The Samaritans box newly opened

1. For the Causes of our Calamities.

1. The originall and ••oot of all our maladies, as they pro∣ceed from God, is sin, both Nationall and personall: as pride, prophanenesse, Idolatry, uncleannesse, fullnesse of bread, Con∣tempt of the poor, oppression, violence, light esteem of the Gospel, formality, unthankfullnesse, unsuitable walking with God in the midst of manifold mercies and deliverances; for these things the land mourn.

2. Carnall Confidence, too much trusting in an arm of flesh, one Idolizing a King, another a Parliament, a third an Army, a fourth a Synod, (in reference to Church settlement peradventure) a fifth a Common Councell: God now lets us see all is vain, He infatuates our Councels, shakes our founda∣tions, so that our Prophets are as in the dayes of Hosea, turned Fooles, the spirituall man is mad, all our Champions from whom we expected deliverance, become rotten reeds, all tell∣ing us there is no trust in secundary causes: God hath been, God will be our Reformer, our Deliverer: He it is must speak Peace, and he only must settle the affairs of Church and State, that his Name may have more praise.

3. Idolizing our own opinions, though never so mon∣strous,

every one hugging his own Apes, because they are his; and hence is it not only the Godly Learned, but the ballance of the Sanctuary are so much sleighted.

4. Corrupt men in places of Honour and Trust, seeking themselves, not the publique.

5. Ingratitude, and more then ordinary incivility and dis∣honour offered those that under God have delivered us from our common enemies, not taking care either for their payment, or making sufficient provision for Indempnity, or Tender Con∣sciences, before endeavours of disbanding.

6. Jealousies, mis-understandings, and mis-representations of each others words and actions.

7. From our corrupt hearts, each party being partiall to it self; the Presbyterian sleighting and outing men of Indepen∣dant principles, although never so faithfull and Godly; the Independant as unworthily sleighting and outing all that cor∣respond not with them, although otherwise without excepti∣on: Certainly these warrings and jarrings proceeds meerly from our Lusts, and its in vain to expect peace so long as any one party seeks to set up it selfe.

8. Too much indulgency to Delinquent Clergy, who in all places rake up their old Reliques, and poyson the people with their Egyptian hotch-potch, imboldened hereunto by hope of generall Tolleration.

9. Ignorance of that small difference thats between Pres∣byterian and Independant discipline. Certainly if the gene∣rallity of each knew the Government to be one, only in point of appeal, as indeed it is; they would never be so mad to emu∣late: they must have both Pastors, Teachers, Elders, Deacons, the same Officers, the same Ordinances, the same Church Cen∣su••e: to speak t••uth, the Independent Churches are all Presby∣terian, but Presbyterian as now stated, not Independent; yet easily might be reconciled if the Lord would open our eyes, and ••••cline ou•• hearts to Love and Peace.

10. Want of Christian affection, which breeds ill constru∣ctions on each side. If a Godly Minister shall zealously presse on to that government to which his principles and Conscience

leads, without which, he cannot be found faithfull, this must be called rigor, malice, violence, &c. both charging that upon violence, thats often done out of pure zeal to God and his Cause.

11. Playing so long Fast and Loose with the King: Cer∣tainly the expence of lesse Treasure and Blood, would have ser∣ved turn, if wee had dealt roundly with him at first; neither would our warrs have worn out one Generall; the truth is, we sought him so long, till we have almost lost the Kingdom; beleeve it He shoots well in the Long Bow; yet let no man mistake me, I wish his Majesty as much honour and happinesse as he that peradventure may shoot his first bolt; but I wish also for his and his posterities and kingdoms good, that speedy pro∣vision may be made for the Kingdoms Indempnity and future security, without which, we have been fighting to small pur∣pose.

12. Former suffering so many base scurrilous scandalous Pamphlets, so frequent about City and Countrey, nursing cor∣rupt humors in malignat and discontented spirits, and deluding abundance of ignorant people, bringing the Vulgar sort gene∣rally into dislike both of Parliament and Army.

13. Permitting so many corrupt Magistrates, and notori∣ous Delinquents in offices of Trust, in most parts of the King∣dom, who have (as much as in them lies) made the well-af∣fected objects of their revenge.

14. Accounting all Presbyterians that are not Indepen∣dants, and all Independants that are not Presbyterians, when the major part is owned by neither, nor sit for Communion with either; nay, indeed are enemies to both: the Indepen∣dant reckoning all Prophane to the Presbyterian; the Presby∣terian accounting all men of rotten and unsound judgements Independants; and there is a great fault in both, for their in∣dulgencie one to the prophane, and the other to the erronious in not declaring against them.

15. The Pride, Covetuousnesse and Prophanenesse of the generality of our Clergy, who have thereby caused many (o∣therwise well-affected) not onely tobecome enemies to go∣verment

but even to lothe the Ordinances of God for their sakes: yet blessed be God wee have as many Godly learned whose hearts mourn in secret for these things, as any Nation under the Sun.