A New Martyrology, Martyrology · Life 15
Mr. NOISE.
AMong those who suffer'd innocently for Lea's Plot, this poor young Gentleman was one, tho' omitted in due place, who tho' he lost not his Life immediately by it, was yet put to such Extremities, as both injur'd his Reason, and ruin'd his Fortunes. He was born of a good Family not far from Reading in Barkshire; and being a younger Son, was bound Apprentice to a Linnen-Draper in London. In which capacity he was a great Promoter of the Apprentices Address, intended to be presented to the King for redress of Grievances, and further Prosecution of the Popish Plot. A Crime, which those concern'd, cou'd never pardon, and which was now lookt on, both by himself, and all his Friends, as the Cause of these his Troubles.
Lea swore against him that he was concern'd in this Plot, which he absolutely denying, tho' no other Witness came in against him, and he was ne're brought to a Trial, he underwent a long and severe Imprisonment, loaded with Irons, and kept from his Friends, so long till his Trade was ruin'd before he was set free, and he himself then rendred so unfit for business, that he was forc'd entirely to leave it off, and betake himself to Travel: where, never quite recovering himself, he in a little time after fell sick and dy'd.
And here 'twill not be improper to remind my Readers, that about this time things running very high for Popery and Arbitrary Power, the consideration thereof was very afflicting to Mr. Noise: Yet notwithstanding all this, he was silent a long while, and minded onelyonly the proper business of his Calling, resolving not to concern himself with State-affairs, as deeming them above his Sphere and Condition; which Silence and Resolution he had still kept, notwithstanding the great and ineffable Evils he saw impending over us (which were much the more apparent upon the Prorogations and Dissolutions of so many Parliaments, in so dangerous and so critical a Juncture;) but that casually reading one of the VVeekly Intelligences, he happen'd therein to meet with something, Entituled, An Address from the Loyal Young Men Apprentices of the City of London, To His Majesty: The Title (he thought) concern'd him, as being a Loyal Apprentice of the same City, and therefore he deliberately read it over. At first it seem'd to bear a fair aspect, as it was a Tender of Thanks to His Majesty for His most Gracious Declaration; but considering that this Declaration contain'd in it, several severe Reflections on the Proceedings of the late Parliaments, terming them Arbitrary, Illegal and Unwarrantable; Mr. Noise dreaded the co…sequence of such Reflections, as believing, that … stood not with Modesty, for Apprentices to charge the Great Senate of the Nation with Arbitrary, Illegal and Unwarrantable Proceedings; and resolv'd what in him lay, to Vindicate himself and Fellow-Apprentices (which is thought to have been the cause of all his Sufferings before-related) and to satisfie the whole World, that the far greater part of the Apprentices of London, have too great a Veneration for Parliaments (which under His Majesty are the Bulwarks of our Lives, Liberties and Properties) for to be concern'd in any thing tending to Reproach, or Reflect upon them; he advis…d with several sober Persons about it, who did not disapprove of his Design, but Advice therein they would not give: Wherefore Mr. N…ise thinking to Petition the Lord Mayor would be the most modest and proper way to demonstrate a dislike of, and detestation to all such actions, he caused the following Petition to be drawn up and Presented, viz.
To the Right Honourable— Lord Mayor of London, the humble Address of many Thousand Loyal Apprentices of the same City, whose Names are hereunto Subscribed.
In all Humility Sheweth, THat, as we are justly sensible of our happiness, in being born under the enjoyment of the Protestant Religion, so excellent a Government, and so gracious a King, to whose service we shall ever be ready to sacrifice our Lives; so have we continually applyed our selves to discharge our Duties in our proper Callings, without presuming to intermeddle in affairs beyond our sphere or concernment.
But being fully satisfied, both by His Majesties frequent Proclamations, the Vnanimous Votes of several Parliaments, and the notoriousness-of Fact, that for divers years past, th…re hath been, and still is a Devilish Plot carryed on by the Papists against the Sacred Life of our Soveraign (whom God preserve) and to Subvert the Protestant Religion, and the Government established: In which horrid practices the Conspirators have always appear'd most active and insolent during the Intervals of Parliaments; and from thence, and the continuing hopes of a Popish Successor, take occasion with greater confidence to push on their Fatal Designs.
Observing likewise, that among the many late Addresses, there hath been one promoted in the names of some few of our condition in this Honourable City, which now is represented as the Act and Sence of the Generality of Apprentices, although the far greater part never joined therein, as fearing lest the same might seem of a Tendency dishonourable to Parliaments, whose Constitution we Reverence, and humbly apprehend their Counsels highly necessary in such a Juncture.
Wherefore, though out of an awful Respect, we presume not to approach His Sacred Majesty, yet we cannot but think it our duty, to declare to your Lordship (the Chief Magistrate under Him of this Honourable City) and to all the World, That we shall never be behind any of our Fellow-Apprentices in demonstrations of Loyalty t… His Sacred Majesty, even to the last drop of our …lood, whenever His Majesties Service shall require it, against any Traytors or Rebels whatsoever. And also to assure your Lordship, That as we do (and through God's Grace ever shall) Abhor Popery, and all its Bloody Traiterous Practices. So we do utterly disapprove and dislike any such proceedings from private persons, as tend to reproach Parliaments; but do unanimously, with one heart, and with one voice, express our satisfaction in, and thanks for, the humble Petition and Address of your Lordship and the Common-Council presented to His Majesty in May last, and since approved of in Common-Hall, for the Assembling and Sitting of a Parliament.
That the God of Heaven may ever bless and preserve his Sacred Majesty, and your Lordship, and this Great and Honourable City; and grant that your Successors, in this weighty Trust, may imitate your Lordships piety and zeal for the Protestant Religion, and His Majesties Service, shall ever be the daily prayers of us His Majesties Humble, Faithful, Loyal, and Obedient Subjects.
Printed for Thomas Goodwill, An. 1681.
This Name is Composed of Fourteen Letters, taken out of the Names of the Chief Managers.
This Address was Sign'd by about Thirty Thousand Hands; and when those Twenty persons that presented it had Subscribed their Names to it, they sent Mr. Noise and Mr. Dunton (two of the said Presenters) to Mr. S— to know when they might have leave to Present it to my Lord Mayor, which being granted in a few days, the Twenty Presenters went in a Body together to Mr. S— who introduc'd 'em to my Lord. To whom Mr. B—y made a brief speech as follows.
May it please your Lordship,
THE occasion of giving your Lordship this trouble, is humbly to lay at your Lordships feet, an address to your Lordship, subscribed by many thousand Loyal Apprentices of this City.
We do humbly acknowledge to your Lordship▪ that the presumption we may seem guilty of in this matter (considering our present stations) requires a far greater apology than we are able to make. But the principal reasons that incited us, thus to address our selves to your Lordship are
To demonstrate our Loyalty to his Sacred Majesty;
Our Zeal for the Protestant Religion;
And the veneration and esteem we have, and ought to have for Parliaments.
Neither indeed, my Lord, could we think these sufficient motives to stir us up to this publick application (which better becomes graver heads than ours) had not some few of our fellow Apprentices lately presented his Majesty with an Address (which seemed to be a gratulation for the Dissolution of the two last Parliaments) which they now report to have been the act of the majority of Apprentices of this Honourable City; Although the far greater part (as may by the subscriptions to this Address appear to your Lordship) were never concerned therein. And although (by reason of our present condition) we think it an unpardonable crime to approach his Sacred Majesty about matters relating to the State; yet we deem it our bounden duty to declare to your Lordship and the whole World, That we utterly disclaim any Proceedings (especially from Persons in our own Condition) that may seem to reflect upon Parliaments, the greatest Senate of the Nation. And that the generality of Apprentices of this City have a venerable esteem for Parliaments; which m…y the better appear to your Lordship upon reading the Address it self.
And I dare be bold to affirm to your Lordship, (by the Information I have had from those who were employed to take subscriptions to this address) That there is not one Subscriber to it, who is either Journey-man, Tapster, Hostler, Water-man, or the like; but all Persons of our own rank …nd condition.
Which Address, in the name of all the Subscribers thereunto, I humbly offer to your Lordship, and beg your Lordships favourable reception of it.
Then his Lordship commanded the Address to be read, which being read Mr. B—y proceeded thus.
I have one thing more to say, my Lord, I understand that there is a common notion about Town that this Address hath been carried on by Faction, and that none but Dissenters have been concerned in it. I can assure your Lordship of the Contrary: for that I know many of the subscribers who are of the Church of England; of which Church I boast my self an unworthy Member.
Then his Lordship was pleased to express himself to this effect.
Gentlemen,
THis is a surprize to me; and therefore I cannot tell what to say to it. But for as …uch as I have heard your Address read; and at first reading can find no…hing in it▪ but what becomes Loyal and Obedient subjects, I do accept of i…. I only desire the names of you that are the Presenters.
Then we told him, that our names are those, which were next to the Address it self …t some distance from the rest of the subscribers. Then he ordered the… all to be called over, and so we answered to our names. And then his Lordship desired he might have an account of our abodes, which we also gave him. Then his Lordship advised us to go home, and give evidence of our Loyalty by our peaceable demeanour, and conformity to the laws of the Land; and to lay the foundation of our future happiness, by being dutiful to our Masters, and diligent in our business, that so in time we might become good Citizens.
So they returned again in five Coaches to Russells, and supped there altogether, and so every one went home.
The twenty Presenters of this Address, were Mr. B—y, Mr. A—h, Mr. S—ns, Mr. M—d, Mr. B—th, Mr. Evans, Mr. Batty, Mr. P—le, Mr. D—n, Mr. Noise (one of the Persons who first set this design afoot) Mr. C—ll, Mr. S—s, Mr. S—y, Mr. H—ing, Mr. B—w, Mr. P—tell, Mr. S—th, Mr. B—n, Mr. Mal—s, Mr. R—ts.
A Letter sent August 19. 1681. thus subscribed. To the truly Loyal, and Protestant Apprentices of London, that were the principal Managers of the late address to my Lord Mayor.
GO on Heroick Souls, and faithful be
Unto your God, your King, your Liberty.
Let your unbyast actions give the lie
To such as scandalize your Loyalty.
To Caesar render what's to Caesar due:
Earth merits, Heaven expects no more from you.
Those rights defend, which your brave sires sent down
Inviolable as the Throne or Crown.
Tell supple Parasites, and treacherous Knaves,
You're humble subjects, not degenerate slaves.
Bow low, but scorn to creep (for that's as well)
Nor for a mess of Broth your Birth-rights sell.
Pass by th'affronts that Hell and Rome can send;
Comfort yourselves, when 'tis at worst, 'twill mend
But when the Church is shook by Potent foes,
For her defence your bodies interpose.
Of Popish mercy never run the risque:
A Crowned Serpent grows a Basilisk.
Vindicate then the Gospel and the Laws;
The cause is Heaven's, Heaven will espouse the cause
Undauntedly prop up your Churches Walls,
And joy to fall beneath it, if it falls.
To perish thus, who would not be content,.
When mouldring Temples are his Monument?