Simplicities defence against seven-headed policy. Or, innocency vindicated, being unjustly accused, and sorely censured by that seven-headed church-government united in New-England: or, that servant so imperious in his masters absence revived, and now thus re-acting in Nevv-England. Or, the combate of the united colonies, not onely against some of the natives and subjects but against the authority also of the kingdom of England, ... Wherein is declared an act of a great people and country of the Indians in those parts, ... in their voluntary submission and subjection unto the protection and government of Old England ... Imprimatur, Aug. 3d. 1646. Diligently perused, approved, and licensed to the presse, according to order by publike authority.

A Lover of peace, and one of eminent respect, viewing this Treatise at the Presse, kindly added this verse pre∣fixed, which hath both sodainly, and unexpectedly drawn from my thoughts as here followeth, as a testimony of my kind respects unto the party, though but a stranger unto him; it may also serve as an intelligencer, what was the only ground of controversie, in acting according unto, and publishing of, this Treatise.

THe serpent with a voyce so slie and fine Consults with nature, as though he were divine, Whil'st she doth seek for glory, wealth, and love In things that are below, and not in that above; Lending an * 1.1 ear to listen unto him, The fruit looks fair, the tree seems nothing grim: And thence doth he, at first begin t' arise Through earthly projects, for to make man wise: Whereas the light of heaven, GOD himself ordain'd To be that thing, whereby man is maintain'd

In wisdom, honor, happiness, and peace, That doth from serpent (sin, death, hell) release; And not conjectural, doubtful, subtil notion Set forth, by art, with sign of great devotion.

Come from the Prelates * 1.2, your persecuting foes; Our Church (as Primitive) Christ Jesus doth disclose Her Ordinances pure, a Church erected here Where you may worship, voyd of care or fear, Our Land is large; Our Magistracy good; Come o're to save that innocent-like blood From such as are to cruelty so bent, Our ways are meek and humble, to give all content; Thus he appears, apparrelled in white To snare in that, wherein he takes delight. An earthly Kingdom, he would fain erect Then spiritual honor, he must needs reject.

That when that, * 1.3 woman, appeareth in her glory With him in womb, of whom intreats all story. Then's he a dragon red, for to devour That child, to whom is given, all the power In heaven, and in earth, to rule as King and Lord. None to the serpent, no, heaven cannot afford A place of residence, he must thence depart Down to the earth, full sore against his heart, That he a place cannot devise to frame Which from the heavens may seem to take its fame. Cruel, Raging, Carnal, now he cometh forth His slie, and subtil wisdom, now proves nothing worth.

This woman, now in travel, finds not time To listen unto him, nought but the child is mine: Which child in her, can nothing else confesse, But Throne of glory * 1.4, and bare Wildernesse: Which twain together, give all praise to one; Then fury's in the Serpent, smooth policy is gone: No middle place for Sathan now is found, Not one with th' manehild; down he goes to ground:

His cunning cannot now intice so far, But Michael, and his Angels wil make War With Dragon, and with all his Angels great, Yea overcome him, never sound retreat.

Most of his skil he useth * 1.5, he knows how To talk of benefits to receive, although not now▪ And so from place, and person still delights to wend, Where's outward peace, there's Christ, doth he pretend; And if so be that troubles do arise, Himself he saves, the serpent is so wise: No tye, to fold, nor flock, he then wil know; Christ in an earthly peace, he'l have, where e're he go.

Whereas our Lord, his voyce doth sometimes teach Go to ** 1.6 Decapolis, and there thou shalt me preach Unto * 1.7 ten Cities, great the number bee; My Word shal reach them, and I am with thee.

For I am truth, and truth thou goest to show Which makes thee free, my presence thou dost know No place can, scant thee off, then walke at large, Doubt not, I'm with thee▪ doe but keepe my Charge, The nations shall come forth at once, yea at one g 1.8 birth; Truth in the change of one, reneweth all the earth; Else, were not perfect good, in every one erect, Nor sinne were full, through th'fall that great defect, If change of one were not a world renew'd, What Nation then, not brought in, and subdu'd, When truth is publisht, though but unto one Imbrac't, receiv'd? oh happy State of man, All Gentile Jewels, brought in, * 1.9 who can want The world's in darkenesse, else could ne're be scant.

But Hypocrites cannot this thing digest, In places, times, and persons, they seek wealth and rest, And see not how the mighty Lord above Hath cast his skirt o're Ruth, yea fild her lap in love, Of whom comes Christ, that world of Gods goodwill, What can she want, that heaven or earth doth fill?

All keepe their stations, attend as they have done, Neglect no homage, or service to the Son, All bring their vertues, treasures, and their glory Centring them all in him, a world of Princely Dowry, Then walke through Sea, or Land, by friends or foes Let prisons fast, hard irons thee inclose, All take thy part, yea plead thy cause for thee The world vents its malice, in Christs love thou art free.

The Spirit of this world by these things comes to light Its pomp, and glory, which earst did shine so bright Appears grosse darknesse, unto Christian eyes Down comes its Kingdome, up goes its plaints and cryes, Helpe Sword and Gun, else doth our Kingdome fall Court, fire, * 1.10 Gangrena, we tast worm-wood and gall, No marvell, for, Christ in his native kind Set forth, declar'd unto a carnall mind, Appears as odious unto such a wight As sinne to him, in whom is found the light: What sentence shall be given then by sons of men, When truth appears, if power were found in them?

No power but that of darknesse then, let us to them ascribe What's in the Church's our Lords, all unto them deny'd; Take heed yee Judg of Blasphemies aright, For Light discerns, the darknesse hath no sight. If Light, and Candlesticke, you know not how, t' make one Suspend your judgement, all your skill is gone, And let the Judge of all, his Circuit passe apace, Who comes not to destroy, such is his grace, And let that man his own destruction be, Who breaks that faith with God, cannot be peec'd by thee: Cease then your prosecutions, seek yee to doe good: Save life in any, in Church wayes spill not blood: In Christ, if you consider, the Covenant of God, Youle find that all compulsion, is nought but that * 1.11 Nim-rod.

S. G.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hence doth arise the way of Solomons harlot, set out in the way of this woman, Gen. 3. Prov. 7. who may not speake in the Church, but usurpeth. 1 Tim. 2.
• * 1.2

  The serpents voyce trans∣m••••ts into new England, spea∣king there in way of Mini∣stry, as at the beginning.
• * 1.3

  In this wo∣man is set out the way of King Lemuels mother, that teacheth pro∣phesie, Rev. 12 Prov. 31. who may pray and prophecy in the Church without usur∣pation. 1 Cor. 11
• * 1.4

  For the one betakes it self to heaven, the other to the wilderness.
• * 1.5

  He ever puts off the day of the Lord as not yet time to build the Temple, but would live in his own seiled (or artificial) house of his own framing and device.
• ** 1.6

  Though he desired to be with Jesus, yet Jesus under∣standing his desire to be but nature (that is) to in∣joy him, ac∣cording to the flesh, denies him that, that so he might be with him ac∣cording to the spirit. Mat. 28. 20.
• * 1.7

  For so the word Decapolis signifies ten Cities.
• g 1.8

  See Isa. 60. 21 22. and 66. 8.
• * 1.9

  See Isa. 61. 6. and 60. 11. 16.
• * 1.10

  Books so in∣tituled written upon uncer∣tain reports, tales, & conje∣ctures to cure the Church.
• * 1.11

  A meer hun∣ting of men to worry your own kind; (or rather that hind of the morning, see Psa▪ 22. in the title) thir∣sting after the precious life. Compare G••n. 10. 8, 9. with Jer. 16. 16.