§. 1. AS the Egyptians in their Hierogliphicks painted Death like a Goddess with a Sycle in her hand, bearing this Motto, Nemini parco, I spare no man: so we find it true of Afflictions, those black Harbingers of the grim King of Terrors, They spare none neither; there being no man free from them at one time or other. Howbeit, it is not the man­ner, but cause of Afflictions, which imbitters them, and ren­ders them painful and uneasie. If we suffer for righteous­ness sake (i. e.) innocently, and by the wickedness of false and malicious men, a blessing attends upon our sor­rows, which will certainly change our Cross into a Crown, and procure us an heavenly content, beyond the measure of our terrene troubles and adversities.

§. 2. Afflictions are our School-masters, and often bring us to God. It is good for me (saith holy David) that I was afflicted, for now I have known thy statutes. And indeed, it is my sufferings, principally, that have made me to cast mine eyes inward, and seriously to examine mine heart, how or wherein I have offended against the Majesty of the King of Heaven, that this sad Judgment under which I now la­bour, is come upon me.

§. 3. I never was in love with a Pharisaical humour or temper (for indeed, what hath a poor mortal to boast, or to be proud of?) but yet, as the case now stands, I may, I hope, in the strength of Truth and Modesty affirm (with­out being subject to any severe Censure), That as for my actions between man and man, I bless God, they are as little to be taxed as any man's of my degree or quality. I have lived now fifty and two Solar Revolutions in this trouble­some [Page 2]World, and (which I esteem almost miraculous) have been so happy therein, as never to have had any Law-suit with any man excepting one, and that was in behalf of two Orphans committed to my charge; and had I not then contended for them, they, poor wretches! (altogether un­able to help themselves) had been exceedingly injured of their Right.

§. 4. As to any Spirit of Contention or Contradiction, &c. whereby the world is commonly governed and guided, I appeal to the Neighbourhood among whom I have lived, whether I have ever been guilty of yeilding to any such? and whether my demeanour hath not been rather peacea­ble and preserving, than any way dissurbant or trouble­some to any of them? [It is true, some scribling differ­ences I have had, but I never began a quarrel with any man; and men that are assaulted, must forfeit their reason if they do not defend themselves.] Nay, I bless and magnifie the God of Heaven (who by his good Angels hath so happily conducted me in all my actions of this life) that I can justly interrogate with good old Samuel, — Whose oxe have I taken? or, whose ass have I driven aside? or whom have I wronged of a shoo-latchet, or a thred? Let those that know me speak, whether I have not been rather helpful than hurtful to the people among whom I have at any time li­ved or resided?

§. 5. If this truth be distrusted, I am sure the Keepers of the Prison where I am confined, will be so just as to wit­ness the same for me, from the many sad complaints they (almost) dayly hear from several poor people of my Neigh­bourhood, by reason of my unfortunate restraint, whereby I am incapacitated and debarred from doing the common good I was constantly accustomed to do, though, I confess, it was no more than my duty as a man, but much more as a Christian: for, non nobis nati sumus; and even the brute beasts that perish, would be as valuable as mankind, were it not for these distinguishing acts of our Charity and Rea­son towards people in distress.

§. 6. Albeit, I must and do acknowledg, that God's chastising hand is never either upon a Person, Family, or Nation, for nought. He is a Just Judg, and the punish­ments [Page 3]he permits to befall poor mortals, do naturally im­ply a guilt in the person afflicted. Sin is the common cause of suffering; and the Just man falls seven times a day, though he (by God's Mercy and Providence) do rise again, and meet a restoration of his former state. Yet, I say, Sin is cause of all punishment; and certainly some great and secret sin I must have committed against the God of Heaven, that he hath thus permitted, nay, perhaps, commissioned his afflicting Angel thus sorely and severely to buffet me.

§. 7. But for any known or open sin committed either against my dread Soveraign, his Person, Crown, or Dignity, or against the Church of God as established in England under Him; I openly profess and declare, That I am not either wil­fully or knowingly (whatever I may be ignorantly, viz. by an unfortunate concealment of what I thought others ought to have revealed) guilty of any in the least; and yet I have searched the very secretest corners of my soul as nar­rowly as it is possible for humanity to do, for a discovery of any such latent unloyal, or irreligious guests. And if in my scrutiny I have passed over any dangerous angle or lurking­hole, without a thorow disquisition, I humbly beseech God of his great mercy and goodness, to illuminate my troubled soul, and lead me to a perfect and exact discove­ry thereof, and help me to find the black inhabitants therein residing (if at least there be really any) to the end I might first eject them their possession, and afterwards repent me throughly that ever I gave either being or harbour to such destructive Inmates.

§. 8. That I have not knowingly committed any Crime against His most Sacred Majesty, or the Government (although I know it is very hard and difficult for any man to prove a Negative:) I have, first, God, and his holy Angels, and a clear Conscience, to evidence for me. Nay, I can most truly say, I have not erred against His Majesty, so much as in a thought. Secondly, All my Actions and Expressions among my Neighbours and Acquaintance, are most remarkable ar­guments on my behalf in this matter, and which I am sure will be justified to my advantage, if occasion require it. For, were I really guilty of any thing of that kind, living [Page 4]so near a loyal Cathedral, and among loyal-hearted persons, I must have been taken notice of for such; and my discour­ses must, at one time or other, have betrayed a soul or spi­rit within me, fit and adapted for so wicked a purpose. But yet the contrary is sufficiently known of me. —Nay, had I been an Enemy to His Majesty, my conversation would have been among persons Anti-Monarchical, and of disloyal and treacherous Principles and Opinions. Where­as I have no near converse or concern with any man of ei­ther a Fanatick or Papistical persuasion at all; but do chiefly correspond and accompany with such loyal and religi­ous persons, who are not afraid or ashamed to own the Inte­rest of His Royal Majesty, and that of the Church of Eng­land. And, we know, it is an allowed Proverb, — Homo cognoscitur ex sociis. Thirdly, If what I have said be not yet enough to acquit me from the guilt of all knowable Crimes against my Liege Lord and Soveraign, then let all my Writings since His Majesties most happy Restauration (and before also) be examined by any impartial and un­biassed Judg, and I dare affirm that they will all be found to stand up, and fully to justifie for me. I spare to menti­on any thing of my having been always on His Majesties and His most Glorious Father's side in the late unhappy Wars. For, could I have done more (in so good and so just a Cause) than I did, or was able to do at that time, it had been but my dury, and such as my Birth and Allegiance bound me to, as indeed they do every subject of what de­gree soever.

§. 9. And here I would have transcribed sundry pages of my own Loyalty, out of my several Annual Labours, for the better corroborating of the present Argument, and the compurgating of my innocency as to the matter in que­stion; but that I conceive the same is so well known to all persons generally, and believed too, by every body but those that are envious and malicious (whose eyes I pray God to open) that there is scarce any need thereof. Be­sides, I am in a great measure herein prevented by the kind pains of a worthy, cordial (though as yet to me an unknown) Friend, in his publishing an ingenious, acute, but most just and true Answer to a wicked, nay a murther­ously [Page 5]design'd Libellous sheet of Paper [wrote lately a­gainst me (and this contrary to His Majesties late Royal Pro­clamation, which forbids all libelling against any kind of persons, &c.) and called, Observations upon the strange and wonderful Prophecies of Mr. John Gadbury, &c.] under the title of [...], who hath therein most humanely and obligingly vindicated my much wounded Reputation; for which so courteous, and by me unexpected a kindness, I hereby return him my very hearty thanks; and wish I knew him, as to this particular friendship, that I might more ful­ly acknowledg his generous and endearing Civilities.

§. 10. But then, secondly, as I have committed nothing knowingly against the King or the Government—so neither have I ever done any thing against the Church of God, as it is established in England; of which Church I do, and ever did, and always shall acknowledg my Sovereign Lord King Charles the Second, to be the Supreme, and none else upon earth besides. Away with such Anarchical Creatures who (longing to be undone) would fain introduce (even against common sense) a Foreign Head over a Domestick Body!

§. 11. I have taken the Oaths of Allegiance and Supre­macy, and am ready so to do again if Authority think fit to require it. And it is my plain and positive opinion, That those men which shall refuse the taking of such oaths as are enjoined by the Law, do not deserve to receive any protection either from the King or the Law. For it would be strange, and little less than monstrous, in true Policy, that a Soveraign Prince shall generously oblige himself by an Oath (as at the Coronation is customary) to protect and preserve his people in their just Rights, Priviledges, and Properties; and that the subjects should (upon any pretence) scruple to take such Oaths of Fealty and Allegi­ance as by the Law is provided, for the declaring their duty and obedience to him again. Such Obligations are purely reciprocal, and may be termed Oaths of Ʋnity, as well as of Fidelity, whereby both Prince and people are married together, and [Quos Deus conjunxit, nemo separet] accursed be those that shall endeavour to dissolve the bond.

[Page 6] §. 12. I do, and ever did honour the Reverend Clergy of the Church of England, and esteem it my duty so to do. And I bless God I have most commonly frequented the Service of the Church; and am sorry from my soul if at any time I have omitted any duty thereunto belonging. I always reverenc'd my Spiritual Guide, and with all wil­lingness paid him his Dues, as knowing it to be a per­forming of the Law of God and Man, and justly enjoin'd to all mankind, as well under the Gospel, as under the Law. I was born, baptized, and bred a Protestant of the Church of England, (and by Gods Grace afforded to me, I intend so to dye) and although I have been falsely reputed a Papist, (by many malicious Enemies, who being as much void of Conscience as Kindness, care not how untruly they scan­dal me) I do most solemnly profess the contrary, having ne­ver in my whole life been a member of any other Church than that of the Protestant Church of England, as it is esta­blished (now) by Law.

§. 13. I never yet had any acquaintance with any Popish Priests, as such, in all my days; and if any such have at any time happen'd to be in my company, it hath been beyond my knowledg. I never was at Mass in my life; nor did I ever incline to any Popish Tenets or Prin­ciples, as they stand in opposition to the Principles of my Mo­ther the Church of England. I have read that most Reve­rend Prelate Archbishop Laud's Book against Fisher, as animated thereunto by the Divine Writings of our late Pious Soveraign, King Charles the First of ever blessed memory. As also, the Works of the Pious and Judicious Bishop Saunderson; and Bishop Williams's Best Religion. I have likewise very carefully consulted Dr. Jeremy Tay­lor's Dissuasive from Popery, both Parts. As also the thrice learned Dr. Pieree his most excellent Sermon before the King, entituled, The primitive Rule of Reformation. Neither have I forborn to peruse the Learned Labours of Dr. Stillingfleet, Dr. Tillotson, Dr. Henry More, Dr. Butler, Mr. Pelling, cum multis aliis, &c. of the Church of England against Popery; and do profess my self to be so fully satis­fied with them, as to keep me close to the Church of Eng­land, under which I have been educated in every thing re­lating [Page 7]to Faith, Doctrine, or Discipline; as also to a full and absolute renunciation of all Popish Errors, Idolatries, and Superstitions, whatsoever. More especially, of that damnable and most horrid Error and Opinion of Murthering Kings (God's Vice-Roys on earth, whether theirs, or any other pretended Christians, who in this come not short of them) the very thoughts whereof, I detest, abhor, and execrate, as being not only against the very essence of all humane and divine Laws, but is even the very doctrine of Devils, and can have no other original or source but Hell it self.

§. 14. I had well hoped that my having had a Relation to a most Reverend Prelate of the Church of England, viz. the late most pious and learned, Dr. Joseph Henshaw, Bi­shop of Peterborough, deceased, about twelve years (or up­ward) together, would have acquitted me from the false imputation of being a Roman Catholick; in which time I had the honour of carrying his Lordships duty and service to the Kings most Excellent Majesty, every New-years day, and received His Majesties most gracious New-years gift to the good Lord Bishop again. The truth of which His Ma­jesties Jewel-Office and Pay-Office will fully evidence for me, as having my name there, to that very purpose; from the later of which Offices I also annually received His Ma­jesties most bountiful Reward, as a Messenger; for which I never forgot to leave my humble thanks to, and a prayer for His Majesties long Life and happy Reign; and for the same do still, and ever while I have breath shall pray. And surely, had I been a Papist, or any way inclined thereunto, I could not have had so great and so long an Honour from so Reverend a Prelate of the Church of England, as was this my good Lord and Patron. And had not my most unfortunate confinement hindred, I should have prayed a continuance of the same Honourable (and to me most grateful and delightful) Employment from the present Right Reverend Lord Bishop of Peterborough, though as yet I have not the happiness of being known to him.

§. 15. I must indeed acknowledg, that I have some acquaintance with persons of the Romish Religion, and [Page 8]so I have among all kind of Opinions, as any man of a popular practice cannot avoid. But it would be very hard, nay exceedingly unjust, if I should therefore be reputed as a man guilty of all Opinions. I have laboured somewhat in matters of Controversie, for my own satisfaction, and have oftentimes read much more than perhaps I have un­derstood. I have endeavoured to follow St. Paul's Rule closely, viz. Omnia probate, quod bonum est tenete, Prove all things, but hold fast that which is good; and therefore have not refused to read Books of all Opinions, under the bur­den of which our English World is too uneasie; and of which unnecessary Ware the Shops, Markets, and Fairs a­mong us are too full fraught in these our unhappy days. God in his good time heal our Divisions, and once more restore us to unity and good order.

§. 16. Again, had I been a Papist, or Popishly affected, why should I not have shewn it upon so remarkable an oc­casion as in the (to me) most unfortunate sickness and burial of my dear Wife, but lately deceased ( viz. scarce four Months before my sad Confinement) why should I not rather have had Popish priests, than those of the Church of England, to have performed all Christian Offices proper to her at such a time, as to pray by, and for her, and to give her the holy Sacrament? This had been a time in earnest to have proved my inclinations and good will to Popery, in case I had any at all for it; but that I had none, will most fully appear, I hope, to all reasonable men, from the Certificate following, under the hand of a Minister of the Church of England, and Curate of the Parish of St. Margarets Westmin­ster, the Parish of my habitation and abode: A Copy whereof I did likewise annex to a Petition which I present­ed to His Majesty and Privy-Council (for their satisfaction) since my unfortunate imprisonment.

Nay, further, I cannot but acquaint the world, that my good Father, Mr. Oliver Gadbury, was always a real Prote­stant, and true subject of his Majesty, and son of the Church of England, and but few years since dyed such, at Wornal in the County of Oxford, where his Body now lyes interred, his Soul being at rest with God.

§. 17. And for a greater strengthning of this my pre­sent Argument or Assertion, viz. That I am no Papist, but a Protestant, &c. I aver, that the very nearest of my most Honour'd Relations are very real and strict Protestants, as Sir Thomas Curson, and his Honourable Lady, of Waterperry in the County of Oxford; which said Sir Thomas is my Ho­nour'd Ʋncle by my Mothers side, and a person that I have very great reason to be careful how I offend either in my Religion or otherways; he being not only my Ʋncle, but very great Friend, and so also is his vertuous Lady. And I think, nay am sure, that both he and his Honoured Lady will most readily aver me to be a Protestant, as knowing me to be such, and to have gone to Church with them, when at any time I have visited them in the Countrey, and to have join­ed in prayers with them morning and evening, as they most [Page 10]religiously and commendably use in their Families al­ways.

§. 18. But one thing more is urged, and maketh a great noise against me, which I may not forget to give the World some satisfaction in, and that is an unhappy omission of the Feast for deliverance from the Gunpowder-Treason, on No­vember the Fifth day, in my Almanack. Unto which I can justly say, Truth be my witness, that I know not by what unfortunate accident it came to be left out; but this I am sure of, that it was not omitted wilfully, or in design; for I do, and ever did own the Powder-Treason for a damnable and horrid Popish Plot (as I also do the present wicked one, under the black effects whereof poor England so sadly groans.) Neither can it be thought upon a just and reasonable con­sideration, that I should leave it out of my Almanack pur­posely, since what I wrote annually, is ever subjest to the inspection and correction also of a Licenser, who hath power to defeat my design of that purpose. Nor can an Almanack­maker print what he please. And if it be possible for a Licenser to pass by a thing so material without correction, may not an Author be supposed to be besieged with the same Imperfections or humane frailties?

§. 19. And here I cannot but with all duty and humility acknowledg the Justice of that severe reprehension of my good Lord Bishop of London, to me about it, at the Council-Table; since his Lordship did not know but that I might have purposely omitted it. And I do hereby give his Lord­ship my most humble and cordial thanks, for that he was plea­sed afterwards to accept of my humble Apology for the un­fortunate escape, and hold me in some measure excu­sable.

§. 20. Almanacks are not such contemptible and despi­cable things as the Vulgar commonly imagine them. The Law esteems them as Books of Sanction, and therefore they cannot be printed but by the peculiar Authority of the Kings most Excellent Majesty; and it is therefore, also, that they are found commonly annexed to the Holy Bible and Common­prayer-book. And if any man offer to write an Almanack out of any other design, than for the serious service of the Church and Nation, he is most justly punishable for the same. [Page 11]And let me be believed (I beseech you) when I so so­lemnly protest it, Rather than I would willingly offend either His Sacred Majesty, the Holy Church of England, or the Nation, in writing a line of one, I would lose the hand that should guide my Pen to so wicked and so malicious a Performance. So that I hope, this my publickly renouncing of any kind of design or wilfulness in this most unhappy Omission, will not only set met me right in the opinion of the Reverend Clergy (whom I ever honoured and revered with my heart, as I hope all my Writings and Actions will testifie for me) but also with His most Sacred Majesty and His Nobility, and with the Nation in general, likewise.

§. 21. If what I have written be impartially and duly considered, I hope I have fully satisfied all such as were any way unsatisfied concerning my Religion towards God, and my duty, loyalty, and fidelity towards my Dread and Graci­us Soveraign. And what I have here done, is ex intimus Medullis, and the very Truth of my Soul, as I hope to see the face of God in glory; and no way expecting that it should make the better for me in this my present Conditi­on; but only to take off that most uncharitable as well as most false imputation of my being a Roman Catholick.

§. 22. As for my present misfortunes, and unhappy confinement that I, to my great loss and sorrow labour un­der, I wholly refer them, and my self under them, to God Almighty (who is the only [...], or heart-searcher, and will, no doubt, in his own good time, bring every secret Truth to light, and vindicate my much injured Innocency, &c.) as also to the Mercy and Clemency of my most Gra­cious Soveraign, beseeching him to believe me (as in fact I am) wholly innocent, as to the popular Calumny which pas­seth upon me as liberally as untruly, viz. That I am a Ro­man Catholick or Papist.

§. 23. To conclude, I shall and will ever pray for his Majesties long life, and happy and peaceable reign, as indeed I ever have done, and do really wish both His Majesty and the Church of England as many better subjects and sons than my self, as may be; but do most heartily pray, that neither of them ever meet with worse.

[Page 12] And as the whole, and every part of what is here writ­ten, is true; so I most humbly beg the great God of Hea­ven to help me, and clear mine Innocence, and not other­wise.