Reasons for vnitie, peace, and love with an answer (called Shadows flying away) to a book of Mr. Gataker, one of the assembly, intituled, A mistake, &c. and the book of the namelesse author called, The plea, both writ against me : and a very short answer, in a word, to a book by another namelesse author called, An after-reckoning with Master Saltmarsh, and to Master Edward his second part called, Gangrena, directed to me ... / by John Saltmarsh ...

To the Right Honourable, the Lord Maior, Aldermen, and the Common-Councell of the City of LONDON.

Right Honourable,

MAny who call themselves Ministers and Prophets of God ac∣cuse us of Heresie and Schism before ye. But I hope ye will take notice they are but men as we are, and of like passions with us; neither Apostles, nor Prophets of the first Baptism, or gifts of the Spirit. Yet if the Priests and Elders, or any Oratour, as Tertullus▪ accuse Paul to Festus or Agrippa, he cannot but a••swer for himselfe.

I have but few words to speak to ye (Noble Citizens) That ye would in that Spirit which is of God, judge the Doctrines of Men, and single them from Traditions, Customes, Councels, Synods, Inte∣rests. Ye are bid to try the spirits whether they be of God▪ or no.

Try whether it be according to God, for some Ministers, and thse not Apostles, to call others Hereticks who beleeve not as they be∣leeve: What will become then of the strong and weak Christian,* 1.1 of the children, fathers, and young men?

Trye whether they ought to p••ea••h to ye to suppresse all but them∣selves; since they are not infallible, but may erre; and where is the Remedy then, if they erre? Who shall judge the Iudges?

Try whether this make for unity of spirit, to allow no more fellow∣ship nor brotherhood then in forme and practice. And what will they have ye do if Formes should alter? For States may change: Eng∣land hath done so.

Try whether this make for the glory of Christians, to persecute or banish (as they would have ye) all but themselves. May they not as well tell ye that God hath made England only for men of the Presbytery or one opinion to live in, and worship in: And where find they that?

Trye whether some by their daily Invectives from Presse and Pul∣pit

against Independents and others, bring not in the Popish De∣signe in another Forme, to divide the godly party, both Presbyterian and Independent, and so to ruine all.

Try if all such Doctrine as they commonly preach and write to ye, resolve not it selfe most into their own interests, profits, place po∣wer: And what doth the Scripture and Histories tell ye of that?

And now I have done; praying for ye,

That ye may be still a free City, and not disputed by the miscelany of Logick and Divinity of some, into bondage.

That ye may be still populous, and not your streets growing with grasse through any unneighbourly Principle of Persecution, which must needs lose ye many, and much resort from this famous City, under the name of Hereticks, not letting such live beside them.

That ye may be a peaceable City, and not raised up and dashed by any breath of men against the other and greater part of your selves, the Parliament. England hath long enough broken it selfe against its own walls: let it now be our strength to sit still, and to stand still and see salvation.

And since the Lord hath let the most of the successe of the Pres∣bytery, which is so much desired, come thorow the hands of those and that Army whom they have told ye over often were Hereticks; let this be but taken notice on by ye, what God hath told ye in the successe of that Army; and I trust ye will never regard the Messengers by whose hands the Presbytery in a kind came, by beating them out of doores. Thus rests he,

Who would rejoyce in your Peace, Prosperity, and GOSPELL-unity, JOHN SALTMARSH.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rom. 15. 1. 1 Iohn 2. 13, 14.