IN this following Book as in a cleare and true Glasse , every impartiall and ingenuous Reader may plainly behold the many Deformities and great Spots of the Sectaries of these times , Spots of all kinds , Plague spots , Feaver spots , Purpule spots , Leprosie spots , Scurvey spots , Spots upon them discovering much malignity , rage & frensie , great corruption and infection , of whom may be said as in Moses Song , Deut. 32. 5. They have corrupted themselves , their spot is not the spot of his children : they are a perverse and crooked generation . O that the Sectaries themselves and others easie to be deceived with good words and faire speeches , apt to be carried away with good names and specious showes , as godlinesse , purity of Ordinances , Conscience , would but look into this Glasse and continue looking therein , diligently in the feare of God reading over this Book , and observing what 's here written , comparing and examining one thing with another , which would they do , I am confidently perswaded many of the Sectaries who know not the depths of Sathan would quickly be taken off , become out of love with their way and returne , and others kept from going after those wayes : this would prove a Soveraigne Antidote both to expell the poyson already received and to prevent the taking infection . Now that this Book ( by the blessing of God ) may the better attaine these ends , I shall in generall pr●mise two things .

1. Remove some objections that may lie in the way of the Reader , wipe off the dust and dirt cast upon this Gl●sse that might hinder the clear sight of things . 2. Give some Rules , Directions , and Cautions , as for the better understanding of it , so for preventing some cavils and mistakes that otherwise might be .

For the first , I observe two things have beene objected against these Books of discovering the Errors , Heresies , and Practises of the Sectaries : First , the manner and way of writing , 〈◊〉 〈…〉ing with matters of fact , particularising men by name , and b●ing very bitter and sharpe : Secondly the matter as being untrue and consisting most of lyes falshoods and fables . Now for the satisfaction of the Reader in the first , the manner and way of writing these parts of Gangraena , I have drawn up a large Treatise upon this subject , viz. a Justification of relating matters of fact and the names of Sectaries as wel as their Opinions and Arguments , which I have proved from the Scriptures of the old and new Testament both in commands and examples , Orthodox Fathers Augustine , &c. other Ancient Writers ▪ as Bernard , &c. the most learned and famous among the moderne 〈◊〉 , Luther , Beza , Bullinger , Danaus , &c. the judgement of 〈◊〉 , as Baldwin , &c. from the practise of Sectaries themselves , as Donatists , &c. in all ages , both in writing one against another , and against the Orthodox ; and from many strong convincing Reasons ; and besides these proofs have answered fully all objections of all sorts brought against it , as that t is a speaking against the Saints , uncovering our brothers nakednesse , a going against the Rule of Christ in Matth. 18. which is to tell our Brother alone : which Treatise of the Justification of writing these Gangr●naes ( I am confident ) will not be only satisfactory , but triumphing over all the clamors , o●tcries , and objections made by the Sectaries against my Books , slaying their Abs●loms , and cutting off the heads of their great Goliahs , as that of speaking against the Saints , and in the judgement of al learned and ingenuous men stopping their months for ever : Notwithstanding al which I cannot but expect 〈…〉 of the Sectaries will still clamor ; speak evill , and will not be perswaded , though never such reason be showed them , yea if an Angel from he even , or one of the old Prophets arising from the dead , should speak against their Opinions and wayes , 't is to befeared many of them would yet go on . The strong delusion that God hath sent upon many of them to beleeve lies , the great interest of divers in regard of preferment and profit , the Popes Crown , and the Monks bellies , the deep ingagements of others to that way by many relations , and having mens 〈◊〉 in admiration , make it is hard work to convince men though there be never such evidence of Reason . I may complaine of the Sectaries of our times , as a a Paraeus in 2. Galath . v. 9. Hodi● quid fit ? Opinionibus res geritur , imo affectibus . Nulla Argumenta , nullae Apologiae locum inveniunt . Paraeus doth of some Lutherans and others in his time , that things are altogether carried by opinions , yea by affections , no Arguments , no Apologies can take place . They that at the will and pleasure of some men do not approve of unprofitable , scandalous , yea monstrous opinions , they are cast off , the right hand of fellowship denyed them although they preach Christ sincerely . But now in the interim till that Treatise can come forth , which I intend shall preoede the Fourth Part of Gangraena , I wish the Sectaries to consult b b Baldwin Cas. Consci●n . lib. 4. cap. 7. pag. 10. 53. 1055. Falsorum dogmatum Propugnatores nominatim perstringendi sunt , quomodo enim alias ab auditoribus caveri possunt ? Baldwins cases of Conscience who handling that case of Conscience , whether the Authors and maintainers of false opinions are to be spoken against by name , resolves it affirmatively giving Scriptures and Reasons for it , yea showing that false teachers are rather by name to be branded , then those who lead only wicked lives , and Calvins c c Calvin . Instructio adversus libertines . cap. 4. Tractate against the Libertins , giving reasons of his owne practice , and answering objections in not only writing against the opinions of the Libertines , but naming Coppinus and Quintinus cheife heads of that fastion .

Secondly , a man would wonder at it , that the Sectaries should so rage and cry out against me , and my Gangraenaes for meddling with matters of fact , and nominating men , when as long before I put pen to paper in that kind , divers of them had in Pamphlets spoken against many Presbyterians by name , both godly Ministers and other worthy persons , as Master Calamie , Doctor Burges , Master Prynne , &c. Master Burton telling in 〈◊〉 Pamphlet a story of me by name a● Colchester ( but false ) and raking 〈◊〉 old matters at Bury against Master Calamie in another Pamphlet call'd Truth , still Truth , though shut out of doores , and all before the First Part of Gangrana was printed ; and indeed the Sectaries have all along both before my Books came forth and 〈◊〉 since upon all occasions ( yea such of them as have spoken and written most against me for so doing as M. Saltmarsh , M. Goodwin , M. 〈…〉 on , &c. ) writ against the Pres 〈…〉 rians by name , and related all 〈…〉 of fact & stories of them , and in a disgracefull manner and way comparing them with D. Pockling 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and in a scoffing 〈…〉ing abusive way dealing with them ▪ and 〈◊〉 hath not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 only by Independents to Presbyterians , but the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 written Books and given us stories ( and that long before I 〈◊〉 thought of this way ) of 〈◊〉 Sectaries a● Anti 〈…〉 ians . Anabaptists , Familists , and that by names , with all particulars of their doings as well as opinions , and of his judgement upon them , as Master Wells his History of the Rise , Raigne , and Downfall of the Antinomians , and some others in that kind , so that in this I doe but follow them , and write after their Copie , and I appeale to the ingenuous Reader , how they can with any colour blame that as a great evill and wickednesse in me , which they account in themselves zeale of Gods glory , and a doing God service , especially considering that the Sectaries in their naming of Presbyterians , and bringing in matters of fact and stories have proceeded in a sixfold manner and way , all which in matters of this kind be the things most liable to blame and exception , and which I have all along carefully shunned and declined . First , the Sectaries in writing Books against the Reformation and Presbyterians , have not spared to write against , and that in a most reproachfull and vild way , whole bodies , Assemblies , Communities , and those the highest and greatest , as the House of Peers , House of Commons , the City of London and Common-Councell , the Assembly , the Kingdome and Generall Assembly of Scotland , some scores of such Books written by Sectaries being in all mens hands ; whereas in my writing against Sectaries , I have spoken only against particular persons , but to whole Bodies and Societies I have tendred all due respect , vindicating them and their power against the Pamphlets and aspersions of Sectaries . Secondly , the Sectaries in their writings of matters of fact have not ▪ only named ordinary persons , but persons of the greatest quality and place , abusing them by name , as divers Members of both Houses , the Speakers of both Houses , some of the Lords and some of the Commons , the Lord Major of London by name , but I have all along declined the naming of persons in authority and Magistracie , viz. in that way . Thirdly , the Sectaries in their personall matters and stories of the Presbyterians have still related things manifestly untrue , of which there hath been no ground at all , as Master Price ' s story of Master Bellamie 〈…〉 ding it unlawfull to sell Prayer Bookes as the Anabaptists in the Lord Majors farewell of the late Lord Major , as some stories of Cretensis , Master Burroughs and Master Burton of me , the contrary unto them being the truth ; as a passage in Master Dels Epistle Dedicatory to the House of Commons concerning Master Ley of the Assembly , most false , as a passage in Master Burtons Epistle of his Conformities Deformity of the new Lord Major known to be untrue ; and so I could go on with instancing in passages in Master Saltmarsh , Lilburne , and other such Books , manifestly untrue ; and indeed of all the stories and matters of fact the Sectaries have in their Pamphlets in disgrace of the Presbyterians , I hardly know one true one , whereas the stories related by me of them , the most of them are knowne to many , and are certain , and I have beene all along carefull , as by my Reply to Cretensis is evident . Fourthly , the Sectaries in their matters of fact have fallen upon Presbyterians with old matters many yeeres ago , before Presbyterians , yea gone back as farre almost as to their childhood , as Master Price did to Master Bellamie , and Master Burton goes back to Bury ten yeeres before , to finde something against Master Calamie , and so I might instance in others , but I have confined my selfe within three or foure yeeres , and to the times since they were Sectaries . Fifthly , the Sectaries have brought in against Presbyterians matters of bodily infirmities , of their complexions and such like , as Saltmarsh in his pretended Answer to my Second Part of Gangraena , upbraids me , saying , Your face and complexion showes a most sadly parched , burnt , and withered spirit , but I have forborne that , least I should reproach my Maker , for he that made me made them . Sixthly , many of the Sectaries in their writings against the Presbyterians , the Assembly , godly Ministers , the Scots , and particular persons by name , have done it in the most scornfull , prophane , blasphemous and abusive way , even to the abusing of the Scriptures , the Spirit of God , Proaching , Prayer , and other Ordinances , as ever was heard of in any age , witnesse The Arraignment of Persecution , Martins Eccho , Cretensis , and divers others , but in my Discoveries of the Errors , Heresies , Practises of the Sectaries , I have shunned all such wayes , setting my selfe plainly to discover the Errors and abominable Practises , confuting them with Scriptures and Reason , and in a serious sad manner applying the danger of those evils to the consciences of all , both Presbyterians and Sectaries ; and thus much for removing that stone of offence out of the way , taken from the manner and way of writing .

2. For the matter of this Booke that there 's a Truth in the Opinions , Stories , Practices related in it , notwithstanding the clamours and speeches of the Sectaries , that they are lyes , all lyes , I desire the Reader to observe and remember these following particulars : 1. That the Sectaries of our time are so shamelesse in this kind , as to say all things written against them , are lyes : thus they have said the stories of the old Anabaptists in Germany written by Sleydan , Bullinger , Lambertus Hortens 〈…〉 s & other worthy men were lyes , and they would not beleeve them ; so Master Saltmarsh in one of his Pamphlets against Master Ley denies the truth of those stories , and other Sectaries in Pamphlets before him have said the same , affirming if the King had over-come the Parliament , stories would have made them as bad as the Anabaptists , and the Princes of Germany prevailing against them , set men on work to set them out so , but all was false ; Now if our Sectaries will speak and write thus of all the relations of the old Anabaptists , how can it be expected , but that they will cry all downe for false written of themselves ? So our Sectaries will not beleive the stories of the Antinomians , Anabaptists , Familists in New England , of Mistris Huchinson and the rest , but say all is false , all lyes ; and some of them have cryed out of Master Wells his Booke of the Antinomians of New England , as much as of mine . 2. The truth of the maine substance and matter of this Booke both for opinions and matters of fact is in the Booke it selfe , by quoting Books knowne to hundreds , by naming of persons knowne for witnesses , by relating of things common in the times , and these set by the Errors in the Margents , or joyned to the matter , so manifest that he that runs may read it , and rationally there can be no more question made of them , then whether the Scots tooke New-Castle , the Parliaments Forces had a Victory at Nazeby Feild , there be such a man as M. Hugh Peters or John Lilburn . 3. That the Sectaries have used devices and found out inventions on purpose to possesse people that relations of things in my Books are false , when most true ; as for instance , some Sectaries that have been of the same name of those Sectaries that I have related stories of ( though they could not but know by many circumstances and particulars in the stories they were not the men but others ) have said , Ther 's a story related of me , I am the man he speaks of , and t is all false , for I was at such a place then and could not do so : thus one Webb an Officer in the Army did , telling the people in the West where he found Gangraena , that the story of Webb was of him , I am that Webb in Gangraena , and 〈◊〉 all false , I never preached such things , nor was ever questioned about such things , or did such things related ▪ This a godly Minister in the ●●st of England told me he heard one Webb an Officer in the Army speak thus to the people to possesse them against Gangraena ; Now I writ not of that Webb , but another Webb a younger man here in London , not one of the Army , who put out a Booke for the vindication of himselfe , where he confesses most of the things ; and this other Webb could not but by many passages related , as of the age , as of being a Schoole-Master , as of the Christian name , and divers others but know well enough I meant him not , and yet by this did he labour to blast my Book . Again some who having beene mentioned in Letters written up to friends , and printed by me , have come to my house , denying peremptorily those things spoken of them in the Letters , desiring to know who writ them that they might have ●eparations , I having told them their names , & withall writing to those Ministers to know more fully their grounds of such relations , they have returned 〈…〉 e Answers , that those things were most true , and they would make them good when ever they should question them , in which kind I could give divers notable instances , but the nature of a Preface not admitting many , I will relate only one , namely of Master Mascall of Dover spoken of in a Letter sent from Dover subscribed by five hands to a Member of the Assembly , printed in the Second Part of Gangraena in p. 135. of the Second Edition , who presently after the coming forth of that Book , coming to my house with a friend of his and mine formerly , denyed positively and peremptorily what was written of him in the Letter , declaring he was of another judgement then to speak so of our Ministers and Synods as is expressed in that Letter , holding our godly Ministers to have a lawfull calling , and Synods to be needfull ; wherupon I writing to one of the Ministers all passages that passed betweene us , and desiring to know what he said to it , he sent me this Answer ; Worthy Sir , I received your Letter dated June the 18. but could not conveniently Answer it till now , because I would see the carriages of the Independents on last wednesday when we chose our Elders . What we wrote of Master Mascall we can cleare , and will maintaine and much more ; and according to your advice you shall not faile of sufficient testimony if that Letter be crossed : whereas he saith that he holds our godly Ministers to have a lawfull calling , he will not say it in Dover , till he have distinguished the word godly into a shadow : For his saying they never kept Church-meetings in time of the publicke exercises , it s a very false untruth , and for his seeming to accord with us in our account of Synods , he knows that we hold it a duty to combine Churches , and to have a combination rule the Elders and Pastor of a Congregation , which we know they will never allow . Thus much in breife for Master Mascall who I dare say will not challenge any man in Dover , for that that is done against him , or if he doth , will find as ready an Answer as ever man received by man .

Your loving friend and Brother . MICH. PORTER . June 29. 1646.

And thus much for the First generall head , concerning the manner and matter of this Book .

For the Second , the commending some directions , and taking off some misconstructions and cavils , for the better understanding of the subject matter and manner of this Booke let the Reader observe and consider these following :

1. That the Sectaries run such around of all opinions , as that they are come to hold many Popish and Prelaticall opinions , and to go upon the Papists grounds and mediums for many of their Tenets , which in the Errors , Positions and Practises reckoned up in this Booke the Reader may observe , as the 5 , 6 , 7 , 36 Errors ; nay there 's almost no Popish or Prelaticall principle and Error , but many Sectaries are fallen into it , and in the practise of it , as being against the Perfection , Sufficiency , Perspicuity of the Scriptures , being for Pope Toleration and a Dispensation for want of an Infallible Judge , as the Papists are for the Pope upon that ground , denying preaching to be the word of God and the service of God as much or more then ever any of the Prelates did , being for Musick , Organs , Hymns in the publick Assemblies , holding anointing the sick with Oyle , maintaining Perfection in this life with some Popish Friers , besides divers other Popish Errors : hence divers Popish * * The Vision of God by Cardinall cusanus , The third part of the Rule of perfection by a Cappuchian Friar , Another booke written by a Preist . Bookes written by Preists and Friers have beene Translated and lately set forth by some Sectaries , sold openly , and I suppose Licensed because the Stationers names for whom printed , and Printers names expressed .

2. The Reader shall find in this Booke the Sectaries Designe and Practise , not to be only corrupting Religion , running out into extravagancies and strange conceits that way , but to be against Magistracy and Civill Government , their designe of opposing setled Government , and bringing an Anarchy and Confusion into Church and State , being here so fully laid open that they who run may read it ; T is in this Book unvailed and the w●●king of this spirit in all sorts of Sectaries and places clearly manifested : they have in Terminis in divers Pamphlets and some Sermons declared against Monarchie and Aristo●acie , and for Democracie they have expressed themselves in such a manner concerning that , that they make it noe other then an Anarchie , making all alike , confounding of all rancks and orders , reducing all to Adams time and condition and devolving all power upon the state Vniversall and promiscuos multitude , whom they make the Creator and Destroyer of Kings , Parliaments and all Magistrates at there meere pleasure , without tying them to any rule , or bounding them by any lawes .

3. I doe more punctually and particularly give the proofes of the Errors and Heresies named in this Third Part then in the two ●ormer , with Animadversions by way of Confutation or Observation upon more of the Errors and Practises then I did before , as having beene desired by some so to do , and being that which I judge will make the work more profitable ; and the Reader shall finde the proofs of the Errors set in the Margents just by them , and the Animadversions under every particular Error , or else of divers of them put in one where the Errors are more of a kind ; and the Reader will finde I have in all Books quoted all along , to prove the things I charge the Sectaries with , dealt very punctually and faithfully , and I challenge them to name any one thing quoted false , or wrested among so many ; and for other Relations I have them from such knowne godly Ministers and Christians being eare and eye witnesses of them , that I cannot easily be deceived : t is possible some circumstances of order , time , place , number , may in some stories be mistaken , and yet the maine storie true , as we see in Histories of battles and other humane things they often are ( though I know n●ne such , and have beene in all circumstances as well as substance , as faithfull and carefull as a man can well be ) and I can say it , that of all the particulars in this kind that I have related in these three Books , besides many matters of fact in Antapologia , ( which in all amount to some thousands ) I do not know of any one particular related by me ( excepting one ) that I have reason to suspect was not true , and yet that was written me in a Letter by a Reverend and godly Minister and was the voice of the Country , and all I did was only printing that Letter , no otherwise affirming it ; which particular , when the untruth of it shal● be made apparent to me from the man himselfe or his freinds , I shall be ready , and have offered it to some who have spoken of it , to right him publickly in print .

4. Whereas some Letters written to my selfe , or some other Ministers are printed in this Booke , which have some passages in them casting honor and praise upon me , resembling me to some Worthies in their times , as Luther , &c. for which I may be censured , as being the hand & instrument of publishing my own praises , and counted vain-glorious ; I do by way of taking off this exception desire the Reader to consider these things . First , that I have left out of Letters many passages which reflect honour on my selfe , constantly passing by such Titles , Epithites , and other expressions that are matters of praise in all particulars , excepting the justifying of my work in writing thus against the Sectaries . Now my Books for the manner and way of writing having beene so cried out of by all the Sectaries : and many weak Christians , by their meanes , having beene also offended ; I thought it necessary to print some passages of Letters from godly Ministers giving testimony to my Books , and approving me in the way of my writing them , justifying me by the practise of Morney , Plesseus against the Papists , and of Luther ; and the judicious Reader shall find if he observe , I print no other passages that may so much as reflect any kind of praise upon my selfe , but only those that justifie my undertaking in this kind against the Sectaries ; and which the Lord knowes I print not so much for my selfe , or my owne praise , but for the sakes of others , that they may be satisfied of my Books against all the calumnios cast upon them , and profit by the reading of them . Secondly , T is not unknowne how the Sectaries by writing and speaking have set themselves to disparage me , and to cast scornes of all kinds upon me , such as hardly ever were upon any man in any age , and all to weaken my esteeme , credit and authority with the people , that being looked upon as a man so weak that a woman can answer my writings , and that I know not how to put the Nominative Case and Verb together , &c. all I do against the Sectaries might be slighted as not worthy to be looked upon : Now it being apparent this is the designe of the Sectaries , and their master peice , and God by his providence without my seeking in the least , stirring up many learned men to bear witness to my works in Letters to their Freinds , which have beene brought to me , and in Letters writ to my selfe , I suppose I may in such a case without the censure of vain-glory print such testimonies to counterballance the despisings and scornings of the Sectaries ; yea , if I had gone further , and printed not only passages justifying my work , but what they had expressed of me in other kinds , considering how the Sectaries vilifie me , I might have beene excused : Saint Paul a humble and modest man , yet when by false Teachers he was in his person , presence and speech among the people presented weak and contemptible , to the end his ministery might be made ineffectuall , he would not beare it , but takes off all those things , enters into a commendation of himselfe , showing he was equall with the very cheifest Apostles , and speaks of his owne knowledge and gifts , and speaks that in this case he was compelled to glory , 2 Cor. 10. 10 , 11 , 12. 2 Cor. 11. 5. 6. 16. 2 Cor. 12. 11 , 12. And in such a case as this if Casuists be consulted with as Amesius , &c. they conclude that credit and a good report may not only be maintained , but sought for , viz. for the glory of A mesius lib. 5. de Co●sc . c. 14. God , and that we may by our work and example profit others the more by that means .

5. Whereas in my Book there are many Relations of Sectaries in the Army , some passages in Letters speaking of the Army , and some things spoken by my selfe , that some may take to reflect upon the whole Army , I desire the Reader to understand aright that nothing related by me , though written by others , or spoken by my selfe is meant of the whole Army , or the greater part of it , but only of that part of the Army , viz. the Sectaries in the Army : I acknowlege the New Modell under Sir Thomas Fairfax hath done gallant service against the enemy , and did the greatest and best services when it had not so many Sectaries as it hath now , and my intent is not in the least to cast dirt upon the Army , but only to relate Errors and insolencies of a part of the Army : The Sectaries , who though but a part , and much the lesser , may be somtimes in discourse or writing call'd the Army , viz. in that sense as the Independents crying up the Army in Pamphlets and Sermons use the word Army , saying , here 's an Army , the army hath done thus , when they mean by the Army , and expresse so much in other words the Independents and Saints in the army , so do I when I speak in any place of the hurt the Army doth , or the Errors there I understand not the Army , but the Sectares in it .

6. Whereas in this Book there are many passages that Sectaries may be likely enough to interpret a striking at the Parliament , a casting reproach upon them , and more particularly upon the Honorable House of Commons ; I do here declare and professe against any such misconstructions , or consequences , it being not my intent to reflect either upon both Houses as conjunct , or upon each as considered distinct , or upon the Committees of either House , the most that can be drawne is , that some passages in Letters or Relations show there are some particular Members that are or favor Sectaries , which in writing so much of the Sectaries ( as I do ) for the good of the Parliament and the Kingdome cannot possibly be avoided , ( though I forbear the naming of , or deciphering any of them ) and that there are some such crept into the Parliament all the Kingdome knowes and speaks of it , and therefore I meddle not to speake against the Houses in all my Discourse , neither do I insinuate any thing in the least to bring the people out of love with Parliaments , or this Parliament : I formally declare , least any should mistake , t is the peoples great interest and blessing to have the power and Priviledges of Parliament maintained , and they must take heed they be not so discontented with miscarriages of any particular Members or Committees that may fall out , as to set loose in their hearts from Parliaments and desert them . Parliaments are the strong Boundaries of the exorbitancies of Princes and their Ministers ; they have by the constitution of the Kingdome and ☞ the Lowes , power more then sufficient to restraine the Tyranny of Princes , and to correct their greatest Favourits and Officers of State , let the people once lose Parliaments and be out of love with them , and then farewell all Liberty , Property , and slavery will come in like an armed man ; and that nothing in my Book can be against the Honorable Houses , ( however someparticular Members may be guilty of some things I speak of , and that party wresting my words to such a sense to make the Parliament offended with me ) yet that there can be no such thing , I desire these things may be considered : 1. I do de Industria and at large discover and write against the Sectaries for speaking and writing against the Parliament , against the House of Lords and Commons , and do plead and contend for the power of both Houses , both in matters of Religion and civill things , against the Sectaries , and therefore I cannot be thought to do any thing against them , but for them , 2. That in speaking sometimes of the House of Commons , I speake not positively that they do so , or use such words of them as mine , or bring such Arguments as if I owned them , but speak the Sectaries words , and show what followes upon their grounds against the power of the House of Commons . 3. For any passages in Letters or Relations that may seem to have any reference to one or both Houses of Parliament , a● speaking against any under them imployed in Military or Civill affaires , or any other matter , I meddle not with those passages at all as to justifie or assert them , but do only barely relate and print them ; and for no other end but that the body of both Houses may know that which may be they have not heard of , viz. such a danger●us man imployed in their service , such insolencies committed by men vnder their pay , and may know the Countries sense of such and such things , how ill t is taken such wicked men should bee implied and may prevent in time the mischeifs and evils which may grow out of such things and the discontents that may be occasioned thereby . Fourthly I doe with salmission conceive that for a Minister a known friend and servant of the Parliaments in a respective way ( not in a reproaching reviling way ) to make known to the Parliament what the best affected say and write to ●riends of such and such particulars , as the suffering , yea preferring of all sort : of Sectaries , as the not settling Religion in so long a time , as the letting freinds waite long before they can have their Petitions received , as about the Elections of some new Members , as about the carriage of many Sectaries in the Army , &c. is so farre from speaking against the Parliament or becomming their enemy , that t is one of the greatest and faithfullest services can be done them , and whatever passages I may have printed in any of these , or any other of this kind , I conceive t is highly for their service , that they may know what hurt the Sectaries doe them , and how the Kingdome takes things ; and truly next to the glory of God , the great thing that moves me to write as I doe of the Sectaries , is the great dammage and prejudice that comes to the Parliament by them , that as Hester said of Haman to Ahazuerus , the enemy could not countervaile the Kings dammage . So the Sectaries doings all the Kingdome over in all kind of Mechanicks preaching , in making tumults and riots in Churches , in driving away godly Ministers , and venting all kind of abominable opinions does so much wrong to the Parliament in the Countries severall wayes , that they can never countervaile the Parliaments dammage and losse , and I have related such things for no other end , but to let them know so much ; and I could wish both Houses had read all passages in Letters sent from severall parts of the Kingdome , and from beyond Seas to London , which I have s●●ne of this nature , a● what ill bloud these things breed , and how because of the Sectaries they lose a peice in the hearts of their best freinds , with many other passages which I forbeare now to relate . The Parliament upon many of the wicked doings of the Sectaries , as baptizing a Horse , making uproares in Churches , &c. may take up a like speech which Jacob said to Simeon and Levi , Ye have troubled me to make me to stinck among the Inhabitants of the Land : You have troubled us , to make us to lose the hearts of many well-affected people in City and Country , and thereby encouraged the common enemy to be ready to gather themselves against us again , and we being few in number , in danger to be deserted of the people by reason of you , we shall be destroyed and our House .

7. Whereas some of the Sectaries in their Pamphlets , as Master Walwyn and others have often insinuated that I have preached and written so much against the Sectaries out of Policy , Superstition , worldly and selfe Interest to maintain my owne Covetousnesse , Ambition , desire of Domination , distinction betweene Clergy and Laytie , out of a spirit of opposition and Persecution against conscientions and peaceable men ( all which they have done out of a designe to blast my books among many who know me not , not knowing otherwise how to answer them ) I do therefore that I may countermine the Sectaries in this and take of these prejudices , declare as in the presence of God , I never have , nor do appeare against the Sectaries and Errors of the times from any of these principles , but from a zeale of the glory of God and his Truth , and that founded upon knowledge and search , a compassion to the Souls of poore people deceived , and the discharge of my duty and Conscience as a Minister of the Gospel ; and as for those other of Policy , Self-interest , &c. they have never fallen so much as under my consultation , unlesse that I have considered and forecast that what I was doing in writting such a Book , and such a Book was against all Policy , Self-Interest , and the ready way ( as the times were and are ) to run the hazard of the ruine of my selfe and my family , and that what I write is truth , and the Sectaries speeches aspersions , I desire the Reader to observe these following particulars , and do challenge all the Sectaries to disprove any one particular if they can . 1. Many years ago when I was persecuted by some Prelates and their Creatures , in no possibility nor capacity by my principles and practices , of preforment , & . ( as the best of the Independents well know ) I preached against , and upon all occasions declared my self against the Brownists , Separatists , Antinomians and all Errors in that way , as well as against Popish Innovations and Arminian Tenets . There are many who were my Auditors in those times can and will witnesse what I have preached at London and at Hartford aginst those Errors , when I have in the same places preached such Sermons against the prevailing Opinions Innovations and Corruptions of the Prelates , that many thought I should never have preached again ; and indeed was not without manifold sufferings and troubles , being put out of places , stopped from coming into others , and at last Letters missive with an Attachment sent out to bring me into the High Commission Court . About thirteene years ago at Magnus Church I preaching against forsaking the Publick Assemblies , had on a Lecture night at the same Church a Bill given me up ( among the Bills to pray for the sick ) speaking bitterly for so doing . At Hartford about 10. years ago , when Independency and the Church way began to be fallen too by some men of Note and some people to look after it , I preached against it earely , and by all wayes laboured to preserve the people . About 8. yeares agoe when Errors on the right hand tooke with many , I did at a Lecture in the City at Aldermanbury , and Coleman-street preach against Apostasie and falling to Errors on the right hand , and more particularly at Coleman-street , ( many in that parish being then leaning that way ) gave some considerations against Errors on the right hand , and warned the people of the white Devill , quoting a saying of Master Cartwright out of the Proverbs , and Master Brightman out of the Revelations against leaving the Church of England , and Master John Goodwin was then well pleased with my Sermon that he gave mo great thanks . 2. I never yet sought any great things for my self , great livings , or coming into publicke places of honor and respect , to be of the Assembly , or to preach in any publicke places before the Magistrates either at Westminster or London , but have contented my selfe with small meanes , and to preach in private places in comparison , having refused many great livings and places , preaching here in London for a little , and that but badly paid ( a● many well know ) minding the worke and service , little the maintenance .

I can speak it truly that in these open times when many young men , raw preachers , men who never bore the heat of the day , have got great Livings of two or three hundred a yeere well situated with houses and all accommodations , I have for the publick good declined all such offers , spent my owne temporall estate to minister to my necessities , not having had for almost these two last yeers 40. li. per Annum , not withstanding any constant preaching on Lords dayes , week-dayes and all extraordinary occasions of Fastings and thankesgiving : I have beene willing to forsake my fatnesse and sweetnesse , to neglect my profit , health , benefit of my Familie , all advantages , and in a sort to sequester my selfe from freinds , and all worldly enjoyments to spend my time , strengh , spirits , estate , and all in reeding , writing , studying of the Controversie of these times , having prepared many Tractates against the Errors of the times ; And as for Domination and affecting of Rule and Government , I have little meddled in that kind , beene at few meetings of that nature , and do professe I am so farre from being ambitious in that way , that I should account it a great happinesse to have a call to a place only to preach and write , and a yeerely Pension for the maintenance , rather then Tyths . Thirdly , I began to write my Gangrenaes , and have continued to write on ( since which time I have beene accused to do all out of policie , worldly interest ) in the times of the growth and raigne of the Sectaries , when they have beene in their greatest power and most formidable , able to sit on the skirts , and to crush those who have opposed them ( of which there are many instances , which I well knew ) and to preferre and honor those who adhered to them ; and yet in such a time have I writ against them , and more and more laid them open , which certainly could be no policie , worldly interest , but piety and duty to appeare in so open a manner against the rising side : I well knew the Sectaries strengh , policie , activnes , and how England was a bad Aire at that time and still is for zealous Presbiterians to thrive in , much might be lost by it , but nothing gained ; I understood the faithfull witnesses had not yet put off their sackcloch ; had I indeed written against the Sectaries when they had beene on the declining hand , and cast out as the Bishops , when all men in high places had turned their hand against them , this might have beene interpreted Policy , wordly Interest , but to do it in a time when the Sectaries had so many friends in high places , such an influence upon our Armies , Councels , &c. so many for them in City and Country , I beleive no wise man who considers it will call it Selfseeking or Policy : I may say in this case as Job in another , Is there any taste in the white of an Egge ? So , is there any Policy in what I have done ? 4. I have beene so farre from getting any thing by my open and earnest appearing against the Sects , that I have suffered and lost much , and am exposed to all sorts of hazards and dangers for so doing : I beleeve I have suffered more in my name , Estate , losse of Friends , &c. then any Sectarie in England hath done , for maintaining and spreading his Errors . I could have beene the darling of the Sectaries in regard of my former Interest and acquaintance with many of them , so I would but have held my peace and done them no hurt ( though I had not beene theirs ) I could have had more friends among the Presbyterian party to have beene more moderate ( as they call it ) ( for such a time have we fallen into of Luke warmnesse , and favour of Sectaries , that the being earnest against them hath made some who goe for Presbyterians not to owne me as otherwise they would for feare of being taken notice of ) but I have lost all them , and many friends more that had some relation to Independents , having been deserted of many with whom I had kept unviolable friendship a long time . I have suffered by that party in some places in the City , where I have beene sought unto and earnestly desired by the knowne godly party , I having beene kept out by the Sectaries meanes , either by joyning together with Malignants against me , or taking off some friends , or working one way or other : I have suffered much in my name , all manner of evill having beene spoken of me , having beene reviled , scorned , every Sectaries hand turned against mee been for a signe to be spoken against : O the ●ard speeches and contradictions not only of sinners , but of many Saints to that I have endured . I have been threatned in many kinds , and there have been consultations what to do with me ; Lawyers have beene advised with , what might be done in Law in such cases of men being named , the Parliament hath beene stirred up in severall Pamphlets against me , as in Gangraena playes Rex , Walwyns and Saltmarsh's Pamphlets ▪ they would upon pretences make the Parliament fall upon me , and have said they hoped the House of Commons would be at leisure ere long to talk with me ; and besides what I have suffered and doe suffer , I looke upon my selfe as exposed to many dangers and sufferings , running a great hazard in this undertaking : I know there are some desperate men among them like the Circumcelliones among the Donatists , and what may not they doe , if God restrain them not : I am not ignorant what a strong party they have , what a proud generation they are impatient of all contradiction and being crossed , to whose Sheafe they think all ☜ Sheafes should bow , nor what a subtile malitious revengefull people they are , I am sensible what t is at this time to lay them thus open , even as much as to catch an angry Lion by the beard , and to stop him in his way rearing after his prey , or as to meet with a chafed Beare robbed of her whelps : and therefore in stead of once dreaming of worldly interest , the favour of men , I have laboured to prepare my self for persecutions and troubles , to forecast the worst , having set God and his Truth for my helpe , which are stronger then all . 5. I have beene so farre from Policy , Selfe-Interest in wrighting against the Sectaries , that I was never guilty of these things in any way I ever appeared for : I never was the man since I came to years of understanding that ever put the question which was the strongest and the rising side ( they never fell under my deliberation ) but which was the good side for God and his Truth , that was enough to me , I looked to that and never troubled my thoughts about rising or great things in the world , as never expecting them ; and in my adhering to one party or side before another , I have still done it but so farre as they have beene for God and his Truth , freely declaring my selfe at the same time I have beene theirs , against wherein they have declined from the Truth and way of God . 6. Whereas the Sectaries , cast Policy , worldly-Interest , &c. upon me , they themselves are most faulty in this kind ; and if the Independents Churches and Lectures with other their worldly Interests be compared with mine , their hundreds with my scores , their applause being cryed up , with my being cryed downe , their living in pompe and feasting almost every day , with my slender diet , their ease with my labours , it will be found many of them fell to be Sectaries out of ambition , pride , profit , and that they might live easily . * * Cal. Instr . advers. libert. c. 4 Quod autem Quintinus ejusque socius ex Sartoribus Doctores facti atque ita immutati sunt , id in causa ●uit , quod delicate & molliter vivere vellent : nec sibi putarent labores convenire . Propterea cōmodius omni no existimarunt , ut quemadmodum sacerdotes & monachi cantillando , sic ipsigarriendo vitam quaererent . Calvin in his Instruction against Libertines showes the reason why Quintinus and his companions of Taylors became Doctors were so changed , that they might live delicatly and easily , and not be put to labour for their Livings : They thought it better for them that as the Priests and Monks got their Livings by chanting , so they by prating ; and so no question one great reason of many Mechanicks turning preachers and Dippers is , because they may leave working and live delicatly and idely by going from Country to Country preaching . And indeed instead of any Ministers or people opposing the Sectaries out of Policy , worldly Interests , t is evident t is the high way to some gainfull Place or other to become a Sectarie or to favour them , hundreds turning Independents and Sectaries meerly for preferments and Places , as heretofore men turned Prelatical , and Arminians because of great Livings ; and how the Independent party have feathered their nests , got well for themselves above other men , the Reader shall find more spoken of it in this Book . 7. As for that which is said I write so against the Sectaries out of a spirit of persecution and hatred of peaceable consciencious men , I can say truly , if I persecute consciencious peaceable men , whom do I then love ? my love , delight and interest is in such , and I am so far from a spirit of persecution , that I would be glad but to find the same measure from Independents , Brownists , Anabaptists and others , which I would measure unto them if it were in my power , namely I would not imprison , banish them and such like , only hinder them from all places of power and trust in the Kingdome , and from spreading their Errors and Opinions to the hurting of others , keep the unsound from the sound , which if I differed in judgement from what was established in a Church , and had nothing else done to me , I should never conplaine of persecution and violence for that ; for t is absolutely necessary for the peace and welfare of the civill State , besides what t is for the honor of God , in the preventing the spreading of all Errors and Heresies . And for a conclusion of this I have the clear and full testimony of my conscience , that my appearing against the Sectaries hath not risen from any such base and poore grounds as the Sectaries alledge , but from a sense of my duty that I might witnesse to the truth of God in this sinfull and adulterous generation . And now to draw to a conclusion of this Preface , nothing that hath yet befallen me of scandals , reproaches , and other sufferings , or that shall further befall me in this way , of Books set out against me , of persecutions and troubles to bonds , imprisonments , losse of estate shall ( the grace of God assisting me ) turn me out of my way of constantly opposing the Sectaries , so long as they go on in their way , but when they for my writing against them shall speak against me as most vile and abominable , I shall answer them as David , It was for the Lord that I have done it , and I will be yet more vile then thus , and though every day , naybour in the yeer should bring forth some book against me , as bad as Balthazar Paeimontanus writ against Zuingl . and Bolsecu● against Calvin , yet for my part I shall be so far from being troubled , that I shall take all those books as Job speaks , and bind them as a crown to my head , nay if all the Sectaries in England were combined against me , and there were as many of them as tiles upon the houses in the City , and every one of these Sectaries were a Devill , yea had a legion of Devils ( as I beleeve some of them are possessed with many ) yet I would go on against them , and if the Sectaries should be able out of this Book , or any other to take advantage of my zeale , faithfulnesse and plainnesse of spirit , to make something of some words to stir up the Civil powers to trouble me , yet for all that I shall not give them ever , but write so much the more , p●int them 〈◊〉 , pray , speak against their Errors , and if God should give me so into their hands as to be able to deale with me as the Papists did with some of the ●itnesses of the truth , yet I am confident they should have no cause to rejoyce , but I should overcome even in that , like Sampson kill more Philistims by my death then by my life , and many Brethren would waxe more ●old to preach and write against them , and out of my ashes should arise those who should further discover them . I know the Sectarian faction must be destroyed and fall , Babell must come downe as well as Babylon , and the making of them naked is a preparatory work to the making of them desolate and eating their flesh . But O that God would rather give them to see what ☞ they have done , and make them to confesse , give him glory , and returne , helping to build his House with both hands , which they have so laid waste and hindred all this while ; and O that they would take well this Book , look into it , and observe Gods hand in finding them out , accept of it as it was indeed intended for their good , and not cast it away , with saying t is sharp and bitter , but rather remember that of the Apostle , that men must be sometimes sharply rebuked That they may be sound in the ●aith . Erasmus often said of the Erasmus saepe dixit . Deus dedit huic post●emae ae●ati propter morborum magnitudinem acrem medicum . Mel. Adam . vit. luth p. 162. Papacit in his time , that it was so corrupt that it weede● acrem medicum , a sharp Physitian , a gentle would have done no good , and therefore he raised up Luther a man of a free and hot spirit , that cared not for gold , and that feared not great men , but went on in the cure of the Church , strong and rough humors needing strong phisick to purge them out . The foulnesse and strength of the disease of Sectarisme at this time call'd , and calls for a strong P●tion and may justly plead against the offence of any acrimonie and quicknesse that may be found in it . Jesus Christ himselfe that meeke Lamb , of whom it was written he should not strive no● cry , neither should any man heare his voice in the streets , yet his zeale of his Fathers House made him as t is in the second of John to make a 〈…〉 rge of cords and drive all that sold Ox●n , Sheepe and Doves , and the ch●●gers of money out of the Temple and overthrow the Tables , saying unto them that sold Doves , take these things hence , make not my Fathers House ●n house of merchandise ; and I remember not that ever I re●d of the like sharpnesse and quicknesse of Christ , as this , in any other case ( that against the Scribes , Pharisees , and S 〈…〉 es , false Teachers was the likest ) and certainly the servants of Christ in a 〈◊〉 when the Church of God and Religion is bought and sold , and made merchandise of by false Teachers , as Saint Peter speaks , the precious truths of God , and the immortall souls of them for whom Christ died , prestituted and sold to the base lusts and selfe ends of men , when there are not found in the House of God so good intruders as th●se that sell Oxen , Sheepe and Doves , such profitable creatures , but those that sell T 〈…〉 , Crocodiles , Pipers , Serpents , and all kind of Monst●rs , they may and ought at such times and in such cases to imitate Christ , and to doe something more then ordinary for the purging of the Church , and that may show their zeale for God and for his House .