The Masked Devil, Title page

The Masked Devil · Title page

THE Mask'd Devil, 'OR QUAKER, Neither Fearing GOD, nor Reverencing MAN. In an excellent and true Description of these Monsters, (not Men) made up of meer incongruities; as plainly appears by the late perfidious Practice, (of the Seven Quakers, which were lately Convicted and to be Transported) impartially represented in this ensuing Narrative.

Psal. 56.7. Shall they escape by iniquity?

LONDON, Printed Anno Dom. 1664

p. 3Gentlemen, and Countrimen,

I Am here engaged in a Relation of some Consequence, and to represent a Deceit in the holy men (so called) of this our Nation. I think I have not swerv'd from truth, since it concernes me to speak no more then I can make good: If I have, Let my Allegiance, whole Estate, and Fortune, lye at Stake for my Justification. It is requisite I should first give you some satisfaction as to their persons, next …s to their Actions.

They are a sort of people whose pretended singularity of gifts, and graces, do particularize, and sever from the Conversation of the Honest: And like the Pharisees, will, sapere supra Scriptum, supra Evangelium, & Patres; from whence I p. 4suppose they deduce the Etymology of their name, or word of Distinction, viz. Separation, otherwise Quaker.

Their Tenen…s are Liberty of Conscience, in what Capacity soever, either with, or without the respect of Men…, & Tuum; and Lex Talionis, so far as concerns themselves. But yet a People, if all they say of themselves be true, very devout, and zealous, towards God and their Country; which, in the fear of the Lord, I should be very free to believe were not their Simulata Sanctitas, Duplex Iniquitas.

Now least I might give Offence to the rest of the Society, and that they may not ask me how I should know this, I am free to say, I know it either Ex Capite, or Ex Pede, from their cunning, and insinuating, Pates, or by their light Heels, in running away from that Tribulation they do so much magnifie. The Particulars whereof I shall treat from the beginning, together with the several transactions, as followeth, viz.

The last Goale-delivery at Hartford (except one) gave these Humourists the honor of being known to their King and Country, where the Honorable Bench (according to the Old Position, Ubi desinit Philosophus incipit Medicus) turned Physitians, and though p. 5that change of Aire might do them good, and help their Chilification better then this, which made them disgorge Crudities. In order whereunto one Mr. Edmonds, Goal-Keeper of Hertford, had power to treat for their Transportation: which he did with one Mr. Thomas May, who then had a concern in the Ship, called the Anne of London, now bound for the Barbadoes and Jamaica.

Mr. May having not seen the Creatures, soon agreed for their Transportation, and accordingly they were brought up to London, viz. Nicholas Lucas, Henry Feast, Henry Marshall, Francis Pryor, John Bindet, Jeremiah Hearne, and Samuel Treherne.

Mr. May as a thing usual in such Cases amongst Seafaring men, askt them if they were willing to go with him, not knowing (as he pretended) till afterwards that they were convicted persons. And finding an haesitation, after their usual dumb way of Oratory, he refused to carry them.

Complaint hereupon was made unto his Majesties Secretary Sir William Morris, and by a Messenger Mr. May was sent for, and examined for his Contempt; and being obstinate in his Refusal, he was sent to the Gate-house Prison, where he continued some time.

p. 6Mr. May knowing me to be a person very much concerned in the Affairs of the Ship, and knowing that it was my friends, and interest, that put him into that Charge; desired, that I would endeavor to procure his Liberty, which upon Petition to the Secretary I effected; And entred into Bond unto his Majesty of Seven hundred pounds for their Transportation, and delivery at the places assigned, viz. Barbadoes, and Jamaica, which I would have performed, had not their treachery, Mr. May's folly, and the Officers of Deale denying me their assistance, prevented me.

The Ship staying for some time in the River Thames, the aforenamed Quakers were secured in Houses on Tower-hill, to be forth coming when the Ship should be ready, or when they should be commanded aboard; in the mean time Treherne slips down to Hertford, and in opposition to the Magistrates and Officers of the Town; he rides about like anothet Naylor at Bristow, giving God thanks that he was delivered from their hands, and that now they had done their worst.

Sir Francis Butler (as he hath prov'd himself a Loyal Person to his King and Country) thought himself concerned in this Discourse, and thereupon sends for Treherne by his man, desiring him to come to him, who replyed, That if Francis Butler had any p. 7thing to say to him, he should come himself.

Is this their Loyalty and obedience to the King and Government? Sir Francis Butler, as a Justice of peace, grants out a Warrant to apprehend him, and by a Constable sizies on him, and sends him to Prison, his old house, where he shewed that face, that would have hanged him, had not my charity drawn me to an act of pity not not since merited.

Secretary Morrice hath notice hereof, and by a Messenger sends for me, where I received a severe chek, and afterwards rode down to Hertford and their petitioned the Bench for his inlargement, which with much adoe I obtained, bearing my own charges down, and there for his fees, and brought him up to London with me; For which kindness there was a great seeming resentment yet since have their Actions manifested them savage beasts bred up to hand, who being received into a mans bosome have the more opportunity to do him harme.

The Ship afterwards fell down to Gravesend, where I found nothing but their cunning flattery and treacherous insinations. From thence we went to Deale where they compleated their stratagem and shewed what themselves and the rest of their Opinion are. For noscitur ex socio qui non dignoscitur ex se. Here was p. 8their Principles and Integrity first manifested. Here was their willingness to suffer for their Conscience first shown? What do they distrust God, did they think the God of Land and Sea was not the same? They are not like Paul, who notwithstanding he knew he should be imprisoned at Ierusalem, yet would he not refuse, or alter his his journey thither; see in the Acts 21. chap. But I do find their devotion is onelyonly in words and are such persons the Apostle speaks of in the, 2 Tim. 2. and 3. ver. Who have a form of godliness but deny the power. Saints to appearance, yet keep they a Reservation perfas aut nefas to accomplish their ends: But I shall speak hereafter more of that after I have given you an Account of their Actions.

The Ship remained about a MonethMonth in the Downs, being all fitted and expecting nothing but a fair wind to carry her forth; and so least provision should fall short by the way, the Quakers and rest of the passengers had liberty to go a shore, but with a proviso to be in a readiness upon command to go aboard, as soon as the wind should serve, which was consented unto; And on the 27. day of November we had a fair wind, and I accordingly went to command them aboard, where I found but p. 9four of the seven, the rest were fled upon a design as you shall know hereafter; these other four with all the faire words and kindness I could, I desired and commanded aboard, but found them Refractory to my requests, refusing to go with me without a Note from Mr. May, who as then had nothing to do with them, nor the Ship, but only subservient to me: But to remove that Remora, I sent for May's note to Commade them aboard which accordingly I had, yet would not this serve then, unless he came himself, they then promising that they would go with him, without in the least manner mentioning any of their exceptions, or his giving of any such note as they pretend.

After sometime Mr. May came and both desired, and commanded them aboard, the Deputy of Deale being then present, but they then Replyed they would not; and that they had a discharge under his hand, and that he had no more to do with them, and that they had now waited upon me from London to Deale, and would now wait upon no longer, giving me very unseemly and reproachful language; But this would not serve their turns: I told them, that they had promised all to go with me, and they should. As for Mayes Not I valued it not, knowing that none could give p. 10them a discharge but the King, and if they would not goe by fair means, they should go by compulsion; the which to the utmost of my power I used. But not being able my self, with two of my Seamen, In his Majesties Name I commanded the Deputy, and such other Officers, as I could finde out in the Town, to aid and assist me; but they wilfully refused it, and were palpably instrumental in their escape. All which I will by sufficient testimonies make appear, when ever required: as also that by reason of their not going, I have lost my Concerns in the Ship to my utter ruine. And the world might know upon what account I stayed, tis this; first to manifest the treachery of these, as they term themselvs, innocent persons; and in the next, that in my absence, I would not have that blot laid upon me, which I do not deserve.

Now a word to you, the holy Brethren of the Nation (called Quakers) what is it we clog to your Consciences to break promise; Do you not know that every sin in you is a Complication of many, the whole body of you being concerned therein, who like Sydra's heads, admit of no seperation. Why did you attend the Ship and me to Gravesend, and from thence to the Downes? why did you give me thanks for my kindness to you all, and especially for my kindness to you p. 11at Hertsor d why did you promise to attend me, to be my true and faithful Prisoners, and to go on bo…rd with me whensoever I should require you? why would you lye in the Spirit, and not performe these things? The Apostles never did so: Let God and the world judge of my actions, could I have done more for men then I have done for you. What did you want in the Ship which you had not? had you not the best Cabin, did you not lye upon new Beds, which I bought for my own Advantage and Traffick and not for you, whilst I my self lay upon the Boards? Did not I ride to Hertford to serve you? Did not I make it my businesse and expence to oblige you? Did I deny you any Liberty, or Freedom, but when you refused to obey the Kings Commands? I'le take God and your own Consciences to witnesse, I did not.

Were you but too civilly used, when you had your Liberty to go ashore at Deale, due ring our abode there? Or did your Religion allow of a Fraud in that Case? did my kindnesses, whereof heretofore you have made large Acknowledgments, deserve to be requited thus. Is this your integrity? are these your upright de…lings? Or is it only a fit of the Old man; to shew that the Devil hath not lost all his power of you?

What will the World think of your p. 12Treachery, what will they say when they see Mr. May's, or rather your own Discharge? what can they say, but that he was Drunk, or not himself, and so you got his hand to what you pleased? The which I will make appear by the Testimonies of above a Dozen persons. As also the grand Impertinencies, and fabulous Narrations therein contained, not one material word thereof being true. Which Discharge, for the satisfaction of the World, I have here incerted verbatim; and will with Gods leave demonstrate the absurdities and incongruities therein conteined. It followes in these words, (viz.)

Whereas there was seven men called Quakers, brought aboard my Ship called the Anne of London by William Edmonds Goaler of Hertford, to say, Nicholas Lucas, Henry Feart, Henry Marshal, Francis Pryor, John Bindet, Jeremiah Hearne, and Samuel Treherne, all which have continued waiting upon my Ship f om London to Deale, from the fourth day of Septemb. last, till this day. And I seeing providence hath much crost me hitherto, whereby I perceive that the hand of the Lord is against me, that I dare not proceed on my Voyage to carry them, they being Innocent Persons, and no Crime signified against them worthy of banishment; And that there is a Law in force, that no English man shall be banished out of his Nation contrary, against his p. 13will. And also my men refuse to go the Voyage, if I carry them, which will be much to my hinderance, men being very scarce by reason of the long continued Presse. For these Reasons therefore, and many more, I will not carry them. These are therefore to Certifie any person or persons that shall Question them, or any of them, that they did not make an Escape, but I put them on shore again to go whither they please. All this is Certified under my own hand the 10. day of November, 1664.

Thomas May.

What, have you now fool'd your selves to the Barbadoes, and now think this Evasion would serve your turnes? and that yours which is the meer Fantasie, or Shadow of a Religion, would hold good with those that understand the difference betwixt somthing, and nothing. And so you would passe amongst those that suffer for the Truth. You erre in the manner of your Worship, and if God should ask, who required this at your hands, you would answer with a Non putaram.

Why do you strive to varnish your Innocence, by Justification, if you are not guilty you need begg no excuse, neither need you seek the popular applause, if you can make it out with God.

You cry out the Judgment of God was against p. 14us, for medling with innocent persons. Go you prophane Fools, if your Assertions were true, you mistake when you exposite the ends of Gods Judgments; you might rather think it was for our ill belief, in crusting such Hypocrites as you.

Twas now after the getting of this your lying illegal Discharge, that the 3 M…chivillian Em…ssaries stole away from Deale to London, to publish the wonderful works of God on the Seas, how averse the heavens were to their Transportation, and the Providence of God in their delivery: stories as strange as that of Cassiopeia's Chaire, or the Phainomena, then which there cannot be a veri…r nothing.

'Twas somthing strange Mr. May should complain, Providence should so cross him in his designes, when as then he was neither concerned with, nor in the Ship, during her passage from London to Gravesend, or from thence to the Downs; neither was he there for some considerable time after.

'Tis true there was one Capt. Green, Master of the Ship called the Barbadoes Merchant, who had been a Month before us there, that put to Sea five times, and by extremity of weather was beaten in again, yet was it not so with us; we lay at Anchor with half a Cable, half the strength, whilst others had a whole one.

If this be your Providence, you have made the most of it.

p. 15Was any of our Cordage broke, did it run aground, as several other Ships did, during our being there? or did it suffer any Damage by the weather? why should you then seek to cheat the people, why should you lye in the Face of Almighty God, are not these things untruths? why should you then encourage your Fancies, in designing Circumstances of so great Falshood.

What, hath not your Principles given you strength enough to rejoyce in Tribulation? cannot you, as the three Children, sing in the fire; Or as Paul and Silas in the Stocks? Whilst you are feasted in Prisons, you can indure this Severity: Banishment is too hard a Sentence for a tender Conscience.

Why do you play the Hippocrites thus? Don't you count your merit more, or lesse, according to your sufferings? Why did you not gaine Heaven by Banishment? durst not you trust Gods Promises upon so dear a score? can you not part with England, and your holy Sisters, for your God?

Does not your C…nscience tell you the more innocently you suffer, the more effectual is your Justification before God? why then do you blow Trumpets like the Pharisees, when you give Almes, or do good Acts? why do you justifie your selves before men, do you not receive your reward here? See what St Mathew sayes to you, Math. 23. and 28. Even so ye also appear righteous unto p. 16men, but within you are full of hypocrisie and iniquity.

Why then will you say there is no Crime signified against you, worthy of Banishment? you pretend you will suffer all things, why then are you so willing to Cite a Law so f…r from the purpose? Is not there a new Law for new Crimes? we had no Quakers in those times. But now I perceive where you would be; you would not go against your wills, you would suffer punishment provided it be here in England. What does your Brotherhood think that change of Aire wiil change your Opinion? or that like men religiously drunk, after a Nap you would come to your selves again? why else have they so often petitioned for you? why have they used such means to get you off? why have your selves used such treachery? what, have you graveld your consciences, have you no remorse?

You scorne your selves to petition for mercy, but your Brothers shall; what a trick this is to blinde the World? do not we know that he which doth it by another, doth it himself? and though you do not desire favour your selves, yet you consent, procure, and aid another, to do it for you.

How can you say the Seamen were against going? was their consent ever asked? how can you own such a falshood? Did not two of them help me to drag you into the p. 17Boat. 'Tis strange if they should so soon tack about, or can any body imagine these persons that are so forward for your going, should be by you thought to be against it.

How can you certifie any person, that you made not your escape? did not three of you run the Country, whilst the other four appeared walking upon the Be…ch, to blind my eyes? if you thought this Certificate a Discharge sufficient, why did you not all go?

What signifies this Discharge, how unjustly soever gotten it appears? what will you do with it? it will be no Record for you in Heaven, nor Protection for you here. In penning and procuring whereof, you have done as the Thief that stole the plague from Athens: you have made a Rod for your selves: Did you not know that it lay not in May's power to release you? and that at the time the Discharge was given, May had not any thing to do with the Ship, men, or any other thing therein conteined, but as a Substitute to me, so that he could not have done it without my consent likewise obtained. And further, that it lay not in our powers to make such a Note or Discharge; and that none but his Majesty could rec…l your Banishment, or Discharge us of our Engagements for your Transportation; is this a sin of ignorance?

We need no more of your Rhetor…ck, nor those false ascribed Encomiums of your sincerity p. 18and upright dealings with all persons. Let people judge of you by your actions, where like Juglers you have cheated all, by casting a mist before their eyes.

Where now is your puritanical B…nd? Where is your affected carelesness? who is it you now condemn for pride, deceit and prophanesse? who now do you judge for idle words? have you nothing to say for your selves? what do you think of the phrase, Luke 18. was he not a good, just and honest man of your Opinion.

Are not your principles to give every man his due, to do now ong to any body, nor to let any man suffer any wrong for you, not to the loss of one haire of their heads, have you made this good is one word of it true? Is this your charity and Brotherly love, is this your following of the Letter, you will by no means swear, nor lye at all to speak on, except it concern your private good, or the propagating the Number of the Saints of this our age.

Come, come, be wise and consider that those that instiled those principles in you, had a farther design, and that you might be the more pliable, they did resolve to Level all things, that they might set up some New thing of their own, like another Mahomet with his Pidgeons and Falling-sickness instead of inspiration.

What needed those delayes amongst the p. 19godly, would your stiffe-limb'd holinesse allow of so many idle words, why did you not at first tell me of your pretended discharge, why would you lye before God and men, when you said you would go upon sight of a Note from Mr. May, and why went you not when it came.

Why did you promise to go if he should come himself and desire you, and when he came and commanded you aboard, why went you not or why did you say you would?

Had you not the liberty to speak, or were you ashamed to own your contrivance before you were force…?

But I pitie your ignorance, that being Created after the Image of God, you should know his Call no better, that you should know your selves not better, that you should not know to what end you were created, that you should not know the difference betwixt a man and a beast? doth not your will make you a man, why therefore did you not resolve me at first, whether you would or would not, It is an ill signe of truth when p…ople use Circumlocutions.

But hitherto tended your policie, the wind you knew was good, the Merchants and Passengers would be impatient and the Ship could not stay, unless it would stand the hazzard of being protested against, which you p. 20imagined to us would be of a greater conse…uence then your carriage. And that the …est of the Fleet being gone we could not …ay long behind. This was that made you use a double Tongue, this was the time to make all your shifts. And if that you could spin out any discourse for an hour, it were sufficient? Did you do like Saints in this, or do you think you have escap't this danger without expectance of a worse. Be it to you as you deserve,

Did I not stay the Ship from two of the Clock Sunday morning, until Tuesday morning, did not I use the interest of the Merchants Passengers? did not I my self perswade you, telling you the danger of going back again, and that you would be tryed as Felons? did not I tell you, that if you refused to go, you would undoe me and above halfe a score more? Did the Ship refuse to carry you, or did I yet, would not all this move your evil genius to a compliance?

Did not I use all the vigour I could to force you aboard, did I not charge the Deputy and Townsmen in the Kings Name (though in vain) to aid and assist me? did not I take you all and throw you into the Boat, and unless I had nailed your feet to the plancks, I could not have done more. From whence though you went not freely in, you could freely runne out

p. 21What did you think the Boat was made of Irish Wood, and that no venomous Creature could I ve upon it, why else would not you rema…n here, why would not you stay the tenth part of a quarter of an houre, what would not your pa…i…nce or your pain suffer you to stay till my Seamen could fit their Oares.

What made you fall all along upon the Beech-stones, was it out of Devotion, or in expectation of the Text, Mat. 3. and 9 Or did you think to be carried into the Boat by the Spirit.

Did you ever produce this discharge of Mr. May? was it ever openly read or acknowledged by Mr. May when he was himself, was it drawn by a publique Notary, was not it done in a common Alehouse, and signed by your own Creatures? And though I cannot justifie Mr. Mayes doing thereof in any place, yet, I think inter pocula so severe a Censure as that by the understanding people of this Nation will be thought but an elevation of the Pole.

But yet let me speak this concerning Mr. May, and I would have the world know so much, that however he hath carried himself in that businesse, yet his concealing thereof from me all thar while, and for several other Accounts, he hath proved himself a Rogue, p. 22and a Villain, the which I have not mist a Opportunity all this while to tell him of; and with his Crocodiles tears he hath acknowledged it with more Grace, I suppose, then I can expect from you.

But now again to you Hypocrites: Let the world know what you have done for the Truth and your Conscience, (as you pretend) you'l say you have suffered Imprisonment, losse of Libertie, and the not enjoyment of the Bodie. But why persisted you not unto the end? why do you like Peter deny your Principles when there is most need of Justification? why do you turn back like Lot's wife? see what you have merited, see what St. Luke promises you as a reward, Luke 17. and 33. Whosoever seeks to save his life, shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his Life, shall preserve it.

What, did you think your selves sent as Sacrifices? why did you not then thank God for his Offer, and like another Abraham, make an example of your Faith?

Will you tell me again you have Wives, and Children, and Families? and that it is an unjust thing that Free borne Subjects should be banished for no apparent Crime; what then, will you quit the Banners of Christ to stay at home? See in Math. 10. and 37.

What could I expect when you refused to go with me unto the Boat, but that your Faith had been like Peters, and that you would p. 23have walkt to the Ship upon the face of the water…?

But you have deceived the world & me, and you… Faith is not so much as your Fallacy: Your words savor of the Spiri… of God, b…t your Actions of the Devil: You are not so Religious, is you would be counted: You are too much Speculative Christians. A little of the Practick is enough to make you mad, if you be not so already.

Fie, fie up…n you, 'tis now time to be ingenious, and for Pennance, to acknowledge your mi…guided Devotion, either shew by your Actions more of Saints, or professe lesse. But I suppose your policy, you are temporally Religious, and your expectancy is nothing but a temporal blessing: Or like the Sadduces, you deny the Resurrection. Do you know that God knowes your thoughts, and that you must give an account of them at the General Day of Judgment? why then do you use a Cloak to your bad Actions, and make that your Glory, which should be your Shame.

Vale.