The Quakers Throne of Truth Satans Seat of Lies, Notice

The Quakers Throne of Truth Satans Seat of Lies · Notice

p. 83An Advertiſement to the Reader.

Reader,

I Thought here to have given thee in, the atteſtation of this confeſſion and acknowledgement, who were preſent when it was ſigned: Alſo ſome further teſtimony of other practiſes of this Quaker; and how poor Faulconer to his dying day, cryed out againſt that Rogue Biſhop, (for ſo it is languaged to mee.) But in regard the hearing of the Lord Cravens Caſe in Parliament, is not yet paſt, (although they have taken cognizance of it already, and have appointed to enter further upon it, the beginning of their next Seſſion) I ſhall therefore forbear, not doubting thou wilt hear further of it, by ſome hand or other.

So that here is (you ſee) manifeſtly, undeniably, unjuſt proceedings: here is perjury proved, and confeſſed: What's this to Captain Biſhop? Hee declares in the preſence of the Lord, before whom hee feares, and who ſearcheth the heart, and tryeth the reins, and brings every work to judgement, that hee is clear and innocent therein; and that hee hath not uſed, nor doth hee know of any indirect proceedings in this whole buſineſs of Craven and Faulconer. Well, God ſend him a good deliverance, at the day of Judgement; and to that end, I heartily beg for him the grace of true repentance, and pardon, through the blood of Chriſt, ſhed at Jeruſalem. And to further this work for his conviction, wee ſhall endeavour to try, and examine him here; and clear I am, that if any Jury in the world (of diſcreet, ſober, impartial and underſtanding men) were to paſs upon him, they would give in this Verdict, That hee (George Biſhop) doth know of many indirect proceedings, in the matter of the Lord Craven and Faulconer; and that hee (George Biſhop) himſelf hath uſed them; and that therefore hee is not clear and innocent in this matter. And now hear p. 84the evidence,This book was written by George, partly to teſtifie the proceedings againſt the Lord Craven to anſwer the Narrative, and to juſtifie Faulconer. there is a book publiſhed, entituled, The Lord Cravens caſe, as to the confiſcation and ſale of his eſtate, by judgement of Parliament related, and argued, and objections anſwered on the behalf of the Commonwealth, together with a ſhort examination of a certain Pamphlet, entituled, A true and perfect Narrative of the ſeveral proceedings, in the caſe concerning the Lord Craven, &c. which is the Narrative before quoted, wherein are all the proceedings againſt Faulconer. Now this book (the Lord Cravens caſe, &c.) was printed by William Duguard, 1653. and that this book was written by George Biſhop himſelf, I ſuppoſe hee will not deny, though no name bee to it; the book is ſaid to bee written on the behalf of the Commonwealth, and this expreſt in great Characters: I would now but ask George this queſtion, why hee (of all men in the world) being but a Clerk or Secretary (call him what you will) to a Committee, ſhould undertake this private and perſonal quarrel againſt the Lord Craven, in the behalf of poor perjured Faulconer, and the Commonwealth? I ſhould think, that a Clerk or Secretary, (if an honeſt man, and impartial) when hee had performed the d… of his place, ſhould have ſate him down, and not eſpouſe any perſonal quarrel (unleſs hee were particularly concerned in it)

But ſayes George, that Pamphlet tends to the blemiſhing of the Parliament, and their Miniſters; ſo hee, page 1. of his book (for ſo I ſhall call it all along, as I have occaſion to quote it;) and therefore hee puts pen to paper, and writes that book. Mark, the Parliament, and their Miniſters, are blemiſhed: Who thoſe Miniſters are, (at leaſt one) wee ſhall ſee anon; 'tis the ſecureſt way to ſave ones ears, to joyn in the Miniſters of the Parliament, with the Parliament it ſelf: But the Parliament may bee honeſt, though their Miniſters may bee knaves; and therefore George preſently ſayes, that that book of his, is not purpoſely to Apologize for the Parliament; well then, it is for ſome body elſe, he would not have writ it p. 85to no purpoſe: But why not for the Parliament? Why, ſayes hee, 'tis a thing needleſs among true Engliſh men,Mark here, George would have actions of Parliament ſo highly re…enced, that none might queſtion this buſineſs. who are uſed highly to reverence actions of Parliament, &c. Sure George … no… ſay, that Parliaments are ſo infallible.

But wee'l take it for granted, that this Apology is not for the Parliament, but for their Miniſters; but who, or what are they? Sure it is ſome foreign? Some buſie Biſhop in another mans Dioceſs, ſo the word ſignifies;1 Pet. 4. 15.1 Pet 4:15 but 'tis rendred in our tranſlation, a buſie body in other mens matters, matters they ſhould not have medled in: But who is it? why, 'tis George Biſhop, buſie George Biſhop, who had the tranſactions of all that buſineſs. So hee ſayes himſelf, page 14. line 25. of his book, two or three lines before, hee hath theſe words, How dare any thus falſly, to charge a State with ſuch groſs wickedneſs. (as to corrupt Faulconer; Though Captain Biſhop himſelf writ the book, yet hee ſpeaks, as if it we re written by another, and ſo playes behinde the Curtain, which let the reader remember for his better underſtanding what I quote from that book of his.hee means) And then goes on, but as there was not a tittle produc'd to prove corruption, malice, or wilfulneſs, in the ſaid Faulconer, againſt the ſaid Lord, ſo Captain Biſhop, who had the tranſactions of all that buſineſſe, upon his oath, cleared him of all. Theſe are Georges words.

Well then, ſtop a little here, and (though wee break order in the form of proceedings in legal tryals) you Gentlemen of this Jury, who are to give your verdict, in this matter of George Biſhop, I pray take notice; Geo. you ſee, upon his oath, (it was at Faulconers tryal) clears Faulconer of corruption or malice againſt the Lord Craven, Poor man, hee intended no ſuch thing at firſt againſt him; no, Faulconer was altogether a ſtranger to the Lord Craven, and ſince hee came over, hee confeſt to ſome of good credit, that the Lord Cravens deportment at Breda (where this horrible treaſon ſhould bee by him committed, and for which his eſtate is ſequeſtred) was altogether inoffenſive, as to the Commonwealth of England; and that hee (Faulconer) underſtood nothing of the ſaid buſineſs, (namely, of that dreadful Petition, for which hee was ſo ſequeſtred) more, than that a conſideration was p. 86defired, to hee had of the preſent wants and great neceſſities of the Petitioners. This you have in the fourth Petition preſented to the Parliament, on the behalf of the Lord Craven, in the Narrative aforeſaid, page 19. Aye, theſe were their words, will George ſay. But I anſwer, they offered to prove them to the Parliament, if they might have been admitted. But to ſecond this, I'le ſhew you what George himſelf ſayes in his own book for Faulconers honeſty, ſimplicity, and harmleſneſs, (as to the Lord Craven) and this upon Biſhops oath, (if it bee any thing worth) page 13. line the laſt but 10. he ſayes, that when Faulconer gave him accounts of deſignes agaiſt the Commonwealth, The ſame hee hath again, in page 42, 43.hee ſaid nothing to him of the Lord Craven, nor of any thing of this paſſage of the Petition; (upon which the eſtate was ſequeſtred) nor notwithſtanding many diſcourſes with him, ſaid hee any thing, till about five moneths afterwards, and then but accidentally, not of his own accord; as page 43. Captain Biſhop asking him, who were at Breda with the King, not thinking of the Lord Craven, Faulconer reckoned the ſaid Lord amongſt the reſt, and being asked, ſaid ſomething of that buſineſs, which Captain Biſhop not much valued then. Thus hee. How this was improved, you ſhall ſee afterwards; ſo that here Faulconer is cleared of any intention of miſchief againſt the Lord Craven; the man (poor Faulconer) is yet honeſt in this matter. But yet you ſee, hee was afterwards perjured and forſworn. How comes this about? Oh ſee what a fearful temptation 'tis to bee in poverty and want! it will put an honeſt heart into great ſtraits. I now think upon that prayer of honeſt Agur, (Prov. 30. 8, 9) Give mee not poverty, leſt I bee poor and ſteal, and take the name of my God in vain: Poverty is a ſore tryal, even to a good and honeſt heart; but when it ſhall meet with a wretched and profligate ſpirit, what will it not put him upon? I minde that dreadful expreſſion of poore Faulconer, before expreſſed, whilſt hee was ranting and drinking healths to the devil, I have ſpent my brothers eſtate, and mine own, I will never want money, for whilſt p. 87there is any in the Nation, I will get it one way or other, and I will do ſomething of infamy to be talkt of, the name of Faulconer ſhall never die. Oh how dreadfully did the Lord ſay Amen to this poor creature! And what a lamentable thing is it for ſuch a poor wretch to fall into the hands of ſuch as will make uſe and advantage of his low condition? Why, you will ſay, what's the matter? Do you ask what's the matter? look back upon Faulconers confeſſion, and there hee tells you, hee was provoked to ſwear falſly: How? read the laſt words of his confeſſion, Captain Biſhop kept mee low, with ſmall pittances, ſo that I was at his bow. At his bow! what to do? Hee (Faulconer) made a demur at thoſe words, barbarous and inhumane rebels, (whether they werein the Petition or no, which hee did not then remember, but now did) and ſo (it ſeems) ſcrupled to ſwear to them; and Captain Biſhop ſaid, if you leave that out, you do nothing; and (ſo ſayes hee) I'le let it paſs: Being ſpeedily brought before the Committee, where I falſly ſwore it; and concludes, Captain Biſhop kept mee low, with ſmall pittances, that I was at his bow.

What think you of this Sirs? Is this direct, juſt, honeſt proceedings, to provoke a poor man in want to ſwear with a ſcrupling conſcience, and to that which now appears to bee falſe? Hee was reſolved, it ſeems, hee ſhould ſwear ſomething to the purpoſe. Do you want any more evidence? This is enough, you will ſay, but if you have any more, produce it, and pray tell us, How do you conceive this game began? Why, I'le tell you, what George himſelf ſayes, as hee goes on, in page 13. lines 3 laſt, and ſo on to 14; and the ſame alſo, page 42, 43. of his book, when Faulconer (as before) in that accidental diſcourſe with Biſhop, (five moneths after Faulconers coming over) had mentioned the Lord Cravens being at Breda with the King, and had ſpoken ſomething of the Petition, which made all this ſtir, which Biſhop ſaid, hee did not much value then.

Hee goes on, and tells you, that though hee did not p. 88much value it then, yet hee acquainted ſome of the Councel of State therewith, and they ordered him (the ſaid Biſhop) to ask him (namely Faulconer) further about it; who thereupon took his information; hee (the ſaid Faulconer) judging it then alſo (as Geo. himſelf ſaid) not to bee worth any thing; poor Faulconer ſtill continued his good opinion of my Lord Cravens innocency; but well (or ill) fare a good (or a bad) head and heart, that can make ſomething of nothing, and bring ſomething (a great eſtate) to nothing; 'twas a huge ſin to bee ſo rich, and yeeld nothing but contribution to the Parliament: Who thoſe were of the Councel of State that you (George) acquainted with it, if you did acquaint any with it, (for I know not how to believe you) I do not know. But ſure they had more skill in Chimiſtry than ever I had, or deſire to have, that they could make ſo great a tranſmutation upon ſo little matter: I doubt they were ſome ſuch as I met with, when I was in the Chair of the Committee for Sequeſtrations, when an information being brought in againſt one, and the Proſecutors preſt for a Sequeſtration of his eſtate in London, (being money) the party living in the country; all that could bee proved againſt him, was but words, declaring ſome malignancy of ſpirit againſt the Parliament: Some of the Committee inclining to ſequeſter him, I told them, that by our Ordinance wee could not do it, for words alone, without ſome action: What, (ſayes one of the Committee) the Parliament wants money, and hee hath it; but wee ſtopt it; it's a dangerous thing to bee rich in troublous times. But George, you would ſeem to put that which you lookt upon as no great matter, (of which notwithſtanding a great matter is made) you would put it upon ſome of the Councel of State: How the matter was ſecretly contriv'd, I know not, nor will I enquire.

But now Sirs, you that are to give judgement upon George, you ſhall hear how this information was taken, and by whom, and how. It was proved at the tryal, by Biſhops own acknowledgement, that hee himſelf prepared p. 89Faulconers information, before the Commiſſioners (before whom hee was ſworn) were ſent for. (of this again afterwards) And Biſhop ſaid again, I prepared the information which hee made oath of, page 40. of the Narrative, well.

Now ſee how it was prepared; and for that, hear poor Faulconer upon his death-bed. Look back to his confeſſion: After twenty weeks ſickneſſe (ſayes hee) my body being low, and in much haſte, being much infeebled; and above three quarters of a year after I came over Sea; ſo that (as hee ſolemnly proteſts) hee did not well remember whether theſe words, barbarous and inhumane Rebels; (which as I ſhew'd you before, hee motioned to have put into the Petition, and might therefore have ſome confuſed remembrance of them) I ſay, hee could not well then, in haſte (as hee ſayes) remember, whether they were expunged or no.

But now mark; Thoſe words (ſayes hee) being once named by mee, they were as quickly inſerted, and I (the Lord pardon mee) ſwore it. The poor man, after a long time, and much weakneſs, taken haſtily, (and ſo inconſiderately) mentions thoſe words, (of which ſome former motion had been) and they are ſuddenly catcht at (being, as hee ſayes, but once named by him) and are quickly put in for him to ſwear to. Ah George, George! poor Faulconer, 'tis too late to pray for, or to ſay any thing to him, hee ſtands, or is fallen to his own Maſter: But George, what haſt thou to anſwer for, eſpecially conſidering, that when the poor wretch, his heart ſeemed to relent, and that hee demurred and ſcrupled at the words before hee ſwore them, (and having met with an honeſt, tender-hearted, conſcientious man, might have prevented his crying ſin) for which (poor creature) his name is infamous) that thou ſhouldſt tell that poor neceſſitous creature, (whom thou hadſt thereby at thy bow) that if hee left out that, hee did nothing; and ſo hee went on, and perpetrated his villany: Well George, well, Quake, or not Quake, 'tis dreadful: Ah poor Faulconer! p. 90Ah poor George! the Lord convert thee, and forgive thee: I profeſs, (in the ſight of God) I beg it heartily, I deſire not thy condemnation; but theſe practiſes cannot yeeld comfort, nor a ſafe and ſecure conſcience, though poſſibly quiet for a time. Readers, you that are to give your judgment upon this man, when I have done with him, is not here indirect dealing? But I pray ſtand by a while, and hear what I ſhall further interrogate him in: You (George) declare in the preſence of the Lord, &c. that you do not know of any indirect proceeding in this whole buſineſs of Craven and Faulconer, which how true (or rather how falſe) it is, appears ſufficiently already, too much. But I ask you further, Faulconer ſayes, monoy and liberty were promiſed him, though not performred: Though hee were not bribed with money before hand, yet it was promiſed him, and liberty too.

Let mee ask you, who promiſed this? Did not you? who (as you ſay your ſelf) had the tranſactions of the whole buſineſs; I doubt not you can tell; and why was it promiſed him? no doubt, that hee might not flinch from his oath: And why did hee write a Pamphlet in his own vindication? (which upon his death-bed hee diſclaimed as falſe) but that (as hee ſayes) hee was told by under actors, that until hee did that, hee could not think his friends would ſupply him, as they would, if that were done: And did not you (Captain Biſhop) ſend him that Pamphlet? But I pray, why was not that money paid him which was promiſed? Thomas Dier (who was your Clerk, as was ſworn in Court at Faulconers tryal) paid him by your direction, twenty pound at one time, and about thirty pounds more at other times, in ſeveral portions; and that Faulconer confeſt to him, that hee had twenty pounds afterwards; and that being demanded what it was for, hee would not tell him, ſaying, I will not ſpeak to that, I cannot ſpeak to that. Why, was not the money promiſed him now paid. And when as Faulconer was (as is before expreſt) impriſon'd in Newgate, upon ſuſpition of robbery p. 91and felony, did not you write a Letter to the Lord Chief Juſtice Rolls, ſignifying, what a ſervant Faulconer was to the Commonwealth? and how much depended upon the upholding of his credit, and teſtimony? And when as the Judge ſlighted ſuch applications unto him, ſaying, if hee were innocent, that would prove his best vindication: Don't you know what was done, and how unquiet you were, till hee was inlarged? Was not Affidavit made, that hee was imployed upon publike concernments? and did not Faulconer give it under his hand, what ſervices hee had done for the publike, and how he was the chief witneſs againſt the Lord Craven? And was it not ſo carried, that there was ſlack proſecution of the Indictment; and when Faulconer was ſet at liberty upon Bail, to appear at next Seſſions at Newgate, they never appeared, and ſo the matter ended? which whether it were Juſtice and honeſty, to pervert, or obſtruct Juſtice, and whether this bee not indirect proceedings, let all the world judge.

To this you anſwer, page 41. and ſay, For Faulconer to bee releaſt without tryal, fixes no crime upon him; and an honeſt man may bee committed upon ſuſpition. True, but you ſhould have ſuffered him to come to tryal; and ſure hee was no honeſt man that hindred it, it was a crime, and a great one, in him that hindred it; you know who it was George: It ſeems the Lord Craven muſt bee a Delinquent, and a man for the purpoſe muſt bee countenanc'd againſt Law and Juſtice: but I ſay, why was not his liberty procured him now? and the money promiſed, paid him now? Oh! the buſineſs was done, the eſtate ſold, let him hang, let him ſtarve now. It may bee the ſum promiſed was too great, and they could not agree who ſhould pay it, the eſtate being ſold: Ah poor Faulconer! how art thou befool'd? no marvel thou cryeſt out againſt Biſhop to thy dying day. But let mee ask you further (George) concerning your indirect proceedings; the direct proceedings againſt Delinquents was, that the informations were taken before the Commiſſioners, p. 92at their uſual place of ſitting, and ſet down in writing by the ſworn Examiner thereunto belonging, who was thereby ingag'd, to bee a perſon juſt and indifferent between the Commonwealth, and party accuſed: And was not this indirect proceeding, that you ſhould frame the Oath and Information before hand, in your Chamber at White-Hall, and in ſuch a manner, as aforeſaid, catching at haſty and inconſiderate words (which were the only material words) and then ſend (as you did) for the Commiſſioners at Haberdaſhers Hall, to your Chamber, who (knowing you to bee Clerk to the ſecret Committee, (and ſuppoſing you had ſome ſecrecy of State to communicate unto them) came, and there you tendered to them Faulconers oath, ſo ready drawn, to bee ſworn to; and hee was there (contrary to the ordinary and direct way of proceedings, upon ſome little alteration made by them upon their examination) ſworn to it, I know how ſmoothly you wipe your mouth, (or rather, how you would wipe your Readers noſe) and how ſlightly you come off in this matter, page 43. of your book, ſaying, that becauſe of the ſeaſon, and the danger of diſcovery, the Commiſſioners of Sequeſtrations were deſired to come to White-Hall, and there took his depoſition: What you mean by the ſeaſon. I know not; but indeed, the danger of diſcovery was conſiderable. But would you ſequeſter a mans eſtate in hugger mugger (as wee uſe to ſay) 'tis honeſtly ſaid, though not honeſtly done, that you confeſs you ſent for the Commiſſioners to White-Hall, to take the information, becauſe of the danger of the diſcovery.

Go too George, go too, are you innocent? are not theſe indirect proceedings? I ask you again further, when the Indictment for Perjury,Narr. page 16. was brought againſt Faulconer in London, where the Bill was found by the Grand-Jury, and Colonel Drury (before mentioned) being ſerved with a Subpena to appear at Guild-Hall, to give in further evidence againſt Faulconer, in the behalf of the Lord Craven; did not you take away the Subpena from him, ſaying, p. 93How durſt you be examined againſt the Commonwealth, and not acquaint mee firſt therewith? Further, ſaying, Mr. Mayor (meaning the Lord Mayor) had better have done ſomething elſe, than to have ſuffered that Indictment to bee found.

And did not you (George Biſhop) thereupn immediately call for a Meſſenger, and commit the ſaid Drury to the cuſtody of one Middleton, (a Meſſenger to the Councel of State) who forthwith carried away Drury a priſoner to the Strand, to the houſe of the ſaid Middleton, where the ſaid Drury was kept in ſtrict cuſtody, from Munday, when the Indictment was found, till Saturday, that the Seſſion was paſt, that no further proceedings could bee had againſt Faulconer, at that time, by reaſon of Druries reſtraint, who had Faulconers own hand-writing to produce againſt him, and being the moſt material witneſs againſt him; and before the next Seſſions, the Bill for the ſale of the Lord Cravens eſtate was paſſed.

Were not theſe indirect proceedings towards the Lord Craven, to hinder and obſtruct the diſcovery of Faulconers perjury? (upon whoſe oath the Lord Cravens Eſtate was ſequeſtred) was this direct, and honeſt, and even carriage? Are you innocent? To excuſe this, you ſhuffle ſo miſerably, and catch at ſuch ſtrawes: In your book, page 34. and 35. that I cannot but commend your wit, (though not your honeſty) in printing ſo few of your books, that every one cannot ſee how poorly you come off in your anſwers. And I take it as a great Providence, (I hope for your good) that I was ſo directed, as to ſend to your ſelf for one of them, and which (I thank you) you ſent mee, it is no doubt from that hand (which as you rightly ſaid before) orders all things, that you were over-ruled ſo to do; and I wiſh that this diſcovery of you to your ſelf, (from your ſelf) I mean your own book (in great part) may bee for your conviction and converſion: And becauſe your book is not to bee had eaſily, I'le give in the weight and ſubſtance of p. 94your anſwer; (for the whole is very long) and if you ſuppoſe I do you wrong in concealing any thing thereof, that may tend to your vindication, print your whole book, and let them ordinarily bee had, and if any underſtanding Reader will ſay I have injured you, I will be content to bee accounted as you are.

You ſay, that Drury being a Papiſt, a Traytor, apprehended upon a Warrant from the Councel of State, and in ſafe cuſtody, and being examined by you of his Treaſons, ſhould have been continued in ſafe cuſtody, but that (upon his ſad complaint, that hee had neither money nor friend, to relieve him there, and that hee muſt needs periſh) you gave him his Parol, (which in Engliſh is) as I ſuppoſe, you let him go at liberty, to return when required.

After this, Drury having acquainted you, that he had been ſworn at Guild-Hall London, and given in evidence to the Grand Jury againſt Major Faulconer there, and examined upon part of what hee had been examined by you before. I perceive your meaning Sir in theſe laſt words: But I pray (before you go any further) becauſe you had examined him before in one part, was it unjuſt that my Lord Craven ſhould examine him (or cauſe him to bee examined) on another part, to cleare himſelf? Doth, or ſhould your examination, take him off from being examined by others? They did not examine him of ſecrets or myſteries of State, but of Faulconers perjury, and your myſteries of iniquity. Well, but then you were a man in power, and hereupon you ſay, that (Drury) ſhewing you the Subpena, you asked him, whether hee told them that hee was under the warrant of the Councel of State, and under examination of their Committee of Examinations. As to that particular, amongſt others, (but I muſt tell you, hee was not under their examination to that particular of Faulconers perjury) hee anſwered, no. Then you ſay, you asked him, why hee had not acquainted you with the Subpena before hee went to Guild-Hall, and was ſworn (yea, there was his p. 95fault) ſince hee was a priſoner under examination, and under Parol? To which (as you ſay) hee giving no reaſonable anſwer, but that hee knew not what the buſineſs was, and ſuch like; when as (as you ſay) the Indictment could not have been drawn without the conſent of, and converſe with Drury; (yea, ſtill there was the ſin) and who, you ſay, was the chief witneſſe upon which it was grounded, it being prepared and found that day. (and had hee not been committed by you, Faulconer had been convicted that Seſsions, of that perjury, which was afterwards proved, and himſelf confeſſed.)

But you go on, and ſay, That you perceiving thereby how hee did prevaricate, and how things were done in deſign and combination againſt the State. But ſtay, Was it a deſign againſt the State, that the Lord Cravens innocency ſhould bee cleared? Oh baſe! Yes, now I remember my ſelf, it was; for then the deſign againſt the eſtate of the Lord Craven, (in all likelihood of Juſtice) might have proved ineffectual.

But you go on, and ſay further, that you not knowing what other inconvenience might come to the State by his (Druries) further liberty, ſince hee had made that uſe of it, aforeſaid, reproved him therefore, (with that high language againſt him, and the Lord Mayor (as before) which you do not deny) received the Subpena from him, and taking of his Parol, returned him into cuſtody, from Munday evening, to the Friday following. And was it not to Friday evening following, as well as from Munday evening before? which you reckon up with a four nights, and no longer, and I ſay four dayes too, ſo long, that no proceedings could bee expected that Seſsions againſt Faulconer.

The laſt day of the Seſsions, being no time for ſuch proſecutions, but calling over the Goal, and concluding former buſineſſes; and then you ſay, upon information of the poverty of Drury, and that hee had no money to pay for his diet and lodging, which you knew well enough before, and have acknowledged, when you gave him money p. 96for his ſupper, and would not commit him, leſt hee ſhould perish. And now (you ſay) in meer charity, (when there was no opportunity for him at Seſſions) hee had his liberty upon his Parol again, and enjoyes it. Charitable wretch! And did you in charity commit him? Fie upon ſuch baſe hypocriſie. And then you go on with a company of blinde ſuppoſals, to argue the improbability of your committing of him, to the end, to obſtruct the proceedings againſt Faulconer, which are ſo childiſh, (and coming in but by way of additional aid, to your former anſwer, which is your chief buckler, but a ſilly one) I ſhall not trouble my ſelf, and the Reader with, which if you think any thing worth, print it, and I'le bee your bondman, if it any way help you; nay, if it don't further diſcover your folly; and I would have writ it, but that 'tis as long, as impertinent; and this is enough. And your main anſwer, which how it clears you, let all, or any man of common reaſon judge: And ſay, is George Biſhop innocent in this matter?

And one thing more I finde charg'd againſt you George, which I ſuppoſe is an unjuſt and indirect practiſe,Narr. page 40. and uſed by you in the matter of Craven and Faulconer: And in the Margin of the Narrative (where this matter following is ſpoken to) there is written, Obſerve; and 'tis obſervable, 'tis short, but home, and therefore printed in another Character, in theſe words, By way of digreſſion obſerve, that Druries and Briſcoes informations, which Captain Biſhop had taken, above twelve moneths ſince, and which tended to clear the Lord Craven, hee concealed, till this hour, that hee produc'd the ſame in Court, and never tranſmitted theſe two mens examinations to the Parliament, though before the Bill of Sale did paſſe, hee did tranſmit Bardſeys and Kitchingmans re-examinations, taken by himſelf, and which hee apprehended made againſt the Lord Craven.

Here now is a heavy charge; and certainly theſe proceedings (if true) are very indirect, and hee cannot bee innocent: But hear him ſpeak for himſelf, and I'le give p. 97you every word: And thus hee begins, page 44. of his own book, What Captain Biſhops imployment was, is already ſpoken, his duty was to take, and to keep ſuch informations, as concerned the Committee, and to do with them according to their, or the Councels, or the Parliaments orders; but neither the Council nor Committee ordered him to tranſmit them to the Parliament, though they were not ignorant of them, and ſeveral times ſhewed by him to ſome of the members of the Councel, and to the Committee; nor did the Parliament call for them, or what papers concerning the Lord Craven were in the cuſtody of the Councel or Committee, nor take the depoſitions into debate, after the firſt vote of confiſcation; and whether thoſe examinations advantage the Lord Craven, let the reader upon conſideration of what is already mentioned, and argued thereupon, judge. Nay, but George, let mee put in a word or two by the way; it had been very honeſt and fair for you, to have put down their examinations themſelves, that the reader might judge upon them, for wee can't ſee them, nor muſt wee take your word.

But you go on, Nor were any papers at all tranſmitted by him, (meaning himſelf G. B.) to the Parliament, either for or againſt the Lord Craven; for Bardſeys examination, when hee had taken it, hee ſent it in to the Councel, for Bardſey to make oath thereof, which after hee had made, it was put preſently into the hands of one of the members (viz.) Mr. Gourdon to report to the Parliament, who received it, and lodged it with Mr. Scobel, it being not returned to Captain Biſhop; and for Kitchingmans re examination, hee tranſmitted no ſuch thing, nor was any ſuch taken whilſt the Committee for examinations was in being, Kitchingmans information being depoſed by him at Haberdaſhers Hall.

Now I pray, what's all this to the purpoſe? doth this excuſe you? will you give mee leave to interrogate you? If you will not anſwer chuſe, let the reader judge: You took ſuch informations from Drury and Briſco, did you not? 'Tis plain you did; Did not their depoſitions excuſe and acquit the Lord Craven, and prove Faulconer p. 98perjur'd? 'Tis plain they did: Had not Drury the original draught of the Petition, under Faulconers own handwriting, which at his Tryal was produc'd, and hee could not deny, and which hee confeſt upon his death-bed, to bee the true and right Petition? This is moſt certain, it cannot bee gain-ſaid; the teſtimonies of theſe two men ſo vex you, that in your book, page 12. you do what you can to beſpatter them as incompetent witneſſes, becauſe Cavaleers.

And whereas you ſay, your duty was to take and keep ſuch informations as concern'd the Committee, and to do with them according to their, or the Councels, or the Parliaments orders. Did any of them order you to ſuppreſs or conceal the teſtimonies of theſe two men? If they did, tell us who they bee, and wee'l ſay of them almoſt as much as wee do of you? You ſay ſome of them did know of them; like enough ſuch a buſineſſe as this could not bee ſo mannaged, but by the knowledge (and ſomewhat elſe) of more than one: It's plain that Faulconer was a perjur'd wretch in his teſtimony; hee was convicted of it by two, nay, three ſeveral Juries, of men ſworn to give true judgement; and upon his death-bed hee confeſt it, and his conviction was upon the teſtimony chiefly, if not onelyonly, of theſe two men, who were the principal actors in the buſineſs of that Petition at Breda, Narr. page 35.which gave colour to the Lord Cravens ſequeſtration; and Drury at Faulconers tryal ſaid, that what teſtimony hee then gave to the Court, hee acquainted you with, when hee was examined by you, and no doubt Briſco the like; and no queſtion had the Parliament in general known of theſe teſtimonies, they would not ſo readily have ſequeſtred the Lord Craven; nor would any honeſt man (adviſe who would) have ſuppreſt ſuch teſtimonies, which would have diſcovered the truth, and prevented injuſtice, which is the curſe and ruine of a Nation, and the way to render Parliaments (which ſhould bee our greateſt ſecurity) our greateſt plagues, in committing or countenancing ſuch actions. And whereas you would choak your conſcience, and cheat p. 99your reader with this pretext, that ſome of the Parliament did know of theſe teſtimonies, and that you were not ordered to tranſmit them. I ſay again, No honeſt man (that had it not in deſign to ruine the Lord Cravens eſtate) but would have made them known; or if hee had been commanded to the contrary, would have ſcorn'd to ſerve unworthy ends to any mans ruine: Come (George) come, you muſt not magnifie Parliaments, as if they were infallible in themſelves, eſpecially when Knaves are proſecutors, and as bad are agents or Miniſters under them; and hee that ſhall readily obey their unjuſt commands, knowing them ſo to bee, (while there is time and opportunity to offer ſomething to the contrary) ſhall inſtead of honouring them, do them the greateſt diſſervice in the world, (viz.) wrong the innocent. I'le give you an inſtance or two within my knowledge; there were in the hands of Sir Robert Rich, then a Maſter of the Chancery, (put into his cuſtody upon a ſuit depending in that Court) 204 Diamonds, with many other rich things of gold and pearl, and writings of great value, upon an information given in to the Committee for examinations at Weſtminſter, that they were the goods of a Lord, then in armes againſt the Parliament; thoſe goods were ordered to bee taken out of the hands of Sir Robert Rich, and put into my cuſtody (which were the only goods of any Delinquent, or ſuppoſed Delinquent that ever were in my cuſtody) it being none of my buſineſs, as I have before declared: But this was by an extraordinary order, Theſe things (taken by an exact inventory before witneſſes) being thus in my hands, there came a peremptory order to mee, to deliver them out to bee ſold, as the goods of a Delinquent; but I being ſatisfied by Sir Robert Rich, (who was an ingenious Gentleman) that they were brought into his cuſtody, in the behalf (as I remember) of divers children and Orphans, I delayed the obſervance of the Order, till thoſe who were concern'd (who they were I know not) had opportunity to clear them; & at laſt (by order) I re-delivered them to Sir Robert Rich, from whom I received p. 100them. Now ſhould I have readily obſerv'd their Orders, Orphans had been ruin'd, and the Parliament inſtrumental to an Act of injuſtice; And that all that are members of Parliament, are not alwayes ſuch as they ſhould bee. I'le give you one relation more, There comes an information to our Committee in London againſt a perſon for Delinquencie, preſſed and urged very hard for a ſpeedie ſequeſtration; the reaſon of the haſte, I perceived afterwards to bee, becauſe the party concern'd (being a Lawyer) was in the circuit, and the proſecutors would fain have had him ſequeſtred before hee knew on't; upon hearing the information and witneſſes, I perceiv'd the bottom of the buſineſs to bee revenge, and private intereſts (to ſay no worſe) their haſte added to my jealouſie, and I was therefore the more ſlack in furthering it. The next day (as I remember) one comes to mee to my houſe, from the Proſecutors, to offer me gold to ſpeed the buſineſs. It would bee too tedious to tell you every circumſtance, I refus'd it.

After this (now mark) one of the houſe of Parliament, comes to mee to my houſe, with recommendations from others of them, to preſs mee on; I gave him civil entertainment, but grew more reſolv'd in the buſineſs. After this, an eminent man in the Parliament came to our Committee, and preſt it, and told us, it was a buſineſs that many in the Parliament took notice of, and that if wee did not do it, they would take it into hearing themſelves: I ask'd that Gentleman whether he came to threaten us, and told him wee were upon our oaths, &c. So that hee went away in diſcontent. Upon this (very ſpeedily) an order comes to us to appear before the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequeſtrations, to give an account for our non-proſecution; a Colonel in the Army was hee that promoted it, and it was backt (as I perceiv'd after) by divers members; my ſelf appear'd alone in behalf of the Committee, they having Councel (beſides the Councel for the State) to ſpeak for them: It was as great a Committee of Lords p. 101and Commons, as I ever remember, to have ſeen at any time, I ſo mannag'd the matter, (well knowing the baſeneſs of the buſineſs) that it was refer'd back again to us, where wee never heard more of it, inſomuch that the Colonel came afterward to my houſe to ſpeak with mee, but by providence I was not at home, but he (as my family and neighbours told mee) threatned to bee revenged upon mee, but by Gods goodneſs (in whom I truſt) I heard no more of him; now had I yeelded in this matter, an honeſt Gentleman might have been ruin'd, for if wee had ſequeſtred him in London, (though hee had not much there) they would preſently have ſent down into the Country, and done the like there: The perſon is one of worth and honor, afterwards a member of that Parliament, and of the cloſe Committee, or ſafety, (I have forgotten the title) and is now a member of this preſent Parliament, one ſo cordial to the publike intereſt, that I do profeſs, whom I afterwards ſaw him (upon his return from the circuit) my heart rejoyced that I had ſo appeared for him, whom (upon my own knowledge) was ſo true a friend to the Parliament, for I well knew him before by ſight, but did not know him by name, to bee the perſon proſecuted. I could tell you further (George) of others whom I have reſcued from the jawes of ruine, upon Parliamentary proſecutions, and that upon baſe and packt knavery, followed with perjury, and by ſome of our own Officers, which I my ſelf have diſcovered, and cauſed them to bee turned out: So that George, you muſt not ſculk and hide your head under the ſhelter of the Parliament. And for the reſt that followes in your anſwer and excuſe, the reader will eaſily perceive you do but quibble and trifle upon forms and circumſtances, which makes nothing to the ſubſtance of the buſineſs.

I ſhall not need to mention your zeal and earneſtneſs at the tryal of Faulconer, in his behalf, nor your reflecting upon the Judges in theſe words, page 15. of your book, The Judges in the iſſue ſumm… not up the evidence, which p. 102they ſhould have done. As for the Jury, you beſtow this upon them, in the ſame page, The Jury (of the affections of whom for the Parliament, wee cannot yet underſtand) neither took any notes, nor ask'd a queſtion, yet in a very ſhort time were agreed in their verdict, and the next morning gave it into the Court, that Faulconer was guilty of the perjury mentioned in the Indictment: And then you go on, and ſay, That a man indeed, without divining, might have told which way the cauſe would go, by the countenances of the Jury, all along the tryal of the cauſe, as was taken notice of by many honeſt men, ſuch as you are, no doubt. And then you ſadly complain thus, George is huge angry that Faulconer is found guilty of Perjury.But this is what every honeſt man may expect in caſes wherein the State is concern'd, when the unpardoned traytors, whom with the peril of their lives they diſcover to bee undermining the ſafety of a State in times of great danger, in the field, and under ground conſpiracies, working towards the general deſtruction thereof, ſhall after the enemie is overthrown and prevented, bee permitted to come into England, when they can no longer do the Commonwealth miſchief abroad, and to be good witneſſes againſt ſuch honeſt diſcoveries (riſum teneatis amici) in ſuch Traitors own cauſes, as to their lives, as hath happened to one of the States witneſſes (Faulconer) in the very caſe now in queſtion. And ſo you flirt upon the Jury again, page 47. I will not comment upon it, becauſe I haſten to an end: But the man is very angry with Judge, and Jury, and Witneſſes, (and as before) with the Lord Mayor, as no friends to the State, that Faulconer was found perjur'd, which yet hee himſelf hath confeſt himſelf to bee.

But why is George ſo angry, it ſeems hee is much concerned in it; for though hee act for good affection to the State, yet its reaſon that hee ſhould bee conſider'd; and therefore in my information from London (by a hand that is able to make good his undertakings) I am thus told, that hee (George) repaired to Drury houſe, and contracted for about 300 pound a year of the Lord Cravens Land, where, and when this argument was uſed, p. 103that hee might bee favourably dealt with, and conſidered in the purchace, for that hee was the man that brought the Commonwealth ſo great an eſtate, and that but for him, the Lord Craven had not been put into the Bill of Sale: and accordingly hee was favourably dealt withal: But Maſter Baker, Surveyor General to the Truſtees, then reprehended the ſaid Captain Biſhop for ſo ſpeaking, the ſcandal whereof was (it ſeems) like to prove ſo great, (as well it might) that hee relinquiſht the contract; and when (in the laſt Parliament but this) this contract was laid to his charge, by the Committee of Parliament, appointed to hear the Lord Cravens caſe, and hee urg'd to anſwer, whether hee did contract or not: How (ſayes my information) did hee prevaricate and ſhuffle with the Committee, and put off an anſwer, till hee did ſee there were thoſe preſent, that were ready to produce the contracts out of the book, and then (to his ſhame, and admiration of the Committee) hee did confeſs at laſt, hee did contract, for a conſiderable part of the Lord Cravens eſtate, but that hee had ſince that time declined the ſame: So that for all your pretences of publike intereſt, you drove on a deſign of your own private; and if the way had been honeſt, you might have done it, and you need not have declin'd it; and to back this, and ſo an end. Did not you write to a Gentleman, an acquaintance of mine and yours, (one imployed for the publike) to inform you of the quality and worth of a Mannour of the Lord Cravens, call'd the Mannour of Hinton Norton in Sommerſet-ſhire; and did not you afterward (in your Study) at White-Hall, tell him, that you inquired after it, for that you expected that the Parliament ſhould reward your good ſervice you had done for the State, in ſequeſtring the Lord Cravens eſtate? Or words to that purpoſe.

And now Sirs, you that are to give your judgement upon George Biſhop, upon the whole matter, what ſay you? Is George clear and innocent? Hath hee not uſed? nor doth hee not know of any indirect proceedings in that p. 104whole buſineſs of Craven and Faulconer? of which hee makes ſuch a bold appeal to the Almighty: Say, is it any matter, whether hee bee a Quaker or no, or what he is? And if wee may judge of the conſcience, honeſty and perfection of the reſt by him, may wee not conclude, as I undertook to make good, That a man may bee as vile a perſon as any under heaven, and yet a perfect Quaker? If hee had repented of it, and (what in him lies) made reſtitution) it had been ſomewhat, I ſhould have ſaid nothing; for who will upbraid a man with that, for which hee hath repented.

But hee ſtill (like a Quaker) juſtifies himſelf, as if he had done no evil; and I eaſily perceive the bu…h under which hee hides himſelf, and thinks no body ſees him: For after his proteſtation, hee ſayes, Hee has had a large time of tryal, wherein hee hath neither wanted enemies for the ſake of truth, nor they malice and opportunity to lay to his charge, could they finde, or were there any thing to be found againſt him.

Simple fellow! I wonder hee could mannage ſo great a buſineſs, with ſo little wit; becauſe the Lord Cravens friends did not indict him, but Faulconer, therefore hee ſillily concludes, they could finde or ſay nothing againſt him. Doth hee not know, that it was for the Lord Cravens advantage, to lay all the blame upon Faulconer, and to charge him with the malice of it, (as well as with the fact) that ſo they might convict him of perjury, which being done, and hee to his conviction, having ſince acknowledged it by his own confeſsion; and you having confeſt ſo much, and taken ſo much upon your ſelf, to clear him of the malice, (all which they knew not, till you confeſt it.) Now all this, (as afore conſidered) they know what to ſay to you: By the Law (it ſeemes, and as the Judges gave their opinion) bare forſwearing ones ſelf, doth not bring a man within the compaſs of the Law againſt perjury, unleſs alſo it bee done maliciouſly and wilfully.

And now to deliver Faulconer from the crime and conviction p. 105of perjury, George (at the tryal) diſcovers the riſe and ground of all this buſineſs, freeing Faulconer (upon his own oath) of any intention of evil and miſchief againſt the Lord Craven, (as knowing nothing againſt him, that might render him culpable, or any way ſequeſtrable, as you heard before) but George (having conſulted with ſome body elſe) by handſome contrivance and mannagement, hath brought it to this you now ſee; and by this confeſſion of Georges at the tryal, and Faulconers at his death-bed, it is now apparent by whom it was begun, and effected, even by him, who (as before hee confeſſes) had the mannagement of the whole.

And now if there were a Starchamber Court, or any place of tryal for ſuch practiſes, they know whoſe eares and eſtate to require in part of ſatisfaction. In the mean time▪ let the world judge of your innocency: George, you have a fair eſtate in land, plate great ſtore, rings and jewels, and cabinets, and brave hangings, &c. you can live without the honeſt calling of a Brewer, which you could not do before; you have not been a buſie Biſhop to no purpoſe, you have your reward; but take heed, it bee not in this life only: It may bee you may come to a reckoning, and give an account here for all theſe things, but ſure hereafter: The preſent Parliament hath taken cognizance of the Lord Cravens cauſe, and it is to bee hoped they will proceed ſo juſtly and impartially, that the guilt of injuſtice and oppreſſion, ſhall not lie at the doors of the Parliament of England, and ſo become the ſin of the Nation, and draw a curſe upon the whole, for the iniquity of a few. However, look you to your light within, and let mee tell you thus much, if it do not ſtare you in the face, and fright you, 'tis a ſign you are blinde and hardened. I was deſired to ask you, who did trepan Colonel Andrewes into a deſign, for which hee loſt his life, when as hee had given over all thoughts of engaging, till hee was moved thereunto by a Trepanner, as hee declared before his death? And who it was that trepan'd Sir John Gell into a miſpriſion of treaſon? And laſtly, who did p. 106trepan Mr. Love, and ſome of that party? Theſe queſtions are propoſed by thoſe who are no babes in the world, and yet honeſt; and they ſay, this Biſhop can (if hee will) give ſatisfaction in. You know George what theſe things mean, and I know what the laſt means; and they adviſe mee, to read a book concerning Mr. Loves deſignes, and his death, written and pen'd by you, and they ſay, it will give the reader further ſatisfaction.

But you have dealt as craftily in the printing of this, as of the former, printed ſo few, and kept, or given ſo at your own diſpoſe, that I cannot get it; and I am not ſo free to ſend to you for this, as the former, becauſe you do not quote it againſt mee. But yet what I finde from other pieces I have met with in this matter, I will communicate to you, and the world, and this the rather, to ſhew you what an hypocrite you are, in charging us Prieſts (as in ſcorn you call us) with blood-thirſtineſs, and my ſelf in particular, as in the title of your Pamphlet: you ſhould have pulled the beam out of your own eye, before you reproacht us with a mote in ours▪ I ſuppoſe, e're I have done, (though it bee prettily well done already) you will appear to bee, not only a blood-thirſty, but a blood ſucking perſon.

And in the diſcourſe of this, I ſhall diſcover the ground of your ſo eaſie an entertainment of the thoughts, (or at leaſt ſuggeſtions) of forgerie in mee, from thoſe practiſes of forgery, which I ſhall declare to have been really acted by you, That you were a zealous proſecutor of Mr. Love unto (yea and after) death, is ſo manifeſt, that (as impudent as you are) you will not deny …hat you proſecuted him after death, appears by what you publiſhed againſt him, when hee had no being to anſwer for himſelf, wherein you endeavour maliciouſly to kill him twice, and the latter, with more cruelty than the former, killing his good name, and (what in you lies) making him a Reprobate, and an out-caſt from God and glory. I ſuppoſe you will own that piece, call'd Mr. Loves caſe, printed by▪ Peter Cole, (as well as other books you publiſht p. 107againſt him) wherein you go about (moſt unchriſtianly) to undervalue, debaſe, and diſparage that comfort and confidence hee profeſſed to enjoy in and at his death; and this upon ſeveral accounts, which I will not recount, to avoid tediouſneſs, one only I'le mention, to ſhew your ſpirit of envy and bitterneſs, it is the Animadverſions upon the firſt Section, page 34. Mr. Love, (ſay you) it's more than probable, was not only vehemently exhorted, incouraged, importuned, but even ſolemnly, by all the ſacred intereſts of high Presbytery, conjured by his Clergie companions, to die like a valiant and reſolute Champion of the cauſe, and not to bewray the leaſt grudging of any fear or repentance, for any thing hee had acted upon the ſervice thereof, leſt it ſhould bee ſaid of Presbytery, her glory was ſtained and betrayed by the cowardiſe of her firſt-born. And page 38. Here wee have the ſecond part of the Theatrical flouriſhes of Mr. Loves confidence.

Much might bee animadverted, but I forbear; you have a ſtrange ſpirit, that his comforts and confidence in God, trouble you. And then you go on to charge him with hypocriſie and lying, and other baſe imputations all along, beſpattering, and beſpotting, and ſullying him (as you can) even to his laſt. I know what flight touches of charity you have now and then, and at the cloſe of that Pamphlet, which are inconſiſtent, with that you had charged him before, as that hee acted the part of a moſt unchriſtian Calumniator, upon the Scaffold, in the very approaches of death, page 38. But page 46. you moſt unchriſtianly reproach him, and his doctrine.

T…e, whereas in purging himſelf (hee means Maſter Love) from the aſperſion of lying, hee ſaith thus, I hope you will believe a dying man, who dare not look God in the face, with a lie in his mouth; intimating (ſay you) as if his being ready to die, was a bridle in his lips, to reſtrain him from lying: The truth is, (according to that principle of his, that hee whoever once truly believed, can never by any ſin or wickedneſs whatſoever, looſe the love and favour of God: His being ready to die in conjunction, p. 108with a perſwaſion of his Saintſhip, ſhould rather bee a temptation upon him, to lie, or commit any other wickedneſſe, than an ingagement upon him to refrain lying.

I have done with that; but I pray, that you may finde more favour and mercy from God, than hee found from you; and to that end, let him grant you grace to repent of theſe ſpightful and moſt cruel proſecutions. As for your Proſecutions of him in his life, and of his tryal, I ſhall not enter upon the ſtory of, although I have relations of it, it would prove too large an undertaking; nor will I inſiſt upon your rotten and unſavoury language of the Miniſters of the Goſpel, whom in ſcorn you call his Clergie companions, you were fairly diſpoſed for quaking then; nor will I debate the cauſe, which you maliciouſly in your former book (the Lord Cravens caſe) charge upon Presbyterians in general, wherein how raſh, heady, uncharitable, and unchriſtian you are, let your ſelf conſider.

In page 22. of that book, you ſpeak it, which (becauſe it tends alſo to diſcover the ſuſpition, that even your ſelf had, of the injuſtice of ſequeſtring the Lord Cravens Eſtate) and do therefore endeavour to extenuate it from the circumſtancy of the time when it was done) I ſhall lay before the Reader; and thus you give it forth, The time when the Parliament gave judgement upon his estate, (that's right, not upon his perſon, that had not offended) was, when the Commonwealth was deeply imbroil'd in wars, and deſignes lay every where to blow up this Nation in all parts thereof; their Army in Scotland, and the Scots drawn into the field after their rout at Dunbar, ready to ſerve the deſperate, and great deſignes and conſpiracies laid by Mr. Love, thoſe of the Presbyterie and the Kings Partie, then ripe and readie to break forth in all parts, all of which were the effects of that Treatie at Breda, where the Lord Craven was often with the King, and his Privy Councel, (But doth any one perſon ſo much as ſay, that hee came to treat, or did treat? not one) and aſſiſting his Officers p. 109in their Petition for relief, to bee in a capacitie to ſerve him; (which you ſee was proved to bee a lye) and ſome of whom ſerved in thoſe deſignes, and otherwiſe, and of which the Parliament were ſenſible, (what was this to the Lord Craven) and the Lord Craven had manifested to moſt that converſed with him, his diſaffection to the Parliament, and Supreme Authoritie, (no ſuch thing is charg'd againſt him) in ſuch times and caſes, have many conſiderations, as the reaſon of their actions, which thoſe who are without doors, neither know, nor apprehend, nor are to take upon them ſo to do. Thus hee.

The language in the laſt part of it, is inconſiſtent and incoherent, a kinde of non-ſenſe; but this clearly is his meaning, (viz.) that the times being dangerous, (as hee deſcribes them) have many conſiderations and reaſons to ſequeſter the Lord Cravens eſtate, which thoſe who are not his Judges, (no nor hee himſelf) are to know or apprehend, nor muſt enquire into. In plain Engliſh, the Lord Craven muſt loſe his eſtate, and none muſt ask a reaſon, why? Are not theſe ſweet doings? As hee himſelf ſayes in another caſe, page 19.

But to go on with the matter of Mr. Love, Mr. Love and the Presbyterie are deſigning the Nations ruine, ſayes George, if you may bee believed; and how honeſt you are, even in your moſt ſerious proteſtations and appeals to God, appears already. But if you ſuppoſe (and that's enough with you) that Mr. Love, or the Presbytery deſigne the Nations ruine, you will bee ſure (right or wrong) to accompliſh theſe. I have heard ſay heretofore of the Marches in Wales, that a cauſe there, did ſeldome fail for want of proſecution, and good witneſſes; you were a notable man to make an agent there; well, or ill fare him, who if a cauſe bee not good, can make it ſo: I ſhall not (as I ſaid) ingage to the whole of your proſecution againſt him, I ſhall only notifie what I finde concerning your ſelf, in a book written and publiſhed by Mr. Love himſelf, which (in the cloſe) hee ſayes, was finiſhed the laſt day but one before his death; and at ſuch a p. 110time (what every you ſay) men are moſt ſerious, and to bee believed. The title of it thus, A clear and neceſſary vindication of the principles and practices of me Chriſtopher Love, &c. which book, hee ſayes, hee writ for the vindication of his name, from thoſe obloquies and reproaches, which by the Sons of Slander were caſt upon him, (was not this you George?) who would fain have his name to bee buried, and rot above ground, before his friends could bury his body under ground.

In this book of his, hee complains, that whereas at his Tryal, hee had a Notary to write for him, they took away all the books from him, ſo that nothing might come to publick view, but with what additions or alterations they pleaſe, to his greater diſadvantage. But hee ſayes, his hope is, that ſome faithful pen or other, hath writ his defence, and the Witneſſes depoſitions, which is done; and I have, and according to them hee deſires, that his innocency bee judged, by indifferent, and unprejudicated men; it contains ſeventeen ſheets, very large paper, and very ſmall print; I ſhall not meddle with ought thereof, I ſhall only give in what I have from Mr. Loves own book.

In page 36. hee deſires his Readers, that if other ſlanders (for hee had anſwer'd and wip'd off many) ſhould be caſt upon him, that they would have ſo much charitie, not to believe reports raiſed upon him, when hee ſhall bee ſilent in the grave, and not able to ſpeak in his own vindication.

And page 37. hee ſayes, 'Tis very likelie that they (his Proſecutors) will not publiſh the depoſitions of the Witneſſes in Court, but the private examinations taken from them in private, and patcht together by Maſter S. and Captain Biſhop. They were not aſhamed (ſayes hee) to produce them, and read them in open Court. And hee ſayes, ſome of the Witneſſes had ſo much h…neſty left, as to diſavow them in open Court; and therefore (ſayes hee) believe nothing but what was ſworn in open Court, nor all that neither, for ſome of the Witneſſes ſwore falſely, p. 111as (ſayes hee) I made appeare in my defence. In the ſame page, I deſire you (ſayes hee) to take notice, that there is a lying Pamphlet put forth, entituled, A ſhort Plea for the Commonwealth: In which there are many groſs lies, eſpecially in things which relate to mee, (and which hee himſelfe is beſt able to ſpeak to.) Hee ſayes there further, it is not fit for him to enter the liſts with him; It becomes not, ſayes hee, a dying man to write of controverſies, which will beget diſpute; therefore, ſayes hee, I ſhall not anſwer the book, (though I could eaſily do it) but only ſum up the many lyes hee relates, concerning mee. Thus hee.

And page 39. hee ſayes, hee ſuppoſes Captain Biſhop writ that lying book.

And then Maſter Love goes on, reckoning up his lyes in that book, and ſhewes wherein, and in the Margin, writes the firſt lye.

The ſecond lye, and ſo on to the eleventh lye; It will not bee to any purpoſe to ſet down the particulars, becauſe my Reader hath not the book, whereby to judge of the truth or falſhood; I ſhall therefore content my ſelf, to give you what obſervations Mr. Love makes upon the man, and his lying ſtories.

In one place hee ſayes, that if Biſhop ſhould name the perſon that ſhould ſay the thing, (there mentioned) every one that heard the tryal, would cry out ſhame upon him, (viz.) Biſhop, for telling ſuch a lye▪ Hee ſayes, another is a groſs lye. And another thing hee charges him with, is a loud lye; and ſayes, It is well there were many witneſſes to contradict him: And ſurely (ſayes hee) if the Author of this book had not caſt off all feare of God, and regard to the good name of his Brother, hee could not bee ſo impudent, as to affirme what hee did.

To another hee ſayes, 'tis notoriouſly falſe, and abominably falſe; and that although hee was not aſham'd to▪ ſay of him, as hee did in the general, yet hee durſt not p. 112inſtance in any particular, nor (ſayes hee) will any other in my life time, whilſt I can anſwer for my ſelf.

To another (hee ſayes) Hee that will bee ſo ſhameleſſe to falſifie my Petitions, (which are made ſo viſible) will not bee aſhamed to bely my words: Where hee further ſayes, hee (Biſhop) charged him, that Maſter Calamy inſtructed him to ſpeak as hee did; and that it was, that Maſter Calamies good tricks might not come to light; both which, together with what hee charged him before, hee ſayes, are very falſe.

To another, hee ſayes, hee wonders the man is not aſham'd, to faſten that upon him, which hee did. And again, hee ſayes, if this man (meaning Biſhop) hath belied others in his book, (whom hee names) as hee hath done mee, there is not one true Page in all his book.

And to the eleventh lye, thus; If this man were not an Athieſt, or an Antiſcripturiſt, the example of Ananias and Saphira might make him tremble, lest hee ſhould bee ſtricken down dead, with a lye in his mouth.

And again, this falſe and deceitful man, would make the world believe, that this were proved againſt mee; and then concludes this matter thus, Theſe, and many other falſhoods might bee found in this book, if I ſhould make a through ſearch into it: Hee calls it (ſayes hee) a ſhort Plea, but I may call it, a long lye: And 'tis not, ſayes hee, for the honour of the preſent Government, to have a common lyar to bee a Pleader for their Commonwealth.

And amongſt all theſe lyes, (thus generally hinted) I have reſerved one in ſpecial, wherein Mr. Love charges him not (onelyonly with lying) but alſo with forgery, which hee brings in thus, page 38. And becauſe I am belied about my examination, before the Committees, and may bee more abuſed after I am dead, therefore I am neceſſitated to diſcover that jugling and baſeneſs of Mr. S. and Capt. Biſhop, about my examination, which I thought never to have made publick.

p. 113Whiles I was examined (ſayes hee) before the Committee, that pragmatical fellow, Captain Biſhop, (who I ſuppoſe wrote this lying book) did put in ſix or eight ☜lines into my examination, which I never ſaid; hee ſuppoſing that I would bee ſo meal-mouth'd, as not to read it, or to put my hand to his forgery, without any more ado; but I did (to his ſhame) make him blot out, at leaſt, ſix lines in my examination, which was but very ſhort. Some of the Committee did ingeniouſly ſay ſometimes, that I did not ſpeak ſuch words as Captain Biſhop did put in: By his abuſe of mee, who would not bee abuſed by him, I cannot but think, how hee injured other men.

Hee goes on, I did refuſe to put my hand to it, ſeeing I was abuſed by Captain Biſhop; but told them, if they would give mee a Copy of it, I would ſubſcribe my hand; but they denied mee a copy, which made mee ſuſpect, they did not intend to deal fairly with mee, as I found true after: And then goes on, to ſhew wherein, and that to their conviction, and concludes thence thus; Wherefore I beſeech the Reader not to believe any thing that ſhall come forth, either pretended to bee my examination, or the examinations of other men againſt mee; they are but the forgeries and contrivements of Mr. S. and Captain Biſhop. And well might M. Love think how this Biſhop injured other men, and that in the like kinde.

I have one inſtance more, under the hand of a godly, reverent, and faithful Miniſter of the Goſpel, now being well known to moſt of the Inhabitants of this City, and many in London, ſo to bee, who writes to mee, that being to bee queſtioned about Maſter Loves buſineſſe (as hee was, and impriſoned) Biſhop (ſayes hee) was Clerk to the Committee of Examinations, and wrote down all that I ſaid; and added divers things, thereby endeavouring to inſware mee; for which I ſharply reproved him, telling him, that I knew his birth and breeding, and therefore I did ſcorn to bee examined by ſuch a one as hee was; at which, both hee and the Committee were much p. 114offended, threatning to uſe much ſeverity againſt me, but the Lord reſtrained them.

Now George ſay, Are not you a blood-ſucker? Were not the lives of theſe men at the ſtake? Was not one of them actually put to death? I'le ſay nothing of the man, I need not, hee was known well enough in England, his death is bewail'd by thouſands, and his name precious with many godly. I was once drawn away by your d…ſſimulations and lies, to a prejudice againſt him; but now I ſee, that the moſt innocent, (when they fall into the hands of huckſters) may bee rendred culpable▪ What George, what▪ Are not only the eſtates of men (great eſtates) ſmall bits with you, but you can ſuck and ſwallow the bloods and lives of men, Miniſters of the Goſpel of our Lord Jeſus! No marvel you turn Quaker, turn Turk man, or become a Jew, to whom the name, and Goſpel of Chriſt, and Chriſtian is odious; for ſhame bear not that ſacred name any longer, leſt it bee blaſphem'd by its enemies, becauſe of you: Oh horrid and dreadful▪ not onelyonly bee a common lyar, but to forge, to put in, and to add words, on purpoſe to inſnare men; no marvel you catcht at Faulconers words, but once ſpoken, and put them in haſtily, to take away ones eſtate, when you forge and put in words many words (whole lines in a ſhort examination) which were never ſpoken; and this, to take away mens lives.

And here, ex ore tuo ſerve nequam, out of thine own mouth, from thine own words ſhalt thou bee judged: Look back, and minde thine own expreſſions, in thine own book, pages 7 and 8 where you charge mee with forgery, in one word, and which yet was not forgery, but a miſtake, and that not in mee neither; and yet ſee your outcries and loud exclamations, You may here ſee (ſay you) of what a falſe and miſch…evous ſpirit this Prieſt is; and what a devilliſh wickedneſs it is to forge in ſuch a word, as for it, were it truly ſo, would take away his (Foxes) life? What credit is to bee given to what ſuch a one ſaith? And again, Is not hee that can do this paſt p. 115bluſhing? Is there any wickedneſſe ſo great, that ſuch a one may not bee well conceived to bee ready to act? Is ſuch a one a Miniſter of the Goſpel? Words need not further to expreſſe ſuch an act, which in its very face is ſo manifeſtly wicked and abominable, a wickedneſſe not found in the Roll of thoſe evils, which the Apoſtle mentions ſhould make the laſt daies perillous. I'le ſay no more, I need not. Read the words, and remember your own actions, and apply.

But let mee ask you, were theſe all, whoſe blood you thirſted after? Did you not write a letter to a friend of yours in Briſtol from White-Hall, that until Calamy, and ſome other of the Prieſts were dealt withal, as Love was, it would never bee well? I hope I ſhall one day get that book of yours, which you writ againſt him (mentioned before) viz. A ſhort Plea for the Commonwealth. Thoſe who have ſeen it; tell mee, it moſt fully ſets forth the fierceneſs, and bitterneſs of your ſpirit, not only againſt him, but that you ſhew your rancour and malice therein, againſt many of the ſervants of Chriſt, whoſe names are yet precious in the Churches, and the memory of whom will live, when your name ſhall rot and periſh; or if it bee mentioned or remembred, it ſhall bee with abhorrence and deteſtation, as infamous as poor Faulconers is. I cannot but remind that paſſage of yours in your Throne, page 34. where, becauſe I ſaid the Magiſtrates had their ſpots and failings, you ſay, they are no Magiſtrates of God, but men of ſin, and the born of the devil: If ſpots and failings do (in your judgement) render them thus, Oh! what are you? mind that Rom. 4. beg. Therefore thou art inexcuſeable, O man, whoſoever thou art (Jew or Gentile, Ranter, or Quaker) that judgeſt; for wherein thou judgeſt another, thou condemneſt thy ſelf; for thou that judgeſt doſt the ſame things. (nay, infinitely worſe) But wee are ſure the Judgement of God is (according to truth) against them which commit ſuch things; and thinkeſt thou this, O man, that judgeſt them who do ſuch things, and doeſt the ſame, that thou ſhalt eſcape the Judgement of God?

But Reader, in this poor wretch, you ſee what a dreadful p. 116thing, and what a heavy judgement it is, for a man to bee given up of God; what wickedneſs ſo abominable, that hee will not then commit? So Rom. 1. ver. 24. to the end.

And ſee alſo, how the Lord doth punish hatred and contempt of his Miniſtry and ſervants, and Apoſtaſie, from the truth, with hardneſſe of heart, and blindneſſe of mind, giving them over to believe lyes, 2 Theſ. 2. 10, 11, 12. What a ſottiſh piece is this poor man become, to turn Quaker? But 'tis moſt true, Shipwrack of faith, and of a good conſcience, are ſeldome ſevered, 1 Tim. 1. 19. But yet (Countryman) come, there is hope in Iſrael, concerning this thing, there is ſtill balm in Gilead; the blood of Jeſus Chriſt shed at Jeruſalem (though above ſixteen hundred years ago) is as efficacious, as prevalent, as ever. Come man, leave quaking, don't trample upon, and deſpiſe the price of thy Redemption; I ſee thou art in the gall of bitterneſſe, and bond of iniquity; but come, repent of thy wickedneſſe▪ and pray to God, perhaps the thoughts of▪ thy heart, (and the wickedneſs of thy hands, and the blaſphemies of thy pen and tongue) may bee forgiven thee. Don't deſpiſe the riches of Gods goodneſs, and forbearance, and longſuffering towards thee; know, that the goodneſſe of God (in this patience of his, in not cutting thee off) is to lead thee to repentance. Conſider friend, there is a day coming, wherein the Lord will bring to light the hidden things of darkneſs, and will make manifeſt all ſecret plots, contrivances, and under-hand counſels; Repent, whiles 'tis called to day, leſt thy heart bee more and more hardened, through the deceitfulneſs of ſin; treaſure not up wrath by impenitence, and hardneſs of heart; one true repentant tear, will avail more now, than millions of yellings and howlings then; our Jeſus is able to ſave perfectly, and to the uttermoſt, all thoſe who come unto the Father through him, meet him whom thou ſlighteſt, and make him thy friend.

And for a cloſe, know and conſider, that if you go on in ſin wilfully and impenitently, (after you have received p. 117the knowledge of the truth) and that you deſpiſe the blood of Chriſt, there remains no more ſacrifice for ſin, but a fearful looking for of judgement, and of fierce indignation, which shall devoure the adverſaries. And now from henceforth, let none of theſe Quakers trouble mee, I have done with this generation; but if they will bee troubling, let them know, I will not bee troubled: And as for any further anſwers, replies, contendings, or debatings with them, or him, being well aſſured that my ground work (on which my diſcourſe and diſcovery is founded) will ſtand firm: I declare this, as my Coronis, my farewel to Quakeriſme: As for their doctrines, or opinions, (in this, or any other of their Pamphlets) I think them not worth the reading (much leſs the anſwering) by any ſerious Chriſtian, eſpecially that hath publick imployments, indeed, not of any one that hath ought elſe to do, but to make a long voyage to Tarſhiſh, to fetch only Apes and Peacocks.

I conclude therefore with holy Auguſtine, Tales judices velim, &c. I deſire ſuch Judges of my writings, that will not alwayes require an anſwer, when they shall finde what I have written, to bee ſpoken againſt; thoſe things (which being matter of fact) have clear teſtimonies, and (being matters of doctrine) have clear arguments and authorities: It were a prejudice and diſparagement to either, to agitate them alwayes, upon the cavils of ignorant or contentious perſons; therefore I end.

FINIS.