The Ploughmans Vindication

Title

The ploughmans vindication or A confutation of some passages preached in divers sermons by Sherland Adams sometimes minister of Treeton in the county of Yorke. In which sermons he uttered much bitternesse of spirit against all those that sided with the Parliament; as also cherishing the malignant party, and much animating them to persist in their bloody Designs. herein also is shewed the lawfulnesse of informing against all such incendiaries; and the judgements threatned in holy Scripture against such as know and do not reveal their wickednesse. Together with XII quaeries whether the said Adams (or any such ceremonious priest) be a minister of God, yes or no?

Published by Nicholas Ardron, at the importunate requests of divers the inhabitants of the foresaid county.
Imprimatur, John Downame., London, : Printed by I.M. and are to be sold by M. Spark, dwelling at the sign of the Blue Bible in Green Arbour., 1646.

Subject

Adams, Sherland, d. 1664.
Civil War, 1642-1649

Extracts from the Book

Epistle

It was not the author's intent, that the rude and disordered lines be exposed to public view.
False reports against me were divulged by Master Adams .. I have given this information concerning his delinquency   ....

Allegations

In the beginning of this book is laid down nine arguments to clear the author from malace against Master Adams

The Certificat of 15 godly Ministers of Yorkshire

Whereas Master Adams, Parson of Treeton, was by appointment of the Minister, at their meeting at Yorke, February 5th, 1644 ordered to preach a Recantation Sermon at Yorke Minster upon the first Wednesday of March, then immediatelt following, to give satisfaction to the Ministers concerning some things he had delivered in his publick Sermons against the Parliaments proceedings, as was then objected against him: yet when it pleased God to give us that sad blow in raysing the siege at Pomfret, March the first, being but four dayes before Master Adams was to preach the above mentioned Sermon; the said Master Adams being puffed up with the unexpected success of his own party, did not only refuse to preach the Sermon, as he was appointed, and himselfe had under-taken, but denied that he was to give any such satisfaction, only he would give his Lordship, Lord Fairfax a Sermon in the Minster, upon which he was unanimously thought fit in the meeting of Ministers, Nemine contradicente, to be removed from the parsonage at Treeton, though before many inclined to continue him upon satisfaction to be given, as above said; the truth of all which we could doe no lesse then certifie under our hands.

Elka: Wales	Dan Clarke,
Edw. Hill	Hugh Everard
Robert Tod,	Tho: Birkbecke,
Rog. Attey,	Tho: Rowson,
Thos. Calvert,	John Shaw,
Matth. Rowland,	John Smith,
Josiah Wiston,	Nicholas Heathcoat,
Stephen Charman

Another certificate from the best affected and religous people living near the place where the said Master Adams lived.

We whose names are here under-written, doe certifie that Master Adams, Parson of Treeton, is a man who hath been a great Favourer of the Bishops, and their Innovations; Also Malignantly affected to the Parliament, and a great friend to the Cavaliers, not only an Opposer, but a Persecutor of godly men, and the power of godlinesse, upon which ground; we humbly recommend it to the Honourable Commissioners for the Army, seriously to consider of what dangerous consequence, it will be put to him in to officiate still at Treeton, where he hath publickly vented his Malignity upon pretence of Reformation, and compliance with the Parliament.

Signatures

Ministers: Thomas Birkbeck, Thomas Robson, Robert Towson, John Hoyland, Edward Poole

Captains:Henry Westby, William Blith

Collectors John Ellice, Will. Stamforth

Sequestrators: John Dale, Edw. Sanderson, James Creswick, John Crooke, John Hoyland

Thomas Spadman, Edward Barlow, William Starkey, Nicholas Spademan, John Latham, William Spencer, Garvase Lee, Charles Barlow, Edward Creswick. Edward Heape, Nicholas Hicke, John Hawker, William Bell, Francis Dalle, Robert Bot, John Grant, George Ardron, Christopher Birks, Edward Cuts, John Bate, John Couldwell, Francis Barlow, Thomas Britland, George Oxspring, James Ardron, John Capper, Robert Owdalle, Richard Taylor, William Shaw, Clement Rosinton.

I can truly certify that these parties are religiously disposed and well affected. John Bright.

Master Adams his demeanours are not so well known unto me, as the persons that have subscribed this Certificat, That the said persons in number 40 are all of them religiously disposed, and well affected is known

By me Edward Gill, Sheffeild Castle;, Aug.17.1645;.

John Bright before mentioned, is a Collonel of Foot, and Governour of Yorke.

Edward Gill before mentioned is a Captaine, and hath the government of Sheffeld Castle.

The Copy of a Certification the Committee for the West Riding in Yorkshire July the 10. 1646.

These are to certifie your Honors that according to the severall orders made by your Honor; the 14th of May and the third of June last, we have examined the witnesses here-withall certified, and we do withall certifie you Honours that there hath not been any new charges or points of Delinquency brought in against Sherland Adams Clerk, or charged upon him, other then what was formerly charged upon him, and whereof the said Adams had a copy before any proof made and which being reducted into five or six interagotories are certified together with the former deposits as thereupon, and we do certifie it is no true dimise by the said Master Adams that it was denied unto him to examine on his part any matter according to your Honours former Orders nor did he offer to except against the testimony of Nicholas Ardron and his wife as he had suggested , and what was deposed by them is now by Richard Gillatt produced by himself deposed to as concerning his usual prayer before his Sermon, wherin he prayed for the good of the Earl of Newcastles Army, in which and in sundry other evidences of malignity it hath been made notoriously known , as that the Assembly of Divines here, and very many well affected people, and also the Committee employed by the Parliament in these parts, did conceive him unworthy and unfit for his calling in the ministery, which neverless we submit to your Honours
Robert Barwick
John Bright
John Farror

I do hereby certify that I was present at the examinations of Richard Gillat and James Gill witnesses produced on the behalf of Master Sherland Evans
Bryan Stapylton

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