A Vindication of the Magistrates and Ministers of Gloucester, Part
Of the Relation it ſelf.
IT is ſaid, that an offence was taken, but non given at a Sermon preached by him on the publick Faſt day. Anſ. An offence may be given, and juſtly taken not onelyonly at things unlawfull, but at things unexpedient. As for this particular caſe, the whole frame of the Prayer and Sermon was no way fit for a publick Faſt, Confeſſion of ſin almoſt wholly omitted, the work of Humiliation diſparaged, the Doctrine of Repentance, and Contrition or brokenneſſe of heart, as it is taught by our Miniſters of the good old way of the Non Conformiſts, was condemned for Popery, although through many circumlocutions, mazes, and ambiguous tearms. An inſtance was given in an Allegory taken out of the Crums of Comfort, called A Remedy for a ſin-ſick Soul, and is inſerted in the cloſe of his Relation, which he hath tearmed a ridiculous and ſoul-killing Medicine. This Medicine was compoſed by an eminent Divine, and though it may be queſtioned whether it be ſightly ſo to allegorize, yet it follows not that 'tis either ridiculous or ſoul-killing: and being deveſted of its party coloured coat to appear in proper and plain tearms, it will be found to carry no diſproportion to the Analogy of Faith; Though he cals it rather the language of Rome then Canaan. But this was not that ſpark which was blown up into ſo great flame, but was onelyonly an inſtance ſelected by him on purpoſe, becauſe moſt eaſie as he conceived to be made odious. Neither was the Faſt-Exerciſe the ſole ground of the Controverſie, but each Sermon increaſed the fire.
The firſt Charge is given in againſt Mr. Marſhall, Mr. Holford, and my ſelf for ſolliciting the Mayor to ſuſpend his preaching. As for Mr Marſhall whether he did ſo I know not, neither doth it much concern the buſineſſe, but I muſt tell the world, that Mr. Bacon hath traduced this able, painfull, and godly Miniſter with a groſſe untruth, that he lived and preached among the Cavaleers. For he hath lived within three miles of Glouceſter for many yeers before the War, and never removed from his own Charge, and whereas he had ſometimes a weekly Lecture at Berkly, he diſcontinued it when that place was poſſeſſed by the Kings Forces. For my ſelf I remember not that I made known any grievance to the Mayor concerning him, before he was publickly queſtioned: but I know aſſuredly that I never ſolicited that he might be ſuſpended, neither did I move one ſyllable againſt his ſecond liberty of preaching obtained from the Governor, as I might eaſily have done. Beſides, the Mayor ſent for me to the Town Chamber at ſeverall times complaining of this Man. And once meeting Mr. Bacon in the Tolſey I appealed to the Mayor, and others preſent, whether I had been his accuſer. Mr. Holford is accuſed of labouring to keep in with both ſides. This is one mans report; but thus much I can ſay for my Brother in the Miniſtery, that he was an open, and earneſt oppoſer of Sectaries, and 'tis hard for me to conceive (let others judge) that a knowing man ſhould ſeek reputation or advantage by under-hand dealing, or comply with that party, whoſe ſpirits were imbittered againſt him.
His reſtraint being taken off, and he applying himſelf to clear the Doctrine of Repentance (though indeed he muzzled the truth thereof) he tels us, that one Wheeler ſet himſelf to take Notes of his Prayer and Sermon to ſtir up adverſaries by giving information, which we are ſaid to receive with all readineſſe. What a remarkable and worthy paſſage, as if we had need of Spies to pry into that which was delivered before ſo many witneſſes: or that one mans information were the ground of all the following trouble, which was raiſed by a generall complaint. But Mr. Wheeler profeſſeth that he was once reſolved not to hear him, having been at Glouceſter for the ſpace of three weeks before, but was perſwaded thereto by the urgent importunity of many of Mr. Bacons followers: and he upon whoſe report this aſperſion was grounded, hath ſince acknowledged before witneſſe, that he had done Mr. Wheeler wrong. And the Sermon Notes, which were read at the firſt Conference Mr. Bacon acknowledged to be true. As for the Miniſters readineſſe to receive information, we acknowledge that we undervalued the buſineſſe too much, and were blame-worthy in neglecting the truth and our ſelves.
He imputes to Mr. Holford, Mr. Hodges and my ſelf the cauſe of his ſummons to the Covernors Chamber on the Lords day. Whereas it was concluded the day before by the Magiſtrates, when they had once thoughts of ſending him out of Town without more ado. And of this I had not the leaſt intimation, till the meeting was reſolved upon, and the report thereof ſpread about the City, though he ſaith he never heard of it till the time came. And thus doth a veyn of Calumny run through the whole Relation.
He obſerves that he was ſent for by a Souldier as a tranſgreſſour. What a triviall circumſtance, and abſurd collection? Is it not well known, that Souldiers under the Command of a principall Officer are like the Centurions Servants, who ſaid to one come, and he cometh; to an other go, and he goeth; and to a third do this, and he doth it?
This meeting conſiſted of men of quality, common fellows were excluded, except ſome of his own party who were admitted by our conſent; among whom a young preaching Pewterer.
An other Aſperſion is caſt upon the Miniſters behaviour in time of the Conference, That they upbraided him with much unbeſeeming and reproachfull language, ruſhing upon him with a torrent of evil words, till that unſeemlineſſe was remedied by the Governors command. This is a meer ſlander, having nothing of truth, and herein we can appeal to the Governors own teſtimony. A greater Acrimony might eaſily manifeſt it ſelf in a ſerious Conteſt, but without bitter invectives; and if ſome did inveigh againſt Hereticks and Schiſmaticks in generall, yet not againſt his perſon. Or if a ſtream of words might flow from divers men, the cauſe of it was his refuſall of a poſitive Declaration. And if one man at that preſent had nothing to charge him withall, yet there were many Miniſters, and the Controverſie did not depend on the Judgement or manifeſt of one Man. And whereas he ſpeaks of their laying heads together, let him know there were ſuch men as ſcorned a Combination, who walked not in the dark, and can offer themſelves with much boldneſſe to be judged by mans judgement, although he that judgeth us is the Lord.
But here is the main grievance which he labours to diſplay, That not finding ſufficient matter of accuſation, we began to examine him upon certain interrogatories: againſt which he proteſted, becauſe it favoured ſo ſtrongly of the illegality of the High Commiſſion Court. Wherefore to juſtifie our proceedings, we offer theſe things to be weighed by the judicious. Mr. Bacon was looked upon in the notions either of an Erroneous, or of an obſcure, and ambiguous Preacher, not by reaſon of his profound; but his wavering and doubtfull Doctrine. Firſt, he was conſidered as ambiguous, and therefore ſuſpected and dangerous. Which appears in that he did alwayes pretend unto ſomething extraordinary, beyond that which the people had been formerly taught, even concerning the ſubſtance of fundamentall Doctrine: every mindfull hearer took it for a new way, eſpecially his own favourers, & then the tearms of legall Preachers, and Preachers of Chriſt began to be rolled upon every tongue. Beſides, in the explication of any point, he would heap up an infinity of words paſſing to and fro in a conſtrained way, that one might eaſily beleeve, Male res agitur ubi opus eſt tot remediis. There was ſtill an expectation of ſome great thing carried aloft in the Clouds, which a while after fell down in a plentifull ſhowre of words. And in ſuch a caſe who can blame the jealouſie of a Miniſter; who muſt watch over the Flock, as one that muſt give an account of their ſouls? Inſinuations of Errour ſlide into the minds of people, when the violent approach of corrupt opinions begets horror, and ſaves them by fear. Secondly, Mr. Bacon was lookt upon as an erroneous Preacher: ſome things are hinted already; and the reſt are to be made known, when I come to diſcuſſe the Queſtions. Nevertheleſſe 'tis worthy obſerving that he was more liberal in private then in publick, the myſteries were unvailed, imis penetralibus, becauſe al was not thought fit for a promiſcuous, and unprepar'd Auditory. One inſtance ſhal ſerve, which will be made good by approved teſtimony if need require. In private he diſputed againſt habituall graces, not in the way of Argumentation, but according to his proper Judgement; but in publick ſuch a deſigne muſt be carried on through a maze of intricate and perplexed words.
But we are charged in compelling Mr. Bacon to a ſelf accuſation, and therein with reviving the aboliſhed tyrannie of the High-Commiſſion. To this it is anſwered, that we did not require him to betray himſelf, nor to diſcloſe any ſecret concerning him or his, that might make him obnoxious to any mulct or penalty. And had he refuſed to Anſwer, his danger was no more, then the ſcandall of his Doctrine. We did not aſſume a liberty of propoſing Queſtions in infinitum, but ſuch onelyonly as immediately reflected upon his preaching, whereby we were ſcandalized; yea and ſuch things as did ariſe out of his Sermons. And that not ſo much to know his opinion, as to lay down ſome ground-work upon which the debate might reſt. Moreover, did ever any that were examined by Authority (ſuppoſe of the Prelates) in the principles of Faith, account that Examination a Tyranny, or a means to enſnare them? Beſides a Miniſter is bound to declare his judgement in the principal matters of Divine knowledge, if meerly deſired by his fellow labourers, whenſoever they are publikely offended, yea though unjuſtly. But there is more yet in this caſe. Mr. Bacon came as a ſtranger, and though he had the power of a miniſteriall calling, yet he had neither power, nor call to exerciſe his miniſtery againſt the conſent of the Magiſtrates and Miniſters of that place where he ſojourned, And it is provided by Order of Parliament in their Inſtructions to the Committees of ſome counties, as in Sommerſet-ſhire, that every Miniſter placed by them in any Sequeſtred living, ſhal undergo the examination of three Miniſters in the ſame county. Thus much for the firſt meeting in the Governours Chamber.
The Queſtions were not propounded as we in our wiſedoms (according to his phraſe) thought meet; but as his preaching and practice did require. A Debate upon them was reſerved for Wedneſday following, in that place where the Councel of War was wont to be held.
His tedious mention of many idle circumſtances, I paſſe by, as unbeſeeming a grave Relation. At the place appointed, Mr. Bacon brought in an Anſwer in writing to the ten Queſtions, as himſelf pleads, according to a former command. But he fails in the truth of the buſineſſe: For an Anſwer in writing was not required, but a Verbal diſpute; though it was thought meet that the Arguments urged on both ſides ſhould be then written, that we might not loſe our ſelves in a Chaos of words. The reading of his Paper, I undertook of my own accord; for the Governour intended a diſpute, and then chalenged Mr. Bacon for refuſing. I gave off reading in the midſt, not (as he ſaith) becauſe unwilling that the company ſhould hear altogether; but partly, becauſe I was tired with many tedious impertinencies, and longed to make anſwer; partly, becauſe the bare reading of a large Paper, containing ſundry things, could give no ſatisfaction to the people. Nevertheleſſe I examined his ſtating of the Queſtions one by one, by clear argument diſcovering his errours and nullities, to which he would give no anſwer, but referr'd all to his Paper, which was then Refuted. If there were confuſion of language, that was cauſed by his obſtinate ſilence. For who could endure ſo groſſe a tergiverſation, accompanied with a ſelf-juſtification to the higheſt?
2. Maſter Bacon here and elſewhere complains of reproachful language from the M…niſters. But I muſt anſwer him, In generalibus verſatur doloſus. Let him give an inſtance of ſuch Reviling. I can juſtifie my ſelf, neither do I remember any railing accuſation that then fe…l from the mouth of a Miniſter. But if any of them did vehemently charge him with the ſhame of a ſelf-baffle, ſhall that be called reproach? Thoſe Miniſters are more ingenuous and of better ſpirits, then this R…later deſires to render them. I could not obſerve, nor remember every paſſage that fell from thoſe in Authority, or from the ſtanders by. Neither do I juſtifie their threats, if there were any. But his perſon was no more endangered then ours, whatſoever be may pretend or intimate. As for that Gentleman whom he reports to be of no mean command, though his Military-Office were not in the Gariſon, I can ſay little to his words what they were. He hath been an ancient profeſſor of Religion, and of approved integrity. But if it be ſaid that the people called him Bonner, it muſt be the greater part, or the better part, or at leaſt a conſiderable part. But the ſpeech of one Woman, he is pleaſed to attribute to the people. So greedily doth our oppoſite catch at every circumſtance, though ſtrangely miſrepreſented. He addes, that beſides divers Miniſters, one a Cavalier openly jeered him. This is a malicious ſlander: let him name the perſons. That Miniſter which was taken in arms againſt the Parliament, had voluntarily taken the Covenant, and therupon obtained his liberty: but he had no hand in the manage of this buſineſſe, being a ſpectator onelyonly: and for his open jeering, if it be true, as I queſtion, others could not prevent that incivility.
In the cloſe of this unweldy Conflict, a writing was drawn up, That Mr. Bacon had divulged certain erroneous Opinions, in which at a Conference he had given no ſatisfaction: The Auditors were to Subſcribe if they pleaſed. But he declares, the reaſon of this Subſcription was, to ſend him up to the Parliament or Aſſembly the next day. I profeſſe that I knew not of any ſuch thought, and am aſſured, that the Governour did not intend it; but I conceive that he grounds his aſſertion upon ſome wandring ſpeeches ſcattered among the people: But this is the truth of the buſineſſe; We have had great experience of the vain boaſtings of Sectaries, who to wound the Reputation of thoſe that encounter them, proclaime a Victory and ſing the Triumph, what ever the ſucceſſe be. This was then feared from that Party; to prevent which miſchief, a Subſcription was then thought upon, and firſt hinted by a moderate man, no Miniſter, nor at that time a Magiſtrate. And to this none were compelled: onelyonly, when we had a meeting, for ſatisfaction, we deſired to know the opinion of the Auditors. And of thoſe Six perſons that refuſed to Subſcribe, ſome pretended that they did not heare, others that they were not preſent at the whole Conference, one or two would give no reaſon: but none of them did avow to have received any ſatisfaction.
That the manner of our proceedings were generally complained of (as is related) and accounted neither Christian nor juſtifiable by the Law of civill Society, is a groſſe calumny; and herein I appeale to the Inhabitants of that place. What one man, namely, Mr Shepard, might in private acknowledge is nothing to our purpoſe. Thus much for the ſecond meeting.
The Mayor with others are ſaid to ſpend much time in perſwading him to depart the City: affirming, if he were the moſt Orthodox Preacher in England, he were not fit for Gloceſter. Thus they ſpeak upon bare ſuppoſition. And the conſequence drawn from hence is moſt abſurd, namely, that an Orthodox Preacher ſhould be a burden too heavy for Gloceſter to bear. If Mr. Bacon ſuppoſed to be an Orthodox Preacher, be not fit for ſuch a place, doth it therefore follow that no Orthodox Preacher is fit? Is Mr. Bacon and Orthodox Preacher convertible? Experience witneſſeth, that not only Orthodox, but ſome good men may not be fit for ſome Congregations. Beſides this thing doth aſſure us of his importunate contradiction, who would ſtay in a place where he had no intereſt, when the Magiſtrate deſired his abſence, and perſwaded his departure upon this ground, that he was not a man fit for Gloceſter. But he ſaith, He feared the deſertion of his owne or rather Chriſts Cauſe. Anſw. Is the Cauſe of Chriſt maintained by a troubleſome preſence in deſpite of the Magiſtrate? Tis enough, that a man makes anſwer in a free confeſſion and ſubmits to the cenſure of Authority.
The Relation proceeds to the publicke Diſputation; for which purpoſe there was an Order from the Governour directed to the ſeverall Miniſters to be read in the Pulpit, That if any doubted of the approvedneſſe of the proceedings in the two former meetings, ſatisfaction ſhould be given in a more publicke way. This Order I received as I was going into the Pulpit, without the leaſt intimation or thought thereof before, though the Diſpute would reſt upon me. The Governour was moved hereunto not to terrifie Mr. Bacon as he doth imply in the expreſſions of his great thoughts of heart; But upon the advertizement of falſe Reports raiſed by his followers. Here as in many other places a heape of circumſtances are brought in being more fit for an idle Romance, then a ſerious diſcourſe.
The Governour, and Mr. Bromwitch of the Committee are ſaid to engage themſelves to protect him from ſlander and wrong, which the one heard, and the other ſaw he formerly ſuſtained. He makes it the ſenſe of the Governour that he had ſuſtained wrong, which is knowne in Gloceſter to be a manifeſt untruth, and cannot be rationally conceived by any that knew that buſineſſe.
He ſpeaks of a Marſhall ſtanding at his elbow with a Halbert though he perceived it not, of purpoſe, if it might be to daunt him. I obſerved no ſuch thing, ſtanding oppoſite and likely to behold his attendance: the Governour proteſts againſt it; and to ſtand with a Halbert, is not a Marſhal's poſture. Beſides, it was ſo much inviſible, that Mr. Bacon obſerved it not, which could not well have been if any had ſtood there in terrorem. And is it not a childiſh conceit, that a Miniſter ſhould be terrified by a Marſhal with a Halbert; and an exploded folly to bleſſe God for his aſſiſtance that he was not daunted thereby?
The way of the Diſpute in general, was on this manner. I propoſed the Queſtions; Maſter Bacon affirmed or denied, and read the ſtating of them: I read my written Reply, thence drawing conciſe Arguments, to which he made large Declarations. It ſeems we muſt give him leave to proclaim and glory that his Adverſaries fell before him, to the great contentment and ſatisfaction of the believing and more ſober-minded people. But it had been better that his neighbours mouth had praiſed him. Doth he not arrogate very much, that all the believing people ſhould rejoyce at his clearing? Let theſe abſurdities confute themſelves. He ſpeaks of Diſcontent that appeared in the faces of his adverſaries. Who made him a judge of our thoughts?
But it is ſaid, Master Corbet confeſſed before all the people, that it had been better never to have begun ſuch a task; for the people will run after him much more then before. Anſw. It's impoſſible to remember every word that paſſeth in the heat of diſputation. But my complaint, whatever it was, was thus grounded. Maſter Bacon would diſpute neither in a formal Syllogiſm, nor Enthymeme, nor in any Argumentation truſſed up in a Logical way; but ran thorow many Ambages, and ſeemed to make Speeches with an affected deliberation; and ſtill he craved leave to explain himſelf: which prolixity ſpent the time, loſt the Argument, and confounded the Hearers.
He tells us that the evidence of the truth had for the preſent ſtruck a deep ſilence in all his oppoſers. Here is an abſolute falſhood: For unto his Anſwers I ſtill made Reply, till we were taken off, and cauſed by them that moderated to paſſe to another Queſtion, according to the Law of Diſputation.
He relates that ſome were complained of by witneſſes to have vowed to be the death of him. Here is an high Charge given in; but to whom the complaint was made, or by what witneſſes, or who thoſe were that had ſo vowed, it is not ſignified. In this he deals deceitfully, lurking in generals, and maliciouſly, in leaving doubtful not onelyonly the perſons, but the conditions of them who ſhould ſo vow: the world might ſuſpect Magiſtrates, Commanders, Miniſters, and men of quality. I am not now in Glouceſter to enquire into this paſſage: Let it therefore be thought upon, that I ſtand upon great diſadvantage in this Reply, whereas a longer time of examination would diſplay my Antagoniſt much more; but that I haſten to cruſh this bird in the ſhell: yet having no more, then what I know to be firm truth at ſuch a diſtance both of time and place, I doubt not but to make a ſufficient diſcovery of his many Untruths, to all indifferent judgements. Wherefore I know that men of any value would highly ſcorn ſuch an Imputation; nor were any incenſed or encouraged by us ſo much as unto violent ſpeeches. And if this were true, doubtleſſe Maſter Bacon, who hath ſtuffed his book with ſo many idle paſſaſſages, would not omit to give ſome character of the perſons guilty of ſo great a crime.
Thus ended the firſt days Diſpute: The morrow after, we came together to diſcuſſe the reſidue of the Queſtions. But our Relator gives out that the remaining part of my Reply, i. e. to the five laſt Queſtions, contained little elſe then invectives againſt his perſon. Wherein I charge him with a notorious ſlander. And if my charge be falſe, 'tis in his power to ſhame me: For my Reply was delivered in to him, and had now been printed, had my papers been by me.
Maſter Bacon had no more diſcountenance the ſecond day then the firſt; onelyonly he was required to contract his ſpeech according to the law of Argumentation; and even then, he ſpake many words for my one.
But he ſaith that the Committee being Judge, in their name (as he ſuppoſeth) Maſter Bromwitch drew up the reſult of each days diſpute, and gave the whole Aſſ mbly notice that nothing was proved againſt him, but what was according to Orthodox opinion. To this I make anſwer, That the Governour, the Maior, and Aldermen, were Judges as well as the Committee, and that Maſter Bromwitch, as I conceived, did not ſpeak in the name of the Committee, but in his own name, being a quick and a nimble Diſputant. Beſides, this Gentleman did not take off the charge of Errour: but when M ſter Bacon running to and fro in doubtful terms, came neer to our Tenents, he read it to the people, rather to his conviction then clearing; by which all men might take notice of his Vacillation or halting. Whether the Committee did ſo clear him, I refer the Reader to their ſecond Order for his removal, which is inſerted in his Relation in theſe words.
We the Gentlemen of the Committee gave out our Order upon a ſerious Debate, not of our ſelves, as according to our Inſtructions we might have done, but with the ingredients and conſult of many godly and learned Miniſters by both parties, and emergent Reaſons our Votes were concluded, and (in a more civil manner then Maſter Bacon deſerved) were ſent unto him: yet, although he hath rather arraigned, then intreated the Committee to alter their Judgements, we are reſolved not to alter our commands, as rather engaged to gratifie ſo many Orthodox Divines then his fancy.
He remarks the word gratifie. What greater reproach could he faſten upon the Committee, then thus to inſinuate that they did injure him to gratifie us?
But it is ſaid that Maſter Corbet with all vehemency exclaimed that Maſter Bacon had another meaning, though his words were juſtifiable. It is anſwered, that I did not juſtifie the greateſt part of his expreſſions, though ſome of them might admit a fair conſtruction. But I complained of the ambiguity of his expreſſions, which were not fit for Diſpute, though they may ſuit very well with Exhortation. And when a man ſhall abſolutely diſclain ſuch terms as are neceſſary to Diſputation, 'tis no fair dealing, nor ſigne of a good cauſe or ſound Doctrine. To make inſtance; at that very time he would by no means meddle with the terms of the habits of grace, or inherent holineſſe, becauſe they were not Scripture-terms.
That the Miniſters got themſelves into a committee that afternoon, is utterly falſe. For they had no meeting among themſelves. Wherefore that Maſter Hart and Maſter Cloſe were exc…ded by conſent, is as falſe. As alſo, that we ſhould reſolve among our ſelves (as the Relation imports) that he muſt depart, or we would leave the city, is a groſſe untruth. We had no ſuch Debate, no ſuch circumſtances, no ſuch meeting. But the Miniſters were required to attend the Committee of Parliament. And if Maſter Hart and Maſter Cloſe were not there, their own unwillingneſſe was the cauſe of their non-appearance.
The Committee are able to juſtifie their own Orders, and their manner of proceeding. Threatnings, if they were, or whatever they were, were provoked by his obſtinate diſobedience.
What a train of egregious ſtories brings up the rere of his Diſcourſe, of things done upon a Saturday at two a clock in the afternoon, by the Governours Captain Lieutenant with a party of Troopers, and their diſcourſe with him; with his ſeverall Horſes; the Captain Lieutenant's leaving him at three miles diſtance from the city; his guidance by the Head-corporal; and that Captain Maſſie did not go in his company to Sudely, but came after late in the night, &c. Such ſtrains will help to ſwell the Volume of a jeſting Romance, or Book of Knight-Errantry.
But I obſerve that Maſter Bacon doth not ſo fairly alight from off that horſe that was taken up to convey him to ſome other of the Parliaments Quarters; nor doth he ſufficiently clear himſelf from that fraud he ſaith was laid to his charge. This is the truth of the ſtory: Maſter Bacon diſliking the firſt horſe, was furniſhed with another more able. Himſelf reports that his guides having brought him to Warwick, told him that they had no order concerning the horſe, but that it was at his own diſpoſal. This was either their neglect or diſhoneſty. And could he think that thoſe Souldiers had power to give another mans horſe taken up for that particular ſervice? or did he conceive that the Governour would either defraud the owner, or pay the price that he might be quit his company? But this horſe was chalenged at London on the behalf of Colonel Okey, at that time in Sir William Wallers Army, at the inſtance of Colonel Okey's friend, by Maſter Wheeler, who had an intereſt in that Army: and imported as much to Maſter Bacon. But he refuſed to reſtore it: and being demanded to declare his intereſt therein, he replied that the horſe was at his diſpoſal, and that he had endeavoured to put him off or exchange him at Northampton. Hereupon he was chalenged for a fellonious detainer, and ſtill urged to give him back, even by the owners wife, till for meer ſhame, and the importunity of his own friends, to avoid further ſcandal, he was compelled to deliver him. This paſſage at London, is avowed by Maſter Wheeler in all the circumſtances.
Laſtly, he calls God, and the conſciences of thoſe that were preſent, to witneſſe the truth of his Relation. I alſo can appeal to heaven for the truth of my Anſwer; wherein my adverſary is convicted of ſo many falſhoods and impertinencies; and am alſo aſſured of the Atteſtation of the Magiſtrates and the Miniſters of Gloucester, which was the Scene of this Action.
Concerning theſe ten Queſtions, let it be conſidered, firſt, that they were propounded without any premeditation; and many of them were not expreſſed in ſuch ſearching terms, as might prevent all evaſions. Secondly, that we condeſcended to Mr. Bacon in the wording of them, becauſe he would not be gained to declare himſelf, except he apprehended ſome advantage. Thirdly, that Maſter Bacon hath publiſhed his ſtating of them, and that with a plentiful Commentary upon ſome; but omitted my Anſwer not onelyonly given in private, but debated upon in publike. The copie thereof I have not by me; and the neceſſity of a quick diſpatch permits no delay. But the ſubſtance thereof is faithfully delivered: if not, my oppoſite having the Paper put into his hands, may diſcover it if he pleaſe. Fourthly, the Affirmative and Negative affixed, is Maſter Bacons Judgement. Let ours be collected in the diſcuſſe of each Queſtion.