hard for its mother, and the first beast must give up its power to the second. Happily, the wisdom of heaven knew no better way to take off that stubborn settledness upon the old covenant than by thus violently forcing us off with this new wedge thrust betwixt the bark and tree; and, believe me, hereafter we shall see some of the swallowers think themselves a little looser from their first engagement, and look with a strange face upon mother

covenant.

At present, sir, I pray that the blame of a bad pattern be not laid to our charge, lest we saddle ourselves with the guilt of the whole nation, and vengeance ride us to ruin. I see the generality nearer and nearer every day to shift, and yet cannot learn one particular resolution. Every thing would live, though it cost dear. A little time will shew whether the lion be so fierce as he is feared. If this be the doctrine of protestants to subscribe equivocally, and with reserves quite besides the main intention of the instrument, which is clear enough to all, I will turn Jesuit; for I can never believe it lawful, it is a mere delusion and a lie. Unless happily it be deemed that the weakness of the authority urging take from the solemnity of the engagement, and that a man may give a cross answer to a saucy companion who has nothing to do with him.

THE SAME TO THE SAME.

Eman. Dec. 1650.

SIR, what we have done we know, what we shall suffer God only knows. Some have subscribed that we never dreamed on, others quite contrary; whence I have learned not to think of men by this touchstone.

The papers inclosed were given in to the committee instead of answer; the one by the heads, the other by our

own college; near akin to which are the rest of the papers given; so that you may guess easily at the answer of most of the refusers by these two. Trinity Hall swallowed it roundly, all but their divine Mr. Owen and Mr. Clark; whether any of these have pledged in private is uncertain. I had censured law and conscience, two things, had I not learned from some of them afterwards that they were of the same judgment still, and thought themselves only bound negatively, and but so long till a party should appear against the present power. Happy men that can so construe it; I have not learned so far yet.

I cannot want the charity to think Mr. Barker and all his college took it in the same sense. In him we were so far deceived that we turned into pure anger at it, and those that did least wondered to purpose. It can never be that he should now unravel all his former wishes and prayers, and run his thoughts absolutely counter, which he must do if he thinks himself engaged positively (otherwise than which I shall never be satisfied of it), and so it was declared twice or thrice, that we were to stand engaged, for, said they, "It is no reason you should partake of the benefit and fruit of the government, unless you engage to do your best to maintain it." If this must be the sense of it, those men are in a riddle to me. Mr. Widdrington, More junior, and Nicholls, of that college, did the like, and indeed were the first that led; the rest of Christs gave in a paper miserably laughed at, sir Thomas Martin swearing they offered more than the parliament required; Dr. Minsheu, though he joined at first with the rest, crept at night to their lodgings and put his hand to the parchment, his whole college ambling next day in the same step. Of St. Johns, Dr. Masterson, Winterborn, Worrall, and two or three more, subscribed; so that you have already the main body, besides which, here and there a straggler fell in:

Mr. Cudworth, Smith of Queens, his emulator Gooday, Vintner, men of all religions; yet to their sixty-six subscribers there were nearer six hundred refusers, if they may be so called, who make account they have not given their final answer; and if the second woe come, a review of the work, with the punishment of non-conformers at its tail, will, in all suspicion (and so some say already), say a new lesson for fear of whipping. But it may be, such an opportunity they may go without, since the most submissive papers were precensured by the committee modest refusals, who yet shewed so much favour as to receive them and return them up.

Hotham preached a notable sermon against it upon his principles, and threatened another this Sunday, but was expressly forbid, sir Thomas swearing into the bargain he should never preach more. If there be a new hearing before sentence, we expect few to stand the shock, the great party laying in during this cessation provision of arguments to ratify themselves in what least binding sense to engage; for my part, would I subscribe, I would do it to the full intention of the urgers, otherwise I should think myself (though possibly I might please my fancy with a negative holiness) in the briars, turn things how they will; for should I neglect to act for them when a notorious opportunity offered and thrust itself into my hands, let me be engaged in what sense I would, I see not but they may hang me for failing to their sense; for to them I am engaged as they think I am, and intended I should engage. Besides, should the scales turn for monarchy again, I am looked upon, for aught I know, as engaged as deeply as any other man, and whatever I may say to excuse or lessen, they have my subscription against me, they have my hand, my sense they cannot see, and a mans own word will hardly be taken so late; so that I must either work

out my salvation (be it spoken without ill thought) by some notable service, or all the reservations I had in my mind will not save me from the gallows.

These things, though they should not argue me to either way, yet I think I may look at them and be thought ne'er the unwiser.

I had the good fortune to be missed last time, and it may be no worse next time, which fell thus: My brother was called, and at some distance they intended to call me, but putting us all on the title of masters, my brother answered he had been named before, whereupon the second Mr. Dillingham was fairly dashed out with the next pen; that which helped was Mr. Adams name being twice before. I know not how I deserved this providence, unless because I went resolved to give answer in the negative, which I shall do if I be called again.

Mr. Shermans carriage was gallant, who being desired by Willett, that pretends some friendship to him, not to give a flat no, but to ask more time, or the like, desired him to keep his kindness for those that desired it; for his part, he had had time enough to resolve himself, and hoped he should never be of other mind.

I do not hear of any subscribers but the named which engaged in Bennet lecture, now like to fall flat. One remarkable thing is, that the zeal of sir Thomas and his manners together took down his majestys picture, which would have faced the subscribers, and burnt it, or at least broke it.

If I should be longer, sir, I should be tedious to you, and want time to satisfy other friends which lie at me from several parts for the news of this occurrence.

MR. SANCROFT TO HIS BROTHER.

April 22, 1651.

I RECEIVED this day sevennight an order, of which I send you a copy in the next page, by which you will perceive that Thursday come fortnight is like to put an end to my hopes, yet happily not to my fears, since some of my friends would persuade me that I may outlive that date.

I thank God I am not much solicitous in that behalf, having long since set up my rest; and so much the less, having this day received an overture of a subsistence full up to that of my fellowship, in which the employment required shall leave me too as much at liberty as I am at present.

I long impatiently, brother, to hear of you and your affairs, and of the health and welfare of all your and my friends; to all whom, I pray, present me in particular, and be assured that I am unchangeably, unfeignedly,

Your loving brother,

W. S.

At the committee for reformation of the Universities.

Upon reading the humble petition of Thomas Brainford, of Emanuel College in Cambridge, it is ordered by this committee, that the senior fellow in the said college resident do cause notice to be left at the chamber of Mr. Sancroft, fellow of the said college, that in case he does not make it appear to this committee on this day month peremptorily, that he subscribed the engagement according to an act of parliament, this committee will, without further notice, nominate another to succeed the said Mr. Sancroft; and that such senior fellow do give an account to this committee on or before the time aforesaid of the execution hereof.

April 10, 1651.

For the senior fellow in Emanuel College.

M. OLDISWORTH.