A NEVV-YEARS-GIFT FOR The Welch Itinerants, Or a HUE and CRY after Mr. VAVASOR POWELL.
IF you will have first his Pedigree blazed, he was the1 Grand-child of one William Vavasor of Newtown in Montgomeryshire, a man fresh in our memory for his hyperbolical discourses, so that by descent he hath not much degenerated from his Ancestors. This old man had a Daughter named Penelope, a Lady not altogether as Chast as Ulysses his Wife, who gained more by the trade of Tipling than Spinning, And this Gossip was the Mother of our young Donatus. She was married to one Howel the poor Ale man of Knwcklas in Radnorshire, and a badger of Oatmeal, but Non genus aut proavos — we like Mr. Vavasor never the worse for that. They lived long in that house of no good re∣port, and the young Gentleman was no great probationer in Christs School, by his own confession (during his Minority) be∣ing willing to approve of all games, were they never so wanton or vile, for his Mother or Sisters livelyhood. But tired at length2 with walking their Guests horses, and finding no great gain at such a petty Ale-house, he was elevated in his thoughts for higher pre∣ferment, Page 2 and so became an Hostler (I would say Groom) to Master Isaack Thomas, an Inn-keeper and Mercer in Bishop-Castle in Shropshire.
Alas! it was impossible that so high and generous a spirit should be captivated to horses heels; The hopefull young man continued not long in rubbing on that Trade, but began to be so eloquent with Welcome Gentlemen, that at last, together with the benefit of his Masters Notes, he presumed to open Scriptures, and being then taken up by a great Gamaliel, he was for a good space (you may think) well Educated and Principled at his feet.
3This Gallant Spark lived a while (though not purely chast, yet) a single life; but at last the strength of his Flesh prevailed over the weaknesse of his Spirit, being then Munkie proud, he was so ta∣ken with sweet and dear Mistres Quarrel, sometimes a walking Pedlar, and seller of Hot-waters in Preisteign in Radnorshire, wherewith he was often Comforted, that his inflamed spirit did revive; and her husband shortly deceasing, though his dead Corps had not lain a fortnight in the Grave, they being sweetly en∣amored the one with the other, she proves to be his Consort, and so he Carries her as a Dear Sister about, though her little Child, lately deprived of his Father, and now robbed of his Mo∣ther, raised the Hue and Cry after them; but wantonnesse admits neither of delays nor intreaties.
Here is sweet Amity and Conjuntion, a couple well met and joyned together, a Walking Pedler, and an Itinerary Preacher, both very expert in their Trades.
4His Proficiency grew on, and no sooner becomes he a School∣master, but takes upon him the habit of Sir John; and lest without Ordination (under the Episcopal Government) he might incur the danger of suspension, borroweth of an old decayed Minister (his neer Kinsman) his Letters of Orders, razeth out the other, and inserts his own name, and under Colour of these Counterfeit Let∣ters missive, he goes unsent, and begins to thunder out of the Pulpits (as though he had been a fiery Spirit raised out of Hel:) but by reason of his inconformity, and the many Errors which he broached, his Calling was questioned, and the Orders being well scanned, were found Spurious and Counterfeit, and he bound Page 3 to appear at the next great Sessions to be held for that County of Radnor, where appearing, and indicated for non-Conformity, forging of Orders, and Seditious Doctrine, was with much adoe reprieved from the Gallowes, and very neer to undergo the danger of a true Suspension.
The Modesty of the man was such, that with old Vulpone (having5 escaped thus narrowly) he is resolved thence-after to harras and prey abroad, and so, for meer shame, his Country is rid of him, and he makes his transmigration into England: but I shall passe over with silence his great Cheating and Seducing of poor souls in Kent and Essex, where he continued, and spread his Errors diverse years, and sparingly discover his return, and trading again among his own Natives and Countrymen.
No sooner did these late troubles, and intestine Wars break forth6 in England, but as soon as Wales was reduced under the power of the Parliament, he fled thither, not only of any affection to their Cause, but for his own designs, security, and advantage, and was as active and vigorous as the perpetual motion of a tongue, or the invention of a wicked brain could possible be, for the rooting out of the Ministery, branding the Calling as Anti-Christia and rendring the persons by all scandalous aspersions, to become o∣dious to the people. And for the more speedy effecting thereof he, together with others of the same Cut, (who,* if they become more meek and modest, may peradventure prove namelesse) promoted the Act for Propagation of the Gospel in Wales, so really intended by the pious Care and Charity of those Members of Parliament; yet by the unworthy managing thereof by these men, it proved like another Ephesian Image of Diana (though believed to be descen∣ded from heaven) for the benefit only of this Demetrius, and his tradesmen, the Silver Shrines taking up the whole devotion of that Worship.
A true description whereof you shall (God willing) in the latter end herein find to be lively delineated.
For his incouragement in the work, he had his Stipend and Sala∣ry of one hundred pounds a year allowed unto him out of Prebends,7 Dean and Chapters, and other Tithes, besides the vast Emolu∣ments of many other Sequestred Benefices in North-Wales, which were, and continue dayly paid unto him, and received Tickets Page 4 from the Commissioners in South-Wales for the like Sum, besides the wages of divers of the Itinerants and School-masters, who are but his Journey-men and Stipendaries.
8And yet this man hath the Impudency to Protest and Vow be∣fore God and men (as his usual manner is in his Sermons) that he never received a penny for his Pains and Preaching.
Thus the poor Groom is become great and wealthy, having purchased some of the late Kings, Fee-farm Rents and Lordships, though for the most part in another mans name: And to perpetu∣ate his memory (as wicked Absalom being Son-lesse reared up his Pillar in the Kings Dale) hath built for himself a very fair and sumptuous house in Kerry within the County of Montgomery. We are sure that old Howel (his Father) his Inheritance which he sold in Kuwcklas, could never had made such Purchases and Buil∣dings.
9Being thus incouraged and warmed to the work, he rides his Itinerary Stages throughout to some purpose, and what a rout he and his Tunto made of all the Ministers in Wales (except some few, who either fed them, depended upon them, or had some Correspondence with them) we make no question but some abler Pens will shortly set forth to the uttermost.
However, because he is now under File, give us leave briefly to Limn forth the manner of their Propagation.
10The great Cabal of the Itinerants instruction was to render the Ministers persons odious, and their Calling in its very basis to be Anti-christian, and so in it self unlawfull and uselesse, and none to be protected or Countenanced by the Civil Magistrate. This without any greater Engin was instrumental enough to batter and eject them out of their Freeholds and Being, without any respect either to their fidelity and ability in their Teachings, or sobriety in their Conversations. And in what a narrow streight they were, ei∣ther to be wholy deprived of all subsistence for the maintenance of themselves and Families, or turn Apostataes to their Ordination, we leave to that most ingenous and modest Censure of a Noble Mem∣ber of the House, in his Answer to a Narrative of the Cause and manner of the Dissolution of the last Parliament.
2. Though he and the Itinerants cryed down Tithes as Mosaical Ceremonies and Anti-Christian, yet he and they, or such as are Page 5 their Agents, have had the disposing of above Forty Thousand pounds a year in Tithes, Gleabs, impropriations, Rents reserved, and other ecclesiastical benefices and promotions, for above four years last past in the thirteen Counties of Wales, far surmounting the sum of One Hundred and Threescore Thousand pounds, and as yet to our knowledge unaccounted for, and what account is given to the State for the Tenths, since the Act of Propagation of all ecclesia∣stical promotions in Wales, we refer to the better knowledge of that worthy Gent. Mr. Baker, Master of the first fruits Office.
3. That notwithstanding all this great Revenue by them recei∣ved, there are above seven hundred Parishes in the thirteen Coun∣ties unsupplied with any Ministers, who (we are confident) dare own the charge, and you may ride ten or twenty miles on the Lords day, where there is twenty Churches, and not one door opened, and for most of the Itinerants, they are such ignorant persons, that they can neither read, nor understand English, nay some of them more scandalous than any of the ejected Ministers, and all of them in their Principles and Doctrines destructive to Government.
But we will not digresse from Mr. Vavasor:11 The Asp receives her poyson from the Viper, and what he spits these lick up; We shall give you an account of some of his base and spurious Doctrines, that by his you may understand theirs.
Now his chief work is to preach and advance Christs Personal Reign here on Earth,12 being the Antient Errour and Fopperie of the Chiliasts or Millenaries, hissed and exploded out of the Church of Christ in the very Infancy thereof. And what is his end and in∣tention therein, may be conspicuous and apparent (as his wild dis∣courses against the present Government under his Highness Prote∣ction, have evidently discovered) to be the Destruction of the Ma∣gistracy of England, as well as the Ministery of Wales.
At Welsh Pool, a Town in Mountgomery-shire, he taught. That Christ was to reign a thousand years here upon the Earth. And that he was to sit ne•t unto him Behold the intollerable pride of this Creature to extoll himself upon the right hand of his Creator. We should think that our Saviours reprof to Zebedees sons should cor∣rect if not satisfie this Ambition; Sobriety should have ushered him to beseech a place at the Footstool of his Tribunal, and in Cha∣rity to give some room for the poor despised Ministers, to appear Page 6 with him, though here as yet they found neither Comfort nor mer∣cy at Mr. Vavasors hands.
At Llandetty in Brecknock shire he preached, That Christ was already come in the flesh the second time, and that at London a Girl of twelve years old, told her mother, that she saw him in the Cham∣ber; and said, that a Godly man related this unto him, and knew it to be true, and they that heard him that day should shortly see him too.
And one John Davies his Proselyle and Journey man in Mount∣gomery shire, having received the same by Tradition from him, told very lately to a justice of Peace of that Country, That he had seen Christ, and was to go the next morning to see him again: And being demanded by the Justice, what manner of man he was, replyed, that he was a little old man, with a small grey beard.
And so Mr. Williams an Itinerant of Mr. Vavasors approbation, preached in a Sermon in Monmouth-shire, That Christ Iesus was such another man as old Rice Williams of Newport, one of the Com∣missioners for the Propagation, and that he had a large grey beard. Thus it seems the Tithes are their God, and the Propagators that pay them their salaries out of the Tithes are their Christs.
At the same Town of Pool Mr. Powel openly delivered before the Bailiff, and the rest of that Corporation, That let them Repent, or not Repent, both Priest and People were all damned, And did then absolutely declare, That Christ had no Church either in England or Wales, but what he and his associats had gathered for him. And in a disputation with Mr. A.G. in Keington in Herefordshire, he was driven to that pinch as to maintain, That the Nation of England was a Nation of Unbelievers; And that the words of Christ in 13th. Chap. of Matthew, concerning the tares and drag-net were contrary to other Scriptures.
At Manavon in Mountgomery he taught, That all our Fore-fa∣thers were damned, blasphemously abusing that place of Scripture to confirm his uncharitable opinion (I Cor. 15.18.) Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. A wretched and mali∣cious Gloss, to acknowledge our fore-fathers to die in the Faith of Christ Iesus, and the glorious hope of his Resurrection, and yet that they shall eternally perish: Whereas the Apostle in that Chap∣ter by convincing Arguments confirms the Doctrine of our Resur∣rection Page 7 by the Resurrection of Christ, which he had fully proved both by forcible Reasons and also by Signs and Wonders, which if not true as he had preached, then the Corinthians vainly believed Pauls Preaching, and dying in the Faith of Christ would be ineffe∣ctual unto them, If they who died therein Eternally perished.
At Baryw in the same Countie he taught, That Baptism was ne∣ver ordained for the remission of sins,* contrary to several places of Scripture, which affirms, that Baptism saves us, that it is the La∣var or washing of Regeneration, which though all this be Analo∣gically spoken, being the Obsignation of the thing signified by the sign, yet in the true use thereof the Exhibition and Perception of the sign and thing is conjoyned. But this Mr. Vavasors Ordinary use to vilisie that sacred Ordinance, as he always doth by his Common recital of that place of Scripture,* In Christ Iesus neither Circum∣cision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new Creature, which he and all his followers scornfully apply to the Contempt of Baptism, In which place is only meant, That the Iewes called to the Faith of Christ after their Circumcision, gain nothing by their former Circumcision, nor the unbelieving Gentiles being called, lose any thing by their uncircumsion, for seeing in Christ the Cir∣cumcision is spiritual, there is no need of carnal.
At Guilsfield in the same County he preached, That Christ was not the Redeemer of the World, and being reprehended for his blas∣phemie, answerd, that they should not always observe what he said, for he that speaks much (said he) must speak some things a∣miss.
And how ridiculous and obseene diverse of his passages have been,* we are very loath to deliver to chast Ears, yet we must beseech your Patience to these true Relations.
In diverse parish Churches in Mountgomery shire he delivered in his Sermon this story, That they were many in Company travelling towards London, and one of them rid on an Ambling gray horse, and meeting another Company, where there was a Gentleman that rid on the like colour'd pacing horse, when the one gray Horse met the other, they stood still, and made much the one of the other, and would not part Company; even so the Saints of God know one another by their paces and colours, and will not part Company the one from the other.
Page 8And how modest the Gentleman is, may appear by his Ob∣scene expressions in a Sermon preached at Llunddynam in the same Country, where being willing to justifie a Sister, that had slip∣ped, becomes her Compurgator in these words, That he called God to witnesse, He never saw a Saint Occupie or F—a Saint, which he explained thus in the Welch tongue, Yr ywf yn Galow Duw yn dîst, ni welais i yr'ioed Sainct yn myned ar Sainctes.
And one Richard Powell Vicar of Llanigon in Brecknock shire, one of the Approvers in the Act for the Propagation of the Gospel, and Itinerant in that County (receiving the same by tradition from Mr. Vavasor) hath usually delivered in his Sermons both in Hereford∣shire and Brecknock shire, Concerning the manner of Christ's Spirit entring into man, that he could not use any sitter Comparison, than, as the seed of Man entred into the body of a Woman, so the Spirit of Christ entred into his head. And the same Richard Powell main∣tained, That God was not Creator of the World, as was proved against him by sufficient understanding Witnesses, before a worthy, and godly Justice of Peace of the County of Brecon. And often deli∣vered in his Sermons, That the Lords Prayer is a rotten Prayer. This man is a most scandalous, ignorant, covetous, deboyst fellow; and marched before his Parishoners and others against Sir William Waller's forces when they were at Abergavenny, reading the Letany out of the Common-prayer, which he carried in his hands; and yet was made an Approver in the Act, and receives Tith in kind from his three neighbouring Parishes.
Mr. Vavasor Powell, to justifie another Sister of his own Congre∣gation who had willfully drowned her self in Draw-well near the Welch Pool, delivered publickly in his Sermon there, That she was a Saint in Heaven, and they who thought otherwise were wicked persons, and accursed; That she came to her end by the Motion of the Holy Spirit, and that it hapned oftentimes when the Saints are filled with the Spirit, they run into great Pools, instead of green Meadows, and so imbracing their Saviour they make an End of their Lives by divine providence, and there soules are Eternally saved. Surely this Spirit possessed Mr. Vavasor both at Christ-Church and Black-friars, which brought him three times into Capt. Cumpton's hands, one of the Messengers attending His Highnes Council. And Page 9 brought (as we understand) a Gentleman of this City very lately to strech, unlesse his man (like Naamans servants) had been more carefull of his Masters neck than himself. Thus the Circumcellians of old, when they could not sollicit others, took pains with their own throats.
We must not forget his Compassion and Charity towards men,* and especially towards the Ejected Ministers of Wales, and their Children.
In Llanyrvil in Mountgomery shire he taught, That it were a good deed to cut the throats of all the Old Ministers: And had it not been for the charity of some few of the Saints (as he ter∣med them) it had been performed long ago. And to a Gentleman in Red-Castle that petitioned him for relief and maintenance for the poor Children of the Ejected Ministers, he answered, That their heads should be dashed against the Walls as Babylonish brats, and so their portions should be paid.
He preacheth and inveigheth most bitterly here in London against Tithes, but how vigorously he levies his salary in Wales, by coun∣tenancing his Agents and Farmours to gather Tithes, may truly appear by several of his false passages which are too tedious to re∣late; He pretended that the Godly party in Wales were in danger of their lives, and that two and forty of them were slain at the hea∣ring of the Ejected Ministers Sermons; and so since the Dissoluti∣on of the former Parliament, by these false and abominable sarmises, he obtained a Commission for the raising of Forces, wherewith he did insultingly tyrannize over the poor Inhabitants of that Nati∣on; witnesse his insolent carriage against the last years High She∣riff of the County of Mountgomery; the taking of Mr. Owens of Machynleth out of his house, and binding him to the Great Sessi∣ons; his seizing upon Mr. Herbert of Dolegrog without any cause at all, which so affrighted the Gentlewoman his Wife, that she mis∣carried of a Child; besides the imprisoning of the diverse of the Ejected Ministers for discharging their duties in preaching and maintaining the truth of the Gospel of Christ Jesus.
And with these new raised Troops inforced the people to pay their Tithes, as evidently appeareth in Mr. Ralph Kinnastons Case, a Gentleman of very good worth and quality in that County, whose fields with his armed Troops he forcibly entred into, forced the Page 10 payments of his Tithes, contrary to former Orders, and unlesse the mildnesse and wisdom of the Gentleman had prevented his fury, it might have been the cause of great mischief and effusion of Blood, but I believe a Bil of indictment hath been preferred in the great Session already against his Caesar Borgias and his Myrmidons for a Riot.
*If we should relate unto you his Pride, appressions and Cruelty, it would take up too large a volume.
He preached at Welch Pool publiquely (where finding that few took notes of his Sermons) That they were proud fellows, and de∣spisers of Gods word, affirming that if King David were then pre∣sent the holy Prophet would write his Sermon: And yet contrary to this Doctrine, at Christ Church and Blackfriers in London he fell roughly upon an ejected Welch Minister, whom he supposed to have taken notes of his Sermons, being jealous of his own Errors, and a∣fraid to have his seditious speeches and falshood truly displayed.
At Guilsfield aforesaid he publiquely delivered these words, (viz.) That in respect they had not subm•tted themselves to the Saints (meaning himself and his Congregation) they should be in a short time all destroyed with the Sword, and that the War horses should wade up to their rains of their bridles in the blood of the said Parishioners, and of the other Enemies of the Saints, and doub∣ted not but he should live to see the same performed.
*His proceedings against Mr. Hugh Lloyd in Brecknock is an evi∣dent testimony of his unspeakable oppression, whom (being a Gen∣tleman of good estate and quality, and sometimes a Iustice of Peace of his Countie) he arrested in that Corporation, imprisoned, and kept in, without bail or mainprise, until he paid him One Hundred pounds, and this upon a bare Arrest, and none durst bail him.
*And his treacherous dealings with Mr. Humphrey Iones, late Bailiff of the Town of Welch Pool (which I often mentioned) who is a very discreet Gentleman, and of good parts and abilities, are well worth your Observation; He being a constant hearer of the word, a godly man, and frequently taking both the notes of his Sermons, and of other reverend Divines who were afterwards ejected, denying Mr. Powell the Copies which he requested, that he might the better frame most destructive Articles against them; the Gentleman (perhaps) not so much out of any tendernesse to∣ward Page 11 them, as out of his respects towards him, being unwilling to make manifest such sad stories and Blasphemies as were there re∣corded out of his own Sermons, did (as that renowned Constantine the great dealt with the Articles against the Nicene Bishops) com∣mit them to the fire, which Mr. Vavasor took in such high con∣tempt, that he maliciously framed threescore Articles to be exhibited the next great Sessions against him, But Mr. Jones be∣ing as provident as himself had compiled the like, to countermine and repel his; Mr. Powell being certified therewith, did by the mediation of Friends agree with the Gent. and that neither of them should exhibite Articles against the other; but when Satur∣day the last day of the Sessions came, and the Jury being dischar∣ged, Mr. Vavasor contrary to his promise and agreement, being maliciously bent to render the Gent. more scandalous, and defa∣med, before the honourable Bench and Country, produced (though ineffectually) several witnesses against him, and amongst the rest one of his own Congregation, a poor man of Guilsfield, living upon the Alms of the said Parish, whom he had kept the whole week in Town, and fed with Venison: the fellow being thus instructed and fitted for his purpose, swore some matters of Fact against Mr. Iones, whereof he said he was Eye-witnesse, and afterwards (upon the Gentlemans request) being demanded by the Iudge, whether he knew the man, he confessed, he did not, though the Gentleman was present at the Bench: The Honourable Iudge checked Mr. Powell, for countenancing such wicked and unworthy proceedings, whereby Mr. Jones was vindicated in the face of the Country, and what a faithlesse and malicious man Mr. Powell is, we leave to the consideration of all honest men.
Mr. Powells Prosecution against a poor Dyer of New Town is most fresh and notorious: This Dyer having (it is confessed li∣ved wickedly with a lewd woman in that Town, but at last repen∣ting his former courses, was married to an honest woman, with whom be cohabited very lovingly; This Whore becomes one of Mr. Powell Congregation, and then challengeth a former marriage with the man: and Mr. Powell did so prosecute the Cause, that upon the bare evidence of the wicked woman the Dyer was convi∣cted, burnt in the hand, and divorced from his honest wife, though it had been formerly proved before a Justice of the Peace that this Page 12 lewd Woman lay that night (in which she swore that she was mar∣ried to the Dyer,) with another Knave. The Judge did not well relish Mr. Powells earnestnesse for the Dyers execution, but repro∣ved him for his incivility, and busying himself with such things as were excentrical to his profession, and dissonant to his Calling: But the truth is, he was herein, as he is in all other things so fragmati∣cal and busie, that not one Sute in Law, or any other difference in those parts where he itinerates, passeth his Cognizance, siding with the one party or other.
I could tell you, How he would have undermined a poor Wid∣dow in New Town (called Widdow Rose) from her house, and dwelling, that he might be commodiously situated as Lord in the heart of the County, but that the goodnesse of her Landlord, who would not consent to his wicked motions, prevented his de∣signes.
*Lastly, for his Malignancy, and seditious inciting of the people against all subordinate Magistracy here on Earth under the King of Kings Christ Jesus, his insufferable expressions for the supplanting and undermining thereof, is a cleer de∣monstration that he is the firebrand, and incendiary of the Whole Nation.
At Llandynam he publickly delivered, That he knew not who were the Keepers of the Liberties of England, more than who were the Church of England, but that he conceived they were neither the Parliament, nor the Council of State, but rather the people; and it is his professed opinion, That Magistrates, and specially Commanders and Officers, have nothing to do, or intermeddle with Church government. As Ienkyn Iohn Howel (alias, Capt. Ienk: Iones) that great Clero-Mastix, or persecutor of the Clergy, who is an Approver in the Act for the Propagation, and an Itinerant in the County of Brecknock, and hath at present sixscore Horse, with Men, Arms, and Ammunition, listed, and ready at his Command, preaching at the parish of Llandetty where he lives, upon a day set apart by the Parliament to thank God for the great victory obtai∣ned against the Scots at Dunbar, told his hearers, That successfull Warriers were not fit to reform, nor to medle with Religion, because they were men of bloud; and this his doctrine he proved by the choice which God made of Solomon to build the Temple, and by his refusal of Page 13 David. This was his doctrine, but not a word of the Victory, nor any of the Victors.
What the aim of the holy man was, the declared Opinion of his friends (who I am sure are men of the same Principles) concerning the present Government, hath now sufficiently unfolded, by their numerous Congregatings and meetings in Wales, which requires speedy prevention.
But Mr. Vavasors unparallelled Raptures at Christ-Church and Black fryars in London,* are evident and plain testimonies hereof: truly, no good Christian could chuse but be astonished to hear so many sacred places of Scripture miserably wrested upon his brasen Anvil, for to frame his Engine to level all Magistracy and Govern∣ment down to the ground.
We will not rake up his whole Dunghil, but onely lightly touch what we have received by faithfull Information.
He spared not His Highness the Lord Protectors Person, or Go∣vernment.]
Mr. Vavasor, Had you been a true Minister of Christ, and Pro∣pagator of his Gospel, you would have learnt Christ far better. He teacheth you,* That All Power is given from above; And the Apo∣stle out of Moses, That you should not speak evil of the Ruler of Gods people, But be subject unto the higher Powers, not only for wrath, but also for Conscience sake. You should not have Cursed, but follow∣ed St. Pauls Rule,* Powred out supplications, and prayers, and have given thanks for him, That under him you might lead a quiet & peace∣able life, in all godlinesse and honesty. For I must tell you, if you had been but in Babylon, the Prophet Ieremiah would have taught you another Lesson,* To pray for the peace of that City, for in the peace thereof shall ye have Peace.
But you are the Diviner spoken of by that Prophet in the 8 ver.*
Who prophecy falsly to the people in the Lords name, whom he hath not sent:
He said, That many reigned now as Kings, without the advise of the Saints, but the Lord would bring them down again. And that this Power was not of God, and should shortly and suddenly be destroyed; to prove this, he abused that place of Scripture, 1 Cor. 4.8. You reigned as Kings without us.
Had you but truly weighed the Apostles drift, and meaning, in Page 14 those words, you would not have so wrested the words of Gods Spirit.
But see the Iustice of God (dum vis esse praedo, fies praeda) while you would smite another, you stab your self with your own weapon to the very heart. Let us both examine the Text. The Apostle in the 10th v. of the preceding Chapter speaks to some Teachers,* that Arrogated to themselves to be Pastors of Congregations, and seemed to succeed him, planting where others laboured: yet they should not presume after their own fancy, upon gold to superstruct hay, as you do, in your own Inventions, Prophetical raptures, and vain Re∣velations.
Observe moreover, how that in the Chapter which you cited, ver. 4. you are wished not to be wise above that which is written; that is none should by his own vain discourses, as you do, adulterate the sense of the Scriptures: For what Gifts you have, they are re∣ceived,* and it is God that makes you to differ. Then the Apostle doth indeed speak Ironically concerning such as you are, as though he had said,* Though you Perswade your selves, that you are in a happy condition, and want nothing of spiritual gifts, extolling your selves above the Ministers of Christ, as Kings, they being impriso∣ned, despised, and ignominiously exposed to Misery and Scorn; yet what doth he in this, but tacitly and modestly reprove you? as the subsequent words will evince, I would to God ye did reign; that is, You think you reign, but it is only in outward shew, not truly and re∣ally.
Good Mr. Vavasor, what Application can you make of this Text to this present Government?
It is a Text that hints, and touches you to the quick. It is you that Reign as Kings, being full and rich, but the Hand-writing on the plaster of the wall, hath now (we believe) changed your counte∣nance, and troubled your thoughts. Let us intreat you to read that Scripture, Dan. 5.25, 26, 27. You have applyed this part of Gods word, as you did another place out of the prophecy of Isaiah as un∣happily framed and fitted for your own throat as the other was,* How art thou fallen from heaven O Lucifer Son of the Morning? &c. for thou hast said in thine heart, &c. I will ascend above the height of the Clouds, I will be like the most high, &c.
We will be more modest, than to apply the Scripture according to your exposition in the Pulpit.
Page 15But good Mr. Vavasor, we shall apply the following verse to your self, Thou shalt be brought down to the sides of the pit of your own mistakes.
The word Lucifer doth not (as you suppose, and as you explained to your Congregation there in Christ-Church) signifie the Devill, Though it be true of you according to the Proverb, Thou art as proud as Lucifer. Venus one of the Planets is called Lucifer or the Morning-star, that brings on the daylight, we beseech you to confer in the Original (because you often boast of your several Languages) the 13th of this Prophet v. 10 with Iob 31, 26. And Christ our Saviour is also called the Morning-star, the Day-spring, Luc. 2.78. 2 Pet. 1.19. Rev. 2.28.
But we suppose scarce any of your Neoterick Expositors comment as you do, and few of the Fathers unlesse by way of al∣lusion.
The true meaning is to represent the Conspicuous estate of the Caldean King and Empire shining as bright as the day-star in the skie. See Diodati, and the late Engli•h observation of your reading. But you said then you would confirm that place with the like in Ti∣mothy. I must tell you the Hue and Cry is almost ceased, and now we must take it up again. You are caught, you are caught, (Virus dum vomis ipse vores) your place in Timothy is, 1 Tim. 3.6. We must have the Patience to read the words as you delivered them, with crying Victoria. Not a Novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the Devill. Your Comment was,* that lest he being lifted up with Pride, fall into the condemnation of the Devil. There you said, the Effect is taken for the Cause, Con∣demnation for Sin.
So a Novice, and who is he? 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, one newly come to the Faith, not as yet well grounded, perhaps one Newly Baptized or newly entred into the first Elements and Principles of Divinity.
What must such a one not do?* He must not desire the Office of a Bishop.
Then your Application of Lucifer in the words of Isaiah must be this, That you who appeared as Lucifers, shining as bright as Day Stars in the Skies (seeing you are but Novices (not Milites Emeriti) neither well grounded (some of you not as yet Bapti∣zed) nor going on to Perfection,* having not as yet attained the Page 16 Principles of the Doctrine of Christ, being advanced to that high degree that you have waxed proud, having obtained the office of Bishops, and with Diotrephes treading under foot the Ministers of Jesus Christ, and being fallen into the same Condemnation of the Devil whereinto he was fallen, which was (as one very well ob∣serves) the Calumniating of his Brethren, you and your Brethren worthily deserve the name of Lucifers in your own sense, being such Novices by your own confirmation, and fallen into your Cu∣stomary sins the Calumniating and traducing of the true Ministers of Christ Jesus.
*That there is no question but you shall be brought down to the side of the pit.
*Your Example of Gideon for the discovery of Pride by the desire of Rule and Dominion over others,* is altogether as impertinent as the former Texts were, whether you aymed at Persons or Govern∣ments.
You said, Gideon was a good man, a great Commander, and ob∣tained many victories agaisnt the Enemies of God, he had many brave Sons, and much honored by the people, but they came not to be Colonels in a year. That the people of God would by all means make Gide∣on King, Come rule thou over us, both thou and thy Son, and thy Sons Son also, for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.
But Gideon would not accept of the Government, he would not* Rule over them, neither should his Son Rule over them.
Your Example herein cannot hold, because he would not Rule, therefore others should not.
[ 1] Gideon did not refuse the Government because they desired him, but because their desire was not regulated by Gods Rule; they pre∣ferred the Sword of Gideon before the Sword of the Lord, but the [ 2] Sword of the Lord and the Sword of Gideon delivered them from the hands of Midian. Gideon refused their Election and Choice, be∣cause it trenched upon the Prerogative Royall of the Lord, and the Choice of Gideon in their sense was the Rejecting of the Lord.
But Mr. Vavasor you must observe that Judges were then raised by God in Commiseration of the Affliction of his People, in an Ex∣traordinary way, by the special motion of his Spirit, fitting them for some Particular service, and that immediately, and in an in∣stant to be put in Execution, but not for any setled Course of Go∣vernment Page 17 to be continued by Succession, but as the State and Condi∣tion of his people did require it, still reserving the Prerogative in himself, which was not to be intrenched upon, untill according to his promises a Choise and Succession should be Revealed unto them, which in its due time was accomplished.
The aim of your Example is, That as Gideon refused to Rule, so you would have none others, but that All should Reign as Kings, and Rule the Nation as Saints, whose inheritance the Earth is; but how far herein you dishonour God, abuse the Saints, debase and vilifie Christs Kingdom, and adulterate his blessed truth, God in his due time may reveal unto you, and inlighten your perverse judgement. We are assured the Lord hath, and (doubt not) doth reign, where Kings or Protectors do rule and govern, the one be∣ing not inconsistent (because subordinate) to the other. Nay we know the Lord did promise the Israelites a King;* And to Abraham that Kings should comes out of his loyns. And it is his Ordinance, that by him they shall reign, and Princes decree Justice.
And his blessed Truth, contrary to your vain thoughts confirms, That Kings of the Earth, and great men, and rich men, and chief Captains, and mighty men, and bondmen, and freemen, shall con∣tinue till the great day of the wrath of the Lord, which is the end of the World.
Your Expressions concerning Gideons Sons savour more of your wonted virulency than of truth.*
You said that he had many brave Sons, and were much honoured by the People] How brave they were the Scripture doth not re∣late; but we read that he had seventie by divers wives, and Abi∣melech, (who slew them all but the youngest) by his Concubine. They could not be as yet very valiant, as plainly appears in the dis∣comfiture of rhe Midianites,* when Iether his first-born (being a very youth) was fearfull to draw his sword to slay Zeba and Zalman∣na. If Gideon had made any such to be Collonels and Commanders, we should not have commended his judgement: But that men of age, valour, and discretion (having hazarded their Lives and For∣tunes both by Sea and Land in the Common service) should receive such Military Titles and Commands as befits their Atchievments, is far lesse honour than they deserve, let them be whose Sons you please; and we will assure you far more congruous, than for Peter to draw Page 18 his sword, and Ministers for the Propagation, to presume to be Collo∣nels, Captains, and Commanders, whose valiant service was none o∣ther, but the rooting out of their deadly and professed enemies (the formidable forlorn hope of the black coats) and gathering Tithes, ne∣ver daring to look any other kind of enemy in the face.
But we acknowledge our selves far unworthy to vindicate any mans honour and reputation.
When you left Gideon, you fell upon his Sons parable (Judg. 9.9.) which speaks of the Trees going forth to anoint a King over them,* the Olive-Tree, the Fig Tree, and the Vine-Tree found their con∣dition to be so good, that they would not Reign.
But you said you would not meddle with the Bramble.]
We commend you very much therein; for then you would have discovered your own nature and disposition: But we will spare you that labour, and supply where you left.
The Bramble is a most fruitless, tearing shrub; fit for nothing, but the stopping of Gaps, and afterwards to be burned: And by the Para∣ble of this Bramble, Jotham meant, proud and ambitious men, base in birth, wicked in life, barren in goodness, and cruel in nature; If you examine your heart, you will find the true Mythologie and moral of this Parable couched in your own breast.
Concerning that place of Amos 6.13. Have we not taken to us Horns by our own strenght? Certainly, either your Concordance fay∣led you, or your quotations were false. For the Horns you meant, were in the 1 King. 22.11. you are the man, that with Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah have made you Horns of Iron, perswading Ahab and Jehoshaphat to war against Ramoth Gilead, that the valiant Soul∣diers may consume one another. Good Sir, let me intreat you to draw in your Horns, and when you push with them again, to think of your old friends, and acquaintance.
Having only touched these places of Scriptures, which together with infinite others, he wrested, and mis-applyed, we shall proceed up∣on his seditious and invective Accusations.
[ 1] He abused the Honourable Council, and called their Proclamation A Libel.
[ 2] He basely traduced, and vilified the Commanders, Officers, and Souldiers of the Army; nay, their wives and families escaped not [ J] the lash of his Tongue. And told the Sword-men in general, That the Page 19 Spirit of God was departed from them; that heretofore they had been precious and excellent men, but that their Parks, and new houses, and gallant Wives, had choaked them up.]
VVell done, (Mr. Vavasor) you plead well for them who spent so much bloud for your Liberties and Protection: I am sure they de∣served a better Character at your hands, if they had not fought with more Courage than you did at Worcester, you had ere this time lost your life, aswell as your man did then your money, by your base and Cowardly running away. If the Spirit of the Lord had forsaken them, the Censure was too uncharitable; but without doubt he went not from them to speak unto you: And we believe you had wished that your Fee'farm Rents, Propagation-moneyes, New house at Kerry,* and a pint of Mrs. Quarrels hot waters had first choaked up your Rai∣ling, before you had thus traduced their worth.
That they had All revolted, and fallen from the Lord, and forsa∣ken [ 2] his people, who were left Fatherless; wishing them to repent of their perjury, against their former Declarations, Protestations, Re∣monstrances, Promises, and Vowes, specially at Tripolie Heath: And to return.]
But Mr. Vavasor, You must consider that all their Promises and Vowes included Conditions, and therefore might be disobligated. Have you never learnt that Rule?
That the Obligation ceaseth when you have the Request or Consent of the most part of those, for whose benefit you have obliged your self.
If you had understood to whom their Promises had References, and for whose benefit they were undertaken, then you had acknowledged, that by Request or Consent, they might be (as they are) disobligated without perjury. But you have vented here the seed of Sedition to the height, by endeavouring to convince their Consciences as guilty of perjury, and so to ingage the Souldiers to imbrue their hands in their own bloud, by renting their unity, and denying their Obedience to their superiour Officers and Commanders under the present Government and Protection.
Could Absolom have dealt more treacherously with David his Fa∣ther? Or Nero more inhumanely, either in burning Rome, and tran∣slating his wickedness upon the innocent Christians? or in renting the bowels of his own dear Mother?
Page 20They have more cause to Cry unto you for to Repent and Return. [ 3] His Highness Chaplains, and great Vniversity-men, who have (as he said) had Thousands a year to set up this New Government, shall not escape him.] Gentlemen, we know you not; but if you had any hand therein, we wish that your Thousands were Millions unto you. Our Pen hath been too much dawbed in his filth, for to presume either to vindicate your innocency, or set forth your goodness, (for certainly, if Mr. Vavasor and his party had been suffered to go on in their evil Designs, they had soon destroyed both Magistracy and Mi∣nistery, who falsly pretending (as Saints triumphant on Earth) to Rule infallibly by a Divine and extraordinary right, would conse∣quently under that Notion claim right to p•ssesse all mens Properties, as well as Govern them, and judge none meet to publish the Gospel, but such as were principled in their wayes.) We understand you are ingenuous, and truly Godly Men, bred up in the Schools of the Prophets; God blesse your Endeavours in advancing Christ's spi∣ritual Kingdom here on Earth, in reviving the dying statutes of your Vniversities to their former vigour, that the Arts and Scien∣ces may flourish again in your Schools; And that both your Eyes may so Recover their former Perspicuity to Continue such Seminaries of Learning and Religion, as to furnish this distressed Nation with golden Plants, that
*One may still bud out of the stem of the other; That these Sa∣tyres may not cry to their fellows, nor the Scritch-Owls find a place of Rest with us; That this great Owl may not make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather her shadow among us any more: Bat that your bright Suns may descrie these Glow-Worms, and dispel these. Bats, that they may gather into their Caves again.
[ 4] He cannot forget the Lawyers his ancient friends, saying, That the Iudges (those Carnal Crue) were brought in by the Souldiers to set up this Government] will nothing serve your turn but still to under∣mine these Marble pillars of the Nation, they have been the Common mark of your Pasquils, and invectives since the Ejection of your Countrey Ministers, that you may level the Law as well as the Gos∣pel. How often have you termed them Theeves and Pick-purses, And that there was not past two honest Lawyers in the whole Nation, Page 21 as you publiquely delivered in your Sermon at Llansanfred in Radnor∣shire? And do you not remember how in your Sermon, at the last great Sessions held for the same County, when you had sufficiently vilified their Persons and Profession, you desired them not to imitate the Devil their Master who always at his departing made clean work and swept all away? certainly you think, that they are troubled with the same Devil, that haunted you about the Welch Pool, whereby distracted you were for a good while Mewed up in your Chambe•. We could wish you to be as charitable towards them, as they have been favourable towards you in your former indictments, and be∣seech you to consider with your self, if you be left once again to the Mercy of the Law, as (we believe) you will, Up goes Mr. Vava∣sor. To conclude, He would pawn and hazard his life and his Mi∣nistery, That this Power shall suddenly be destroyed: And that this was revealed unto him, as the Dissolution of the former Parliament.] for the pawning of your life, we think, as you have already forfeited it, so you are now weary enough of it, and believing that God hath numbred your Kingdom and finished it: you mould gladly become one of Petilians Martyrs who canonized Iudas for a Saint,* We know very well, you would rather have died gloriously in this City of Lon∣don, than to be ignominiously picked into your own Country as you were. Parliament Ioan handled you more roughly in White-hall yard at your departure, Laying hold upon your skirts with termes befitting your spirit, That you may humbly supplicated to be rescued from her Clawes.
For the pawning of your Ministery, you may well expose that to the Broaker, which was never your own, unlesse with the Aegypti∣an whore (Potiphers Wife) you pawn poor Iosephs garment, which he left in her hand to preserve his own chastity, and fidelity to his Master.
But you say, That it was revealed unto you, That this Power shall suddenly be destroyed.] for that, We leave it to Gods gracious Providence and determination, For it is he that putteth down one, and setteth up another: But what manner of Prophet, and Diviner you are, may soon appear by these strange predictions: You Prophe∣sied above two years past in your Sermons in Wales, That Tithes should no more be paid, and above three years ago, That there should never appear any Enemie more in the Land, And here in Page 22 White-hall chapel you Prophesied with great confidence, That all the Statues in that Garden should be shortly drawn down by publique Authority; And in all these (you must confesse) your Spi∣rit hath fowly deceived you: but to satisfie all unbiased Iudges, I shall end with a story of your own invention.
When you were in some part of Worcestershire where some of the late Kings party lay in the field, You sent a Messenger, over night, to give you intelligence of the event of the battle, and being informed before you went to bed, that they were discomsited, you wrote a Letter directed to your self, discovering the truth, and manner of the fight, and delivered this Letter to your man, commanding him to take horse the next morning, & ride three or four miles from the place you quartered, and to return with speed, and deliver the Letter unto you, as you came out of your Pulpit, being to preach there the next morning: In your Sermon you encouraged the People, assuring them, that it was revealed unto you that night, that the Enemie should be destroyed: And wished them never to believe that you were a Pro∣phet sent from the Lord, unlesse they should be very shortly certified thereof, nay you hoped, before you parted from that place; And true it was, Your Man met you at the Church-door, and delivered to you the Letter, being well instructed for the particulars thereof: I hope this wonderful prediction confirms that you have an illuminated Spirit: but herein was the Mischance; Your man mistaking your own, took another Gentlemans Horse, who being much abused (by the wretched Rider) discovered your cheat. Thus you are a foolish Prophet, like a Fox in a Desert, you have seen a vain vision, you have spoken lying Divinations, because you have sedused my people. Ezech. 13.3, 4, 7, 10.
And now, lest that according to your wonted boastings (being re∣turned to your Congregated, and Listed Troops in Wales) you should triumph that you have gloriously past throughout all your troubles before his Highnesse and his Council; As you thanked God in Christ-Church, That you escaped the bands of the Court Catch∣poles (Terms little befitting The Councils Messengers, who deser∣ved far better at your hands, for your Civil and Free entertainment) We beseech them to believe your own expressions, delivered after your first enlargement in the same Pulpit, That you were accounted by them but a frantick, fanatick, and mad man, possessed with an evil Page 23 Spirit, and under the power of darknesse: We must confesse you were not taken for any other kind of man among the ingenuous sort of peo∣ple in your own Nation: And it was the great Providence of God that he hath been pleased by your Carriage here in London, to disco∣ver to his Highnesse the Lord Protector, and the Honourable Council, the Truth of your mad and malicious Spirit, whereby they may tru∣ly understand the sad condition of those Ministers, who have been ejected and persecuted by your means, and of the seduced people who are over-swayed and mis-guided by your turbulent and cruel dispositi∣on, having such influence upon all those places of Wales, where you had any power, that there is not any one in Military, Civil, or Ecclesiastick Authority, or office, but such as condescended to your principles.
But we know that we have long wearied you, with tracing the filth of this sent: There is neither Parish nor place in Wales, nor in this ho∣nourable City of London, but may be a Remembrancer either of his Er∣rors, or Blasphemies, or Obscaenities, or Cruelties, or Oppressions, or Seditions, That we dare boldly say, He may be a true Parallel to the grosest Hereticks of old, And future Sharks shall be but as Apes to imitate his Villanies.
And that you may have some intermixture of his Sweet mirth with his Sour passions, we shall endeavour to recompense your patience with a tast of this Harmonious Hymn sung in his Congregation at Christ-Church, together with an Antiphona answering thereunto, And so close up all with a true discription of his Propagation in Wales.
