The first and second part of Gangræna, or, A catalogue and discovery of many of the errors, heresies, blasphemies and pernicious practices of the sectaries of this time, vented and acted in England in these four last years also a particular narration of divers stories, remarkable passages, letters : an extract of many letters, all concerning the present sects : together with some observations upon and corollaries from all the fore-named premisses / by Thomas Edwards ...

THE PREFACE.

Christian Reader,

ALthough there be already at the Presse a full Reply to the pretended Answers made by Mr. Saltmarsh, Mr. Walwyn, and Mr. Iohn Goodwin, against my late Book entituled Gangraena; yea, and some part there∣of printed; yet considering not only the three bo∣died Monster Geryon, and the three headed Cerberus, which for present I have to grapple and conflict withall, but that Hy∣dra also, ready to rise up in their place, therefore that I may both mortally wound the heads of these Dragons, and cut off others as they are springing, and strike once for all in defence of Gangrena: my Reply cannot but be somewhat large, and so of necessity must take up more time for the perfecting and publishing of it (especially considering my imployments in frequent constant preaching, be∣sides all other occasions) then at this time I am contented to be kept from coming abroad in Print.

And therfore for preventing the Sectaries glorying, and tri∣umphing too much in their Answers, and their possessing many peo∣ple against my Book, as if it were a Book of lies, and that I could not make proof of, or give a good account to the world of what I have written; as also from interpreting my silence (though but during a time simply necessary to give a full Answer) a repenting of writing my late Book and a retreating from that cause wherein I have so much appeared (as Master a 1.1 Walwyn seems to do) I have thought it necessary in the Interim, till my larger Reply can come

forth, to set forth a few sheets to declare my mind to all the world, and to take away all just occasion from men of speaking against my late Book: Now this Book being of the same nature and kind with Gangraena, besides a breif Answer to some main Objections made a∣gainst it, is not only an Addition of more Errours to the former Cata∣logue, a higher Discovery of the wayes and Practises of the Sectaries, a further confirmation of the truth of things contained in Gangraena, but an assurance to the Reader of my Resolution and Constancie, by the grace of God, in opposing Errours and Sects maugre all the malice, wrath and power of Hell; as also a satisfaction in part to the most ma∣teriall things objected by Master Saltmarsh, Mr. Walwyn, Mr. Goodwin, against my Book; and as I am perswaded this Discourse will not be without its use for the present, so I question not when my full Reply to these three Pamphlets shall come abroad (of which this Book is the fore-runner, and prepares the way) not only all rationall and unpreju∣diced men, who shall read and consider, will be satisfied by it; but my Antagonists will be laid so open and bare, as their folly and shame shall be manifested to al men, and themselves and their friends for them will wish a hundred times they had been asleep in their beds when they medled with Gangraena; yea Gangraena, and this defence of it will prove so incurable a Gangren to them, that they shall never be cured of it by all the Mountebanck quacksalving drugs and tricks of all the Sectaries of this time; and though for a short time confident lying may please and take with many, yet as Solomon speaks, the lip of truth shall be establish∣ed for ever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment; and as Hierom. Menda∣cia ad modicum placent, sed diu non durant.

Notes

• a 1.1

  A word more to Mr. Edwards pag. 1. Sir, untill I perceive the contrary, I cannot but hope that I have prevailed something with you towards a change of your mind, and that you have begun to repent you of the evill you have done by publishing your Book entituled the Gangraena.