IT having pleased the Lord once more to bring you together by a wonderful hand of his pro­vidence, contrary to the expectation and de­sires of very many, and to put a price into your hands (if you have hearts to it) of being repairers of our breaches, and restorers of paths to dwell in, of healing these bruised, broken, distracted, and almost destroyed Nations; and I looking upon you as the onely visible Authority amongst us, able to relieve the sufferings of the distressed, not doubting of your mercy, ac­cording to the merit of the cause and innocency of the persons; in all humility make bold to lay before you greater abominati­ons then ever I have heard or known acted in so short a time, and in so small a place as the Island of Jersey.

It pleased this honourable Assembly in the place of Colonel Robert Gibbon to give a Commission, June the 28. last, signed by the Right Honourable the Speaker to John Mason, to be a Colonel and Governour of that Island, he was called there the Baylies, and Dr. Cartarets Governour, by whose eminent inte­rest with the late Lieutenant General Fleetwood, I verily believe he obtained that preferment, supposed by them a fit instrument to countenance and smother their illegal actings there. I have [Page 4] often admired how Dr. Cartaret crept into a place of such trust, as Judge Advocate of England, being not only dipt poli­tically, but being by birth a French man, who naturally sucks in with his mothers milk a hatred to the English: but shall wonder much more if he continue in that honourable employment, having been so active of late for the Army, against the Par­liament, supposed to be the Penman of most of the papers printed to bespatter them, and having declared his judgement publickly, that if the Army were worsted, it was their interest to declare for King Charles, rather then let the Parliament sit againe.

His Governour Mason was of late years an apprentice to Mr. Iohn Wedge, a Coach-harnesse-maker at the Dolphin and Hoop in Cow-lane, which I should account no disgrace, but rather an honour, had his actions of courage and valour discovered that a generous and noble soul lodged under his mechanicks lea­ther apron, but how sparing of his flesh and blood, and how careful he hath been all along the Wars to preserve his life, I have been informed by several Members of the Army, and I have observed that they who have fought least have gained most; those Officers who have lost their blood and estates, be­ing still by degrees weeded out of the Army by an insinua­ting, undermining Generation, who were within these twenty years the very scumme of the Nation, and all this under a knack and pretence of Reformation and Religion. However Governour he was, and Captain Richard Yardley a discreet, honest, and valiant Gentleman, and of a considerable estate, who had adventured both it, and his life in several engage­ments in England, and reducing that Island, immediately laid down his Commission, though courted by the late Lieutenant General Fleetwood to have it renued, supposing it much below him to be Deputy to so inferior a person.

Not long after Dr. Cartarets wife, the late Colonel Hewsons daughter arrives in Jersey, as the so erunner of our new Go­vernour, her party monopolize all the news to themselves, having taken care since the death of Oliver Protector to stop the most of the Letters directed to the commission Officers, as I have found out since I came to London; the most that we heard was, that they would whip all the Officers our of the [Page 5] Island (for that was the disgraceful terme they used) but espe­cially my self to propagate their Church with the more facility: for at their first meeting in Saint Obins Fort, their exercise be­ing ended, and Mistris Cartaret perceiving their Congregati­on to be very small, demanded whether there were all their number, and whether their friends had not increased in her absence, reply was made, they were never like to encrease as long as Mr. Ashton staid in the Island, thereupon they voted my removal as soone as they could effect it, and in order thereto whispered that some misdemeanours were put in against me at Wallingford house.

Not long after, to wit July the 16. last, about nine of the clock at night, our expected Governour arrived at Elizabeth Castle, accompanied with Mr. John Gosnold, Mr. Thomas Pennel, Mr. Miller, and Mr. Rutlidge (whose principles and practises follow) news being sent to Saint Hillaries next day, that there would be a Sermon in the Castle at the opening of the Bridge in the afternoon, very many flocked thither both English and Islanders to see the new Governour, and to heare his Chaplain, he courteously, and with a smiling countenance, and very faire words saluted the Officers and chief of the Islan­ders, which put many in a confidence that a sweet disposition lodged under so promising a countenance, but since we have had reason to recant our errour, and to apply that of the Psal­mist, Psal. 55. 21. The words of his mouth were smoother then butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer th [...]n oile, yet were they drawn swords.

Should I trouble your Honour with the firing of the great Guns in the Castles, and Parishes for joy of his arrival, or with the sumptuous feasting of him, I should probably discourage you in reading what follows. I cannot forget these particu­lars.

1. His party laid it as a grosse scandal upon us, that we feasted up and down the Island, and they in two moneths feasted at more places then we did in six years, for Colonel Mason scarce eat six fet meals in his own lodgings all that time.

2. They laid it as a grosse scandal upon us, that we kept the Cavaliers of the Island company, and Colonel Mason eat and drank with those that we did, and with those that we never eat [Page 6] and drank with, witnesse Mr. Bagot a casheered Jurate, and Mr. Hilgrove, who was in armes against Colonel Heane when he reduced the Island, and still hath been the most inveterate enemy against the English of any man in the Town, as Colo­nel Heane, Colonel Gibbon, and Captaine Yardley alwayes found.

3. Although Colonel Mason resolved speedily to reduce Lieutenant Joseph Underwood from the Government of Orguile Castle, yet he was graciously pleased before he did it, to en­courage him to feast him and his followers, which put him to considerable charges.

Hitherto all seems to be quiet and serene, but within a few dayes Colonel Mason pickes up a society of English and Islan­ders, such a pack as no man living can equalize in all the Island (their names, principles and practises follow) who being his privy Councel, he drives on furiously.

1. July the 23. he casheered Captaine Hugh Gerhard by his sole power, and charged Lieutenant Joseph Underwood to keep him out of Orguile Castle.

2. Within a few dayes after he cashered Anthony Reade, an old souldier, who had adventured his life in England, and an estate worth fourty or fifty pounds a year, and was a Trooper under the valiant Colonel Heane at the reducing of Jersey.

3. He imprisoned them both a considerable time, and released them by his sole power, never giving a reason of any of these actions, nor calling a Court Martial, which is humbly con­ceived to be contrary to the Lawes and Ordinances of Warre.

But alas this is nothing to what follows, he begins with the souldiers but his aime is at the Officers.

1. He sends for Lieurenant Joseph Underwood from his com­mand in Orguile Castle to Saint Hillaries Town, a Gentleman ingaged in the Wars from the beginning, in defence of the pri­viledges of Parliament, in the capacities of Captain Lieutenant of Horse, Cornet, and Lieutenant of Foot, in all which he had been faithful, and adventured his life both in several engage­ments in England, and reducing the Island of Jersey, had lost in the Wars, with Holland as many goods as cost him two [Page 7] hundred & fourscore pounds, part being taken by the Hollanders and part being cast away, notwithstanding all this, he dismisses him of his command and Lieutenants place, gives possession of the Castle to brother Meech, a creature of his own judgement, denies the Lieutenant the liberty to go into the Castle to remove his moneys and goods, or to go into Eliza­beth Castle, or Saint Obins Fort, keeps him in the Island as pri­soner several weeks, charges him to provide himself to go out of the Island when he went, and not to return without his pass, carries him in the nature of a prisoner to St. Malo's in France, and thence to England, promises him he would pro­cure his Commission renewed for Jersey, or as good employ­ment elsewhere: but instead of this he stops all his arreares to satisfie an old debt due to Major Salwey, and although his wife came to London a hundred miles, and solicited his favour with much diligence, the best answer she received was, that she was engaged to him, that he did not hang her husband, for he de­served it, and it was in his power to hang him; in a word, the poor Gentlewoman having waited and wept a week in Town, had wanted moneys to have carried her to Dorchester, being denied her husbands expected pay, had not Colonel Masons favourite, Mr. Pennell solicited earnestly for a moneths pay, which with some difficulty he obtained, and when Colonel Ma­son paid it, he told her he bestowed it clearly out of charity, for her husband was never to have any account of his pay. This he dealt with a faithful and honest Lieutenant, never bringing him to any legal trial, though he petitioned him several times to do it.

2. Ensign John Cook comes upon the stage, whom I will do that right as to affirme, that I verily believe the foundation of hating him was his relation to Colonel Gibbon our late Gover­nour, whose wife is his Sister, for I still observed when Colonel Mason was pleasant, he had still a jeer in pickle for Colo­nel Heane and Colonel Gibbon his more valiant predecessors, witness the jeer of the old woman in his own lodgings, too ri­diculous to insert here; this party plotting how to out Ensign Cook, Brother Meech offers a Collation to any who would swear that he was in Colchester, but by chance finding no English man who would perjure himselfe, and pawne his soul for an [Page 8] Ordinary, John Esthoe Articles against him, Humphrey Bennet and William Bradford having discoursed with him about the af­faires of England and London; the charge was, that he told them, trading was so dead in London, that the streets were al­most as empty as St. Hillaries, and that he knew of the late ri­sing before he came thence, upon this information Colonel Mason sends for him by John Guppy the Trooper, examines him, he confesses what was alledged, Colonel Mason asked him why he did not reveal what he knew, he said he discovered it to Colonel Gibbon: notwithstanding this satisfactory answer, Colonel Mason makes a warrant to imprison him closely in Orguile Castle, as a mutineer, and a dangerous seditious person, threatens to carry him to London, and try him for his life, some perswade him he will die for it; he is forced to give a bond of five hundred pounds, not to act nor speak against the Parliament, is not suffered to wear a sword, nor to go into either of the Ca­stles or Fort; although his wife lived in Elizabeth Castle, and was past her accounts end, he was not permitted to go in to see her, but she must either come to the Town, where she was likely to cry out several times, or else they must meet on a rock to converse and feed together, and in fine, at Colonel Masons coming for England, Ensigne Cook was affrighted and trepanned out of his employment, laying down for feare of death which was threatned, upon condition to have his bond cancelled, which Colonel Mason still keeps; this unchristian dealing brought his wife to that desperate condition that she lay seven weeks in child-bed, and escaped death with much dif­ficulty, although before she was as hearty and strong, as women usually are in her condition. In a word, to manifest Colonel Masons tyranny, and Ensign Cooks innocency in this matter, I cannot conceal what one related to me from Collonel Gibbons mouth, that he would vindicate his brother, and that his relati­on of what he had heard was the greatest insight they had of the intended insurrection,

3. Sargeant Adams is turned out of his Sutlers place in Or­guile Castle, a woman there pretending he would have forced her coming from the market a long time before, and although he petitioned the Governour several times to examine such witnesses as he could produce to cleare his innocency, yet he [Page 9] would not do that, but left him to the Civil Law, and promi­sed him a Troopers place, but instead of the hopes of the Court and the Troopers place, Colonel Mason at his coming for England, left an order with the Baily not to permit him to have any justice in the Court, but speedily to banish him out of the Island. This Adams is as stout a Souldier as treads on En­glish ground, and hath done very good service both in England, and reducing the Island of Jersey, I could advise Colonel Ma­son to be careful of fighting for the Army, when this fellow fights for the Parliament, lest he fall into his clutches.

4. Sarjeant Bartlet, his wife, and several poor small children are turned out of Orguile Castle, and he not permitted to be a private souldier there, although he petitioned it, for no other reason that ever I heard, but because he was Captain Yardleys servant, and he loved him, and because Colonel Mason was in­formed his wife was a scold. This Bartlet had been an old soul­dier, and adventured his life in England several times, and in reducing the Island of Jersey.

5. I come to his dealings with my self, with whom he begun and ended his bloody pranks in Jersey, he had not been many dayes in the Island, but Ensigne Meech, Humphrey Bennet, Thomas Cooch, and William Bro ford (as I am credibly inform­ed) went to him, acquainted him that I was a great hinder­ance to the increase of the Anabaptists in the Island, being of another judgement, and petitioned he would remove me, to whom he replied, the Parliament intended to remove no Officer for his judgement, but if they could find any Articles against me (the old trick to out honest men) it might easily be effected, they said they would diligently enquire, and doubt­ed not to accomplish their ends. I perceiving a constant cloud in his countenance, resolved to close with the first op­portunity, to enquire of his intentions concerning me, which I did, July the 26. I acquainted him that upon the Articles of marriage, I was to remove with my family to keep house, Sep­tember the 4. next following, and that Captain Yardley had pro­mised me convenient lodgings in Orguile Castle, but since he had laid down his Commission, I requested I might have the Deanes Lodgings in Elizabeth Castle, which properly belong to the Chaplain, I informed him how faithful I had been to my [Page 10] trust, and painful in my place; he replyed that the Lord Fleet­wood was informed by the good people of the Island, that I was very unfit for the place of Chaplain there, I requested him to advise me what way I might take to clear my innocency, and vindicate my self from what aspersions were cast upon me, he told me he onely came over to see how affaires were, and had not so much power as to call a Court Marshall, but believed that upon his report of the affairs of the Island, Commissi­oners would be appointed to examine such matters, and that upon their report at London, things would be ordered ac­cordingly, I desired his advice whether it were not conve­nient for me to draw up a Testimonial, and to try at the heads of the Companies the next muster day, who would sign it, for I assured him I was confident that all the Officers and souldiers, excepting five or six of his judgement would give ample testi­mony of my doctrine and conversation to my advantage, he re­plied that it was altogether too ostentatious, and believed it would not be advantagious at all.

To crush this designe of my testimonial, a Petition is spee­dily drawn up by Colonel Masons advice, and privity, to be pre­sented to him to request him to procure Mr. Gosnold to be their Chaplain, John Bayly, Goodman Banckes, and Blethin the Schoolmaster go about for hands to it, telling the Islanders and souldiers, that except they subscribed, they should be forbidden to come to hear him preach, they should lose Colonel Masons favour, and be casheered out of their places, these baits terrified many to subscribe, I never saw it, nor could procure a Copy of it, I onely heard the beginning, which was in these termes. Whereas we have been led in darkness and hell, &c. which I wondered any one durst signe who had any conscience, I having not been absent out of the Island three moneths in almost three years, having preached when I was refident for the most three times every week, and foure times every fourth week and pub­lickly declared, that if any one were unsatisfied in any thing they heard me preach, they might freely come every Thursday after Lecture, and I would endeavour to give them satisfaction. All these are the beginnings of sorrows.

This Generation wanting witnesses to swear to something material against me, contrive a way to seduce my servant John [Page 11] Miller from me, whom Captain Yardley had mustered in his Company of Foot, to this end Meeches agents perswade him to come to Orguile Castle, and do his duty himself, that he was none of my servant, but a souldier, and Meech himself promises him, that if he would come from me, he should never want, these allurements so prevailed with him (being a runnagate (having run from his Master where he was an Apprentice three times) and a bloody, cursing, debauched, prophane swearing boy, having been like to kill Captain Swans children several times, especially once having struck the breath out of his youngest son Williams body by a paire of bellows which he vio­lently threw at him) that on Monday, August the 15. he ran away from me, although Captain Swan, my self, and wife in­treated him to stay, he was so uncivil in his carriage to my wife, that when she came up to me, she looked as if she would have swounded, and told me, he had done her more hurt then ever he was able to do her good, he left his breeches and doublet, and some other rags behinde him, which it seems was done by advice and premeditation, for he told one as he went to the Town, that he was advised, that if he did leave his cloaths behinde him, his Master could not recover what he owed him, nor any of his pay which was due to him: next day I went to Colonel Mason, whom I desired to send home my hired ser­vant, or secure the money he owed me, but he gave me very uncivil language, unfit to expresse, took my servant from me, sent him to do his duty at Orguile Castle, deny'd to pay the money I had laid out of my purse for him, stopt all his pay which was due to me in Meeches hands to encourage and main­taine this runaway, charged me to prepare to go for England when the Convoy came, I told him that I was not afraid nor ashamed to go thither, but intended to stay till I could leave my wife in a secure condition, she drawing neer the time of her appointed sorrows; when I told him with tears in my eyes, how uncivil my servant had been to her, how much dejected and weak she was, and how afraid I was his ill-favoured carriage, and other circumstances would go near to bring her to her grave, he jeered at it, and laughed me to scorn.

But alas what precedes is but a flea-biting to the fury which follows, the cruelty of this generation seldome ends but in [Page 12] blood and murther, the saddest part of the Tragedy is still to be acted, September the 12. last in the afternoon the Kent Fri­got arrives in Sentwon-bay, about nine of the Clock that night Colonel Mason sends two Troops, Mr. Christopher Cotton, and Mr. Thomas Brightman to Captain Swans, where I lived, with a letter, wherein he summoned me to be ready the next day to go for England, having read the contents to them, my poor wife (being brought very low before by the unchristian carriage of several persons, and three dayes past her accounts end, and they having reported in the Island that I was sure to be hanged when I came to London, which was told her at din­ner a few dayes before) was ready to swound away, but I and the family comforted her as well as we could, I promised her I would not go into England, until she were delivered, unlesse Colonel Mason forced me away, which I verily believed he would not be so unchristian as to do, considering her condi­tion, I went early the next morning, acquainted him that I could not leave my wife in safety, she expecting every houre the pangs of her travel, but as soon as she were delivered, and in a way of recovery, I would make hast to England by Garnzey or the way of France, and if he would not take my engagement, I offered to procure security of the best in the Island in five hundred or a thousand pounds bond for my appearance there; that the winde could not car­ry them to any Port of England, but they must go to Saint Malo's in France, therefore I hoped to be in England as soone as he, he told me he durst not leave me in the Island with secu­rity, having acquainted the Lord Fleetwood that he would bring me to London, I replied that if there was no other remedy but I must be carried away by force, I must obey his commands, I went home, comforted my poor wife (who was ready to cry out) as well as I could, put up some things fit for my voyage, I had not been at home three houres, nor could I have time to refresh my self with meat, but he sent a messenger to hasten me away, how dreadful my parting was, God alone knows (but they may guesse somewhat who have such wives as she was, and know how to prize so great a blessing as a good wife given from the Lord) truth is I very much feared what the Lord in my ab­sence brought upon her. Although the wind (as before) could [Page 13] not carry us to any Port of England, yet he hasted on ship­board, having left an Order with Captain Lieutenant Austin Buckler, that if Captain Yardley, my self, or Lieutenant Under­wood should come to Jersey without his passe, we should not be permitted to go to see our relations or friends in the Island, but be speedily sent on board again, his deputy, but now men­tioned was very careful lest the prisoners (my self, and Lieu­tenant Underwood) should stay behind, for he road triumphant­ly to the boat wherein we were, and enquired whether all were aboard who must go, about twelve that night we set saile, ar­rived at St. Malo's in France about the same houre the next day, staid till Tuesday following, set sail, and came to Ports­mouth Thursday, I conceiving my self to be a prisoner, went up to Colonel Mason, and asked him what he would command me, he replied, Sir now you may go which way you please, I told him God willing I would [...]ait on him Monday following, which I did, and shewed him this Petition following, which immediately after I presented to the Lord Fleetwood.

THE Lord Fleetwood having read it, according to his con­stant custome gave me sweet words, and asked me whether there were any Articles against me, I replyed, I knew not what Colonel Mason would object, but was certain, I was free from any crime which might forfeit my Commission; in a day or two Colonel Mason shewed a paper to him, and Mr. Walter Strick▪ to whom he bespattered me as well as he could, I made a friend to the Secretary to have had a copy of it, but could ne­ver obtain it, it seemed he durst not adventure so precious a Jewel out of his own possession. I went to the Lord Fleet­wood again to petition for a speedy tryal, he directed me to goe to D. Cartaret, who adviced me to let it fall to the ground, he conceiving it impossible to procure my Commission renewed whiles Colonel Mason opposed it, this advice being backed by many other eminent friends, who assured me that the Lord Fleetwood and Colonel Mason were all one, and that it was the Anabaptists design to casheere all out of the Army who were not of their Judgement, especially the Chap laines, and that if with much industry I procured my commission renewed, I should live a most hellish life under a Governour who hated [Page 15] me, so prevailed, that I went to Colonel Mason, and told him, I would not return to Jersey, but decline soliciting after my place, but withal requested him several times to give me a copy of the charge against me, or let me see it, either to pay me the moneths pay due to me as Chaplain, out of an hundred and six­ty pounds of Colonel Gibbons he keeps in his hands, or to pay me what pay was received for my man which is my own, and the debt he ows me, all which amount to neer twenty pounds, or to lend me some moneys upon my bill to repay it, I having been long in Town, living at great charges, and being then in great want of money, but he absolutely refused all these.

To return and mind your Honour of my poor wife, from whom I was so suddenly snatched as before, she sorrowed sadly at my departure, and no marvel, considering what she had heard of the malicious desires and intentions of my enemies towards me; two days after I was gone shee fell into Travel, was deli­vered, but the bitterness of her throwes being seconded with the frequent consideration of what she had heard concerning me, so afflicted her, that she fel into a distracted condition, still crying out, Colonel Mason hath carryed my poor husband up to London to hang him; these pains and sorrows within a fortnight brought her so weak, that she expected death every moment, and some of her last words were these to several per­sons of quality who came to visit her, Colonel Mason hath bro­ken my heart, and is the only cause of my death. Thus shee dyed, or rather was murthered by that man of blood, for 'tis well known, she was before he came into the Island, as cheer­full, hearty, and as likely to live as every any one was in her con­dition.

Right Honourable, do not these things affect your heart, at the writing of which my heart bleeds, and my eyes weep; The voice of my wives blood cryes unto the Lord and to you from the ground for Justice. 'Tis not my Judgement alone, but all who knew the passages, person and place, and have heard this story truly related, that her blood lies at his door, and I confidently believe that word will be accomplished on him or his, Gen. 9. 6. Who so Adeddeth mans blood by man shall his blood be shed. Once more, the blood [...] thirsty generation of Anabaptists were not satisfied with my being carried like a criminal out of the Island [Page 16] (though for no reason I know yet, but because I am not of that perswasion) and with the death of my dear wife, but they brag among themselves, and conclude, that questionless I am either prisoner here at London, or banished, or silenced for ever preaching in England, and yet 'tis well known (blessed be the Lord who hath still raised me friends) that I have preached publickly in as large and learned Churches as are in this City, and am elected by a unanimous Vestry to be Minister where there is a comfortable subsistence within twenty miles of it, but no marvel that they speak thus of me who amalive, who derided, laughed and scoffed at the innocent creature my wife when she was dead and buried. But let them take heed, lest Their mis­chief return upon their own heads, and their violent dealings come down upon their own pates, Psal. 7. 16.

By these short passages your Honour may perceive I am rob­bed of my credit, livelihood and wife (as hopefull, religious and vertuous, young Gentlewoman as lived in that Island, at whose burial as I am informed from thence there were more weeping eyes then had been seen on that occasion seven years before, in a word, of all that is dear and near unto me; what remains but that they take away my life also, and the lives of my poor babes, which questionless they would massacre as greedily as they have their mother, were we at their mercy. Good Lord! What would become of the poor Ministers, and all the upright ones in the Nations, should this generation long rule over us, whose tender mercies are cruelty.

I shall close up the sad relation of my own sufferings with a passage of a Gentleman of very great quality to an Officer here in London concerning my wives death.

Present my kind love to Mr. Ashtor, and if he have not heard of it before, acquaint him that his wife is dead, but manage the business with all the discretion you can: I cannot but think that the just God will require her blood at the hands of those who would not suffer her husband to stay with her: I heard she was delivered, but never injoyed her self.

Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends, for the hand of God hath touched me, Job. 19, 21.

Thus farre of Colonel Masons actions in less then two moneths in the Island of Jersey.

[Page 17] I shall crave leave to mind your Honour of what he acted in London.

1. Mr. William Sowton a Chichester Gentleman, very well known in that place, and to several Members of Parliament to be a godly, honest, religious, and [...]ober person, ingaged for the Parliament from the beginning of the Wars, for whose service he hath set out three Dragooners, and a great horse, and lent a considerable sum of money, as will appear by his publick bills yet unsatisfied, and lost a very great estate at sea by the enemies of the Common-wealth; yet Colonel Mason dismisses him of his place of Commissary and provost Marshal in Jersey, which he had diligently and faithfully discharged, and would not suffer him to go over to perfect his accounts untill he went thither himself, which is likely to prove very much to his damage: he put one Thomas Cooch into his place Mr. Sowtons Deputy to gratifie him for his intended perjury against me (as will appear hereafter) and all this he did by his own sole power, without any order at all, for no cause that ever I heard, but because Mr. Sowton went not over with him into Jersey, although he was at Portsmouth to have waited on him at his punctual appointed time, but Colonel Mason was gone before he came thither.

2. He dismisses Mr. Robert Sidney, Corporal of the Horse, who had adventured his life in England, Scotland, Ireland, and reducing the Island of Jersey in the capacities of Captain of Foot, and Cornet of horse, had lost a considerable estate in the rebellion of Ireland, a Gentleman beloved by all Officers, Souldiers and others who knew him, being as civil, courteous, loving and sweet dispositioned person as treads upon the earth, of a strict and unblamable conversation, a constant observer of his duty, who had continued in Jersey above seven years after it was reduced (which I believe no Officer besides himself did) his horse being old and unfit for the States ser­vice, he sold him by the Governors order, and by the same order came over to buy another, and to dispatch some other oc­casions he had, the Lord visited him with so sore a sickness that he was generally supposed a dead man, he was newly re­covered when Colonel Mason went over Governour into Jer­sey, of whom he requested leave to stay till the next Convoy to [Page 18] dispatch his business, which his sickness had hindered, which he granted, but upon his return, he addressing himself to know his Commands, he plainly told him he was respited the Muster Roules for absence, and that another was put in his place, although Corporal Sidney urged that his sickness put him in an absolute incapacity of returning sooner, and that he had both his own and his Predecessors leave, Colonel Gibbon to stay so long, yet there was no remedy but out he must, Corporal Sidney perceiving it in vain to contest with so migh­ty a man at that time, desired his pay, of which sum he gave him a clear and punctual account, notwithstanding which one Ladington a brother of his profession, whom he sent o­ver as Ensign into jersey, and intrusted with five moneths pay for the Garrison, cheats him of a moneths pay, which he puts into his own pocket, in which Colonel Mason hath so much incouraged him that Corporal Sidney hitherto hath not had one farthing refunded, although he hath cleared the matter, and petitioned Colonel Mason several times for Justice: more­over Colonel Mason refused to pay him his due, unless he went to Winchester for it, which he was forced to do, and to hire a horse, which with his charges in that journey amounted to neer fifty shillings. Colonel Mason promised to consider his extraordinary charges by every ones contributing according to what money he received which J urged, and according to my proportion of forty six pounds, left five shillings in his hands to that purpose, which he kept in his own hands, and never allowed Corporal Sidney, nor the rest ingaged in that jorney any consideration at all. The Lord Fleetwood hath sent into this honest and worthy Gentlemans place one of Colonel Masons Judgement, or whom I have received this information, that he is the most debauched person that ever came into the Island, being almost every day drunk: In one of his fits of drunkenness he drew his knife against one of the best Gentlemen in the Island, and swore by the Lord God he would stab him: In another fit he was so sawcy that Master George Pinson was forced to give him due correction, which I hear he did with such discretion, that the Gentleman retired himself, and kept out of company several dayes.

3. Although he had promised Mr. William Swan to assist his friends at London in procuring his Commission of Quarter­master [Page 19] renewed, yet when he came thither, he was the on­ly hinderer of it, scandalizing him to his friends and kind­dred, and bespattering him with several Articles (which with his answer I intend God willing to make publick) This Gentleman hath been engaged from the beginning of the Wars in the Offices of Captain Lieutenant of Foot, Captain both of Horse and Foot at the same time, Governour of A [...]chclisse Fort, and Deputy Governor of Dover Castle: in all which places he hath carried himself faithfully to the trust re­posed in him, & more particularly in the last, being the only dis­coverer of that considerable and great plot against Dover Castle; he having a Commission sent him from the King to be Governour of it, which he speedily brought up to London, and was promised a gratuity by the Lord General, which he very well deserved, but never yet received any; He lost all his goods (his family being taken by the Hollanders in the wars) to the value of three hundred pounds at least. How faithfull he hath been in Jersey, and how generally beloved and re­spected, all men there know. Notwithstanding all his good service and great sufferings, Colonel Mason (not satisfied with the innocent blood of his eldest daughter, Mrs. Bridget Ashton, whom he hath most barbarously murthered, as I have before related, which hath almost brought both him and his poor weak aged wife to their graves with sorrow) that he might ruine Captain Swan, and his family, and break his wifes heart as he did mine, sent for him over, and had undoubtedly outed him, as he did the rest by his arbitrary sole power, and (as 'tis reported) procured his place for Mr. Francis Cartaret common­ly called Captain, had the Army been able to persist in their late defection. From such cruel blood thirsty persons good Lord deliver us. O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just, for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins, Psal. 7. 9.

Colonel Mason having been so great a Persecutor of those who have adventured their lives and fortunes in the service of the Common-wealth, it cannot be expected he should be a greater favourer of the publick body, then he hath been of the Members of it: His spirit hath sufficiently appeared since the last interruption of the Parliament in these particulars.

[Page 20] 1. He constantly sate among the Councel of Officers at White-Hall and Wallingford house in opposition to the Parlia­ment, and was accounted by all I met with a most active in­strument in perswading the Lord Fleetwood to continue to the last what he had begun, being not only exceedingly intimate with him, but the most rigid and rigorous Anabaptist in all the Army.

2. He was appoiunted by the Committee of Safety, one of the Commissioners for regulating the Militia of Westminster, for the Army against the Parliament, in which I believe it will ap­pear upon examination and enquiry he was sufficiently active.

3. His hand is at all or most of the papers sent to the several Regiments to move them to engage for the Army against the Parliament.

4. He sent Letters to Jersey and Garnzey (Colonel Bingham's command) by which he procured the subscriptions of the Of­ficers and Souldiers in both Islands, for the Army against the Parliament, trepanning many honest hearted and true friends to the Common-wealth, who knew no more of affaires in En­gland then he writ in his mis-informing letters.

5. He abjured the Parliaments Commission signed by your Honour, and received Commissions for himself and his new Officers in Jersey from the late Lieutenant General Fleetwood, which he hath carried over with him, and I am bold to affirme, he would, if he durst, keep that Island for the Army against the Parliament, but I believe he will not adventure to do it, being a man of small courage and valour.

Lastly, your honour may a little judge of Colonel Masons disposition and temper by the principles and abominable practi­ses of his chief favourites, which I shall briefly lay before you.

First, they who came over with him out of England were,

1. Mr. John Gosnold, a Batchelor of Arts of Cambridge, rebap­tised about seven years before, Teacher to a people consisting of about six-score neer Smithfield, this was as his Chaplain, or ghostly Father, his chief favourite, one who seldome had the Tobaccho-pipe out of his mouth, except he were eating, drink­ing, riding, praying, or preaching, he gave out that himself was some great one, and seemed to be somewhat, he brought over some pocket Sermons with him, which as soon as he had preach­ed, [Page 21] he was extreamly weary of the Island, and earnest to be in England, and that he might shift off preaching designed to take a voyage to Malo's in France (as he called it) but was prevent­ed by the speedy arrival of the Convoy which carried us away: although I perceived by his discourse that it was his judgement not to hear any one preach except he were of his perswasion, yet I found by his own preaching, that he had read the Sermons of others, and got them without book, the heads and illustrati­ons of his first Sermon at Elizabeth Castle on Phil. 1. 27. Onely let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ. I found when I was on board the Kent Frigot in Mr. Burroughs his Trea­tise on that Text, entituled Gospel Conversation. The heads and illustrations of his six Sermons preached in St. Hillaries Town are known very well to be stollen out of Mr. Loves fifteene Sermons on the same Text, being 2 Pet. 1. 10. Wherefore the ra­ther brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure. By these I guesse where the rest were stollen, I cannot say but he added many extravagant expressions of his own, I know (said he) a thousand souls in hell, who have been brought thither by the evil example of others. I hope he was never there, although he affirmed the matter upon his certain knowledge, I omit the rest for brevity sake: he had an excellent faculty in condemn­ing his adversaries to the torments of the bottomlesse pit, pa­ving hell with Priests sculls, sentencing Sir George Boothe, & his Countrey-men to do die without mercy, and palliating the a­bominations of his brethren with the candid Characters of in­firmities and slips. But I leave him.

2. Mr. Thomas Pennil Surgion to the Garrison, the Officers had intrusted him, and sent him over into England upon their charges to present their Addresse and Declaration to the Par­liament, but (as I conceive) Colonel Mason intending to out the most of the Officers who subscribed it, as hath appeared since, would not suffer it to be prese [...]nted, to that end they two juggled together to suppress it, which appears hy their contrary stories, Mr. Pennel told us in Jersey, that Colonel Mason had forgotten to present it, but he minding him of it as they were going down in the Coach, Colonel Mason sent it to the Lord Fleetwood by an Officer who was going to London, and Colonel Mason told me he delivered it to Mr. Pennel at his first being [Page 22] in London to present it with his own hands, however between them two it was never delivered. As to the principles of Mr. Pennels religion, I am apt to believe they are uncertain, he's a Presbyterian in the morning, an Independent at noon, an E­piscopal man in the evening, and at midnight a Quaker, as to his education and conversation, he was an Apprentice to a Chirurgion in Germany, thence he went into Scotland, where he practiced the profession of a Barber-Chirurgion, there he in­veigled the Gentlewoman he lives with, he carried her from place to place, at last to London, where he practised the Barber and Tooth-drawer, and set up Bills to cure several diseases, at last procured a commission to be Chirurgion in Jersey, where­upon he left his reputed wife in a most miserable poor condi­tion in London, likely to be starved, his former carriage had made her distracted two or three times before that; he came into Jersey, talked much of Chirurgery and Physick, and yet he is neither Anatomist, Ghymist, Herbalist, nor Latinist, by his faire speeches he crept into the Officers favour, he remo­ved his family into Jersey, for which he provides most mise­rably, he abuses, kicks and pinches his reputed wife, as civil and good a Gentlewoman as lives, he haunts Taverns and Tipling houses day and night, is a common curser, a common drunkard, a common swearer (for which I have often reproved him) and some in London have said they can prove he's a whore­master, he hath used his Apprentice, Mr. Robert Horton liker a dog then a Christian, not allowing him either meat, drink or cloathes convenient, although he had a considerable summe of money with him, more-over at Mr. Pennells coming out of Jersey last, he went about to procure subscriptions from several persons against the young Gentleman, and took the hand of Edmund his other Apprentice, hopeing (as he said himself) to prove a forfeiture of his Indentures, and to recover a hundred pounds from his father: he hath abused his best friends, to in­stance in the worshipful Captain Richard Yardley, who out of meer Christian charity, considering his great charge, had mu­stered one of his men in the party of Horse, and done him all the favours imaginable, yet the best language he had for him when he came into Jersey with Colonel Mason was, Yardley is out, he will never be any thing again, Colonel Mason cannot [Page 23] abide him, will not let him come near him, I believe he will be sequestred, and the like. Once more Mr. Pennel hath told se­veral persons of quality near London, that he was never married to the Gentlewoman by whom he hath foure children now li­ving, and that she is none of his wife, but his whore. O abomi­nable adultery! my heart trembles to think of it, and yet this is he that bragged when he was last in London, that all the Com­mission Officers were turned out except himself, and that he only was Colonel Masons favourite, and good reason too, for I believe he can scarce finde such a toole for his turn in all the three Nations and their Dominions. But enough of him.

3. Mr. Millar, a rebaptized brother, and one of the Protectors sect, and then of the Parliaments Life-guard, this fellow told Colonel Mason all that he saw, heard, or knew, and a great deal more, if a man did but break wind backward the Governour should know it for fear of a plot, as to his conversation, he loved a glass of wine very well, which he would take of soundly; in that short time of his stay in Jersey, he was once so drunk at one of their feasts, that coming home he was not able to guide his horse, but road through the hedges, and tore his hand almost from about his neck, Colonel Mason promised to make this hopeful blade his Captain Lieutenant, but he went into the North with the late Lord Lambert in that expedition against General Monk and since I heard nothing of him, his wife here in London runs out sufficiently against Colonel Mason.

4. Mr. Rutlidge of the same principle, and in the same ca­pacity as the former, he was the only person I looked upon among all that Generation there, as a down-right, honest-heart­ed, sincere, upright man, if I be mistaken I hope I shall be par­doned for my charity.

These four are the Gentlemen he brought over with him, his favourites he closed within the Island are these which follow.