The Petition of the six countries of South-wales, and the County of Monmouth presented to the Parliament of the common-wealth of England, for a supply of ministers in lieu of those that have been ejected.

The Answer to the preceding Letter.

Sir,

IN the front of one of the Diurnals lately come to my hands, I found a frontlesse Letter or inve∣ctive of yours against that much-talked of Petition of South-Wales, that had been long since presented to the Parliament, wherein you charge the said Pe∣tition and Petitioners with abominable lies, falsi∣ties and scandals against godly men and their pro∣ceedings.

1 This is boisterous and bold language, and these words are not like those of St. Paul, the words

of Truth and Soberness.* 1.1 If the Petitioners had been so pusillanimous and so poor-spirited as to have de∣serted their Petition, as you did (by your menaces) indeavour to make them; or if they had failed to ju∣stify and make good the Charge therin contained, you might have had some cause to be thus violent, and to spend your usuall Artillery, even bitter words: but since (maugre all opposition and dis∣couragements) they stand to what they have don, and like worthy conscientious Gentlemen doe prosecute their pious desires and intentions declared in the said Petition, I hope all sober heads will sus∣pend their judgements touching that Pet: while you spend yours so freely, and rather incline to believe, that a Pet: proceeding from 7 whole Counties, and subscribed by above 15000 hands of persons en∣gaged and well affected to the present State and go∣vernment, was not framed and prosecuted without very good grounds and reasons.

But for the honest proceedings, you speak of, we have but your word, and single testimonie for their honestie as yet; the generall exclamations, and great thoughts of heart, among the Inhabitants of those respective Counties, seem to me, to argue the Contrary. And some of your own Com∣missioners that went along with you a good while in the simplicitie of their hearts, and who were not so sharp sighted as to see into the bottom of your designs at first, have now deserted you, and joyned with the Petitioners, in presenting the said Petition, to the Parliament: and others of their Colleagues, that did not goe along with it to the House, went

along with it in their hearts, and wished it good luck in the name of the Lord.

2 But to justifie these proceedings further, you tell us of the great paines you have taken to con∣verse with the Commissioners both of North-wales, and South-wales, and to examine their proceedings: we can bear you witnesse that you took no small pains in travelling those Countreys like a Spirituall post, or a Knight errant, to encounter this terrible Petition, perswading some by fair words, to call back their hands from that lying Petition (that was your style) and like another Saul, breathing out threatnings against others, menacing them with sequestration & ruin. This petition tossed you much in the saddle, and made you sit very uneasie, ever since it came to light; which shewes that all is not well and sound in your proceedings, nor so honest as you seeme to make them: all is not gold that gli∣sters, nor are all Saints that arrogate that name and Title.

3 In the next period, you present your friends with the fruits of your labours & Apostolicall excur∣sions in to those Countreys: some hundreds and thou∣sands of people have been Converted in Wales, since that new Engin for the propagation of the gospell was brought in thither. Converted? these were your suggestions of old to the Parliament that your Countrey men were no better then Pagans and In∣fidells, and stood in need of being converted to the Faith: But let me tell you Sir, that the Inhabitants of those parts, were neither Jewes, Turkes, nor Pagans, before your Holines came thither, but were as good

Christians (every whit) as they are now, and I may say better: For they had Sermons far more fre∣quently, and used to observe the Lords-Day with more piety and reverence than now they do:* 1.2 for now they make it but a Brutish Sabbath, and distin∣guish it from other dayes but by mere abstaining from their daily labours, which is not a Holy & san∣ctified rest, but a Sabbath of Beasts and not of men: There be strangers enough that have travailed those Countries, that can bear witness to this sad Trueth and seriously lament it: But perhaps you mean an∣other sort of conversion, to wit, to Popery, and here∣in we can beare you witness that many hundreds have been converted since you came to Raigne and since the Ministers have been cast out, who did carefully guard their Flocks from Romish Wolves, and Foxes: For these have made as great a Harvest in those parts (of late) as you have; and do seduce as fast as you: we heare of whole Parishes fallen off that way: For the people of Wales (in the generall) have so much aversnes to your loose and fanatick waies, that they choose rather to go to Rome then to Bedlam; And for this reason I know none that are greater Enemies to the said Petition and restitution of the able Ministers, than the Papists and your self.

4 For your Character of the Commissioners that most of them are really Godly, we will not gainsay you, but wish they may approove themselves so, when their Actions shall be scanned; yet that ma∣ny of them had their judgements captivated by fair pretences, and been seduced to go along with you,

appeares by their serious remorse and retractations, which we have touched before: Praestat recurrere quàm malè currere; and I wish the rest would be so godly as to follow so good a president.

But that none of them have taken any of the Church Revenue into their hands, I think you will not be a Compurgator for any of them, we can tell you of one Commissioner that resolved not to Act or concurre with you in the extirpation of the Ministry, if he might not have some Tithes into his hands: he would not be evill for nought, or sell his conscience for nothing; and accordingly he hath been a parson of two good Benefices ever since: we can name others, that have bought lands and built houses, since they had the handling of these Revenues, who (before times) were so low, that they never had such immodest hopes as to amend themselves so well, and so fast as they have done.

5 Having used your Target, to defend your Commissioners, you now draw your sword, against your formidable Enemies, (those Things in black, the Ministers) whom you have routed and rooted out. They were (say you) most of them either Un-preach∣ing Curats, or scandalous men in their lives, or had administred some accursed oath to the people.

But in sober sadnesse Sir, did you eject none else? we could name you hundreds, that you have de∣prived the Church of God of the benefit and com∣fort of their labours, that had neither administred any oathes, neither were Un preaching Curats, nor were any way scandalous in their lives. But their lives and labours did expresse as much power of god∣liness

(quietly in their proper spheares) as any of your tinkling cymballs or wandring and foolish fires. If the Parliament were pleased to goe down (that is in their power and authority, to those Countries) and see whether you have done altogether according to the crie of it which is come up unto them;* 1.3 If they were pleased to grant Commissions to examin who and what persons you have cast out of gods vine∣yard, and upon what score; your actions would appear as odious to all the world, as now they doe to them that know you. It seemes you had not room, and scope enough to rule, except like the great Ottoman, you killed all your Brothers, that you might rule and reign alone.

6 But for to satisfie all honest men, and to shame your Adversaries, you promise an exact account from South-Wales. If you desire to satisfie the one, or to shame the other, let mee advise you as a friend not to smoother your Accounts, but let men see them, and see how you have disposed of neer 20000l. per annum for two years and a half. For if your Accounts must be received onely in grosse, without the particulars, received by an implicit faith with∣out farther examination, (as wee hear they must) you and your friends may passe for Godly men still.

Howsoever, the Petitioners doe humbly con∣ceive that they have performed the office of honest and faithfull men to the State, in presenting to their notice and cognizance, what a vast Revenue they have been defrauded of, & are like to be stil defeated, and they seem to all indifferent, and dis-interessed

persons, to deserve thanks from the State, and coun∣tenance and encouragement, against all affronts: For if they miscarrie in this petition, and their hopes be blasted therein, they resolve to make no such attempts any more; but will study to serve the Par∣liament, in some more acceptable way.

7 But in the next Paragraph you tell us of the Mi∣nisters, and School-masters of North Wales, with their number and qualitie, as though you had been at a late muster of them; indeed the Scean of your dis∣course lyes most in that countrey; this is lapwing-like to crie farr from the nest: you give an account of North-Wales, to confute a Petition from South-Wales. Here you are out of the reach of my pen, because the places are out of the road of my ac∣quaintance. But for your School masters in North-Wales if they be like those you have placed in South-Wales, they are fitter to goe to School, then to keep any, as the countryes are most deeply sensible thereof.

8 But here is some good newes from Flintshire, Here are but two Ministers ejected in all; truely they had better luck then their fellowes, we can tell you of some other Counties (in lieu of this) where you have not left above two to stand in all; and of others, where you have not allowed of above, 3 or 4 Iti∣nerants to instruct neer three score and ten parishes, some whereof are very large and populous and were supplied (lately) with very able godly Mi∣nisters, that had been trained up in the Schooles of the Prophets, and were skilfull in dividing the word of god aright, and were instruments of conveying

goodnesse and grace to many a poor soul in their respective charges: for by my vicinitie to those coun∣tryes and my often sallies upon occasion to those parts, I have reason to know them well.

But the Itinerants that are come in their roome, are such men, that though they presume to be Teach∣ers, yet have need to be taught themselves, which are the first principles of the oracles of God: and if men had a designe to bring preaching into contempt and derision, they could not have thought of a more effectuall course, then by setting up such men to preach: for they have set up such mock-teachers that will be glad of 10l. per annum, though their Masters may set upon their score large reckonings to be accounted to the State, as they will doe for their School-masters likewise.

But how well contented men are with your Pro∣pagation in North-Wales may appear by this ensu∣ing presentment made by the Grand-Jury of Mont∣gomery-shire at the last great Sessions held for that County.

The presentment of Montgomery-shire was as following. April, 1. 1652.

WEE the Grand Jury of the County of Mont∣gomery being upon our oathes, doe disco∣ver and represent to your Lordships, the complaints and aggrevances thereof. In the first place out of our duty to Almighty God, and in obedience to the present Government, we make bold to signifie to your Lordships, that the most Generall and all∣most

universall complaint amongst us is the want of able Ministers to supply our parish Churches being 47, which are left vacant upon the Lords day, with∣out any known preacher to officiat in them; But in lieu of the said 47 (and most of the rest lately que∣stioned) there are a few illiterate poor Tradesmen, set up and countenanced, (without any just pretence, or fitting qualifications) to instruct the Congrega∣tions, so that by meanes hereof the gospell (as we conceive) is so farr from being Visibly propagated among us, according to the meaning of the late Act, that it is much feared, (if a remedy be not timely applied) it is rather in a way of declining; which wee crave your Lordships assistance, seasonably to prevent.

Two foremen of the Grand-Jury

• ...Ga. Win,
• ...Will. Kyffin, &c.

We could produce the like (if need were) from Denbighshire, put up at the Great Sessions held for that County at the same time.

You conclude with Tithes (that delicate morsell which is fit for the mouths of your creatures onely) which you tell us were and still are tendred to the Parishioners; But they have a kind of an odd squea∣mish conscience, that few of them will meddle with them as you complain: You made an Order of late (as I am told) since this Petition was set on foot, to make offer of the Tithes to the Parishioners to avoyd envie and exclamations; Before that, none but your Favorits must eat of the holy things and live of the altar. The poor ejected Parsons must have no share nor portion in them, though they of∣fered more rent than any others payed for them, and

offered good security for the payment. But wee need not marvell that they could not have their Tithes, when they could not have their Glebes upon rent, nay their very fifts denied them, though allowed by the Act for Propagation, which being accoun∣ted according to the undervaluations made by the Sequestrators and their Agents, will appear to be so small an allowance, to maintain a family, that it will not find them bread and water; and yet this pittifull pittance cannot be received or obtained, without many a tedious wearisome journey, and much expence, and hazard of mens lives: As some have perished in the waters, by going to Petition and seek relief for their perishing families; And others being wearied out with fruitlesse journeys, and dilatory answers, have given over all Adresses to these Un-mercifull Sequestrators and other Offi∣cers, to powre out their Complaints before the All-seeing God; who graciously heard the groanes of his people in Egypt, Exod. 2.13. and the voice of the poor ladd, weeping under the tree, Gen. 21.17.

To gain beleef to what you have affirmed in your Epistle, you close it up, and seal it with a deep Asseveration and engagement. Truely Protests and Asseverations weigh but litle with me, since you have applied them to untruths hereto∣fore, and that in the pulpit; you may remember where and when you protested to the congregation, that you never received any recompence for your pains in preaching. But there was one present, that helped your memory to remember what a round summ you received at Brecon, for one worm wood-Lecture

w^ch you made against al the Ministers of that county. There are some also that can remember you, how much of the Fee-farm Rents of the late king you have purchased in Radnor-shire and elsewhere, and they are sure that it was not your fathers inheritance, but some other wayes (of gainefull goodliness) that have ena∣bled you to make these purchases. Therefore Sir, be more cautious hereafter, how you make the like protestations, but let them be according to the rule, in justice, judgement and truth, Jer. 4.2.

God give you grace to see, and a heart to feel and grieve for the ruin that you have brought upon the Church of God in those parts, and the con∣tempt that you have brought upon his Ministers and Ordinances: For though we stand in an indiffe∣rent good posture as yet, in this County, yet the fire being in our neighbours house we may justly fear our own, and suspect the like Propagation of the Gospell here, as we have seen there; For though you have begun with the out-skirts and Suburbs (as it were) of this Nation, yet we find now that the Design is generall, as appeares by a Letter from Herefordshire inserted, some weeks since, in the weekly Diurnall, and subscribed M. H. the Pen-man whereof was not a Mile from a Hill; And also by the Proposalls sent in by some of your Party to the Committee for the pro∣pagation of the Gospell, and printed in one of the late Diurnalls; whereby any man that hath but half an eye may see, that this Mystery that goes under the specious name and title of the Propagation of the Gospell, begins to worke strongly in other parts of this Nation, and to creep from the Cir∣cumference

to the Center of the Common-wealth; but let men look well about them, and learn to be wise at other mens cost: Let the present deplorable condition of Wales, move men both to resent their neighbours miseries, and to prevent their own.

Dated from my house neer Hereford, the 26 of May: in the Third year of the Abrogation of the Gospell in Wales.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Act. 26.15.
• * 1.2

  Sabba∣tum au∣rei vituli.
• * 1.3

  Gen. 19.21.