The bloody tenent yet more bloody: by Mr Cottons endevour to wash it white in the blood of the lambe; of whose precious blood, spilt in the blood of his servants; and of the blood of millions spilt in fromer and later wars for conscience sake, that most bloody tenent of presecution for cause of conscience, upon a second tryal, is found now more apparently and more notoriously guilty. In this rejoynder to Mr Cotton, are principally I. The nature of persecution, II. The power of the civill sword in spirituals examined; III. The Parliaments permission of dissenting consciences justified. Also (as a testimony to Mr Clarks narrative) is added a letter to Mr Endicot governor of the Massachusets in N.E. By R. Williams of Providence in New-England.

An APPENDIX: To the Cleargie of the foure great Parties (professing the Name of Christ Jesus) in England, Scotland, and Ireland, viz. The Po∣pish, Prelaticall, Presbyterian, and Independent.

WORTHY SIRS;

I Have pleaded the Cause of your seve∣rall and respective Consciences (against the bloudie Doctrine of Persecution) in my former Labours, and in this my present Rejoynder to M^r Cotton:

And yet I must pray leave without offence to say, I have impartially oppos'd and charg'd your Consciences also, so farre as Guiltie of that bloudie Doctrine of persecuting each other for your Consciences.

You foure have torne the seameles Coate of the Son of God* 1.1 into foure pieces, and (to say nothing of former Times and Tearings) you foure have torne the three Nations into thousands of pieces and Distractions.

The two former of you, the Popish and (Protestant) Prelati∣call, are Brethren: So are the latter, the Presbyterian and Inde∣pendent: But, oh, how Rara est, &c? What Concord, what Love, what pitie hath ever yet appear'd amongst you, when the pro∣vidence of the most High and onely wise hath granted you your Pattents of mutuall and successive Dominion and precedencie?

Just like two men, whom I have knowne breake out to Blowes and Wrastling, so have the Protestant Bishops fought and* 1.2 wrastled with the Popish, and the Popish with the Protestant! The Presbyterian▪ with the Independent, and the Independent with the

Presbyterian! And our Chronicles and Experiences have told this Nation, and the World, how he whose Turne it is to be brought under, hath ever felt an heavie wrathfull hand of an unbrotherly and unchristian persecutour:

Meane while, what outcries for a Sword, a Sword at any price,* 1.3 on any Tearmes, wherewith to take finall Revenges, on such their Blasphemous and Hereticall Adversaries and Corrivalls?

Hence is it, that the Magistrate hath been so courted, his per∣son adored and Deified, and his Religion magnified and Exal∣ted.

Amongst the People, some have thought and said, How hath the shining of the Magistrates Money and Sword, out-shin'd the Nobilitie of his person, or the Christianitie of his Conscience? For when the person changes and Religion too, how grossely noto∣rious have been the Cleargies Changes also? For Instance, how* 1.4 have they Pernified, tack't and turn'd about (as the wind hath blowne) from Poperie to Protestanisme, from Protestanisme to Poperie, and from Poperie to Protestanisme againe, and this with∣in the Compasse of about a dozen yeares; as the Purse and Sword-Bearers were changed, what ever the persons of those Princes (male or female, Men or Children, or their Consciences, Popish or Protestant) were.

Yea, how justly in the late Kings book (if his) are the Clear∣gie* 1.5 of England charged with horrible breach of Vows and Oaths of canonicall obedience to their Fathers the Bishops, against whom (in the Turne of the Times and the Sword-Bearers) they turned to the Scotch Presbyters, their fathers dreadful Enemies and per∣secutours?

Now as to the persecuting each of other, I confesse the Wolfe (the persecutour,) devoures the Goate, the Swine, yea the very* 1.6 Fox, and other Creatures, as well as the inoffensive Sheepe and Lambe? Yet (as the Lord Jesus made use of that excellent Fa∣ble or Similitude of a Wolfe getting on a Sheepes-skin, so) may I not unseasonably make use of that of the Wolfe and the poore Lambe coming downe to drinke, upon the same Brooke and Streame together: The Wolfe cruell and strong drinks above and aloft: The Lambe innocent and weake, drinks upon the Streame below: The Wolfe questions and quarrells the Lambe for corrupting and defiling the Waters: The Lambe

(not daring to plead how easily the Wolfe drinking higher might transfer Defilement downeward, but) pleads Improbabi∣litie and Impossibilitie, that the waters descending could convey defilement upwards: This is the Controversie, This the plea: But who shall judge? Be the Lambe never so innocent, his plea never so just, his Adversary the Wolfe will be his Judge, and be∣ing so cruell and so strong soone teares the Lambe in pieces.

Thus the cruell Beast arm'd with the power of the Kings (Revel. 17.) sits Judge in his owne Quarrels against the Lambe, about the drinking at the Waters. And thus (sayth M^r Cotton) the Judgement ought to passe upon the Heretick, not for mat∣ter of Conscience, but for sinning against his Conscience.

Object. M••▪ thinks I heare, the great charge against the Independent partie to be the great pleaders for Libertie of Con∣science, &c.

Answ. Oh the horrible Deceipt of the hearts of the sons of Men! And, what Excellent Physick can we prescribe to others, till our Soule (as Job said) come to be in their soules cases? What need have we to be more vile (with Job) before God, to walke in holy sence of selfe▪ Insufficiencie, to cry for the blessed Leadings of the holy Spirit of God, to guide and leade our Heads and Hearts uprightly?

For (to draw the Curtaine, and let in the Light alittle) doe* 1.7 not all persecutours themselves zealously plead for Freedome, for Libertie, for Mercie to Mens Consciences, when themselves are in the Grates, and Pits, and under Hatches?

Doth not Ges••er tell us of a Gentleman in Germanie, who fitting his Pitfall for Wilde Beasts, found in the morning a Wo∣man, a Wolfe, and a Fox in three severall Corners, as full of* 1.8 Feare, and as quiet, and as desirous of Libertie one as well as another?

Thus bloudie Gardiner and Bonner (prisoners, during King Edwards dayes) yea and that bloudie Queene Mary her selfe, all plead the Freedome of their Consciences. What most humble Supplications, and indeed unanswerable Arguments for Liber∣tie* 1.9 of Conscience have the Papists (when in Restraint) presented, (and especially) in King James his time? Yea what excellent Subscriptions to this Soule-Freedome, are interwoven in many passages of the late Kings Booke (if his)? Yea and one of his

Chaplaines (so cald) Doctor Jer. Taylour, what an Everlasting Monumentall Testimony did he publish to this Truth, in that his excellent Discourse, of the Libertie of Prophesying? Yea the (for∣merly) Non-conforming Presbyterian and Independent, Scotch and English, Old and New, what most humble and pious Addres∣ses have they made before the whole World, to Princes and Par∣liaments, for just mercy (in true Petitions of Right) to their Consciences? But, let this present Discourse, and M^r Cottons* 1.10 Fig-leave Evasions and Distinctions: Let the practices (of the Massachusets) in New England, in twenty yeares persecution: and this last of M^r Clarke, Obadiah Holmes, and others be Exa∣mined: Yea let the Independent Ministers late Proposalls be waighed, with the double waight of Gods Sanctuary, and it will appeare what Mercy the poore Soules of all Men, and Jesus Christ in any of them, may expect from the very Indepen∣dents Cleargie themselves.

Object. But doth not their Proposalls provide a Libertie to such as feare God, viz. that they may freely preach without an Or∣dination! and that such as are not free to the publike Assemblies may have Libertie to meete in private.

Answ. It may so please the Father of Lights to shew them that their Lines and Modells, and New-Englands Copie also (af∣ter* 1.11 which they write and pensill,) are but more and more re∣fined Images, whereby to worship the Invisible God: and that still (as before) the Wolfe (the persecutour) must judge of the Lambes drinking!

For instance; New Englands Lawes (lately published in M^r Clarks Narrative) tell us how free it shall be for people to gather themselves into Church-estate? how free to choose their owne Ministers? how free to enjoy all the Ordinances of Christ Jesus, &c? But yet, provided, so- and so (upon the point) that the Civill State must judge of the Spirituall, to wit, Whether persons be▪ fit for Church-estate, Whether the Gathering be right, Whether the peoples choice be right, Doctrines right, and what is this in truth, but to sweare that blasphemous Oath of Supremacie againe, to the Kings and Queenes and Magistrates of this and other Nations in stead of the Pope, &c?

Into these Prisons, and Cages, doe those (otherwise worthy and excellent Men, the) Independents, put all the Children of

God, and all the Children of Men in the whole World, and then bid them flie and walke at Libertie (to wit, within the Conjured Circle) so far as they please.

To particularize briefely: When they have in their six seve∣rall Circuits ejected (according to their Proposalls) it may be* 1.12 hundreths, it may be thousands (if impartiall) of Episcopall and Presbyterian Ministers, and that without & against their Peoples consent, to the present Distressing of thousands, and inraging (through such Soul-oppressions) the whole Nation! Then, say they, it shalbe free for all that be able, &c. to be Preachers, though not ordained, &c. But, provided, that two Ministers hands (at least,* 1.13 which upon the point, is instead of an Ordination) be to their Approbation, &c. Upon this lock any shall be free to preach Christ Jesus, upon this point of the Compasse (as I may in humble reve∣rence, and with sorrow speake it) the Spirit of God shall be free to breath and operate in the Soules of Men! By this Plummet and Line, Rule and Square, and (seeming) Goulden Reede and Meete∣wand, the Sanctuary must be built and measured, &c.

But further, if any shall be of tender Consciences, and that the common size will not serve their foote, if they shall thinke the Independents Foundations too weak, or it may be too strong for their weake Beliefe, if they cannot bow downe to their Goulden Image, though of the finest and latest Edition and Fashion: Why God forbid they should be forc'd to Church* 1.14 as others, they shall enjoy their Libertie, and meeteapart in private: But, provided, they acquaint the Civill Magistrate, that is, as it may fall out (who knows how soon?) and too too often hath faln out, the poore Sheepe and Deere of Christ must take Licence of and betray themselves unto the pawes and jawes of their Lyon-like persecutours.

Heare Oh Heavens, give Eare O Earth! What is this but like* 1.15 the Treacherous Dutchmen, who Capitulate of Leagues of Peace and Amitie, with their Neighbour English, and in the midst of State Complements (some say, out of malicious wrath, others say twas out of drunken Intoxications at the best) thunder out Broad-sides of Fire and Smoake of persecution?

Object. Some possibly may say, Your just suffring from the Independents in New England makes you speake Revenges against them in Old.

Answ. What I have suffred in my Estate, Body, Name, Spirit, I hope through helpe from Christ, and for his sake I have desi∣red to beare with a Spirit of patience and of respect and love, even to my persecutours. As to particulars, I have, and must (if God so will) further debate them with my truely honoured and beloved Adversarie M^r Cotton.

But as to you, worthy Sirs, (men of Learning, and men of personall Holines many of you) I truely desire to be far from envying your Honours, pleasures, and Revenues, from whence the two former Popish & Prelaticall are ejected, unto which the two later Presbyterian and Independent are advanced: Nor would I* 1.16 move a Tongue or pen that any of you now possessed, should be removed or disturbed, untill your Consciences by the holy Spi∣rit of God, or the Consciences of the people, to whom you serve or minister, shall be otherwayes (then as you are yet) perswaded.

Much rather would I make another humble plea (and that I believe with all the Reason and Justice in the World) that such* 1.17 who are ejected, undone, impoverished, might some way from the State or you receive reliefe and succour: Considering, that the very Nations Constitution hath occasioned parents to traine up, & persons to give themselves to studies (though in truth, but in a way of Trade & Bargaining, before God) yet, 'tis according to the Custome of the Nation, who ought therefore to share also, in the fault of such Priests and Ministers who in all changes are ejected.

I end with humble begging to the Father of Spirits, to per∣swade* 1.18 and possesse yours with a true sence of three particulars.

First, of the yoakes of Soule-oppression, which lye upon the necks of most of the Inhabitants of the 3 Nations, & of the whole world: as if Chams Curse from Noah were upon them, Servants of Servants are they, and that in the matters of the Soules Af∣fection unto God, which call for the purest Libertie: I confesse the World lyes in wickednesse, and loveth darknesse more then* 1.19 light: but why should you helpe on those yoaks, and force them to receive a Doctrine, to pray, to give thanks, &c. without an Heart? yea and (in the many changes and cases incident) against their Heart and Soules Consent?

Secondly, of the bloudines of that most bloudie Doctrine of persecution for cause of Conscience, with all the Winding Staires and back dores of it, &c. Some professors true and false, Sheepe

and Goats, are daily found to differ in their Apprehensions, per∣swasions, professions, and that to Bonds and Death.

What now, shall these be wrackt, their Soules, their Bodies, their purses, &c? Yea if they refuse, deny, oppose the Doctrine of Christ Jesus, whether Jewes or Gentiles, why should you call for Fire from Heaven, which suits not with Christ Jesus his Spi∣rit* 1.20 or Ends? Why should you compell them to come in, with any other Sword, but that of the Spirit of God, who alone per∣swaded Japhet to come into the Tents of Shem, and can in his holy season prevaile with Shem to come into the Tents of Ja∣phet?

Thirdly, Of that Biass of selfe-love which hales and swayes our minds to hould so fast this bloudie Tenent: You know it is the Spirit of Love from Christ Jesus, that turns our feete from the Tradition of Fathers, &c. That sets the Heart and Tongue and Pen and Hands too (as Pauls) day and night to work, rather* 1.21 then the progresse and puritie and simplicitie of the Crowne of Christ Jesus should be debased or hindred.

This Spirit will cause you leave (with joy) Benefices, and Bishopricks, Worlds and Lives for his sake: the Heights and Depths, Lengths and Breadths, of whose Love you know doth infinitely passe your most knowing Comprehensions and Imaginations. There is but little of this Spirit extant, I feare will not be, un∣till we see Christ Jesus slaine in the slaughter of the Witnesses: Then Joseph will goe boldly unto Pilate for the slaughtered bodie of most precious Saviour: and Nicodemus, will goe by day, to buy and bestow his sweetest spices, on his infinitly sweeter Soules beloved. The full breathings of that heavenly Spirit, unfeinedly and heartily wisheth you,

Your most unworthy Countriman, R. Williams.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The seameles Coat of Christ Jesus torne into foure pie∣ces, and the three Nations torne into Thousands.
• * 1.2

  The Battells of the Clear∣gie.
• * 1.3

  All Court the Magistrate for his Sword, & his Money.
• * 1.4

  For which, any person and Religion hath serv'd the Turne.
• * 1.5

  The late K. charging his Cleargie, &c.
• * 1.6

  The Wolfe in plea with the Lambe, will be alwaies Judge.
• * 1.7

  The wonder∣full Mysterie of Libertie of Conscience.
• * 1.8

  Which all persecutours themselves (in their turnes) plead for.
• * 1.9

  K. Charles and his Chaplains forced to sub∣scribe to Li∣bertie of Con∣science.
• * 1.10

  About Twen∣ty years perse∣cution in New England.
• * 1.11

  The persecu∣tion of the New and Old English Inde∣pendent Clear∣gie.
• * 1.12

  A briefe touch upon the 15 Proposalls of the (so calld) Independent Ministers.
• * 1.13

  The Indepen∣dents implicit∣ly and silently challenge the power of Or∣dination.
• * 1.14

  The Danger of pawning spirituall Li∣berties to Ci∣vill powers.
• * 1.15

  The Dutch Attempts, and the Indepen∣dents, on their Friends, com∣pared.
• * 1.16

  The Authours desire as to the Ministrie of the Land now possessed.
• * 1.17

  And as to that Ejected.
• * 1.18

  The Authour begs three things of God for the Clear∣gie of England.
• * 1.19

  Soule Bon∣dage the greatest.
• * 1.20

  The Bloudi∣nesse of the Bloudie Tenent.
• * 1.21

  Little of the Spirit of Love from Christ Jesus yet ex∣tant, and our selfe-love bi∣asseth us to Inventions, Traditions, and Doctrines of persecuti∣ons.