Tillams Account Examined, Title page – To the reader
Mr. TILLAM'S ACCOUNT EXAMINED, OR, A brief Reply to his unchriſtian Account of ſome paſſages of Providence.
By a Friend to Truth, and to Mr. Tillam's own Soul, if GOD have not ſealed him down under hardneſs of heart.
Written for the ſake of ſuch poor honeſt ſouls in Colcheſter, and the parts adjacent, as are Miſled through his Inchantments.
Should not the multitude of words be anſwered? and ſhould a man full of talk be juſtified?
Should thy lyes make men hold their peace? and when thou mockeſt, ſhall no man make thee aſhamed?
Joh 11.2, 3.
London, Printed for the Author, 1657.
An Epiſtle to the Reader.
Chriſtian Reader,
PEradventure, a Reply to Mr. Tillam's pretended Chriſtian Account was long ſince expected, but, upon ſufficient reaſon, a delay was made. It was ſome time before the parties moſt concerned in it (living at a diſtance) could know of his Pamphlet: But chiefly, after it was drawn up, it was judged fit, by ſome intereſſed in the buſines, to lay it aſide, hoping that his folly would be made manifeſt enough by his own proceedings; which indeed is already done in great part, eſpecially to pious and prudent Chriſtians; And, I doubt not, but it will be diſcovered more and more daily. But in regard of his vain triumphs, and becauſe there are many weak, harmleſs, and well meaning people in danger of being further deluded by him, it is now reſolved to preſent the Man to the open view of the world, that his untruths, ſcandals, and dangerous deſigns may make all more cautious whom they confide in, and depend upon, in ſo great concernment as that of Religion. Upon this, and other accounts (Reader) thou ſhalt here find ſuch a diſcovery of Mr. T. T. written, not out of envy to him, but pitty to others miſled by him, as (I hope) will make thee ſenſible of the bottom of his deſign in coming to Colcheſter, which he pretends to be guided to, by a hand of Providence; but upon peruſall of this, I believe, thou wilt find, it was rather a Plot than a Providence, being the laſt adventure of a neceſsitated perſon, that muſt ſhift for himſelf ſomewhere, diſcarded by thoſe in the North who firſt gave him credit, and having his 40l. per ann. withdrawn by the Commiſsioners there. Yet no doubt a providence it was too, but ſuch a one as that of Colchester Siege, which prevented the ſuffering of other places when the Enemy was garriſon'd there. And I wiſh, that as that party had their laſt conſiderable motion terminated within the walls of Colchester (the adjacent parts being ſufficiently alarumed by their being there) ſo alſo Mr. Tillam may make your miſerable Town the ultimate ſtage of his progreſs. 'Tis pitty other places ſhould ever be troubled with ſuch a gueſt as ſets the houſe on fire where ever he comes, making it his buſineſs to divide and ſow diſcord amongſt Brethren; By which (if there were nothing elſe) it may be eaſily gathered of what fraternitie he is. It is abundantly known what their Religion is, whoſe aim is diviſion; knowing how to retire into union among themſelves, and meet together in one centre, though the lines drawn from it ſtand at a diſtance in the circumference. Doubtleſs Mr. Tillam's ſlighting Mr. Prin's charge (of his being a Papiſt) is a Maſterpiece: 'Tis more policity for Mr. T. to contemn than anſwer ſo fair a probability. His own acknowledgement that hee has been a Papiſt, together with his Romiſh trinkets, Extreme Unction, Waſhing of feet, pretences to infallibility (the choiceſt Jewels in the Popes Triple Crown) for all he ſpeaks muſt be taken as the Oracles of God, without any conſulting others, though never ſo pious and prudent; theſe things I ſay may ſtrongly perſwade a ſober man to ſuſpect a papist in the bottom. But I ſhall not judge him, Reader, let me only perſwade thee to lay aſide prejudice, and thou ſhalt here find Mr. Tillam paſsing judgement upon himſelf; for moſt of the particulars charged upon him in this book, are no other but ſuch as dropt from his own Pen or Tongue; and therfore, if any wrong be done him, he may thank himſelf for it. But I ſhall hold thee no longer in the Porch; if thou wilt know more, read further; let thine own eyes be thy informers.
That which follows is a Letter written by Mr Robert Eaton to a friend of his, which he deſired him to print.