8 Their eighth unreasonable Demand is, To have a Tolera∣tion for all manner of Persons or opinions without any distin∣ction or limitation at all but this, If they live peaceably, and are beneficiall to the Common-wealth. That you might see I wrong them not, I shall put down their very words: We wish that every good Citizen, and every man that walks peaceably, and is beneficiall to the Common-wealth, may have liberty and encou∣ragement, it being according to the just policy of all States, even to justice it selfe: So that by this it seems they desire, that if Pa∣pists, Idolaters, Blasphemers, or any other persons what ever, though they continue blaspheming God, and disturbing the Church, yet must they have not onely liberty, but encourage∣ment, in case they live peaceably in, and beneficially to the Common-wealth; if the Army had told us thus, when they were first raised, they should never have had my prayers with them. Is this the fruit of all the expence of treasure and bloud, that instead of order, we shall have confusion; instead of esta∣blishing the true Religion, there should be a toleration of all Religions? what's this but to make London worse then Am∣sterdam, and England worse then India it self?
9 Their ninth unreasonable Demand for Reparation and Vindication of the Army. Now with what conscience can they expect this? Would they have us say, they are an obedient Ar∣my, when they have published their disobedience to all the world? Would they have us say, they are an Army of Saints, when we know there are abundance of grosse and abominable Heretikes among them, who deny the Divinity of Christ, the Authority of the Scriptures, the Immortality of the Soule? &c. Instead of requiring Vindication and Reparation from us, we may rather desire humiliation and reformation from them.
Touching the unreasonablenesse of these demands, I cannot but admire at three things, viz.
- 1. At the falshood of the Army, that should make these high Demands, after they had promised in a Letter to the L. Mayor, Aldermen, and Com∣mon Councell (dated from Royston June 10.) they would not go beyond their former desires. Yea in their Declaration foure dayes after this they make this engagement; Though there are besides these many particulars we could wish to be done, and some