, affirming none of them to haue for saken the Idols of Egipt. If he say this their sin was not of obstinacie, the same scripture sheweth that they were admōished, v. 7. yet they re∣belled against him. v. 8. And as for the nature of their

jdolatry it was heathenish; will he then say that I∣dolaters in their generall estate, with heathenish jdolatrie, rebelling after admonition, are such a faithfull people seperate frō all false waies, as he de∣scribes a true Church to be? If not, how were they Gods Church?

To vse Tullies words,* 1.9 testimonium tuum quod in aliena releue est, hoc contrate graue. &c. Thine owne testimony which in an other case is of small weight, this against thy selfe is of much moment.

And heere he must remēber that he describeth not a true Church, what it ought to be, but what it is if it bee a true Church as the drift of that place, where this description is set down declares, As that,

• 1. It is for the clearing the question betwene them.* 1.10
• 2. For the discerning of the true church frō the false.
• 3. Bids M. Iac compare their best asemblies with this description. &c. Otherwise his aduersary might haue answered, that though the Churches of Eng∣lād agreed not with that descriptiō, yet might they haue beene true Churches notwithstanding; and he had writtē nothing to any purpose against him.

Moreouer in the answere to the preface of the same booke,* 1.11 Sect. 6. M. Fr. Ih. thus speakes: Any Church though truely constituted, if they will rather a∣bide in error then obey the voice of Christ, are not true churches. And yet the Iewes in Egipt rebelling after admonition, are Gods church by his account: how well these thinges hang together let the Rea∣der judge. In like māner M. Ih. denies not. page 87.

of the booke before cited, that the Iewes in Christs time, yea and after his death, were true Churches, which had despised admonition before: Lu. 7. 30. Math. 23. 37. yet this which M. Iohns. acknow∣ledges, M. H. Barrow calles blasphemy: so well they agree together.* 1.12

Is it possible so to ouerthrow the maine drift of his owne writings, and perceiue it not? Or is it not veryfied which the wise man speaketh?* 1.13 The euill man is snared by the wickednes of his owne lippes. And yet this booke he saith he did not make alone, but consulted with others heerein, and namely with Maister Ains-worth, a man that hath turned his coate as oft as euer D. B. if not oftner, whome hee tearmes approoued in Christ: and Daniel Studly an elder of ther Church, a man, (not alone for his fil∣thinesse wlth his wiues Daughter,* 1.14 but also for sup∣porting of manifest & shamefull vncleannes and cousning amongst them in others) fitter for the stewes thē to be an elder in any christiā society. No better is his dealing in condemning the Dutch & French Churches, for despising their admonition, and yet acknowledge the Iewes in Christ time, to be a true church,* 1.15 dispising more admouition, and that of greater sinnes then euer they admonished the Elders of these Churches of: hée that wauereth in his owne testimony, how shall his witnesse be re∣ceiued? but he is not alone content to confute M. Ih. viz: himselfe, except he doe also by his descrip∣tion cut off from being true churches in their ac∣count,

all the churches of Christ that euer haue bin since the Apostles daies: 2. now are, yea and 3. thē∣selues which thus I pooue.

If no church that hath beene since the Apostles daies or now is that we reade of, be seperate from al false waies in their accompt, then by his description and in their account must they be no true church∣es, but the former is true: therefore the latter.

The proposition is vndeniable from his owne description.

The Assumption is as certaine, as will appeare, in that they account the very using of the Lords Prayer as a Prayer, to be a false way, which was v∣sed from the Apostles age,* 1.16 as Tertullian saith: Pre∣missa legitima & ordinaria oratione, ius est super stru∣endi extrinsecus petitiones. &c. The lawfull and ordinary prayer (speaking of the Lordes prayer) be∣ing premised, &c.

2. For the Churches that now are, their dealing with the Dutch and French Churches declare it sufficiently: & howsoeuer they seeme to put diffe∣rence betweene those churches in the Low Coun∣tries whome they haue admonished, and those that they haue not; yet to put the matter out of doubt, let him tell us if they account it not Apostacy for one of them, so much as once to heare the word preached in any congregation Dutch or French in all the Lowe Countries besides▪ Or if he can, let him name any one church on the face of the earth now, that holdeth not false wayes, yea euen in their

constitution in their account: Neyther shall he shift off the matter with his distinction of faultye and false worshippe, for when hee hath put downe the difference, whereby he distinguisheth the one from the other, which yet he hath not done to my remē∣brance, then wil I shew him that there is no church that he can mentiō besides themselues, that holdes not onely faulty, but false waies also in their ac∣count, and that in their constitution.

Are not they then the blasphemers of the Chri∣stians and their churches? Or is not this to robbe Christ of his honour? Or may not that saying. Pro. 11. 12. bee veryfied of themselues: Bazleregnehu chasar leb. He that despiseth his neighbour is a foole.

3. But heerein others may pardon them, for they are as fauourable to others as to themselues, for ex∣cept themselues be agreeable to their owne descrip∣tion, after wounding others, they haue turned the point of their weapon into their owne bowels: that they are not seperate from all open offenders, and all false wayes appeares.

1. In that they retaine amongst them open of∣fendors: to giue instance, one Castle was noted a∣mongst themselues publikely in their meeting for cousnage, and that by one of their elders, and in∣deede knowne notoriously so to bee, which if M. Ih. doubts of, he may aske his elder Sta: Mercer, their Deacon: Tho. Bishop: W. Knowling, Robert Iackson &c. And yet would M. Ih. with h••s teach∣er M. A. and the rest of their elders, defend that hee

ought not to bee publiquely dealt withall for it, because it was not orderly made publique:* 1.17 and this before many witnesses: neyther did that Castle shew any repentance in like sorte of this sinne.

Besides him was not R B.* 1.18 (after other moste hor∣rible adultery) publikelye accused in their meeting for creeping in at a windowe to come to bed to an other mans wife in her husbands absence, yet was this man neuer publiquely dealt withall,* 1.19 vntill this day for it, that I can learne. Or if these instances serue not their turne, what will they say to their El∣der, Daniel Studley? (who together with his filthines afore mentioned, in supporting vncleanes in a wo∣man a member of their church) did also refuse to pray with his owne wife a member likewise of the same Church, and yet will shew no repentance for thus doing, though he hath beene dealt withall for it; yea and worse carryage then this, of which his wife hath often and doth continually complaine, which though he be not ashamed to commit, yet I am ashamed to mencyon. I am sure M. Ih. can∣not pretend ignorance heerein, for hee hath beene tolde oft of his euill dealing though hee durst not, or would not redresse it. Or if these yet bee not e∣nough, you shall haue more (if neede be) as Iudith Holder, Canady, Iaacob Iohnson &c. How are they thē seperate from all open offenders? or are they not defiled by cōmunicating with such? Or shall I say fitte members for such a fellowshippe? If they say this is not in their constitutiō; I answere yes euen in

the constitution they holde false waies, which thus I prooue.

1. In their constitution they holde. First that the Lords prayer is not to be vsed as a Praye, rcontra∣ry to christs expresse cōmaundment, which is ney∣ther against reason nor proportion of faith. Secōd∣ly, contrary to the tenor of the words, hauing the forme of a prayer in all things, as Our Father, giue vs, and amen annexed in the end, which shewes that they arepetitions not positions or rules which are set downe in another forme. Math. 77. 21. 22. 1. Ioh. 5. 14. Thirdly, contrary to the vse of al chri∣stians, that wee reade of, as before out of Tertul∣lian and others may be alleadged:

2. They hold also that it is not lawfull for the innocent partyes, to retaine the offēder, as the wife her husbād, or the husband his wife, if either party haue committed adultery, no though the innocēt party vpon the others repentance, forgiuing the o∣thers sinne, be desirous still to liue with the other party in the marriage couenant as before, but haue excōmunicated the parties innocent for so doing, as namely H. C. & one Homes his wife, vpon this, di∣uers of them accused themselues of adulterye, that so they might be ridde of their wiues, as namely one W. Holder and Tho: Canady.

3. They haue altered many thinges which they held in their constitution, as among other, that it was not lawful for Apostates to beare office, then must they confesse that they did hold false waies in their

constitution, and so by consequent, then were no, true Churches.

4 But what would it profit them to be free from false waies in their constitution, if their practise bee not according to their profession?

This (to vse their owne wordes) makes their sin the more greeuous.* 1.20 And sith their knowledge is but in part aswell as their loue, are not they as well as others subiect to erre in constitution as well as practise? If M. Fr: Iohnson with his other helpers should yet finde out a further shift, & say that their meaning in their description afore mentioned, is, that A true church must be seperate frō all false waies, which they see, for the preuenting of them therein, I answere:

1. If they had ment onely such false waies, it had beene needefull in the description to haue imply∣ed so much.

2. Though they haue beene already pressed with exceptions against this discription, yet haue they no where as yet taken vp this starting hole that I can perceiue.

3. Yet if now they should, they haue stopped it thē∣selues, Page. 107. 108. 127. of his last answere to M. Iac. and in other places of their writings.

4. Let them minde, whether enough hath not beene shewed them for the clearing of these errors in their constitution before cited.

5. Whether they giue not their aduersaries ad∣uantage if they should thus answere:

Besides that there bee false waies, which though they were held of ignorance, would disanul a com∣pany so gathered, from being Gods Church not∣withstanding.

Thus haue they paued their way with snares, to entrappe themselues. Had not the simple neede to take heede how they take vp wares vp∣on their credit? And haue they not abused the world that publish in print,* 1.21 that they neyther receiue nor retaine any such as care not how they bor∣row and make no conscience to pay againe? I doubt not but their owne hearts know how false this is, in Io. Nicholas and others.

And heere it shall not be amisse to put downe a briefe opposition betweene their true description of a visible Church,* 1.22 and their practise: that so the Rea∣der may the better perceiue the difference between their profession & practise, & this onelye in some few knowne particulars, by this description. First for the Pastor:

1. The Pastor must bee indued with much pati∣ence: but their Pastor with much impaciencye, as hath appeared not alone in his dealing with M. Ad: and his Brother G: I. and his threatning to for∣sake his owne congregation when he was crossed of his minde:* 1.23 all which are discouered alreadye by his brother: Page 126. 143. 144. and knowne to be true by other witnesses, but also in other parti∣culars whereof some shall be after mencioned An angry man stirreth vp strife and a furious man aboun∣deth

intransgression.

2. The Pasto•• of the true Church must be louing & cōpassionate, but their Pastor vnnatural & vn∣merciful, & that to his own father, yea for the time which his Father was with his Brother G. I. hee would not so much as once see him, or relieue his necessitie,* 1.24 though he were not yet excommunica∣ted frō thē This I heard iustified to his face before many witnesses,* 1.25 and he could not deny it: so true it is, that he that begetteth a foole, begetteth himselfe sor∣row, as the wise man speaketh. For the teacher.

1. The teacher of a true Church is sincere: their teacher steined with Hypocrisie, as in his dealing concerning G. I, M. Sl:

2. The teacher of a true Church must bee vnre∣prooueable:* 1.26 but their teacher is spotted againe and againe with Apostasie in their account as be∣fore hath beene noted.

3, The teacher of the true Church must take di∣ligent care to keepe the Church from errors: their teacher hath beene a meanes to bring in, and de∣fend false Doctrines, as the latter of those two be∣fore mencioned and others that may bee alleaged. For the Elders:

1. The Elders of a true Church must bee indued with the spirit of God: their Elder Da: St: with the spirit of vncleanes.

2. The Elders of a true church must see the lawes of God kept: their Elder would defend the trans∣gressing of them in himselfe and others.

3. The Elders of a true church doe gouerne their owne houses orderly: but the Elders mencioned most disorderly as else where is cited.

4. The Elders aforesaid must bee louing: their Elder D: St: cruell and tyranicall, in so much that some of their owne mēbers haue complained,* 1.27 that if they had a matter as cleare as the sunne against him, yet durst they not deale with him for it.

5. The elders of a true church, must be vnreproo∣ueable: but their Elder St: Mer: hath (as their teach∣er) beene noted for Apostasie. For the Deacons:

1. The Deacons of the true Church of Christ, must haue a pure conscience & must not bee giuen to filthy lucre. But their Deacon Christoph: Bow: for his deceiuing of many poore, euē of their owne companye, of halfe that which the Magistrates of Narden had giuen them weekelye, was thereupon (when it came to light) through widdow Col∣gates meanes called Iudas the purse-bearer in Nar∣den for so doing: Not to speake of many such like instances that by him may be giuen. And for the Elders ioyntly:

1. The church of Christ doe priuately admonish a priuate sin of a holy & louing affection: but their Elders could call, R: W: before thē in the first place, for a priuate thing: & threatē her excōmunication for that which after ward for shame they let fall.

And for the peoples vncleanes, cousning, disgra∣cing, backe-biting, & vndermining one of another amongst themselues, it is a thing so common and

well knowne of them at home and abroad, that I neede not in this place to speake further of it, heauen and earth can beare me witnesse against thē in those things: oh that they would apply vnto themselues and their practise that which the Pro∣phet Ieremie speakes! Will they steale, murther and commit adulterie &c. And yet crie the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord?

Are these then this beautifull? yea moste wonderful church, rauishing the sences to conceiue of it? are these the Saints then marching in such a heauenly and gra∣cious aray, where euery stone hath his beauty, his bur∣then, and his order, where no law is wrongfully wre∣sted, or wilfully neglected, no truth hid or peruerted? or rather haue they not deluded many poore soules, with such sweete wordes, who when they haue seene their estate, and their expectations so frustrated haue vsed these wordes: They neede neuer seperate themselues,* 1.28 if they liue thus: for any Godly societie will quickely thrust them out from them so practising as they doe

Certainely this their description of a visible Church is as cleare a testimony, and as pregnant a sentence of condemnation against themselues and their practise as may be possible.

But yet that their hypocrisie may further appeare, let me giue the reader a taste also of their dealing in condemning others, euen in those things that they would and doe practise themselues, & that in these particulers.

1. They condemne others,* 1.29 for communicating with open offenders and yet practise it themselues as is before shewed.

2. For making men to sweare to accuse them∣selues,* 1.30 yet M. Ih. practised the same to one I.L, and it is moreouer a common practise among them, both publikely and priuately, so to doe, yet would their Elder Dan, Studly neuer so much as denye the matter of incest with his wiues Daughter, for the clearing of himselfe, though hee were re∣quested for the satisfying of weake Btetheren so to doe.

3. They condemne the Dutch churches,* 1.31 for bap∣tising the seede of those that are not members of their church, and yet M. Iohnson with the rest could offer to receiue M. Deuksberies childe to Bap∣tisme, and were offended at G: I:* 1.32 for witstanding it: and yet he neyther was, nor would ioyne himselfe as a member vnto them.

4. In like manner doe they deale with the Dutch churches of Amsterdam,* 1.33 for hauing but one church in the Cittie. And yet M. Iohnson to vrge others to ioyne to them: (which for diuers disorders a∣mongst them would not so doe) could alleadge that there was no warrant for two seuerall church∣es to be in one city in the scriptures.

5. In the place aboue quoted, they giue the like sentence against the Dutch and French Churches, for deciding matters by the elders, without the bo∣dy of the church, and not suffring in this respect

the 18. of Mat rightly to be obserued amōgst them: and yet their Elders, viz: M. Fr: Ih. and his fellowes, could decide one T. Canadyes matter, who had ac∣cused himselfe to be rid of his wife,* 1.34 and this with∣out their knowledge or consent: But the said Ca∣nady not resting in the Elders determination, brought it to their Church, alleadging that he had iniury done to him,* 1.35 in that W, H could bee seperate frō his wife on his owne accusation of himselfe of adultery, & he could not. And further to iustify the bringing of matters in the third place to their El∣ders (for so they practise before the matter bee brought to the whole church) they could alleadge the very same reasons against M. P. that they had before condemned in the Dutch. And for the 18, of Mat. how it is made a matter of partialitie and enuie, yea a cloake to couer filthines withal at eue∣uery pinch amōgst them, would grieue ones heart to consider.

6. They condemne the Dutch & French afore∣said for worshipping God in the Idoll Temples of Antichrist, yet themselues suffer their poore to re∣ceiue the almes of the Dutch, which is a Sacrifice, Phil 4. 18. in the same place: and if they giue thāks in receiuing their almes (as duety both to God & man bindes them to doe) Then doe they likewise worship God in the Idoll Temples: neyther will it helpe them to say that it is not publique wor∣ship, which if they could prooue, yet the commaū∣dement Deut. 12. if it be moral, as they account it,

and must bee executed on these temples, then no ciuill vse of them may be had at all; much lesse spi∣rituall.

7. They witnesse against the Dutch, for vsing the censure of suspension: And yet themselues, could suspend M. S many moneths together be∣fore his excommunication, a man for learning & giftes worthy of his preferment among the dutch, and to good too be of their fellowship.

They condemne in others nonresidency,* 1.36 And yet their Deacon D. Br. could neere three quarters of a yere be absent frō their church, saue that twise or thrice, about his Maisters businesse, hee came ouer from London to Amsterdam to buye and sell wares. And this without any leaue of their church at Amsterdam so to doe.* 1.37 How did hee that hath an Office waite on his Office?

9. Lastly,* 1.38 they passe the like sentence on the Dutch, for becomming one body, with excom∣municates, when as they excommunicate their owne members onely for hearing the word so much as preached amongst the Dutch or French, yet are they one body with an excommunicate from the French church themselues. I might heere also note their like dealing with the Dutch, for their obseruation of certaine Holy daies: yet doe thesea 1.39 mē obserue these holy daies as much as the Dutch, as well in shutting their shops, as also hauing their publique meetings for worshippe on these daies: Neyther haue they in so many yeares

space had time to debate and discusse this matter among them,* 1.40 as M. Ioh. Answered, Sect. 3. to the Preface, fiue yeares agoe. But it would be long and teadious to bring the manifolde examples that in this kinde may be alleadged, but vntill further an∣answere, these may suffice. Now let me aske them, Are these things euill in others and good in them? or as the Poet speakes iustū non iustum non iustum-iustum quod vobis labet:* 1.41 or wil they say as Medea in Ouid, video meliora probo{que} deteriora sequor? But ra∣ther wil they heare the Apostle Rom. 2, 1. 3. What art thou that condemnest another and doest the same? Or the prophet Ps. 50. 16, Why takest thou my word in thy mouth & hatest to be reformed? Or Christ himselfe, hypocrite first cast the beame out of thine owne &c Mat. 7. 5. One would lit∣tle thinke that knew not their euill dealing that e∣uer they would snatch vp that to serue their owne turne, which they condemne in others.

And heere although I might declare their false and impertinent allegation of Scripture, as if it were no sinne to take the name of God in vaine & make the Scripture serue their fancy; but because this hath beene done already in part by G, I. in his booke page 85, which yet lyeth on them vnan∣swered, and vpon further occasion may be further manifested: I will pastle by this, as also their false accusations of whole Chuches, as will appeare by comparing the 7.a 1.42 accusatiō, with the practice of the Duch Churches, and come to the 4. thing

that I proposed, namely, to shewe how they haue drawne the cursse of God on themselues by rash, vniust and wicked excomunication.

1 And heere I may speak of 27 or there abouts euen one halfe of them, at that time, and that of the elder sorte: which all within a very short space were cast out for refusing to come be∣ing sent for, to the meeting of the other part, al∣though they answered, that on the suddaine they could not come at so short space and warning, for diuers busines, but would come at any other time which on both sides should bee thought conueni∣ent, And although one of thē H. A. was distract∣ed in minde: but they spared none, & this excom∣munication was confirmed by the Pastor M. Ih. Howbeit, afterward was this excommunication repealed with fasting and prayer, and acknow∣ledged to be rash and vniust, and all receiued in a∣gaine, and they that withstood their receauing in, were on the other side excommunicated.* 1.43 Not∣withstanding, after this againe, because their Past∣or was vrged to acknowledge his sinne by one of thē, C. S. they were all turned out againe. Such dal∣lying with the Lords ordnances is fearefull.

2. As also how they deliuered diuers to Sathan for hearing the word preached in the Dutch church, though some were encouraged by their pastor and teacher so to doe, and promised to bee borne out in it by themselues, as namely M. S. yet after they brake, promise with him & cast him out.

3. Or what will they say to this? M. Iohnson with diuers others of their leaders, put downe rea∣sons vnder their hands, that Apostates might: not beare office from the Scriptures, and so practised; yet after that M. Ainsworthes A∣postasie was discouered, to keepe him in office, they altered their judgement and practise, and those that would not be brought to their will,* 1.44 they cast out likewise; although they would ne∣uer answere their owne reasons in writing, in like sorte as they had set them downe: no nor suffer their owne reasons to be read in their meeting, be∣ing requested thereunto. Is not this to play Sathās part to bring men to distruction, and not vse as good meanes to recouer them out againe? M. Ad. for lesse Apostasie was not suffered to beare an in∣ferior office among them.

Besides,* 1.45 they haue cast out W. A. for recalling a former Schisme; yet the said W. A. did & still doth stand to that acknowledgement which was vnder his hand, wherewith all they were satisfied. Of this I with others haue written to them, but could get no answere;* 1.46 yet that schisme was for not appea∣ling to the Dutch Churches: and if they doe ap∣peale, then hath M. Ih. with the rest refused vtterly to be tryed by them.

5. Others they haue likewise accursed, that be∣ing the parties innocēt desired to liue with the par∣ties offendors, as man and wife together, as before they did in the marriage couenāt, vpon forgiuenes

of their sin of adultery as already is mencioned in H C. & one Homes his wife.* 1.47

Another woman they excommunicated, be∣cause the brought not her Childe to Baptisme to them, when her husbād had forbid her in any case so to doe, who had likewise reprooued diuers grosse abuses amongst thē, and could receiue ney∣ther answere nor due repentance thereof frō them; the woman alleaged that Tymothies mother was a faithfull woman, and one that brought vp herson in the feare of God from his Child-hood, yet did she not circumcise him: and no other cause menci∣oned, but that his Father was a Grecian. 1. Tim. 4. 6. 2. Tim. 1. 5. Act. 16, 3. whereunto shee could get no answere. Theira 1.48 Doctor indeede said, that Tymothies mother was dead, and so he might haue said of Moses, and the Prophets too.

Their Pastor Maister F. I. made doubt of that Scripture, and staid her excommunication, as say∣ing he would not consent to it: yet after the womā had a little vnfoulded his euill dealing, the same Maister F. Ih. at the same time, could change his note and say, if that none else would, yet would he be the man that should excommunicate her. And indeede asterward they so did, and all that would not yeild to her excōmunicatiō, as namely Mistris S. Widdowe Ch: and R. R. though the chiefe b 1.49 magistrate of the cittie forbid them so to doe. Di∣uers other reasons were alleadged about this mat∣ter, which we shal haue time to relate, after that we

haue seene their answere to this, if they will be at leasure so to doe. Now may I not wish that they had not verified the Orators saying? He that once passeth the boundes of modesty, becommeth impudent out of measure.

Thus doe they abuse the holy ordinance of God to satisfie their owne reuenging stomacks,* 1.50 non it a precipitanter in quenquam torquendum. Is this the long suffering spirit of meekenes in reco∣uering and seeking the lost?

Or doe they not knowe that the curse is not in vaine, if it cleaues not to them to whome it is gi∣uen it lights on the giuer? Are not then their Bulls of excommunications so many curses on their owne pates? shall I say to vse their owne allegati∣on out of the Prophet,* 1.51 As he loued cursing so shall it come vnto him, and as he loued not blessing, so shall it be farre from him, and as hee cloathed himselfe with cursing like a rayment, so shall it come into his bowells like water, and like oyle into his bones? Surelye God that will not holde him guiltles that taketh his name in vaine,* 1.52 will neuer such profanation of his name and ordinance to goe in vaine.

And for some of them that are by these accursed I know they haue learned Christ otherwise then so, as to feare the cursse causeles. The Lord pro∣mised to Abraham whose children they are, euen manye which they haue cast out, that hee would blesse them that blesse thee,* 1.53 and curse them that cursse thee. &c. And let them say as Dauid of Shimei, It

may bee the Lord will doe us good for their cursing this day, yea, let them acknowledge Gods good∣nesse towards them in drawing them out of their Tents, as I doe his mercy towards me in keeping me frō ioyning with thē, being yet sometimes ad∣dicted too much vnto thē, before I perceiued their fearefull estate. I could cite many other things yet viler, as their Sauadge and cruell dealing to father∣lesse Children: as namely Maister P. and Maister B. his Children, and other such like.

But I like not now to saile further in this Ocean, but will content my selfe with the confession of their owne members,* 1.54 W. C. I thought (said he) that they had beene all Saints, but I haue found them all de∣uils, and this before many witnesses: yet is this man still a member amongst them. And for these excommunicators the Lord giue them grace to repent, that they may neuer haue their portion a∣mong the cursed, to heare that fearefull sentence, Goe ye cursed: which is the thing I wish them from my heart. Amen.

Since then they haue confuted their owne wri∣tings, and giuen the black sentence of condemna∣tion to the other Churches of Christ that haue beene, yea and themselues, by their description, and practise that amongst themselues which they condemne in others: let others take heede howe they pertake in their sinnes, least also they taste of their fond excommunications.

And for the prophane (not to speake here of the

popish factiō drowned in superstitiō, whole fruites are treachery) let them not heerby be hardned the more in their sinne, & prophanes, but rather seeing they that ftriue if they striue not lawfully, doe yet misse of the marke they ayme at; what shall bee the end of those that set not forward at all in the waies of God? let them remember that the gate is straite and the way narrow that leadeth to life,* 1.55 & the sewnes of those that finde it. And for the Israel of God, The Lord giue them holynesse & peace,* 1.56 without the which, they shall neuer see him to their comfort.

Hee that causeth the righteous to goe astray by an e∣uill way, shall fall into his owne pit. Pro. 28. 10.

Thine in Christ, Tho: White.

Since I had finished this treatise, I heare that Tho: Canady before mencioned, hath liued in Sodometry with his Boy, as the Apostle speakes of the hea∣then,* 1.57 men with men wrought filthines, &c. and not∣withstanding his great wayling, is now cast out, wherin it seemeth they haue forgotten their won∣ted allegation:* 1.58 If thy brother sinne against thee not a∣lone vntil seuen times, but seuenty times seauen, thou shalt for giue him;* 1.59 If hee returne againe and say it re∣penteth me &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Page. 147. Last answ. to M. Iac.
• * 1.2

  Answere to M. H.
• * 1.3

  Answer to M. Iun. let:
• * 1.4

  As in the True de∣script: of a visible Ch:
• * 1.5

  Mat. 12. 27
• * 1.6

  Last answ: to M. la.
• * 1.7

  Last answ: to. M. Iac:
• * 1.8

  Answ: to M. H. page 49.
• * 1.9

  Cic. orat: P. Qu.
• * 1.10

  Last answ: to M. Ia: Page. 196.
• * 1.11

  Last answ: to M. Ia.
• * 1.12

  Refut. of Giff.
• * 1.13

  Pro. 12. 13 Answ: to the pref. Sect. 1.
• * 1.14

  As namely in Iudith Holder and others.
• * 1.15

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.16

  Tertul: lib. de orat:
• * 1.17

  Mr. P. I. L. W. N. and others.
• * 1.18

  Robert Bay∣ly.
• * 1.19

  H. C.
• * 1.20

  Answ: to M H:
• * 1.21

  Page. 202, last answ: to Ia.
• * 1.22

  Treatise so entituled.
• * 1.23

  Of his booke enti∣tuled A dis∣course of cer¦taine trou∣bles and ex∣com. &c.
• * 1.24

  By M. S.
• * 1.25

  Pro. 17. 21. & 20. 20.
• * 1.26

  1. Tim, 3.
• * 1.27

  Before M. Powell and others.
• * 1.28

  W.F, & E.H.
• * 1.29

  Page. 157.
• * 1.30

  Page. 63 Iohn Lan∣den.
• * 1.31

  Answ: to Iun. let∣ters page
• * 1.32

  George Ioh.
• * 1.33

  Consisting of so greate a multitude
• * 1.34

  Of adulte∣ry.
• * 1.35

  W. Holder.
• * 1.36

  Page. 65. Last answ: to H. I.
• * 1.37

  Rom. 12.
• * 1.38

  M. Ih. &c.
• a 1.39

  M. Fr: Ih: and the rest.
• * 1.40

  Of the last answ: to M Ia:
• * 1.41

  Plautus.
• a 1.42

  Neh. 6. 8. Pro. 24. 28. Confess: with Iun: let: page. 54
• * 1.43

  W. A.
• * 1.44

  W. A.
• * 1.45

  Williā As∣plen.
• * 1.46

  Before his departing from them.
• * 1.47

  Hen. Cooke.
• a 1.48

  And the onely Doct∣or in the world in their ac∣count.
• b 1.49

  The head skout.
• * 1.50

  Pol. virg: li: 4^o. cap. 12
• * 1.51

  Ps. 109. 17. 18.
• * 1.52

  Ex. 20. 7.
• * 1.53

  Gen. 12. 3. 2. Sam. 16. 12.
• * 1.54

  W. Clerk.
• * 1.55

  Math. 7. 13
• * 1.56

  Heb. 12. 14
• * 1.57

  Rom. 1.
• * 1.58

  Mat. 18. 22
• * 1.59

  Luc. 17. 4.