An Answer to the Charge of Walter Bushnel, Response
AN ANSVVER to a CHARGE againſt the Commiſsioners, for ejecting ſcandalous and ignorant Miniſters, in the County of Wilts, publiſhed in Print by Walter Buſhnel Vicar of Box, ſo far as it concerns Humphrey Chambers, Rector of Pewſey, ſubmitted to publick cenſure.
ALthough I have no fear, that what Mr. Buſhnel hath written, will impair my Reputation, with thoſe to whom wee are both known (who are not a few) ſeeing wee were born, and for divers years lived within few miles one of another; And though I deſire not to put Mr. Buſhnel to beſtow any more of his invention and eloquence upon mee, by replying upon what I ſhall write, yet being told by one who is a common and real friend*Mr. Carter of Marlebrough. both to Mr. Buſhnel and my ſelf (before I had read this Book) That I was ſo deeply concerned in the Charge contained therein, that if I did not ſome way vindicate my ſelf, Religion would ſuffer greatly through mee; and finding the ſame apprehenſion in ſome other Chriſtian friends, I was induced to write this Anſwer for my ſelf, leaving others to clear themſelves from the crimes objected, as they ſhall ſee occaſion, which I conceive without much difficulty they may do.
Pa. 225.Mr. Buſhnel ſaith, that hee had no revengeful thought, nor had hee in the publication of his Narrative, any aim to aſperſe thoſe of whom hee wrote, which if any (who reading his book) can beleeve to bee true, I ſhall not perſwade them to the contrary: Certain it is, that hee is without heſitation, to bee credited in his whole Narrative, if what hee writeth in his Epiſtle Dedicatory were true, viz. I have not charged them with a ſyllable which I am not able by proofs to make good upon them. This brings the buſineſs to a direct and ſhort iſſue, which I heartily deſire it may bee put upon, as far as I am concerned in it; and wiſh for no other Judges, than thoſe Honourable Gentlemen to whom Mr. Buſhnel hath dedicated his Narrative. I do not intend to varniſh or puzzle the buſineſs with multitude or affectation of words, but with affected brevity and plainneſs, to lay down Mr. Buſhnels Charge againſt mee, that hee may apply his proofs to the ſeveral branches of it, and then let all wiſe and good men judge between us.
Epiſt. Ded.So it was, that ſome of the Commiſſioners, Miniſters, Witneſſes and others, who have eaten my bread, have, and do ſtill, upon all opportunities offered or ſought, report mee to the world for ſuch a one, ſo ſcandalous and ignorant, as altogether unfit either to return to my own living, or to bee admitted to any other.
Anſw.This I ſay is utterly and wholly untrue as to my ſelf, and it reſteth upon Mr. Buſhnel to prove,
1 That I did ever eat a bit of his bread, yea, I bleſs the Lord I know not that (in the late Troubles) I was ever poſſeſſed of what any other man had a legal right to, unto the value of one penny.
2 That I did ever (to bate him that of all opportuniti…s offered or ſought) report him to bee ſo ignorant, and ſo ſcandalous, as to bee altogether unfit to return to his own, or to bee admitted to any other Living; I am well aſſured that no ſuch words ever paſſed from my mouth.
Epiſtle to the Reader.Theſe respective perſons▪ I ſhall charge, and make good this Charge upon them: Firſt, The Miniſters, that they were ever medling with that which they had nothing to do withall. And page 216, 217. It may bee upon this very account, might the Doctor, and Mr. Byfield intrude ſo much and act ſo fiercely as the… did in matters of that cognizance which they had nothing to do withall: And after, All which notwithſtanding none took ſo much upon them in matter of ſcandal, as theſe two.
Anſw.This, as to my ſelf, is a palpable and thorow untruth, as all the Commiſſioners, the Council, and the Officers, who attended the buſineſs, can well teſtifie: I have many a time left the Commiſſioners, when there was no buſineſs of examination about inſufficiency before them, and have hardly ſpoken in a whole day to any matter of ſcandal, when I have been preſent. It lyeth on Mr. Buſhnel to prove the contrary, to make his words good, which I am ſure hee can never do.
Epiſtle to the Reader.I charge them all, Commiſſioners, Miniſters, Clerk, for countenancing and incouraging infamous perſons, ſuch who had forſworn themſelves, and touching ſome of themſelves, in their hearing, &c.
Anſw.This I utterly deny as to my ſelf, and am confident hee will never bee able to prove it, againſt my ſelf, or any the Commiſſioners, which will bee better tried, when wee come to particulars included in this general.
Pag. 5.Writing of John Trevers, (who exhibited the firſt Articles …gainſt him) as a mercinary wretch, ſaith, And, for ſome ſuch kinde of man was hee looked upon by Mr. Chambers himſelf when hee firſt delivered in theſe Articles againſt mee, who (as hee hath reported) called for the Articles, with a purpoſe to have torn them, becauſe they were exhibited by ſuch a hand.
Anſw.I truſt Mr. Buſhnel intended not this as any part of his Charge againſt mee, ſeeing it pleadeth ſtrongly and truly for mee, that I had no evil intention againſt him, nor thought of promoting any Articles to his prejudice, as indeed I had not, and was greatly troubled in my ſpirit, that ſuch a fellow as I had heard Trevers to bee, ſhould bring in Articles againſt a Learned Miniſter, as I then took Mr. Buſhnel to bee.
Pag. 6.And here (for an introduction to the honeſty and diſcretion of the Doctor) I ſhall obſerve this unto thee, that (as I have been told) hee obſerved it, that although there were ſeveral names ſubſcribed, yet they were all written in the ſame hand, from which it muſt needs follow, that by the Doctors confeſſion, the whole writing, both Articles and hands, might bee all forged, as indeed they were; ſo that mee thinks, the Dr. hath very much over-ſhot himſelf in point of diſcretion, for hee looks upon the Articles the more, becauſe ſubſcribed with ſuch and ſo many names, and yet hee acknowledgeth all the names to bee written with one hand, which would have made any ſober man the more to have ſuſpected it.
Anſw.And upon this ground I did the more ſuſpect the paper, and openly declared my diſſatisfaction, as to the tender of theſe Articles by Trevers; And for my part (I conceive) they were then looked upon by the Commiſſioners, as of no value, and do ſtill conceive, that they were not the Articles which were inſiſted on by the Commiſſioners; But that another paper of Articles was afterwards by other hands exhibited againſt him, which were read unto him as his charge: What cauſe therefore hee had in this place to make ſuch an out-cry about my honeſty and diſcretion, Let others judge.
Pag. 6.But yet the Doctor had an evaſion for this, for at my appearing before them at Calne, ſome of thoſe whoſe names were ſubſcribed, deſired a ſight of the paper, that they might know who had thus abuſed them, which they could not obtain, yet the Doctor (that wee might not prove his friends guilty of forgery) indeavours to preſerve their Reputation with a Salvo to ſome ſuch purpoſe, That their names were written onelyonly by way of a Memorandum, that in caſe they were called upon, they could depoſe to theſe Articles, that that might bee done without their knowledge (I think hee added) that it was an uſual courſe in the proceedings of theſe Commiſſioners.
Anſw.This appeareth to bee no ſtrange Relation, being onelyonly of words ſpoken by mee to ſome ſuch purpoſe, and depending onelyonly on Mr. Buſhne…s, I think; And indeed I cannot ſay what I then ſpake, but I beleeve, if Mr. Buſhnel do well recall himſelf, whatever I ſpake, it was ſpoken in a by-diſcourſe to him, and thoſe with him; I am confident hee can never prove, that I was unwilling that they whoſe names were ſubſcribed, ſhould have had a fight of the paper, or willing to give any countenance to that paper, or the hand which delivered it, or the perſons who contrived it, who are wholly unknown to mee, and ever were.
Pag. 7.But now I muſt tell thee, that many of them whoſe names were ſubſcribed unto thoſe Articles did touching my ſelf, firſt under their own hands, certifie to theſe Commiſſioners the quite contrary to theſe Articles, and afterwards being before them and ſworn, were ſo far from teſtifying any thing to the ſenſe of the Articles, as that all they ſaid was to my vindication, all which was induſtriouſly declined by the Dr. and his Commiſſioners.
Anſw.Paſſing by your tart, groundleſs and frequent jear of my Commiſſioners, Try, if you can prove this Syllable, that I did induſtriouſly decline your vindication by your witneſſes; prove that I was active, and ſtirring in that way, either in your caſe, or any other caſe, which was ever before the Commiſſioners, I am ſure you will never prove it.
Pag 69.Reporting that one who was ſummoned for a witneſs, apprehended that two of the witneſſes ſworn againſt him, ſpoke out of malice; Mr. Buſhnel writes, which (ſaid hee) the Commiſſioners having more underſtanding than wee, muſt needs perceive, and ſo they did ſome of them, and one of them a Miniſter*If a Miniſter, then no Commiſſioner. too, (to the Doctors credit bee it ſpoken) And yet, which is ſtrange in this man, although hee diſcovered their leaven, and ſo muſt know them to act from baſe principles, and with reference to a baſe end, yet hee alwaies vouchſafed to theſe men whom hee knew thus to act, his favourable countenance and furtherance.
Anſw.That I may at once draw this, and all charges of the like nature in the Narrative to a plain iſſue, that Mr. Buſhnel may ſee what hee is to apply his proofs unto; I will here briefly relate, according to truth, how far I was intereſſed in this buſineſs of Mr. Buſhnel. At the firſt tendring the Articles by Trevers, I was diſquieted, and much unſatisfied, and expreſſed my apprehenſion therein, as before appeareth: Afterwards, when William Pinchin, and Obadiah Cheltnam (altogether without any thought or knowledge of mine) tendred Articles againſt Mr. Buſhnel, which were read to him, I did then (if hee call himſelf to remembrance) go from the table to Mr. Buſhnel, as owning his acquaintance, and hee and I exchanged ſome friendly words, hee expreſſing a great defiance of the Articles, and ſenſe of the vileneſs of them (if they could bee proved) and then and there it was that I ſaid to him, (hee calling for witneſſes to prove the Articles) That the ſeveral parties ſhould bee brought face to face, as hee truly reports, pag. 4. At that time I looked on Mr. Buſhnel as a friend, from whom I ſhould have expected, and who might have expected from mee, any common friendly courteſie, there having never been any unfriendly paſſage between Mr. Buſhnel and my ſelf all our daies. After this William Pinchin, and Obadiah Cheltnam came to mee, as being both known to mee, to ſpeak with mee about Mr. Buſhnels buſineſs; They well know with what earneſtneſs I preſſed them both, to take heed what they did, and to look carefully to it, upon what grounds, and to what end they moved therein, telling them, that if from private diſcontents, malice, covetouſneſs, or any ſuch wretched grounds they did proſecute this Charge againſt the ſaid Mr. Buſhnel, the Lord would ſurely require it of them; Whereupon they did with extraordinary earneſtneſs proteſt to mee, that they had no enmity againſt Mr. Buſhnel, nor deſire or thought of making advantage by his removal, but that they did minde the good of their own (and others) ſouls in what they were doing, ſaying, that hee preached in ſuch a Scholar-like way, that his Pariſhioners were little profited by him, and that the ſcandalous miſcarriages charged in the Articles would bee fully proved againſt him; Upon this (being prevailed upon by their often and earneſt proteſtations.) I left them to do what they thought fit, onelyonly I did take knowledge of them when they appeared before the Commiſſioners, as perſons known to mee, but never opened my mouth in their commendation, nor to further them, or any witneſs which they brought to prove the Articles againſt Mr. Buſhnel: The Articles of ſcandal (as Mr. Buſhnel often and truly intimateth) I had nothing to do with, being no Commiſſioner; Neither did I take upon mee to ſtickle about them one way or other; And as for Mr. Buſhnels laſt appearance at Lavington, when the Order was drawn up againſt him for his ejectment, as hee tells us, pag. 223. I was not then preſent, nor know I what was paſſed againſt him.
And at Sarum, when the order of Ejection was publiſhed againſt Mr. Buſhnel, how very unwilling I was to have had any thing to do in the examination of him, they who were preſent know, and with what fair reſpect I managed that part of his examination which fell to my ſhare, Mr. Buſhnel may, and if hee do not, others do very well remember. Thus having made a true Relation how far I was concerned in Mr. Buſhnels buſineſs; That which reſts upon him to prove in the former Charge, is,
1 That I did know that Pinchin and Powel (the two witneſſes) did act from baſe principles, and to baſe ends, which I utterly deny.
2 That I afforded unto them furtherance in what they did, whereas Powel I knew not, nor ſpake I any thing (that I know) to the furtherance of Pinchins teſtimony, but left it according to my place, to the Commiſſioners to conſider of it.
But now having related how able and ready hee was to prove horrid and barbarous crimes acted by Pinchin againſt his Father,Pag. 71. and other his neareſt Relations (to take off the force of his teſtimony) None, ſaith Mr. Buſhnel, was more forward to withſtand and oppoſe this, than Dr. Chambers, who knew much of it to bee true, but was not willing ('tis like) that it ſhould come to the knowledge of theſe Gentlemen, for fear that hee ſhould thereby have *What imaginable ground could I have of ſuch fear, who was nothing concerned in the buſineſs.loſt ſo precious a witneſs, or perhaps for fear*Speak out Man, I fear not the teſtimony of any perſon whatſoever. that hee ſhould have heard ſomething which would have meerly reflected on himſelf; This Dr. then acknowledging that there had been ſome ſmall differences between them, praying that no more words might bee made of it; together with an intimation that all differences were now compoſed, or to ſome ſuch purpoſe.
Anſ. The laſt words (or to ſome ſuch purpoſe) evidence that Mr. Buſhnel doth not well remember what I ſaid, neither indeed do I; But this I am confident of, that I did never ſpeak thoſe words, wherein the main weight of this Charge lieth, viz. That there had been ſome ſmall differences between William Pinchin and his Father: for though I never knew ſo much of the difference between them, as Mr. Buſhnel hath here expreſſed, yet by what I had heard about William Pinchins wicked and horrid carriage towards his Father, I did in my heart greatly loathe it, and could never mince it under the name of ſmall differences, poſſibly I might (though I do not now remember it) upon William Pinchins earneſt proteſtation which hee made to mee, of his deſire of becoming a new man, ſay ſomething of that buſineſs as a matter that was then paſt, but that I did colour it over with the name of ſmall differences, or words to any ſuch purpoſe, I aſſuredly beleeve is not true, nor will ever bee proved, and ſhall gladly imbrace Mr. Buſhnels counſel laid down, pag. 73. In theſe words, I could adviſe Mr. Chambers to admoniſh William Pinchin, that hee would ſadly conſider of it in this his day.
Pag. 89.Upon the recital of Jane Hendyes depoſition in his behalf Mr. Buſhnel addeth, But now William Pinchin, at Lavington boldly interpoſes, and tells the Commiſſioners, that his Mother (this Jone Pinchin) had told him that this Jane Hendy had ſaid ſo much to her, on which Mr. Chambers adds, that if Goodwife Pinchin had ſaid ſo, hee was bound to beleeve her. And again at Marleborough, May 8. When there were papers delivered in by William Pinchin, written by himſelf, wherein it was affirmed under her mark, that Jane Hendy ſhould ſay ſo, the Doctor adds again, That if Goodwife Pinchin ſaid ſo, hee was in conſcience bound to beleeve her: Now by the Doctors leave, I conceive theſe words of his, I am bound, and I am bound in conſcience to beleeve her, were not ſpoken by him, either with diſcretion or charity.
Anſw.I am yet to learn that I tranſgreſſed the Rules, either of diſcretion, or charity, in ſaying of a woman, whom I had for many years often converſed with, and taken to be a ſtayed Chriſtian woman, that I was bound, and bound in conſcience to beleeve, what ſhee ſaid and atteſted under her hand; But Mr. Buſhnel adds.
Not with ſo much adviſedneſs or diſcretion: For it is well known that William Pinchin had that power over his Mother, that ſhee dared not but to ſay, and to do as her ſon would have her, I beleeve ſo well known, that the Doctor himſelf could not bee altogether ignorant of it.
Anſw.To beleeve that I would ſay that I was bound in conſcience to beleeve a woman of whom I knew that her ſon had power over her to make her ſay or do what hee pleaſed, I take it doth ſavour of little charity in Mr. Buſhnel, I hope I durſt not (whatever Mr. Buſhnel beleeves of mee) upon any tearms have ſaid, that I was bound in conſcience to beleeve Goodwife Pinchin, if I had known, or in the leaſt ſuſpected her to have been ſo little a Chriſtian, as to bee under the power of her ſon, to make her ſay and do what hee pleaſe: I did fully beleeve it was otherwiſe with her, when I ſhewed my beleef of what ſhee ſpake.
Pag. 91.And why might not the Dr. bee miſtaken in her, (viz. Goodwife Pinchin) as well as hee hath been in many others (Women I mean, for there his acquaintance did eſpecially lye, and theſe, many of them ſuch, who had the hand over their huſbands) who have followed him as far, and as oft as Jone Pinchin, and yet are now fallen off both from his Doctrine and Acquaintance.
Anſw.I know nothing in any man which may exempt others from a poſſibility of being deceived in him, whilſt hee hath the deceitful heart of man in his boſome: No doubt therefore I might bee deceived in Goodwife Pinchin; but I was ſo far perſwaded of her Chriſtianity at that time, when I ſpake, that I had good ground to beleeve, that ſhe would not wilfully ſpeak and ſwear againſt her own knowledge; And I am ſtill bound to beleeve as much of her, until I ſee the contrary proved upon her, by ſome who afford her liberty to anſwer for her ſelf: That my acquaintance did eſpecially lye with women, as Mr. Buſhnel doth here confidently and jeeringly (in another Character, for fear it ſhould not bee noted) affirm, is utterly untrue, as the whole country (where I then lived) knows, wherein I had the happineſs to bee intimately acquainted with very many men of beſt repute in all ranks, who afforded mee a large ſhare in their loving reſpects. It is true, that my Miniſtry found acceptance with divers Chriſtian women, whoſe acquaintance I have no cauſe to bee aſhamed of; if any of them, (for no doubt Mr. Buſhnel greatly outlaſheth in the word many) had the hand over their husbands, it was matter of grief to mee, whereſoever I ſaw it; and if many who uſed to hear mee, bee fallen oft from my Doctrine and Acquaintance, I hope their defection cannot bee charged upon mee, as my crime. The Lord ſhew them mercy, and return them into the way of truth.
And now for Dr. Chambers (a man of ſo much reverence and learning) to ſay (when it had been good manners in him to hold his peace) that if Goodwife Pinchin had ſaid ſo,Pag. 94. hee was in conſcience bound to beleeve her, was (upon the matter) to ſay to this Jane Hendyes face, that ſhee had twice foreſworn her ſelf.
Anſw:Here again Mr. Buſhnel puts in his jeer of, a man of ſo much Reve…ence and Learning, in other Characters, fearing belike that his Readers would bee ſo thick-ſented, as not to ſmell the ſweetneſs of his tart Sarcaſm, without ſome ſignal Indication, for which end, belike, hee thought the mentioning of good manners, immediately after, would not bee ſufficient: Whether this bee dealing ſuitable to a Miniſter of the Goſpel let others judge: But as for what hee publiſheth as an evidence of want of chari…y in mee towards Jane Hendy I am confident all the Logick in Ariſtotles Organon, will never joyn his Premiſes and Concluſion together; For what Jane Hendy ſware and Goodwife Pinchin ſaid, and confirmed by oath, may be all true, and no contradiction bee found between their two oaths; for Jane Hendy ſwore cautelouſly, that ſhee did not remember that ſhee ever ſpake of any ſuch thing to Jone Pinchin, which Jone Pinchin ſware ſhee did ſpeak to her, and both oaths may be true, for it may (poſſibly) bee true, that Jane Hendy did ſpeak ſomething to Jone Pinchin, which ſhee did not at that preſent remember; ſo that I might ſay, that I was in conſcience bound to beleeve Goodwife Pinchin, and yet not ſay (upon the matter) that Jane Hendy had twice for ſworn her ſelf; And therefore what I ſaid, did not at all amount to what Mr. Buſhnel collects from my words, and makes a horrible out-cry upon, pag. 95. That I did pronounce one of them infallible, and the other perjured: They did both ſwear according to truth, for ought I know, I am ſure they might do ſo, and my charity inclines mee to think that they did ſo, for I know no ſufficient ground why Mr. Buſhnel ſhould peremptorily affirm, that the teſtimony of theſe two women are contradictory, and that one or other of them muſt needs bee for ſworn.
Pag. 96.And now I ſhall add further, that I beleeve that this, and many other falſe oaths had never been taken, had not the Doctor by thoſe words, I am bound in conſcience, hinted unto them a kinde of faculty, or diſpenſation of ſwearing, and that now they might bee bold.
Anſw.I refer it to the judgement of any rational Chriſtian to determine whether my ſaying of Goodwife Pinchin, that I was bound in conſcience to beleeve what ſhee ſaid, upon upon that perſwaſion which I had of her, that ſhee was a conſcientious Chriſtian, did hint a diſpenſation to her, and much more to any other, whom I had no knowledge of, to ſwear falſly: I am confident Mr. Buſhnel will never bee able to ſhew any rational ground of his beleef, that my ſaying that I was bound to beleeve Goodwife Pinchin, did contain in it an incouragement or diſpenſation for her, or any other, to ſwear falſly.
Pag. 96.And one thing further, this oath being falſe (as I am confident it was) and (as it is very probable) this oath being cauſed by ſuch an invitation, I am bound in conſcience, if an incourager, or an abetter, or a perſwader bee an Acceſſary, I cannot acquit ſome body (the Dr. may gueſs whom I mean) from being guilty of this and many following perjuries.
Anſw.Here Mr. Buſhnel is peremptorily confident, that Goodwife Pinchins oath was falſe, and that the perjury lies with her, as before hee expreſſed himſelf; had I ſaid ſo much of Jane Hendy, I ſhould have heard of want of charity on both ears: But I ſhall leave Mr. Buſhnel to conſider whether there bee not ſome want of charity in this his confidence: But that my ſaying, I am bound in conſcience to beleeve what Goodwife Pinchin ſaid, being ſpoken in relation to what ſhe had ſaid and teſtified under her hand, ſhould bee in any probability a cauſe and invitation to induce her to ſwear what ſhee did, is a moſt ſenſeleſs and irrational conjecture, becauſe I ſpake the words after ſhee had fully declared what ſhee could and would ſwear; The relation of what ſhee would ſwear, given under her hand, cauſed mee to ſay, as himſelf relates it, pag. 89. That I was bound in conſcience to beleeve what ſhee teſtified: And therefore it is not onelyonly improbable, but utterly impoſſible that my words ſhould bee a foregoing cauſe, and invitation to her Oath. But that my ſaying of one whom I lookt upon as a Chriſtian woman of great-fidelity, that if ſhee would ſwear, I were bound in conſcience to beleeve her, ſhould make mee an Incourager, an Abetter, and Acceſſary to her falſe Oath, in caſe ſhee ſhould ſwear falſly, and much more to the perjuries of others (as Mr. Buſhnel doth here in a calumniating injurious way charge mee to bee) I am confident will ſeem rational to no intelligent perſon whatſoever; And therefore this high and groundleſs calumny, being built upon ſuch a falſe and ſandy foundation, I do not fear, but it will fall of it ſelf, without any derogation from my good name.
Pag 97.Now I muſt tell the Reader, That not long before this, ſhee, (viz. Goodwife Pinchin) having ſome diſcourſe with ſeveral perſons, ever acquitted mee, ſaying, That ſhee beleeved that I was wronged, or to that purpoſe; but now ſhee changes her note, and ſaies. Shee cannot judge: Doubtleſs her own ſon William, or the Doctor (for I have heard that hee was at her houſe betwixt April 28. and June 4.) had inſtructed her, and taught her to fall ſhort, and why might hee not make the whole, as well as alter a part of it?
Anſw.By what Mr. Buſhnel here relateth of Goodwife Pinchin… former words, it appeareth, That there were ſome reports then going of what Goodwife Pinchin teſtified, that Jane Hendy ſpake about Mr. Buſhnels carriage towards her, But then Goodwife Pinchin (as hee relates it) beleeved hee was wronged in thoſe reports; I leave this wholly as not being concerned in it: Whereas Mr. Buſhnel layeth it down as an undoubted truth, that either William Pinchin or I, and leaveth it doubtful, whether hee or I, inſtructed Goodwife Pinchin, and taught her upon her oath, to fall ſhort of what ſhee knew, and had formerly ſpoken; I deny and defie this charge, as moſt untrue and injurious; if Mr. Buſhnel can make the leaſt proof, or ſhadow of proof of it, I require him to do it, as hee tendereth the being free from the blot of a falſe and malicious Accuſer: I acknowledge that I called at Goodwife Pinchins houſe (the high way lying cloſe by her door) as I rode by, and ſpake with her as an antient Chriſtian friend, but that I inſtructed her, or taught her to ſwear againſt her knowledge, is a ſpightful and moſt untrue inſinuation, which muſt bee anſwered for at the appearance of the Lord Jeſus.
Page 106.Mr. Buſhnel writeth, that it was teſtified againſt one William Cottle, who was a witneſs againſt him, amongſt other things, that hee ſhould ſay, that your Parſons were greedy, and that hee would truſt none of them all, no not Mr. Chambers, who had left Claverton, and was gone to Pewſey: And when Cottle (being ſtill upon his Oath) denied theſe words to bee ſpoken by him, after they were teſtified and ſworn to his face, hee acknowledged that hee had ſpoken them, adding further, why? what if I did ſay ſo? The truth is, that the thing being barely conſidered in and of it ſelf, it mattered not, if hee had ſaid ſo, for it was true as hee ſaid; Mr. Chambers had left Claverton (nor was this the firſt time hee had left it) and was gone to Pewſey, and this to his great advantage too, for the report goes that hee is three hundred pounds a year gainer by this Remove.
Anſw.That I left Claverton before I came to Pewſey, & afterwards came to Pewſey, with a conſiderable advantage as to outward ſtate, I do freely acknowledge; Nor was I ever offended with any, who before they had heard what account I could give of my Removal, had ſpoken of it, as importing ſome earthly-mindedneſs in mee; But not to trouble the world with tedious relations about perſonal buſineſſes, if Mr. Buſhnel be pleaſed to afford mee a private occaſion, as divers Chriſtian friends have done, to diſcover to him the grounds and reaſons of my removal from Claverton, and coming to Pewſey, I doubt not, but I ſhall ſo far ſatisfie him, as to cauſe him to deſiſt from making this a matter of publick reproach and defamation againſt mee.
Pag. 109.It were not amiſs to tell thee that John Trevers, ſitting by, during this debate, and hearing and noting all the paſſages, obſerved it (and ſo did others beſides) and (as I have heard) hath reported it elſewhere with ſome complacency, that Mr. Chambers did hang down his head the while; Now wee know, that hanging down of the head doth uſually ſignifie that there is ſhame and ſorrow in the heart.
—pudet haec opprobria nobis
Et dici potuiſſe & non potuiſſe refelli.
And whereas ſhame doth uſually produce either an amendment in the perſon ſo expoſed; or elſe indignation, which the perſon ſo expoſed conceives againſt him whom hee looks on as the cauſe of this expoſal; I have ſome conjecture, that this wrought after the latter and worſer way with Dr. Chambers; and that hee did for this, ſtore up a good turn for mee againſt hee had an opportunity; of which the Readers ſhall have ſome account in due time and place.
Anſw.It is very ſtrange that Mr. Buſhnel, being preſent all the time of this debate, and being a diligent obſerver of all my words and carriages (as appears throughout his Narrative) did not himſelf take notice of my hanging down my head, if it were ſo conſiderable as hee would have the world beleeve it was, from the teſtimony of Trevers, and other unn med witneſſes; But to ſpeak this once for all to Cottles words concerning mee, though Mr. Buſhnel makes often uſe of them for his purpoſe, I bleſs the Lord I have ſo much quiet in my own heart, as concerning my Removal from Claverton, and coming to Pewſey, that I was never aſhamed to hear of it in any place, or to bee called to ſhew my grounds for it; whether I held down my head, when Cottles words were proved upon him by oath, I know not; This I am moſt aſſured of, that it was not out of any ſhame which ſurprized mee upon the hearing of Cottles words, in relation to my ſelf: I was ſo little affected with the words, that though upon Mr. Buſhnels Relation, I do beleeve that it was atteſted upon oath, that ſuch words were ſpoken by Cottle, yet this I can truly take my oath of, that I had utterly forgotten it, and did not in the leaſt remember any ſuch paſſage; And as for Mr. Buſhnels uncharitable conjecture, that I did ſtore up a good turn for him, by reaſon of thoſe words of Cottle, I call the great God to witneſs, who can onelyonly teſtifie in this Caſe, that I never had, nor have I, the leaſt indignation againſt Mr. Buſhnel, in regard of Cottles words; if hee knew my heart, hee would beleeve mee.
Pag. 122.Having called the witneſſes which appeared againſt him, the Doctors, Mr. By fields, and Mr. Bliſſets witneſſes, Mr. Buſhnel adds; Nor can theſe men have any juſt cauſe to diſtaſte mee, that I call them their witneſſes, when I have given my reaſons of it. I have told thee already, that I beleeve that many a one which hath appeared before them, and have been ſworn againſt mee, had never ſo done, had it not been for their invitation and countenance, which as before, ſo at this time appeared most viſible.
Anſw.What hath before been produced by Mr. Buſhnel, to prove mee an Inviter and Countenancer of the witneſſes againſt him, hath been anſwered by mee, and I leave it to the cenſure of the judicious Reader. Now it ſeems by his words hee hath met with a moſt viſible Evidence in the Caſe, which is next to bee conſidered.
Having named the ſolicitors againſt him, Mr. Buſhnel adds, And in their addreſſes (neglecting the Gentlemen to whom alone of right this buſineſs did belong.) Their Applications were to Mr. Chambers, and Mr. Byfield, John Trevers, and William Pinchin, at the upper end of the Table ſtanding at the Elbow of the Dr. and Obadiah Cheltenham towards the lower end, waiting upon Mr. Byfield: And this I conceive to bee reaſon enough wherefore I call them their witneſſes.
Anſw.I dare not return Mr. Buſhnel any jeers, but in good earneſt, it is ſtrange to mee, that Mr. Buſhnel being (as I know him to bee) a Scholar, and a Logician, ſhould think there is ſufficient ſtrength in this Reaſon why hee ſhould call the ſolicitors, Mine, Mr. Byfields, and Mr. Bliſſets witneſſes, becauſe two of them ſtood at my elbow, and one by Mr. Byfield: For if this bee the reaſon why hee calleth them our wineſſes, then by the ſame reaſon, they ſhould not bee called Mr. Bliſſets witneſſes, becauſe never a one of them ſtood at his elbow, or waited upon him: But if Trevers and Pinchin did ſtand by mee, which is more than I can tell: Did I entertain any friendly diſcourſe with them? Did I take any ſpecial notice of them? Did I ſpeak a word in favour of them or their buſineſs? Of this here is, Altum Silentium, which wee may bee ſure proceeded not from any willingneſs in Mr. Buſhnel, to ſuppreſs any thing which hee had any hope might make againſt mee.
Pag. 138Upon the Relation of the Teſtimony of Henry Sheyler, upon oath, that hee was told by one Nowell (who with his wife had dep…ſed ſomething againſt Mr. Buſhnel) that Trevers and Pinchin made profers and promiſes of mony to him, if hee would appear and ſwear againſt Mr. Buſhnel, it followeth: I muſt tell thee further, that ſoon after this depoſition of Sheyler was taken, Nowells wife (being before at a window, and hearing what had paſſed) comes towards the Dr. (for unto him were the moſt eſpecial addreſſes made) and after a long and a low courteſie, adds, yea, ſurely if Mr. Buſhnel had not to pick a thank with Coll. Eyre, told him of my Husbands Gun, and ſaid, that therewith hee uſed to kill Hares and Pigeons, wee would not have been here to day to have ſworn againſt him. And ſtill continuing *… was very … of her cou…teſies, who would make ſo many, and ſo low courteſies when ſhee was not taken … of.courteſing to Mr. Chambers (who then turned his head about, and looked towards her) ſhee adds further, That hee had known her of a long time.
Anſw.By this it appeareth, that Nowells wife claimed acquaintance with mee (and indeed her Father was my Clerk when I lived at Claverton) But did I take any ſpecial notice of her? or ſhew her any ſpecial favour? by this ſtory it ſeems I did not, who did not ſuddenly turn my head towards her, and when I did, though ſhee ſpoke to mee, yet here is no intimation of any thing I ſaid to her, which would have been the Principal Verb in the Sentence, if any ſuch thing could have been alledged againſt mee. And now Chriſtian Reader, judge indifferently what reaſon Mr. Buſhnel had to write, page 139. that Nowell and his wife conceiving themſelves injured formerly by him, having this opportunity, and countenance of the Dr. her antient acquaintance (which is written in the jeering character) they were reſolved to bee revenged on us both (I mean the Collenel and my ſelf.)
Pag. 147.Having related four depoſitions taken againſt one Sanders, who was a witneſs againſt him, to prove the ſaid Sanders to bee a very vicious perſon, Mr. Buſhnel adds; It muſt not bee forgotten, that before theſe three laſt depoſit ons were taken at Marleborough, the Dr. (belike having before either inſtructed William Pinchin what was to bee done, or elſe having been informed by William Pinchin what hee had done) beckning to William Pinchin with his hands, and twinkling of his eyes, it ſeems as doubting that William Pinchin had forgotten himſelf. Whereupon William Pinchin approacheth, and with a low congee, delivers to the Dr. a peece of Paper, which the Dr. conveyes to Mr. Bliſſet, with ſome ſuch words; There is a Teſtimony of this mans (meaning Sanders) behaviour; which was by Mr. Bliſſet read accordingly. The buſineſs was but ſhort, and my thoughts ſo much upon this Doctor, that I little noted it; onelyonly I remember there were the names of ſome whom I knew, ſet to it, and the names of others which I have heard of.
Anſw.Becauſe Mr. Buſhnel maketh much ado about this Sanders, as if I had been under great guilt in relation to him, duplicate page duplicate page I will relate all that I know about the buſineſs of Sanders: This Sanders is one whom I never knew, nor had heard a word of him, till the time that hee appeared as a witneſs before the Commiſſioners: William Pinchin came to mee in the Chamber before the ſitting of the Commiſſioners, and ſhewed mee a Certificate in the behalf of the ſaid Sanders, ſubſcribed by the hands of ſome men of honeſty and credit in Chippenham, whoſe Reputation prevailed with mee to think it to bee of ſome credit, and it is likely, as Mr. Buſhnel relateth it (though it bee gone out of my memory) that I might becken to William Pinchin to have the Certificate from him, and give it to Mr. Bliſſett to bee read, when Sanders name was in queſtion: not out of any purpoſe to bolſter up Sanders in any wickedneſs, but onelyonly that it might bee weighed by the Commiſſioners, whether Sanders were a man any way to bee credited, yea, or no, wherein I was able to ſay nothing: This is all I know about Sanders, which whether it amount to a guilt, let the Reader judge.
Pag. 148.I ſhall tell thee here, that William Sanders being queſtioned for the Sacriledge (mentioned, but now) fled, and that hee ſtands anſwerable for this Sacriledge even to this hour. And was it not a handſome thing for the Dr. to countenance this man (againſt the Miniſter) that had robbed the Church.
Anſw.I am beholding to Mr. Buſhnel for an anſwer to this Charge, which elſe my memory would not have helped mee unto: Hee tells us, that before the three laſt depoſitions were taken againſt Sanders, I handed the Certificate in his behlaf from William Pinchin to Mr. Bliſſett; now one of thoſe three laſt Depoſitions concerneth the Sacrilege here ſpoken of, and therefore if hee will needs interpret my delivering in the Certificate for a countenancing of this man (which is more than it amounteth unto) yet I am free from countenancing a Church-robber againſt a Miniſter, ſeeing the Depoſition concerning Sanders Sacriledge was not given in, neither had I ever heard a word of it when I handed the Certificate to Mr. Bliſſett.Pag. 156.
Having related the wicked and fraudulent courſe (ſuppoſing it to bee as hee relateth) which was taken for the obtaining the Certificate for Sanders from the Chippenhammen, Mr. Buſhnel adds: Now I do not wonder that William Pinchin, Nicholas Spencer, William Sanders, and Obadiah Cheltenham ſhould contrive and practiſe ſuch unworthy courſes; My wonder is, that the Doctor ſhould ſo demurely put to his helping hand for the promoting of them; nay, that hee ſhould bee more forward than William Pinchin, and readier to call for it, than William Pinchin was to deliver it. But doubtleſs the Caln-buſineſs did yet ſtick in the Doctors ſtomach; there were a generation of men heretofore great pretenders to godlineſs, that were touchy, and very implacable; and perchance before I make an end of this diſcourſe, I ſhall make ſome*Such ſpiteful obſerves are eaſily and frequently to bee obſerved throughout his Narrative. obſerves to the Dr. of the Agagite in the Old Teſtament, and the Scribes and Phariſees in the New.
Anſw.I do from my ſoul abhor all ſuch falſe and fraudulent waies▪ as Mr. Buſhnel makes mention of in the relation of the getting the Certificate for Sanders: If I had had the leaſt knowledge or jealouſie the Certificate had been in ſuch wiſe obtained, I would never have taken it into my hand, unleſs it had been to tear, or burn it: But the names ſubſcribed to it, did keep mee off wholly from ſuch a ſuſpicion, and was the onelyonly cauſe why I delivered it. And as for Mr. Buſhnels ſaying, that doubtleſs the Caln-buſineſs ſtuck in my ſtomach, doubtleſs hee can make no proof of that, and the Lord knows it is utterly falſe, and againſt the Rule by which I make conſcience to walk, which is to forgive others, as I deſire to bee forgiven of God: But as for Cottles words, I can truly ſay, I never valued them more than a puff off wind.
Pag. 160.I have told thee, that at ſuch time, as (amongſt other notorious Infamies) wee had proved Sanders to have fallen upon his own Father, to have thrown him down, and beaten him, ſaying, Hee would make an end of the old Rogue, Mr. Chambers calls for a Certificate, and promoteth it in this Sanders behalf: And this is the ſecond time that hee ſhewed himſelf very forward, either to countenance, or defend ſuch as by the Law of God had forfeited their lives.
Anſw.Mr. Buſhnel may remember what hee hath told us, that I had delivered the Certificate to Mr. Bliſſet before Sanders his curſed violence offered to his Father was teſtified upon oath by one of the three laſt witneſſes, and ſo before I had the leaſt thought of any ſuch execrable carriage of his, and therefore Mr. Buſhnel doth very injuriouſly charge mee with countenancing or defending ſuch as by the Law of God were adjudged to death: I could willingly give my voice for the reviving of that Law, and the Lord knows Mr. Buſhnel doth mee open wrong, when pag. 161. hee writes that the Doctor did look upon a ſons couzening, curſing, frequent beating of his Parents, after a barbarous manner, throwing them down, laying hands upon them, taking of them by the throat, drawing his knife upon them, calling them old Rogue, and threatning to make an end of them, as onelyonly ſome ſmall differences, or matters, not much to bee noted, or eaſily to bee excuſed: No, no, Mr. Buſhnel, there is one that knoweth this to bee a very falſe and injurious accuſation, before whom you and I ſhall one day ſtand with open hearts, when not hee that commendeth himſelf ſhall bee approved, but hee whom God commendeth.
Pag 168.I had at this time, and before, ſeveral witneſſes with mee, which I deſired might bee examined upon ſuch Queries as ſhould have been propoſed unto them; but a word of exception againſt them from William Pinchin (the Solicitor) and Mr. Byfield (the Advocate) ſoon ſilenced, or put them all by; and thus they ſerved no leſs than four at this time, ſome whereof would have told pretty ſtories of William Pinchin, John Trevers, Obadiah Chel…enham, William Cottle, William Sanders, yea (perchance) of the Doctor too, if they might have been heard.
Anſw.Mr. Buſhnel doth not here accuſe mee of ſtopping the Examination of his Witneſſes, and therefore to that I ſhall ſay nothing; But I deſire Mr. Buſhnel not to Lye in the clouds, and raiſe blind ſuſpicions of unknown crimes againſt mee: If hee knows any that knew any ſecret actings of wickedneſs whereof I am guilty, let them ſpeak out, that I may know what to anſwer to. Though I know ſo much of no mans ſinfulneſs, as I do of mine, own, yet (I bleſs the Lord) I have no cauſe to fear the Teſtimony either of friends, or foes againſt mee, as to ſuch crimes as come under the worlds condemnation and cenſure.
Pag. 181.Mr. Buſhnel writing of Col. Eyre, ſaith, All which, notwithſtanding all theſe men, by Collonel Eyre thus proceeded againſt for ſeveral Infamies, are by Mr. Byfield, the Doctor, and their friends at Marleborough encouraged to teſtifie againſt him to his reproach, and yet hee not permitted to ſay any thing in his defence.
Anſw.This as to my ſelf I avow to bee a notorious untruth, and require a proof of it: Col. Eyre hath ever been my loving, and I beleeve my intire friend, and I am ſure I have, and do unfeignedly deſire his welfare in all kinds, nor will it ever bee proved (I am ſure) that I have tranſgreſſed the Rules of Love▪ ſo far towards him, as to encourage any to teſtifie any thing to his reproach; I am ſure it hath occaſioned trouble of heart unto mee, when I have heard any reports of that nature carried about of him.
Pag. 207, 208.I was told that one neer related to the perſons and practices of the Commiſſioners, ſhould ſay to this purpoſe, ſeeing us come in to Town, That Mr. Buſhnel had brought ſuch and ſuch along with him, but that it was to no purpoſe for hee could not stay at Box, becauſe that place was appointed for another man, &c. As to mine own particular, I ſhall ſay onelyonly this; 1 That by their own confeſſion, my place was appointed for another man; which 2 I beleeve was the man who hath ſince my ejectment held it, viz. Mr. Sterne, who lived formerly in a Living ſequeſtred of Mr. Walkers at Chilmark, and it may bee was there as a kinde of a Curate to Mr. Sanger, Dr. Chambers Brother-in-law: But at this time was deſtitute and therefore right or wrong, a place muſt bee provided for him elſewhere.
Anſw.This paſſage maketh it evident, that any groundleſs and improbable probability is ſufficient for Mr. Buſhnel to build vehement complaints upon, againſt mee and the Commiſſioners: For here is an uncertain tale taken up at a diſtance from one, who told another, who told Mr. Buſhnel, ſomething to this purpoſe, that Mr. Buſhnel muſt not ſtay at Box, becauſe that place was appointed for another man; I cannot but think, that if this tale were brought back to the firſt Author of it, hee would diſclaim it as ſpurious; But bee it as it may bee, doth this tale (if true) warrant Mr. Buſhnel to note from it, 1 That by their own confeſſion his place was appointed for another man; where is any ſuch Confeſſion of the Commiſsioners? who ever heard it? what if hee that firſt ſpake the words (related) ſpake without book, or upon ſome uncertain conjecture, than which nothing is more frequent? doth this prove a Confeſsion of the Commisſioners themſelves in the caſe? Hee is very willing to beleeve, that taketh ſuch proofs; And as to Mr. Buſhnels ſecond note upon this uncertain ſtory, wherein hee thinks (belike) hee hath paid mee home, hee may know that Mr. Stern was never any kinde of Curate to my brother Sanger, nor any way related to mee, nor had I any ſpecial cauſe in the world to look after his ſettlement. And therefore Mr. Buſhnel doth mee and himſelf open wrong, to write, that becauſe Mr. Stern (it may bee) was a kinde of Curate to my brother Sanger; Therefore (being deſtitute of a place) right or wrong a place muſt bee provided for him, and ſo, which is the Concluſion driven at, I and the Commiſſioners muſt needs bee guilty of prejudging Mr. Buſhnels caſe. Let any rational man judge whether Mr. Buſhnels pasſion did not here put him quite out of his Argumentative faculty.
Pag. 213.I was told likewiſe, that there were heavy exceptions taken againſt mee, that I came not amongſt them, Mr. Chambers Mr Byfield &c. and that I did not make one at their meetings, That I did not aſſociate, but rather, that I not onelyonly neglected but deſpiſed them, or to ſome ſuch purpoſe.
Anſw.If any one ſpoke theſe words▪ or to ſome ſuch purpoſe, to Mr. Buſhnel, certainly hee abuſed Mr. Buſhnels eares, by putting a moſt notorious falſhood into them which can never bee proved, And therefore I cannot but ſtand amazed at what Mr. Buſhnel adds.
And doubtleſs with the Dr. and Mr. Byfield, this was enough to make a man ſcandalous in the higheſt degree.
Anſw.Doubtleſs this is a moſt notorious untruth, as may bee proved by many inſtances of divers perſons not aſſociating, yet dearly loved, and highly prized, both by Mr. Byfield and my ſelf.
Pag. 214.Shewing ſome reaſons why Mr. Buſhnel did not aſſociate with us, hee ſaith one reaſon was, Becauſe the perſons who were the leading men amongſt them were as fierce and rigid in their way as are any (I beleeve) on this ſide or beyond Tweed.
Anſw.If Mr. Buſhnel doth beleeve this, then I am ſure, hee beleeveth as utter an untruth as was ever told: The men hee aims at, I know, are profeſt enemies to fierceneſs and rigidneſs in their way, and deſire nothing more than that Brethern of ſeveral perſwaſions may walk in a way of Chriſtian moderation:
Pag. 220.Relating how Mr. Byfield inſiſted upon the Order, that none might bee preſent at the Examination but the Commisſioners and th…ir asſiſtants, hee writes, And what if they had heard or known them? Were your queſtions ſuch that you were aſhamed to have them known; or was it for fear the Country ſhould (hearing your queſtions and my anſwers) think better of mee than you were willing?
Anſw.It is well known that I earneſtly moved, that all that would might bee preſent at your examination, and had prevailed therein, had not the fore-going Order obſtructed it.
Pag. 223.Speaking of the time when the order of ejection was publiſhed againſt him, Mr. Buſhnel writes; I obſerved that while my ſentence was reading Mr. Chambers had pulled down his hat ſomewhat low on his face, but the reſidue of his face which might bee ſeen looked very big, and posſibly might ſay within himſelf, That now hee had taught mee to bring a man of … it upon the ſtage, to make him the diſcourſe and laughter of the Country for leaving Claverton and going to Pewſy.
Anſw.I eaſily beleeve Mr. Buſhnel that hee did obſerve mee, at this, as at all times, moſt watchfully, if hee might posſibly eſpy any thing in mee to be complained of: But whereas hee ſaith, that hee obſerved mee, that whilſt his ſentence was read, I pulled down my hat ſomewhat low upon my face, but for the reſidue of my face which might be ſeen, I looked very big; any man without much obſervation may ſee much irrational ſpite in this relation, which can hardly, if poſſibly bee made to conſiſt with it ſelf; For if I pulled down my hat ſomewhat low upon my face, how could I then at the ſame time look bigg with a little part of my face? I ſuppoſe that, in common underſtanding, bigge looks are ſuch, when men do not cover their faces ſomewhat low, as men aſhamed, or afraid, but do, if poſſible, make more of their faces, than they are, by high looks, that they may out-face ſuch perſons or things as are before them. I am confident in true reaſon before unbiaſſed Judges) there is a more palpable contradiction between the two parts of this Relation, than between the two oaths of Jone Pinchin, and Jane Hendy, upon which Mr. Buſhnel doth, tanto hiatu, tragediate, pag. 94, 95. And as for that ſpiteful, jeering, groundleſs, and moſt uncharitable comment which hee made upon my looks, and wherein hee ſeems to have a faculty of looking into my heart, which I could wiſh hee had, when hee wrote, and poſſibly hee might ſay within himſelf, That now hee had taught mee to bring a man of his merit upon the ſtage, to make him the diſcourſe and laughter of the Country for leaving Claverton, and going to Pewſey; I defie it, and ſuch revengeful thoughts as it moſt injuriouſly fathers upon mee, whereas they were conceived and born in his own breaſt, and begotten of his own revengeful imagination; and I further ſay, that the coining of ſuch croſs comments upon the carriages of others, is a moſt unwarrantable practice, unbecoming a Chriſtian, and much more a Miniſter of the Goſpel. I can never ſufficiently bleſs the Lord that it is beyond the reach of Mr. Buſhnel, and his witneſſes, to make mee (though a moſt unworthy ſervant of Jeſus Chriſt) the diſcourſe and laughter of the Country, though poſſibly ſome prophane perſons, and ſcoffers at godlineſs,Jer. 20. 10. on an Ale-bench, may make themſelves very merry with Mr. Buſhnels jeering relation concerning mee.
Pag. 228.Nay more, ſhould I have chanced to have met your Dr. on the way, I ſhould have given him) not ſuch reverence as hee looks for, but) ſuch reſpect as I thought fitting: and upon ſome ſuch weighty Accompt, I have been told that hee was diſtaſted at mee; and ſo was Haman the Agagite againſt Mordecay.
Anſw.Mr. Buſhnel might do well to keep in his bitter revilings, till hee have ſome ground of truth, upon which to bring them forth: doubtleſs his nameleſs reporter informed him of a wretched untruth, who told him that I was diſtaſted at him, for want of ſhewing reſpect to mee, and hee himſelf wanted ſome graines of Charity in mentioning great reverence, as that which I lookt for from him or any other under pain of Diſcontent: If I know my ſelf, a very little Reverence and Obſervation will content mee, but if I bee miſtaken in my ſelf, let all that know mee, ſpeak, though I finde Mr. Buſhnel in his Narrative, often rubbing (as hee thinks) upon that ſore of my loving to bee reverenced.
Pag. 237.Now Mr. Chambers hearing Henry Sheyler (for ſo was his name, that made this pro…er) promiſing one hundred pounds, and having heedfully eyed him all the time, asks, (belike, fearing that the Commiſſioners ſhould have forgotten ſo neceſſary a Queſtion) Whether hee were ſufficient? ('tis like hee meant) to pay the rent, which hee proffered: And here to ſee how theſe Doctors, Mr. Byfield, and Mr. Chambers, concurr'd in queſtions (fundamentals) What is your Living worth a year, quoth Mr. Byfield? Is hee ſufficient to pay the rent, quoth Mr. Chambers? This buſineſs did in no wiſe concern Mr. Chambers, unleſs hee miſtook the Examination of the ſufficiency of the Tenant, for an Examination of the ſufficiency of the Miniſter.
Anſw.For Henry Sheyler, a man that I had never any thing to do with in my life, why I ſhould ſo heedfully eye him, as Mr. Buſhnel reports, I cannot imagine, But whether I did, or did not, poſſibly ſitting by, and hearing the diſcourſe about renting the Living, ſuch a ſpeech might fall from mee; Is hee ſufficient? you may bee confident I ſaid no more, nor preſſed it any further, if I had, Mr. Buſhnel doubtleſs would not have made little of much, who makes ſo much of ſo little ſpoken by mee; And whether it gives ground to ſuch a loud (jeering) out-cry about Fundamentals, as Mr. Buſhnel here makes, let the Chriſtian Reader judge.
Pag. 238.The Dr. muſt give mee leave to tell him, that I have read of ſuch, who were of this judgements. That right and propriety to a thing were founded in grace; and that all men were Uſurpers who were not of the godly. Now wee know well to whom this Epithet Godly hath been by ſome men appropriated in theſe latter years, and for what purpoſes: And therefore might the Dr. bee ſo fierce againſt mee, as one (I being not of their mark) on whom even an Alms were caſt away.
Anſw.That I was fierce againſt Mr. Buſhnel, will never bee proved by him, unleſs hee hath an Art to prove an untruth. That propriety is founded in grace, is (I know) an errour that hath met with entertainment in too many, which Mr. Buſhnel doth very injuriouſly in a way of ſly inſinuation, charge on mee. As for the incloſing the name Godly, within the pale of particular parties, I have ever abhorred it as a very unchriſtian practice: And as for Mr. Buſhnel (for all his words) I never did, nor will take upon mee to judge him; to our own Maſter, hee and I muſt ſtand and fall, and the Lord give him and mee grace impartially and duly to judge our ſelves, that wee bee not judged of the Lord.
Pag. 246.Writing moſt bitterly (after his manner) of Mr. Byfield, hee ſaith, I beleeve, that were hee living, hee would confeſs that hee did mee as much miſchief as hee could; and yet I beleeve that one of the ſame tribe did mee more, although hee were more ſecret in it.
Anſw.For Mr. Byfield (of the integrity of whoſe heart in what hee did, I have ground to bee much aſſured) I cannot hinder Mr. Buſhnel from beleeving of him what hee pleaſeth; But if I bee the other of the ſame Tribe which hee here ſpeaketh of, in beleeving that I did him more miſchief than hee did, who (as hee ſaith) did him as much miſchief as hee could, hee beleeveth that which the day of manifeſtation will ſhew to bee an utter uncharitable, unjuſtifiable untruth.
Chriſtian Reader, I will now onelyonly offer to thy view, two or three of Mr. Buſhnels ſcurrilous paſſages (amongſt many) wherein hee maketh mee his But, and whereby hee thinks to caſt ſhame upon mee, and then leave it to thy judgement to conſider, whether it bee credible that hee had not in the Publication of his Narrative any alm to aſperſe mee (amongſt the reſt.)
Pag. 46.Which is much worſe than thoſe worſt of men, the hypocritical Phariſees and Scribes, The Godly of thoſe times Mr. Chambers.
Pag 92.Why may not the Doctor bee miſtaken in her, as many hundreds have been miſtaken in the Doctor?
Pag. 171.William Pinchin, and John Trevers have their varieties of baits, and flyes ſuitable to the appetites of their fiſh. Wee know that Cataline had ſuch heretofore, yea, Mr. Chambers, the chief Prieſts and Elders made uſe of the like, Mat. 26. 61. compared with Luk. 23. 2.
By theſe amongſt others his ſly and cutting ſcoffs the Reader may judge, whether Mr. Buſhnel had not a deſign to aſperſe mee in his Narrative.
After all theſe reproaches, and moſt ſlanderous irrational inſinuations, I finde not in the whole Narrative the leaſt intimation of any dram of charity which Mr. Buſhnel hath for mee; For although hee pretends to have a little good beleef of Mr. Byfield, Pag. 208.if he were living, yet all things therein and almoſt every line thereof, ſpeaks forth the higheſt deſpight and contempt of mee; yet all the revenge that I will take of him, is to pray for him as for my ſelf, that the Lord would forgive him all his treſpaſſes, and renew his heart by his grace, and guide him with ſuch faithfulneſs and tenderneſs in relation to precious ſouls, to fulfil the work of the Miniſtery, that hee may give up his account with comfort to the great Shepherd of ſouls in the day of his glorious appearing.
FINIS.