A blow at the serpent; or a gentle answer from Madiston prison to appease wrath advancing it self against truth and peace at Rochester. Together with the work of four daies disputes, in the Cathedral of Rochester, in the Countie of Kent, betweene several ministers, and Richard Coppin, preacher there, to whom very many people frequentlie came to hear, and much rejoyced at the way of truth and peace he preached, at the same whereof the ministers in those parts began to ring in their pulpits, saying, this man blasphemeth, ... Whereupon arose the disputes, at which were some magistrates, some officers, and souldiers, peaceable and well-minded, and very many people from all parts adjacent, before whom the truth was confirm'd and maintained. The whole matter written by the hearers, on both sides. Published for the confirmation and comfort of all such as receive the truth in the love of it. By Richard Coppin, now in Maidston Prison for the witness of Jesus. Twenty five articles since brought against him by the ministers, as blasphemie, and his answers to them, how he was

CHAP. XIII. The practise of Magistrates and Ministers discovered, how they one uphold another, to serve not the Lord, but them∣selves.

ROsewell.

I hope those things need not proof, they are so clear to every intelligible man, I desire that we may be all hum∣bled for these things, and I desire to have nothing to do any more with this man, except I shall be called to it before a Magistrate, or the like, and then I shall labour to the utmost to vindicate the truth of God, and in my Preaching and Catechistical Exercises, I shall endeavour to meet with those damnable errours of his: And by the way, take notice of those which do sow errours among you, they be such as serve not the Lord Jesus, but their owne bellies, Rom. 16. 17. 18. Mark them which cause divisions, and avoid them. Now when men shall teach a Doctrine contrary to what the Church of God hath received in all Ages, and contrary to the judgment of hundreds in this place, which are juditious, we may ac∣count him a Blasphemer, he hath blasphemy in his forehead, woe be to them which testifie lies in the name of the Lord.

Coppin.

I shall return this back on your own head, and there∣by kill Golia with his own Sword, from these words, Rom. 16. Mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the Do∣ctrine of Christ, and avoid them, for they are such who serve not the Lord Jesus, but their own bellies. Now let the people judge who they are, for which consider, that the Doctrine of Christ is a Doctrine of unitie, love, joy, and peace, amongst men, but some there are who have caused divisions, and offences, rail∣ings, and revilings, at this and other meetings, now and at other times, contrarie to this Doctrine of Christ, and who those are, I appeale to the people, as for my part, I know no man I have wronged amongst you, nor spoke evil of any, but in love to the Lord, the truth, and your soules; I have onelie de∣fended my selfe in the truth I delivered, it being so failed a∣gainst.

Rosewell.

Capt. Smith, Let's conclude, there will be no end.

Coppin.

I must speak a little more, therefore observe, they which preach for hire and lucre of worldly profit, serve not Christ, * 1.1 but their bellies, not the people, but themselves; See Micah 3. 5. 6. 7. Thus saith the Lord, concerning the Prophets, that make my people erre, that bite with their teeth, and cry peace, and he that puteth not into their mouthes, they even prepare warre against him, therefore night shall be unto you, that you shall not have a vision, and it shall be dark unto you, that you shall not divine, and the Sun shall goe downe over the Prophets, and the day shall be dark over them, then shall the Seers be ashamed, and the Diviners confounded, yea, they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer of God: The Prophets are the Priests, the Seers are the Magistrates, and those joyn toge∣ther, one to keep up another, till the one shall be ashamed, and the other confounded, and so fall together.

Rosewell.

But read the 10. 11. verses, They build up Sion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquitie, the Heads thereof judg for reward, and the Priests thereof teach for hire, and the Prophets divine for money.

Coppin.

Truly I need not read it, you have read it for me, and it fits you well, the Seers and Heads thereof judg for reward, and you the Priests divine for money, and if they will not pay you, then prepare warre against them, sue them at the Law, have them before Magistrates, and cast them into prison, as you doe, and have done, and so serve not the Lord, but your own lusts, and for ten pound advancement in one place more then in ano∣ther, you will sell any people, or Parish; for which take one Scripture more, 2 Pet. 2. 1 But there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, denying the Lord that bought them, (ye them that denie him) and bring upon themselves swift destruction, and many shall follow their pernicious wayes, by reason of whom the truth shall be evill spoken of, and through covetousness shall they with fained words, make merchandize of you (sell you for profit) whose judgment of long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not, and are not those your Tythe-mongers, I shall leave to you all to judg?

French.

Doe you speak this by me, we have seldom halfe our Tythes paid us.

Coppin.

What are ye guiltie? Do your conscience accuse you? I name no man, but the Priests teach for hire, they bear rule by reason of their means, and let the people, who love to have it so, judg who they be. * 1.2

Rosewell.

I blesse God I am guiltlesse of this thing, of preaching for hire; but you do see many errours have been broached here, let me crave liberty for one word of prayer, and I have done.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ez. k: 34:
• * 1.2

  Ier. 5. 30: 31: