the vulgar sort do hear, have thus proceeded. After that with great
and long debates we had gotten well near unanimously concluded all we
desired about pastors, doctors, elders, and deacons, we spent two or
three sessions upon widows; not that we needed to stay so long on that
subject, but partly because every thing that comes to the assembly must
be debated, and none of their debates are short; and partly because the
committee had prepared no other matter to count of for the assembly to
treat on. Sundry things were in hands, but nothing in readiness to come
in publick; for this reason, among others, many were the more willing
to have the assembly adjourned for the holy-days of Zuil, much against
our minds. On the Friday I moved Mr Henderson to go to the assembly;
for else he purposed to have staid at home that day; that as all of us
stoutly had preached against their Christmas, so in private we might
solicit our acquaintance of the assembly, and speak something of it
in publick; that for the discountenancing of that superstition, it
were good the assembly should not adjourn, but sit on Monday, their
Christmas day. We found sundry willing to follow our advice, but the
most resolved to preach that day, till the parliament should reform
it in an orderly way; so, to our small contentment, the assembly was
adjourned from Friday till Thursday next; yet we prevailed with our
friends of the lower house to carry it so in parliament, that both
houses did profane that holy day, by sitting on it, to our joy, and
some of the assembly’s shame. On Wednesday we kept the solemn fast. Mr
Henderson did preach to the House of Commons a most gracious, wise, and
learned sermon, which you will see in print. Mr Rutherford is desired
by them to preach the next fast-day.
One of the committee-matters is the Psalter. An old most honest member
of the House of Commons, Mr Rous, has helped the old Psalter, in the
most places faulty. His friends are very pressing in the assembly that
his book may be examined, and helped by the author in what places it
should be found meet, and then be commended to the parliament, that
they may enjoin the publick use of it. One of their considerations is,
the great private advantage which would by this book come to their
friend: but many do oppose the motion; the most, because the work is
not so well done as they think it might. Mr Nye spake much against a
tye to any Psalter, and something against the singing of paraphrases,
as of preaching of homilies. We underhand will mightily oppose it; for
the Psalter is a great part of our uniformity, which we cannot let
pass till our church be well advised with it. I wish I had Rowallan’s
Psalter here; for I like it much better than any yet I have seen. We
had great and sharp debates about the paper I wrote of before. Mr
Marshall, with a smooth speech, made way for it, and got it read once
and again; but several spake much against sundry expressions of it, as
giving too much countenance to these who had gathered congregations,
and favour more than needed to the Independents; but they did avow,
that they were much thereby prejudged, and were most willing to
suppress the paper, and would by no means consent to the alteration
of any one word of it. I truly wish it had never been moved; for I
expect more evil to our cause from it than good: yet since it was
moved so much in publick, if it had been rejected, it would certainly
have made a greater heartburning among the dissenting brethren than
yet had appeared: so at last it passed with the assembly’s allowance;
but without voicing. You may see it now in print. What fruits it
shall produce, we know not; only, a day or two thereafter, some
of the Anabaptists came to the assembly’s scribes with a letter,
inveighing against our covenant, and carrying with them a printed
sheet of admonitions to the assembly from an old English Anabaptist at
Amsterdam, to give a full liberty of conscience to all sects, and to
beware of keeping any Sabbath, and such like. The scribe offered to
read all in the assembly. Here rose a quick enough debate. Goodwin,
Nye, and their party, by all means pressing the neglect, contempt,
and suppression of such fantastick papers; others were as vehement
for the taking notice of them, that the parliament might be acquaint
therewith, to see to the remedy of these dangerous sects. The matter
was left to be considered as the committees should think fit; but
many marvelled at Goodwin and Nye’s vehemency in that matter. Yet the
day following their passion gave greater offence. We were called out
before twelve to dine with old Sir Henry Vane. Dr Twinne was absent
that day. Dr Burgess fell to be in the chair that day. The question
came, What should follow the widows? There were left some branches
of the apostles and evangelists duties yet undiscussed. We thought
these questions needless, and wished they had been passed; but sundry
by all means would have them in, of design to have the dependency of
particular congregations from the apostles in matters of ordination
and jurisdiction determined. The Independents, forseeing the prejudice
such a determination might bring to their cause, by all means strove
to decline that dispute; as indeed it is marked by all, that to the
uttermost of their power hitherto they have studied procrastination of
all things, finding that by time they gained. We indeed did not much
care for delays, till the breath of our army might blow upon us some
more favour and strength. However that day, we being gone, the one
party pressing the debate of the apostles power over congregations,
the other sharply declining, there fell in betwixt Goodwin and Burgess
hotter words than were expected from Goodwin. Mr Marshall composed all
so well as he could. Mens humours, opinions, engagements, are so far
different, that I am afraid for the issue. We doubt not to carry all
in the assembly and parliament clearly according to our mind; but if
we carry not the Independents with us, there will be ground laid for
a very troublesome schism. Always it is our care to use our utmost
endeavours to prevent that dangerous evil; and in this our purpose,
above any other, we had need of the help of your prayers.
We had, as I wrote, obtained a subcommittee of five to join with us
for preparing to the great committee some materials for a directory.
At our first meeting, for the first hour, we made pretty progress,
to see what should be the work of an ordinary Sabbath, separate from
fasts, communions, baptisms, marriage. Here came the first question,
about readers. The assembly had passed a vote before we came, That it
is a part of the pastor’s office to read the scriptures: what help he
may have herein by these who are not pastors, it is not yet agitate.
Always these of best note about London are now in use, in the desk, to
pray, and read in the Sunday morning four chapters, and expone some
of them, and cause sing two psalms, and then to go to the pulpit to
preach. We are not against the minister’s reading and exponing when
he does not preach: we fear it put preaching in a more narrow and
discreditable room than we could wish, if all this work be laid on the
minister before he preach. My overture was, to pass over that block
in the beginning, and all other matter of great debate, till we have
gone over these things wherein we did agree. This was followed. So,
beginning with the pastor in the pulpit, and leaving till afterwards
how families should be prepared in private for the work of the Sabbath,
and what should be their exercise before the pastor came to the pulpit,
our first question was about the preface before prayer. As for the
minister’s bowing in the pulpit, we did misken it; for, besides the
Independents vehemency against it, there is no such custom here used
by any: so we thought it unseasonable to move it in the very entry,
but minds in due time to do the best for it we may. A long debate we
had about the conveniency of prefacing, yet at last we agreed on the
expediency of it. We were next settling on the manner of the prayer, if
it were good to have two prayers, as we use, before sermon; or but one,
as they use: if in that first prayer it were meet to take in the king,
church, and sick, as they do; or leave these to the last prayers, as
we. While we are sweetly debating on these things, in came Mr Goodwin,
who incontinent essayed to turn all upside down, to reason against
all directories, and our very first grounds; also that all prefacing
was unlawful; that, according to 1 Tim. ii. 1. it was necessary to
begin with prayer, and that in our first prayer we behoved to pray
for the king. All these our debates, private and publick, I have in
writ: at meeting you shall have any of them you will. The most of all
the assembly write, as also all the people almost, men, women, and
children, write at preaching. That day God opened my mouth somewhat to
my own contentment, to Goodwin’s new motions; I thought I got good new
extemporal answers; however, he troubled us so, that after long debates
we could conclude nothing. For the help of this evil, we thought it
best to speak with him in private; so we invited him to dinner, and
spent an afternoon with him very sweetly. It were a thousand pities of
that man; he is of many excellent parts. I hope God will not permit him
to go on to lead a faction for renting of the kirk. We and he seemed to
agree pretty well in the most things of the directory. Always how all
will be, I cannot yet say; but with the next you will hear more; for we
now resolve to use all means to be at some point. Our letter to foreign
churches, formed by Mr Marshall, except some clauses belonging to us
put in by Mr Henderson, is now turned into Latin by Mr Arrowsmith, (a
man with a glass eye, in place of that which was put out by an arrow,)
a learned divine, on whom the assembly put the writing against the
Antinomians. Mr Rutherford’s other large book against the Independents
is in the press, and will do good. I am glad my piece is yet in; for if
need be to put it out, I can make it much better than it was. Thus much
for our church-affairs which most concern us.
* * * * *
_To Scotland. February 18, 1644._—Since my last, January 1st, affairs
there had this progress, so far as I understand. The assembly having
past, albeit with long debate, yet with reasonable good accord in
the end, sundry conclusions, according to our mind, anent all the
officers of the church severally; before they entered on their duties,
as conjoined in sessions, presbyteries, and synods, for ordination
and jurisdiction, they thought meet to consider some things further
in the officers, both extraordinary and ordinary, some moe characters
of the apostles, their power to ordain officers in all congregations,
their power to send out evangelists to ordain any where, their power
to decide all questions either of doctrine or fact by word or writ.
After much debate arising from mere jealousies, that these things were
brought in for prejudice and far ends, at last there was agreeance,
while the 14th of Acts, 23d verse, was brought for a proof of the
apostles power of ordination, and was going to be voiced. Very
learned and acute Mr Gillespie, a singular ornament of our church,
than whom not one in the whole assembly speaks to better purpose,
and with better acceptance by all the hearers, advertised, that the
word χειϱοτονησαντϵς, of purpose by the Episcopal translators turned
_ordaining_, was truly _chusing_, importing the people’s suffrages in
electing their officers. Hence arose a tough debate, that took up two
whole sessions. Mr Henderson’s overture ended the plea; for granting,
that in the latter part of the verse, the apostles praying and fasting
might import their imposition of hands and ordaining, he advised to
put the proof on the whole verse, and not on any part, with an express
declaration of the assembly’s sense and intention not to prejudge any
argument which in due time might be alledged out of this place, either
for popular election or against it. In the debating of a proposition,
anent the pastor’s power to judge who was meet to be admitted to the
table, and who to be excluded, and who to be excommunicated, there were
sundry weighty questions stated, especially that of excommunication,
by Mr Selden; avowing, with Erastus, that there was no such censure in
scripture, and what it was, was merely civil: also that of suspension
from the sacrament, the Independents denying the lawfulness of all
such censures; these were remitted to their own place. And at last the
committee gave in their propositions anent ordination: 1st, That it was
a solemn designation of persons for church-officers; the next, That it
was always to be continued in the church; the 3d, who were to ordain;
the 4th, who to be ordained; the 5th, what rites and actions to be used
in ordination. Upon the first two, and their scripture-probations,
after two, or three, or four sessions debates, there was a reasonable
good accord; but in our last three will be our great controversy. The
good God grant us to agree to the truth in them. To-day the debate will
begin. The Independents, holding off with long weapons, and debating
all things too prolixly which come within twenty miles of their
quarters, were taken up sundry times, somewhat sharply, both by divines
and parliament-men; to whom their replies ever were quick and high, at
will. At last, foreseeing that they behoved, ere long, to come to the
point, they put out in print, on a sudden, an apologetical narration of
their way, which long had lien ready beside them, wherein they petition
the parliament, in a most sly and cunning way, for a toleration, and
withal lend too bold wipes to all the Reformed churches, as imperfect
yet in their reformation, while their new model be embraced, which they
set out so well as they are able. This piece abruptly they presented
to the assembly, giving to every member a copy: also, they gave books
to some of either House. That same day they invited us, and some
principal men of the assembly, to a very great feast, when we had not
read their book, so no word of that matter was betwixt us; but so soon
as we looked on it, we were mightily displeased therewith, and so were
the most of the assembly, and we found a necessity to answer it, for
the vindication of our church from their aspersions. What both we and
others shall reply, ye will hear ere long in print. The thing in itself
coming out at this time, was very apt to have kindled a fire, and it
seems both the devil and some men intended it, to contribute to the
very wicked plot, at that same instant a-working, but shortly after
discovered almost miraculously. Yet God, who overpowers both devils
and men, I hope shall turn that engine upon the face of its crafty
contrivers, and make it advantageous for our cause.
The other day, his Excellence, my Lord Essex, came to the assembly,
with the warrant of both Houses to sit as a member; where, after he
had given his oath, as the form is, to propone or consent to nothing
but what he was persuaded was according to the word of God, he was
welcomed by a harangue from the prolocutor. We had so contrived it with
my Lord Wharton, that the Lords that day did petition the assembly,
they might have one of the divines to attend their House for a week,
as it came about, to pray to God with them. Some days thereafter the
Lower House petitioned for the same. Both their desires were gladly
granted; for by this means the relicks of the service-book, which till
then was every day used in both Houses, are at last banished. Paul’s
and Westminster are purged of their images, organs, and all which gave
offence. My Lord Manchester made two fair bonfires of such trinkets
at Cambridge. We had two or three committees for settling orders to
have our covenant received universally in all the country, also for
sending it, with a large narration of our condition in Latin, to the
churches abroad; all which will come abroad in print. Being wearied
with the length of their proceedings, and foreseeing an appearance of
a breach with the Independents, we used all the means we could, while
the weather was fair, to put them to the spurs. After privy conference
with the special men, we moved, in publick, to have an answer to our
paper, anent the officers of the church, and assemblies thereof, that
we might give account to our church of our diligence. We were referred,
as we had contrived it, to the grand committee to give in to it what
further papers we thought meet, which the assembly should take to their
consideration. They were very earnest to have us present at their
committees, where all their propositions, which the assembly debated,
were framed. This we shifted, as too burdensome, and unfitting our
place; but we thought it better to give in our papers to the great
committee appointed to treat with us: so we are preparing for them the
grounds of our assemblies and presbyteries. Also we wrote a common
letter to the commission of our church, desiring a letter from them to
us for putting us to more speed, in such terms as we might show it to
the assembly. Likewise we pressed the sub-committee to go on in the
directory. At that meeting Mr Goodwin brought Mr Nye with him; which
we thought an impudent intrusion; but took no notice of it. After that
all we had done had been ranversed, we had so contrived it, that it
was laid, by all, upon us to present, at the next meeting, the matter
of all the prayers of the Sabbath-day. This, with much labour, we
drew up, and gave in at the third meeting; whereupon as yet they are
considering. By this means, ye may perceive, that though our progress
be small, yet our endeavours are to the uttermost of our strength.
These things must be more advanced by your prayers, than by our pains;
else they will stick, and lets will be insuperable.
* * * * *
Great longing is for the news of the Scots. We have got no letters
since the 12th of December; so great a care have you of our
information. It is reported here, that on Wednesday last, the Scots
army entered Newcastle without blood. If that be, it is a great mercy
of God, and of huge consequence; but now of a long time we have been
beaten with so many divers reports, that we believe nothing, and
marvel, that for so long a time we have no certainty at all either
of the condition of that army or of our nation. Thursday’s ceremony
was performed very solemnly. After Marshall’s sermon, now in print,
the procession went a very long way, from Christ’s church to Taylor’s
hall. The trained bands in arms on each side of the whole streets; the
Common Council in their gowns marching; first the Mayor and Aldermen
in their scarlet gowns on horseback; after them the General, Admiral,
and the rest of the Lords, and officers of the armies, on foot; next
to them the House of Commons, with their Speaker, and his mace before
him; after the assembly of divines. It was appointed that we should go
betwixt the assembly and the House of Commons; but my Lord Maitland
being drawn away with the Lords, and we not loving to take place before
all the divines of England, stole away to our coach; and when there
was no way for coaches, for throng of people, we went on foot, with
great difficulty, through huge crowdings of people. While all passed
through Cheapside, there was a great bonfire kindled, where the rich
cross wont to stand, of many fine pictures of Christ and the saints, of
relicks, beads, and such trinkets. The feast was great, valued at £4000
Sterling; yet had no desert, nor musick, but drums and trumpets. In the
great laigh hall were four tables for the Lords and Commons. The Mayor
at the head of the chief in an upper room. Two long tables for the
divines; at the head of the which we were set, with their prolocutor.
All was concluded with a psalm, whereof Dr Burgess read the line. There
was no excess in any we heard of. The Speaker of the House of Commons
drank to the Lords in name of all the Commons of England. The Lords
stood all up, every one with his glass, for they represent none but
themselves, and drunk to the Commons. The Mayor drank to both, in name
of the city. The sword-bearer, with his strong cap of maintenance still
fixed on his head, came to us with the Mayor’s drink. This ceremony was
a fair demonstration of the great unanimity of all these whom Oxford
plot would have divided. Yet we wish the union in reality had been as
great as it was in shew. Within a few days we found, that all plots
were not at an end; but the jealousies betwixt the Houses were like to
break out more than ever: which God, I hope, now has also composed.
* * * * *
Upon Saturday the House of Lords sent to us in the assembly an account
of another plot from Oxford, to this purpose. Captain Ogle, some six
weeks ago prisoner, propones to his keeper, Devonish, a purpose he had
to draw the Independents, and all these who were like to be grieved
with the Scots presbytery, to compound with the King. For this effect,
the keeper, a subtle knave, colluded with him. By the General’s
permission, Ogle got leave to speak with Mr Nye and Mr Goodwin, who
were desired to hear his propositions, and seem to consent to them.
The design is communicated to Bristol; who heartily embraced it, and,
according to Ogle’s desire, sends him £100, and a warrant to his keeper
under the King’s hand for his freedom. Being dismissed, and come to
Oxford, he is made one of the gentlemen-pensioners; and fills all
Oxford with hopes, that the Independents, Brownists, and the like,
would all compone. Bristol, under his hand, gives them a full assurance
of so full a liberty of their conscience as they could wish, inveighing
withal against the Scots cruel invasion, and the tyranny of our
Presbytery, equal to the Spanish inquisition. It were longsome to write
all the story, wherewith we were acquainted in great secrecy, foot by
foot, as it proceeded.
* * * * *
So soon as Monday last, Mr Cheesly[306] made his report to the House of
Commons, what he had seen in our army, which he had left the Wednesday
before. All his relation was put in print, and £100 Ster. appointed
him for his good news. The joint declaration of both kingdoms, which
he brought, passed presently both Houses. These things were brought
in a very important nick of time, by God’s gracious providence. Never
a more quick passage, from Holy Island to Yarmouth in thirty hours;
they had not cast anchor half an hour before the wind turned contrary.
Mr Cheesly had no sooner made his report, when, I think, within few
hours, a trumpet from Oxford brought to the General a large parchment,
directed only to the Earl of Essex, subscribed by Charles, P. York, and
Cumberland, (Prince Rupert is now Duke of Cumberland,) with the hands
of some forty Lords more, and a number of Commons, now at Oxford, who
have deserted or been expelled the House of Westminster; speaking much
to the praise of the King, and danger of our invasion; conjuring Essex
to draw these who intrusted him (no word of the houses of parliament)
to begin a treaty of peace. This is the upshot of their long plots;
and truly, if it had come a little before Mr Cheesly, when none here
had great hopes of the Scots army, it might have brangled this weak
people, and the strong lurking party might have been able to have begun
a treaty without us, which twould have undone all. The certainty of
our army’s coming made the Oxford parchment unseasonable. For answer,
Essex sent the joint declaration of both kingdoms, which will be a very
comfortless morsel at Oxford, being backed with yesternight’s news,
whereof the General assured us of the total rout of the Irish army,
at Nantwich, by Sir Thomas Fairfax, the killing of many, the taking
of 1700 prisoners, five colonels, and Major-General Gibson, with a
great number of officers, all their cannon and baggage. This victory
is of great consequence many ways. We hope it will encourage a party
at Oxford, in their design of purging the court of Cottington, Digby,
Bristol, Jermyn, and the like.
Manchester, in our synod, in the name of the Lords, did move to
expedite the point of ordination, that so gracious youths who so long
have expected, may be admitted. A committee drew up two propositions
for that end: 1. That in extraordinary cases something extraordinary
might be done, keeping always so near to the rule as may be; 2. That
for the present necessity, the ministers of London may be appointed
by the houses of parliament to ordain ministers for London. The
Independents, do what we are all able, have kept us debating these
fourteen days on these two propositions; but little to their advantage;
for I hope this day shall conclude the propositions: and now all the
world proclaims in their faces, that they, and they only, have been
the retarders of the assembly, to the evident hazard of the church’s
safety, which will not be much longer suffered. Canterbury every week
is before the Lords for his trial; but we have so much to do, and he is
a person now so contemptible, that we take no notice of his process.