The quacking mountebanck or The Jesuite turn'd Quaker.: In a witty and full discovery of their production and rise, their language, doctrine, discipline, policy, presumption, ignorance, prophanes, dissimulation, envy, uncharitablenes, with their behaviours, gestures, aimes and ends. All punctually handled and proved, to give our country men timely notice to avoid their snares and subtile delusions, ... / By one who was an eye and ear witnesse of their words and gestures in their new hired great Tavern Chappell, or the Great Mouth within Aldersgate.

THE QUACKING MOUNTEBANCK. OR The JESUITE turn'd QUAKER.

And they shall say, have we not prophesied in thy Name, but he shall say, Depart, &c.

I know you not, &c.

Matth. 7.22.23.

Who hath required these things at your Hands,

Isay 1.12.

I sent them not saith the Lord

Jer. 27.15.

When they shall say unto you, loe here is Christ, or there, beleive them not.

Matth. 24.23. Mar. 13.21.

For Sathan himself is transformed into an Angell of Light it is no great thing If his Ministers also be transformed, as, &c.

2 Cor. 11.14.15.

They would deceive the very Elect, &c

Mar. 13.22.

The Enemy came and sowed Tares, &c. Then appeared the Tares also, &c. Sr. from whence hath it Tares, he said an enemy

Mat. 13.25.26.27.

Beware of false Prophets which come to you in sheeps cloathing,

Mat 7 15

Who shall perswade Ahab? and one said I will, and the Lord said how? and he said, I will go and be a lying Spirit in the mouth of all his Pro∣phets, and the Lord said, thou shalt prevail, go forth and do so,

1 King 22.20. &c.

THESE severall Texts of Holy Scripture are pla∣ced in the Frontispeice to stand as a Cloud of Wit∣nesses against these Heathnish people, who so much despise and reject all Books and Learning, and who do, as much as they can, cast the Councill of our Saviour Christ behind them, who hath sayd, Search the Scriptures, for they testifie of Me, and also of the Prophet David, who in Psalm. 1. sayes, That the man is blest who meditates in the Law of the Lord day and night, yet these who are such Quakers and

Tremblers fear not to speak evill of Dignities, and not only refuse to sub∣mit to Magistracy and Dignities on Earth but to reject even Gods Sacred word it self, but not to withold the Reader from what we promised, we shall come succinctly, & truly to describe this Herd of strange beasts lately come amongst us. and first concerning,

THEIR PRODƲCTION AND RISE.

These Creatures cannot much boast of Antiquity; they cannot surely pretend much to Gentility, for they are not of Welch Extraction; they scarce know the Heraulds Office, nor did they come in with the Con∣querour: They are much like to Mushrooms and Toad-stools springing up in a night; they are surely like to Jonas Gourd in one particular, which came up speedily, and most wish that they might decay as sudden∣ly; they are the Lapwings of these times, run about with their shels on their heads, they hate idleness, for they put themselves to work as soon as they are whelped, Running to and fro about the City: They may be some kin unto French Taylors, delighting to be in the last and newest fashion; it may truly be verified of them, we are but of yesterday and know nothing, they have their Rise not from men, but beasts, and those not tame but wild by nature, from a Fox, who was of late kennneld, but now he and his whole Litter are abroad, and therefore tis fit they should be stoutly hunted: Their Actions show them to be true Foxes as Samp∣sons were, running and whisking about our Land with Firebrands of Se∣dition and Dissention at their tayles to spoile the good Corne; Foxes, they are for they live all upon preying, tis wishd that Salomons advise might be followed, Take us the Foxes, the little Foxes that spoil the grapes, tis thought and not improbably, that these were whelped in the Kennell of Ignatius Loyola the Jesuite, in the Roman Territories, and are now run over hither for forrage and booty: their Rise is ignoble and beast∣ly, but tis not to be doubted, but they will quickly increase and augment, because they couple twice or thrice every week, and have now hired a large strong kennell to practise in, where any one, if he please, may hear their open mouthes bark out great swelling Non-sence at the sign of the Great mouth within Aldersgate, which house has had strange Masters, once twas a Pallce for a Noble man, another time a place for a Printer, next for a Vintner, then for a Cook, and at present a great den for subtill Foxes.

THEIR LANGƲAGE AND DISCIPLINE.

These two are joyned together, because they help one the other, for as their Language is too great, so is their Discipline too little, and yet they may be well seperated, for their Language is without any disci∣pline at all, they are no Souldiers, for they observe no Orders, they do Potius Latrare quàm Orare, rather houle or bark, then preach or pray; yet as subtill as they are, they are no Conjurers, for they love not to keep within Compasse, their Language is as wild as their Nature, neither keeps time, method nor matter; they seem tobe enemies to all Musick for they keep no Stops, and yet they may have some skill in it, for they run upon Divisions and Quavers, Prick-song pleases them, for they squeale above Elah, and are excellent at the Base: they should have skill in Geometry, for they'l compass the Land to gain Proselites and the most, if not all of them measure it by the foote, having not horses to ride, without all doubt they have some experience in Astronomy, for most of them are Lunatick or Planet struck, their Language aimes at the new Building of old Babel fortheir babling and bawling tends all to Con∣fusion; we may safely say that these Creatures were not borne Tongue∣tyed, they are so voluble, though they give such License to their tongues yet they do it without License, neither ever had they the gift of Tongues, their Language is not substantial but frothy, for they foam at the Mouth whilst they prate: Salomon sayes, That a man full of words shall not prosper & then surely theres no fear that any of this Litter will come to be Alder∣men: though they talk and prate of Great Matters, yet tis no great matter what they say, if in a multitude of words there must needs be sin, then que∣stionless these are not yet all Saints: they have little or no faith, for they never keep their words, they affect no Ʋnion, and yet they never use Division in their Text. Their Language is harder either then Welch or Wild Irish, their persons and Tongues are alike, for both defie Magi∣strates and Ministers. A man may easier bind up a Bushel of Sand in a hal∣ter, then carry away four or five hours of their illitterate non-sence and confused babling. In breif, their Language is too irreverent for a Tem∣ple, and too uncivill for a Tavern, yet such Tongues there are at the sign of the Mouth.

THEIR DOCTRINE.

Our Saviour was strictly examined concerning his Disciples and his

Doctrine, and if He, why should not these; these cry up as much they can Light Liberty, and tis known they aim at lightness of Liberty, they cry that all men want Light, and if they should be weighed in the ballance they would be found too Light, while they prate of Liberty, they take too much liberty, while they wish others to get Liberty, they abuse their Liberty, while they speak of Light, they love the Dark, and their bau∣ling in the light, of the light, is enough to extinguish it; they are Liber∣tines, and therfore must also be light fellowes, now and then they in∣terline a word that the Grace of God hath appeared, though they do it without any Grace, and never make it out to their confused Auditory to what end or purpose, They teach their she Disciples to whine, and their Hees to houle, any of them take upon them to talk, though no∣thing to purpose, their Doctrine and principles are all unstated, for themselves know not what they are, and untill the next pretended inspi∣ration, are like hogsheads, empty; they are like Ruben unstable as water, and to keep up their Bawling with boldnesse and impudence; they rail against Preists and Levites, though themselves be of the Tribe of Gad or Many-asses: They allow no Magistrates, not because they are not allowable, but because they are not of their Brother-hood, their Doctrine is weak and full of Ignorance, for they were never tutored, nor will ever endure sound Learning, they are no freinds to the Com∣pany of Stationers, for they are more blockish, then bookish: Tis doub∣ted by most, that should they receive their wages for their work, twould be a halter, for they would scorn the benefit of their Clergy; because they hate them so deeply, and would not be able to read their Neck-ver∣ses. Their Doctrine is as the Apostle sayes, The Doctrine of Devills, they are the latest spawn and fry of Rome, and tis pitty, they should have such large Roome to build up old Rome within the walls of our Lon∣don, but to proceed.

4. THEIR POLLICY.

THis they have and use naturally, all Foxes are subtile, go tell that subtile Fox, sayes our Saviour of Herod, but yet these heighten their Nature by practise and experience. See this in some particulars, they come not far abroad till they be able to traverse and find their game, in stormy weather, they keep close in their Dens, Kennells, and hiding holes, for fear of being ruined for their boldnesse: How many such dens and kennells of these beastly creatures does that old Fox keeper of Rome keep fill'd, as Seminaries, Cloysters, Fryeryes, Monasteries, Nunne∣ries,

Abbyes, Prioryes lined full of such Foxes old and young, which (as occasion serves upon all advantagious oportunities are let loose and sent abroad to prey under various Names, Titles, Orders, Degrees, under all pretended out sides and shapes of Sanctimony and gifts, and Revelations and Inspirations: Their sly disguised creeping forth amongst us, vaild with the smooth Umbrages of Messages from God, of Di∣ctares from the Holy Ghost, of Immediate and Infall be Inspirings, how have those guilded and guilful Pills swallowed down ignorantly, wrought bitter effects and sad Conclusions: Their zealous and extraordinary ap∣petite to devoure under these palliated termes of Conversion, New birth new Light, Spirituall Gifts, heavenly Endowments how do they de∣vour young game, such as are not wise enough to shun and avoid these pretended holy and mortified Creatures: Is not their policy deep and great, when partly by fair speeches, specious presents, pretended In∣fusions of Grace, long prayers, outward humility, wresting of Scrip∣tures, application of Prophesies long since accomplished only to them∣selves in these dayes, especially that Eminent Text in Joel, It shall come to passe in the last dayes that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, though the Apostle Peter saies Act 2. this Scripture was then fulfilled in his time yet these hold out, it is to them, to them only who are sent from God, inspired by God and his Spirit, hereupon they pretend Raptures, Exta∣sies, Swounings, Swellings, Groanings, Tumblings, and Prostrations, Skreekings, Murmurings, Trances, Sensible feelings, and Manifesta∣tions of Gods Spirit coming into them; and in this politick phrensie; they pretend they have him, he is now within them, and so must speak, and must only be heard, as sent by God to give Commands, Directions; and Advisoes to the great Ones of the earth, these boast themselves to be the favourites of Heaven, that all but themselves are in darknesse, in bondage in corruption, that they know the mind of Christ, to these glori∣ous politick pretexts, they have added of late, outward poverty, voluntary humiliation, simple and shamelesse nakednesse, extream penance, super∣stitious abstinence, poor habit, mean fare, hard lodging; refraining of acquaintance, leaving their Trades and callings, affecting solitarinesse, sullennesse, bitternesse, with a seeming renouncing of all worldly prefer∣ments and pleasures and profits, with diverse other such Antiquated and popish trinkets and trumpery revived, and then as their spirit of Delusi∣on suggests, they must disguise themselves and pretend some speciall pe∣remptory message to White-Hall, to give extraordinary Informations, Injunctions or Directions (as they pretend) from the Lord. and if not forthwith admitted, then presently they give out, that all our present

Governours are naught ungodly and Antichristian, because they did not receive these Imperious Dictates from Gods Saints & Gods Prophets (if you please to credit them) These are some of those many Fox-like tricks of policy they dayly practise to gain Admiration, O subtill Renard! to get such footing in so short a time, but to go on, the next is.

5 THEIR PRESƲMPTION.

THey have made their foreheads as hard as an Adamant, blu•…•…sh they will not, they are so impudent; ••'st not presumption to exclude all o∣thers from Communion with God, and only include themselves? to as∣sume an Office so high, without any lawfull Commission? to run furi∣ously not being sent? to presse impudently into the Wedding roome not being calld, nor having on a Wedding Garment? to sit the highest with out the leave of the master of the Feast? to undertake to teach others who were never learned themselves? to impropriate that to themselves, which is denyed to none? to brag of the assurance of Gods favour to them∣selves and that rather merited then given freely, and to debar all o∣thers from it? to esteem all others as drosse, and themselves the pure gold? they are much like theives that steal and take away other mens Goods, but at last hang for it, they are like to Froth cork, and black soape, strive to be uppermost, they as those wicked ones in Psal. 12. say, Our tongues are our own, who is Lord over Ʋs, they presume all our Ma∣gistrates are asleep, and so they may play their pranks, Other mens In∣dulgency and forbearance sets them on float, they are worse then the Scribes and Pharisees, for though they sate in Moses chair, yet that place belonged to them: but these rail at all that are lawfully in it; and take it to themselves, they hold all to be black but themselves, surely they are pur∣blind for they looke not on any man aright, they would perswade men that none live in the sun but themselves, nor are worthy of it because not of their New-found Land way; they are much like Icarus, will be flying though it be with waxen wings, and be drowned; or like Phaeton, will be in the Chariot of State, though they break their necks in the conclusion, They give our, their care is so much for Heaven, that they give no respect to men upon Earth; One would take them to be good fellowes, for they make all, and account the best of men scarce their fellowes, they are much like to flyes and gnats, play so busily about the Candle, till at last they burn their wings and themselves; these are the true preists of Baal, for they do Baul to the purpose; in breif, because they are not punished, they think they are not punishable; they intrench upon all mens jurisdi∣ctions

and so they are not hurt, care not what hurt they do: They can not endure Gods word, because it describes these filthy dreamers, who creep into widdows houses, and lead about silly women loaden with divers lusts, speaking ill of dignities, using Religion but for a Cloake of their malicious designs; in a word they are the true Frogs of Egypt, croaking and crawling in all places, and except the sooner removed, will defile this whole Land and make it stinck, yet further,

5. THEIR PROPHANES AND ƲNCLEANES.

IT is registred of one of the Emperours that while he was baptized, he defiled the Fount with his Excrement, and twas said, he would prove an Enemy to Christians, and so it came to passe, so hee had his name Copronymus, but these unclean prophane Esaus brood, have not only defiled the place of their Baptisme, but esteem it in it selfe an Ʋnclean, Ʋnholy thing; they not only not respect Persons, Times, or Places; but Despise the One, presume to Alter the other, and Overthrow the third: They think they may pull Down the Houses of God that be in the Land, because Papists have prayed in them, and rob them of all their means, pretending themselves of Israel, and all others of Egypt, Ʋzza was punished severely for but touching the Arke to bold it up with his hand, but these imploy their hands to overthrow it, they say of our Churches, as the Children of Edom did of Jerusalem, Psal. 137. Downe with them, down with them even to the ground, they love not those that are Tryers of Ministers, because they keep an Order in the Worship of God, these love no Order, and therefore Revile; there is not the strictest tye or bond that God hath layd on man to performe, but they st••ive to vi∣olate it; turning The Grace of God into wantonnesse,, for the Sabboth, they hold it Jewish and Ceremoniall, as for the Sacraments, they are so Mysterious, that they slight them, for Honour to Parents, they ac∣knowledge it not, and for Marriage they hold all in Common, they seem to hate all Enclosures and Pastures, for they would lay all open, for the Scriptures, the Holy word of God, they say with the Papists, tis a Dead Letter in it selfe, and that it receives all the Vigour by their Ʋnlearned, and Presumptious Tautologicall Empty In∣terpretations, nay indeed go further then so, for they hold their sudden Inspirations and Enthusiasmes and Dreames and Raptures, to excell Them for worth, they say clean contrary to what Peter heard spoke to him, what God hath cleansed, call thou not unclean, but these count those things,

Persons and Ordinance, which God hath set apart to be unfit for Ʋse, and therefore despise them, these are like Flyes in the Oyntment, defile it: they account all men unclean but themselves, and therefore cry out, Touch not, Stand off further, for I am holyer then Thou; to conclude this point; its wished they were farther gon, for they are as black as Pitch, and he that toucheth them shall be sure to be defiled.

7. THEIR DISSIMƲLATION, ENVY, AND ƲNCHARITABLENES.

These three shall be handled together, as they practise them, and as they usually are link'd together; their Dissimulation precedes, for they may say of that as the Silver smiths at Ephesus, did of their Shrines, You know how that by this we get our living, if the Fox did not wear the Lambs skin, he would not be so soon discovered, their words are as Smooth as oyle, and yet they be very swords, they are like Sodoms Grapes, seem fair but tast deadly, like Pilate washing his hands, yet condemning Christ, or not unlike to Judas, who kist his Master but withal betrayed him, with Joab speaking freindly, but wounding deadly: What are all their For∣mall showes, but meer Hypocrisie? their long Teachings of six or eight houres Babling but devouring Houses and leading about simple women, and this is too commonly known: what are their outward Pilgrimages in our streets, their Wandrings into the Countryes to cause the light, as they say, to come amongst the country people, the crying down all prea∣ching but their own? and as they are Counterfeit, so they are Envious, greive that any man hath Light truer then theirs, their main aim is to put down the Law and the Gospel, the Magistrate and the Ministry, if these go Down, then hey Ʋp go they ah; they are like Esops dog, lye in the Manger, and will not let the horse eat Provender, though them∣selves cannot, so these, though they cannot nor Will feed soules, yet they inveterately hate those that do, their Envy tis thought is the cause that all, or the most of them are such Meagre Carcases, and such Yellow tan'd Skellitons appearing more like Haggs and Hobgoblings, then Men or Mo∣dest women, they are not unlike those men that were possessed with Devils who lived in the Feilds and Mountaines, and Graves, so that none could passe by that way without fear of danger, these chose solitary and wast places at first in the Woods, Feilds, and Mountaines, but now they are so impudent they have their Kennells in the greatest Cities and Townes, they are very unfit to be Judges, for if their Power was according to

their Will, they would empty the Earth of men and weomen, and send them to Hell in a croud, their monthes are full of Cursing, that it is thought, they are not under a Blessing, and they are so Ʋncharitable that they envy that God is so Patient and mercifull, their prayers are rather that fire may come down from Heaven and consume us, rather then that the Sun should shine to warm and refresh us, they say we are all in the dark, but they rather desire all men were Blind: Nero wish'd that all Rome had but One head, that he might at one blow strike it Off, but these cannot endure that we should have any Head at all, and that makes them so Sourly and Maliciously to revile and rail against our Head the publick Magistrates, they are so far from praying for them, that like Foxes they would sain Prey upon them: they are for certain out of Charity with their Auditory, or else they would Blesse them at parting; but these Snarle at, and bite them in their whole Exercise, and there∣fore tis a Witty and a true Proverb, When the Fox preanes beware the geese: whom they cannot Allure, they Envy and Hate; and because they gain but a few, they must needs hate the more; they are Enemies to Almes∣houses, Schools, and Colledges, they hate the First, because founded upon Charity, and the Two later because they Breed up, and are Nurse∣ries for learned Schollars, Judges and Magistrates, all which are Eye∣fores to their unlawfull assemblies, of which it may truly be said, My Soul come not into their assemblies for in their fury the kild a man and dig'd through a wall, and for certain their fury is great, both in and out of their Meetings against a Man, against Authority, and lawfull Magistracy, and therefore they do like Foxes, dig down & through all Fundamentall Lawes and Civill Policie and Societies, which are the Walls of our Happy Subsi∣stence, and we are all bovnd to pray that God would keep out these Ver∣mine called Quakers from digging down these Walls, these Foundations, but we hope they are deeper layd than to be Ʋndermin'd, and higher built then to be leapt over by these Insulting, Presumptuous Company of Fox∣es, For if the Foundations be cast down, what shall the Righteous do?

8. THEIR IGNORANCE.

ANd in this particular they do not only Equall but outstrip the very Papists, for they hold only, That Ignorance is the Mother of Devoti∣on, yet they debar not Knowledge from their Preists, but these as well Speakers as Hearers, exclude All Knowledge and condemn it, sure they are no kin to Egyptians, for they were fearfull at their three days

Darknesse, these applaud it. they have some affinity to Bats Night Ra∣vens, and Owles, for they love Night better then Day, so these Dark∣ness rather then Light: They are not of Salomons mind, for he prayed for Wisdome and Knowledge and Ʋnderstanding; but these prate and preach against It: They cannot endure any Schoolmasters, because they Whip their Disciples for their Ignorance, they are utter Enemies to the society of Almanack Makers; because they discourse only of the Starrs, and the Heavens: And these never intend to trouble that place. They praise Greenland to be a very gallant Country, because ther is more Dark∣ness than Light, and there•• good store of their fellow Creatures, they live there as Bears and Foxes may go together, tis reported they intend to plant there, only they doubt the Bears, as the better Creatures will not yeild them Possession, tis thought its high time for them to be gon, for they have playd such Fox-tricks here, that our Country is weary of them, they hold that place of Scripture to be Apochypha, My Son, get Knowledge, and above all get Ʋnderstanding, they regard not knowledge because the Apostle Paul sayes, Knowledge puffs up, They applaud that for an excellent sentence of Agrippa unto Paul, Too much Learning hath made thee mad, and yet these are mad & yet without learning: they care not for that place of Scripture, which sayes, If the blind lead the blind they both fall into the ditch, and because the Scriptures do so much speak against Ignorance, the speak as much against Them, yet as ignorant as they be, they presume to Teach the learned and greatest Magistrates, who so bold as blind Byard, to conclude these, surely they were bred neere Dunstable, they are the Snuffers against Magistracy, they cannot endure to hear of the Schooles of the Prophets, they are like Naash the Ammonite desire to put out the Eyes of all Israel, they are clean contrary to God and Good men, for God, is Light, and his Chrildren are of the Light, these love Ignorance and affect Darknesse, but to proceed to the next; and that is.

9. THEIR BEHAVIOƲRS, GESTƲRES, AYMES, AND ENDS.

THese four particulars are fitting to be discovered, not any waies to uphold them, but to set them open to the view of the world: these Characters shew their Nature, Disposition, and Intention, their Behavi∣ours are for the most part according to their Breeding, Education is re∣puted a second Nature, and hath a strong Influence upon the whole Course of the After-life, hereupon it ought to be the care of Parents to

give Virtuous Education to their Children, it being for a Foundation to all their future Actions either for Honesty, Justice Civility, or Worth; or on the contrrry for In ustice, Incivility, Dishonesty or basenesse.

It plainly may, and doth appear, that these persons either never had It bestowed on them, or else they have strangely Degenerated from those formerly received Principles, and so usually such parties, prove Prodigi∣ous and Monstruous, or Dangerous and unhappy to themselves, and the Common Wealth, wherein they had their first breath.

To our purpose, We know not much of their Extraction, nor do ac∣cuse their Parents as carelesse of their duties in this particular, yet so much, we can safely say, that if Fortes creantur à fortibus, Eagles get Eagles, not Buzzards, Owles or Jack-Dawes, so Lyons bring forth Lyons not Foxes Hogs and Doggs, for certain these are either Metamorphosed or elce their Progenitors were Ignoble, Vicious, and Sordid, sor to take a short view of their persons.

First, They want Learning even to that degree, that most of them know not the very Elements, Rudiments or first beginnings of it, hence it comes to passe, that universally they cry down all Learning and lear∣ned men; for certain they must needs be poor Creatures who are alto∣gether destitute of such a worthy Jewell, which indeed is the prime Or∣nament of the Soule, and enables and furnishes it generally for any Vir∣tuous or worthy imployment, so that they are sent out into the wold emp∣ty and lame.

Secondly, They want Calling, for the most part we know it that ma∣ny of them never were brought up to a Calling, a grosse fault in those that had, and undertook the Steerage of their youth, Train up saies Salomon, a child in his way, i. e. his Calling, in his youth, and he will not forget it when he is old: But where theres no trayning up in a Calling in a Way, in youth, tis no marvell they Wander without a Way (any good way) all the rest of their life: er elce, if though they had a Calling, they left it and forsook it through want of good advise, or Foresight, Distemper Discontent or too much Severity and Rigour of their Masters, which are all miserable Presages of future Calamity; and desperate, if not Ruinous events: Now if the the fault be in the Masters, they may have some Plea, but little Help, but if it proceed from themselves, scarce (upon some or any of the fore mentioned Acts) is Excusable, much lesse Allowable, such men (if yet worthy that name) put themselves not only out of the way but out of Gods Ordinary and usuall way of Protection) Hee shall keepe thee in all thy waies, but he that puts himself out of the way of his Cal∣ling,

exposes himself to all dangers, as being out of Gods Custody and Tuition.

It is certaily known that these persons do not abide in a calling, not follow it Powerfully nor Subordinately; especially since they thrust them∣selves into this Extravagant course of Teaching, by pretended Inspirati∣on: and many of them through Distemper by lewd irregular Carriage, burst out into ill Husbandry, and lavish Spendings, and at last turned Desperates not knowing where to pitch or steer aright, and so ever since have been Erratick and wandring Planets.

Thirdly, They want Competency of meanes caused principally by be∣ing out of Imployment, or Poverty of Parents, and this affliction, if it fals upon a Cholerick stubborne Nature, one that affects Liberty and License without controule, workes Strongly and strangely, and forces them into all Idle, unlawfull uncivill or unhonest actions.

Fourthly, Want of Regularity, and due Temper of Spirit, not know∣ing either how to shun Poverty, when it falls, nor be contented with or under it being layd upon them; nor taking Care, nor using Lawfull means to get out of it, and of this Condition many of those persons are, They know not of what Spirits they are.

Fifthly want of Grounds and Principles of Religion; scorning or not earing to hear the Word preached by the publick Ministers, and so not having the Fear of God before their eyes at all, or not so much, as they ought: they go astray as soon as they are born and speak lies, as the Pro∣phet David sayes.

Sixthly, Many of them have been Professors formerly, but by conten∣tion and baughtinesse of Spirit, and for want of Assisting grace and Hu∣mility, fall off, and so set up this Trade of Batiologie and Vaine Bab∣ling.

Seventhly, Hope of Gaines and Outward credit amongst men, to be accounted some what Excellent, or Envy to the Preachers by Law estab∣lished, these are as Pullyes to draw them in, and Spurs to set them for∣ward,

To these many others might be added, but these are sufficient to cause their Behaviour to be either toward God or Man unreverent, undecent, uncivill, unnaturall, God having justly given them up to their own hearts lusts to work all wie•…•…ednes even with greedines, hence at any meeting they carry not themselves in an ordinary affable way amongst their Equalls, hence they sco ne their Superiours, and truly give no man his Due: but superciliously and vaingloriously or stubbornly and surly, and irregularly,

they ••ear themselves: slighting or not regarding persons of their neer∣est naturall Relation in their Comportment showes their Loose and extrava∣gant breeding; so that their unmannerly and uncivill carriage to all sorts of people proceeds from a double cause: from want of Civill and Morall Education; and from a proud, affected, Supercilious, vain Conceit of their sublime gifts, excellent qualities, & Divine inspirations: And so judging all others inferiour to themselves, and indeed holding others not fit for their sanctified societies (as they pretend) herupon many can witnes that at the sign of the Mouth, two Gentlemen of good quality after their Long∣winded exercise was ended, came in a civill and curteous comportment, to, two of their shee Disciples, who during Foxes Rambling, and confused Babling, were taken with their Whyning yelping puppy-like Phrensical fits; and the Gentlemen very civilly came and asked them, whether they were ill? or whether they were crouded to much? or what reason they had for so doing? and protested seriously to those two Femalls, that they desired to be informed not out of Curiosity, but for Satisf••ction; they two stood staring in the Gentlemens faces a good pretty while, and spoke not to them at all, the Gentlemen humbly desired them the second time to be pleased to inform them concerning these particulars; they both here∣upon in a furious and Hag-like rage and passion belch'd out of their un∣clean Mouthes, these direfull curses and Execrations against those two men and others that stood by, you are both Damned wretches, you are straw and stubble hay and drosse, and are good for nothing but Hell fire, which shall Consume you, another standing by, and hearing such violent expressions come from them, told them they did not well to condemne any man, and that their judgment was unjust, the women turned sud∣denly to him, and sayd that he was no other then a Fire-brand of Hell as well as the other, and that their time of burning was not far off, and being asked, how they know that, they replyed furiously again, they were com∣manded to tell them of it, this was their deportment to men of modest and calme spirits, who protested afterward that they could not have beleived they had been such angry and violent people; and that they desired no∣thing, but would fain have been satisfied about their Whining and strange yelping, so boldly impudent they are and lavish in their exercise, that though they belch out Blasphemy, Heresie, Non-sence, Contradiction, Absurdities, Ʋntruths, Lyes, Slanders, Revilings against God and Christ, the Scriptures, Magistrates (the high••st not exempted) and Ministers yet, when as they are told of it, though by judicious able men yet they shall have no better entertainment, then to be judged, and

forthwith cond••mned to Hell flames and torments, as though They had the keeping of the keyes of the Grave and Hell; had power to Bind or Lo•…•… at their pleas•…•…e any, whom they shall like or dislike, they have (as they affirm) such a purity that God sees no sin in them, nay they do not acknowledge themselues Sinners, but Purged, enlightned, perfected so, that all corruption and sin is subdued in them; hence they take Liberty to use or abuse the creatures amongst themselves, and imagine Communi∣ty of women, though against the Lawes of God and the Land, to be not only not a sin but allowable, and therefore they so licenciously practise it. Should all their Actions and behaviours so irreligious and prophane, so obscence and uncomely be set down, t'would swell into a large story, but indeed they are for the most part so strange and unnaturall, that it is not fitting for a modest pen to write them, nor a chast Nature to read them, next followes.

THEIR GESTƲRES,

THese are so Antick and Apish abroad, that the very Children deride and abhor them, as they range rudely through the very streets at noon day naked. So they practised in the Countries in Yorkshire, Lanca∣shire, Cheshire and else where, even Women casting away all Modesty of of their sexe, as well in the day time as in the night accompany with men, with strangers not their own Husbands, but these regard not the solemn tyes or bonds of Marriage, but are broke out into all shamelesse and un∣paralel'd Bestiality: Though most of them be scarce able to get rich and costly apparell, yet such as they have formerly used, they now cast off, they eat and drink promiscuously without rendring any thanks to God, before or after the receipt of their diet: they are so clean (as they pre∣tend) that they need no washing, and therefore it may truly be sayd of them, that as they are no Scribes, so they are not Pharisees, for they washed oftner in a day, then these in six; the Pharisees prayed often, (these as thinking themselues not bound to Duties of that inferiour rank) use it not: Their gestures in the time of their publick tumultuous Meetings are various and strange, sometimes standing, sometimes sitting, sometimes tumbling, wallowing from one side to another, lying on their bellies, som∣times on their backs: never kneeling, shaking their hands as though troub∣led with a deep Palsey; strangely Casting up and distorting their Eyes, and wreathing their Mouthes, lying as dead as in a Tra••nce or a Swoune, strangely whining, sqealing, yawling, groaning, foa••ing, at mouth, as

troubled with the Falling sicknesse, and their Leader and Cheif Spea∣ker, that nimble Mercurialist Fox, who hath run up and down divers countries and deluded sundry people under several shapes and Habits and forms, now come to London weares a bush, a long bush of Hair by his Ears like a Fox tayle, which he strokes often and playes with and sports with it, as a Fox doth with his tayle, to the Merri∣ment and laughter of the spectators, and this done with such Confi∣dence and impudence, tis not to be beleived till seen.

The Rainbow hath not more Colours then these Creatures varie∣ty of shapes, habits, formes, gestures, surely they never were bred in Spain, for they never alter their Fastion: but they may be thought to be French, alwaies changing their Habits, and varying their Po∣stures, they are like to Weather-Cocks, alwaies turning with the Wind, it would puzzle an expert Limner to set them forth in their Colours, except he used all colours, in a word, they are like a Wind∣mill and a Womans fancy, all upon Alteration.

THEIR AYMES AND ENDS.

WEe are now come to the last description of these Land-Cha∣melions, what they intend and aim at, the Butt they shoot at, and thats as unjust as any of their preceding actions, did they lay down a good end, they might be the better born withall; though they did fail in some particulars to attain it: but their drift and scope as the means by which they use to accomplish it, we comprise in the se four heads.

First, Sedition in the State; and so consequently subversion of Government.

Secondly, Enriching themselves and to gain Credit.

Thirdly, To Delude poor simple people.

Fourthly, To sow Division in Religion, and to effect their de∣signes to the full, they have assumed that way and profession to them selves, that if any delusion will work: this that they professe is the most likely. For first (they say) they come, and are sent immedi∣atly by God, now this Baite if once swallowed, sets them up to the purpose, for are not all bound then to obey when God commands, and this Exempts them from punishment too, for what Ingenuous Magistrate will oppose them, (being as they say) sent from God, left happily by so doing, he may seem to strive against God, and

what need they now be questioned, having gotten allowance and authority from the Magistrate? whom need they fear, they may range and raign as they please, and then secondly, if sent of God, and authorised by the Magistrate, who will not be ready and willing to assist them with means if they sow Spiritualls; tis not to be que∣stioned; but they Will and may, quickly reap Temporalls? wealth, and gifts and oblations flow in from all persons, And thirdly, This pretence being adjudged for pure and sincere, especially joyned with Humility, and heavenly Messages, who would not forthwith be an Auditor, a Proselite, & a follower? who will not be taken with such whom Heaven sends as Ambassadors, and thereupon their Doctrines are swallowed down: People will not let any of their words fall to the ground, and having now well refreshed themselves with Large Bene∣volences from seduced people, who will not cry up what they say, and cry down that that they disprove off, and so in the consequence down goes the setled and orthodox professors of Religion as Antichri∣stian, and of the fourth Monarchy, and so to be utterly overthrown and cast down, all this is feazible by these cunning Artificers: These Foxes know how to lye down and prostrate Themselves as naturall Foxes usually do, when they intend most mischeif with glaring, with their Eyes cast up, and fixt in their heads as if they were dead, and by this subtill trick, Foxes get and catch many a prey, and these use such Arts to perswade their Auditors that they are mortified, or in a spirituall Trance, but this is done to win Disciples, to their Lure, and to perswade men of their celestiall Raptures, their discourse is broken and half distracted, cunning inveygling; but certain it is, if they be so shameless and impudent in the day, in the light, what will they not do having oportunity to act in the Dark, in the night; they are indeed Monsters not of Affrick but brought up in England, and whether it be safe to give Liberty long to such Foxes, who would ruin the State, overthrow Religion, seduce People, and advance Themselves above all others, tis left to wise and judicious persons to determine and order. Thus far the Fox has been hunted with his Litter, some more able pen (tis hoped) will undertake to follow the Game being now hot in chase, and the Foxes out at prey, but an end is put to our pursuits at present, desiring that others would keep up the Game; and follow the Pursuit with skil and power it wilprove both for profit and pleasure. One step further,

In the last place, consider their boldness to intrude into places of publick worship, to affront, disturb, and out face both the Preacher in his Exercise, and the people from hearing, notwithstanding the commands of Authority, to the contrary, they are like to butchers flyes will venture on, though beaten for their boldness; and where they can seize, they presently taint: they pretend to be all Spi∣rituall, yet they all love the Flesh; their women like not the Apostles Injunction, To learn in silence and subjection; but these thrust on to be Teachers, and Rulers: they like not Saint Pauls ad∣vise, who would not permit women to speak in publick; but these presume so far, even to Railing and Scolding; there were some Se∣ducers in old time, of whom tis sayd, They crept into houses; these scorn to creep or peep, but impudently rush, and run into all places, not to hear but to controul the Preachers Doctrine: women are called houswives, they should in modesty keep at home; but these are Gadders and Rovers abroad; Salomen makes it a Demonstration of a naughty woman, whose feet will not stay within dores: What may be thought of these then, who are Praters, Busi-bodies, and Wan∣derers,

But their cheif Virago, is one who is called Martha Symmonds, Alias in truth, shee is wife to Mr. Bourn the Astronomer in More∣feilds, a speciall Light Saint. A true Martha indeed, who cumbers her selfe with two much business of other folks matters, who runs and gadds up and down with Missives, and leaves Letters, and sends them abroad to gain Disciples; what a bubbub did she cause in Shor∣dich Church the last Lords day, by boldly and impudently talking to, and against the Minister, till shee was forc'd away by the Church-Wardens and other Officers, and so others in other places act their parts stubbornly against all Rules of Modesty and Civility.

Tis beleived by understanding people, that they use Charmes, Spells and Jncantations, by tying of Ribbons Laces Knots, and by giving some slight present, which upon the Receipt hath had strange operations upon such as have taken them, so that they have been as it were possessed and frantick, and have broken out into strange fits, as persons intoxicated, and have hereupon fallen out with those of their neerest Re•…•…tion, as Wives with their Husbands, and Hus∣bands with their Wives, nud Parents with their Children, even to such an high degree, that they have left one the other, and have sold and profusely lavished and given away their Estates, even to

strangers, nay prodigally and unwisely given away their wearing apparrell, and have put themselves into Antick and Whimsicall ha∣bits, even to the scorn and derision of beholders; nay they have not only strangely Metamorphosed themselves in their habits, but some of them have been so impudently bold, as to go naked in the publick streets, and Market places, though one of them was well tutourd and whip'd into better manners, who of late coming through Smithfeild amongst the country Carters, who bring hay to town, was stopt by a lusty Country fellow, and ask'd why he disgraced him self so, the Quacker answered, the Lord had commanded him to do so, to whom the Carter very bluntly replyed, and the Lord hath commanded me to whip and lash you foundly, which with a good Cart whip was seasonably performed; if more of them met with such Discipline and such rough Tutors, it would be a sure means to force them to a Reformation, and to leave off their simple Pilgrimags, and uncivill Perambulations.

To conclude, These English Crocodiles leave no polytick ways untried to work upon Weak Proselites, they prevaile most upon the femall Sex, as knowing the Woman was first seduced, and then sedu∣ced the man, in Summ, they are the Cankerwormes of Magistracy, the Rats-bane of the Ministry, the Rust of Learning, the Defilers of Mo∣desty, the Ʋnderminers of Civi••l Society, the Disturbers of Order, the Quicksands of Government, the Fomenters of all seditious and disor∣derly practises.

In a word, they are like Pharoahs lean and illfavourd kine, are come up here to devoure the Fat and the faire ones, Religion, and Law: which if not timely stopt in their furious carriere, by men in place and authority, may prove the Gulph to sinke all good Or∣ders and Government, in this Common-wealth.

—Venienti occurrite Morbo.

FINIS.