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The Mysterie of the two Iuntos, Presbyterian and Independent.
THe Kingdome being overgrowne with Preroga∣tive, [unspec 1] Corruption, and Superstition (the fruits of a long and lazie peace) by a long discontinu∣ance of Parliaments; At last by Providence his Majestie was necessitated to call a Parliament the onely Colledge of Physitians to purge the much distempered body of the Common-wealth.
In this Parliament a contest betweene the Kings Prerogative and the peoples lawes and liberties begat a warre. [unspec 2] The Divines on both sides out of their pulpits sounding Alarme thereto: and not only Sermons; but Declarations of Parliament, and the Nationall Covenant, (holding forth to the people the defence of Religion, Laws, Liberties, and properties) inflamed the people to the rage of battle, as the Elephant is inraged at the sight of Red. This warre occasioned extraordinary Taxes and leavies of mo∣ney, such as was never heard of by our Ancestours, and were Ir∣ritamenta malorum, the nurse of our Corruptions.
This incentive working upon the humane frailty of the speak∣ing and leading members of the Houses,* 1.1 caused them first to in∣terweave their particular interests and ambitions with the pub∣lique, and lastly to preferre them before the publique.
Wherefore the said Leading men or Grandees (for that is now Parliament language.* 1.2) First divided themselves into two factions or Junto's: Presbyterians, and Independents: seeming to look only upon the Church, but (Religion having the strongest operation upon the spirit of man) involved the interests of the Common∣wealth.
The Common people of the two houses following (with an implicite faith and blind obedience) the example of their leaders, [unspec 5] divided themselves also into the said Dichotomy; which they did with more seriousnesse then their leaders, as not perceiving any thing of designe therein: But according to the diversity of their judgements, or rather fancyes and confidings (for to resigne a