May the 29th. 1670, Mr. George Reynel of Malson, in the Parish of Sherford, Devon (now a Prisoner in the Kingsbench) one of his Majesties Justices of Peace (though a sufficient disturber thereof, of which you have some signal Instances in the following Narrative) being informed by some Infamous fellows (im­ployed for that end) that there was an Assembly of People at Mr. John Hicks his House, (a Non-conformist Minister) in the Town of Kingsbridg, came thether about Eleven a Clock in the Forenoon, attended with divers Persons (most of which are well known to be Lewd, and Debaucht) and most furi­ously attempts to Break open the Street-door, with an Iron Bar, or Sledg of Iron, which not being able speedily to do, his Brother, Arthur Reynel, goes to the Back-door, which being open, he enters, and hastens to the other, and not finding the Key in the Lock, begins to Curse (judgd by some a minute Crime in comparison of Praying, and Preaching the Gospel) in this manner, the Plague take you, throw too it; but the Key being speedily found, the Door was opened to the Justice, and his Attendants; who without delay, having entred the House, presently ascends to the Chambers (leaving his Brother Arthur and some others below) and enquires for the said Mr. H. being sup­posed, but not proved, to have Preacht; whom not finding, most unbecoming a Gentleman, and a Justice of Peace, before his Wife, Reviles, and Calum­niates, calling him then, and at the Tavern after, Rebel, Rogue, Rascal, Town-Bull, Whore-Master, Bastard-Maker, &c. Then he above, and his Brother be­low, begin to take the Names of the People whom they found there; but in vain was the Assay, for both their Hands Trembled so much (which was Ob­vious to the View and Observation of many Spectators, who are ready now to Attest it) that they could not scarce write one Name, and so were for [...]t to desist. What was Productive, or Causative of this Paralytical Distemper, I leave the Intelligent, and Impartial Reader to Judg. Yet notwithstanding, the said Justice ( as if he would attempt a Conquest over the Terrors of the Al­mighty, and would Baffle, and Stifle the Consternating Convictions of his own Conscience) proceeds May the 30th. to a Coviction of several Persons to suffer, as he pretended, according to the Law made against Conventicles. First then, though no Minister was found, nor could it be prov'd that there was any, muchless that Mr. Hicks, or any other Minister did either Preach, or Teach (which is the Crime that Incurs the penalty of Twenty Pound) yet be Levied Twenty Pound upon the said Mr. H. for Preaching, and issues forth his Warrant to the Constables of Kingsbridg, to take Destress upon his Goods (be judging and declaring him upon the sight of his Houshold Goods the Sabbath-day, sufficent to satisfie the Law) but he refusing to open his Doors, the lu [...] eaten against Law, transfers the Penalty from him, to some of his supposed Hea [...]e [...]s; and amongst the rest, he Levieth Forty Shillings upon one Roger-B [...]rd, who was not the Lords-day before at Mr. H. his House when the Justice came, and [Page 6] though he made his complaint to him of the wrong done him, yet he would not relieve him: Twenty Shillings he Levied upon Thomas Cole, of Kingsbridg, who refusing to pay it, he ( as if he [...] been too merciful, and compassi­onate before) adds Fifteen Shillings more to it, and commands the Consta­bles to Destrain thirty Sheep for it; which is a most horrid Oppression, and highest Injustice, contrary to all Law: As the 51. Hen. 3. which saith, That Distresses must be reasonable, after the value of the Debt, and Demand.— 52. Hen. 3. Which saith, That Destresses shall be reasonable, and not too great, and he that taketh great, and unreasonable Destresses, shall be grievously Amerced, for the Excess thereof. So 28. Ed. 1. 12. Forty Shillings further he Levieth up­on Chrispin Collings, who finding himself Agrieved, makes his Appeal accord­ing to Law: And now the Injustice, and Oppressions that he met with at the Sessions, may be Read. First, when he came up with Witnesses to prove seve­ral things of Moment, and had been at great Charges, he was not suffered to Travers his Appeal, but (as if on purpose to Oppress him the more, and be­cause there could be no Witnesses then got to prove he was at Mr. H. his house) made to enter into new Recognizance to do it, the next Sessions after; which when he came to do, he found Justice stood afar off, and Equity could not en­ter; for there Judgment principally past upon the Evidence of an Ignorant Fellow, who Swore he saw him in the said Mr. H. his House, and when it was demanded at what time, he reply'd, in the Afternoon, and yet the pretended Conventicle that Mr. Reynel would Convict of, was in the Forenoon; and though it could not be prov'd that Mr. H. did at that time either Preach or Teach, yet was the said C. Collings adjudg'd to part of the Twenty Pound, besides the Treble Cost, which was screwed up to the highth. The most that could be Attested, was that the Voice of Mr. H. was heard; and yet he that did Swear this, was at that distance from his House, that it rendred it very difficult either to hear the Voice of a Man, or so as to distinguish betwixt the Voice of one man, and another; and impossible to know whether it were the Voice of one Praying or Preaching, by the most open and attentive Ears; yet this was Valid and Authentick enough, to prove that there was Preaching. But as I have heard of a man that was usually of the petty Jury, for Life, and Death, in the County where he lived, and when Evidence was not clear to the Jury of a Felonious fact, would still say, let us hang the man at a Venture: So were most of the Justices at the Sessions, and the Jury (which is usually accord­ing to their hearts desire) resolv'd to do with Chrispin Collings to make him pay part of the Fine, whether there was Preaching, yea, or no. And this hath been their practice from Sessions to Sessions, as shall by several following Instances be prov'd.

Before the next Sabbath, Mr. Reynel left the Country, but his Setters, or Informers continue in it (whether they were Volunteers, and Spontaneous Actors, or stired up by him to this Illustrious work, and Honourable imployment, I shall not determine) who the ensuing Lords-day were very Active, Sedu­lous, and Industrious to discharge the trust reposed in them after sometime therefore spent in Hunting, they, Scent a Conventicle near Surley Butts, in the Pa­rish of Well [...]vington, to which with great Celerity, and Speed, they hasten, and J [...]h [...]-like, drive most furiously, least they should miss of their Game, and [Page 7] Prey: The considerable Circumstances of which Actions, are as followeth. First, the number of Persons engaged therein, which were about Fourteen Horse and Foot. Secondly, their Quality, one or two of them Gentlemen ( in that Common, Absurd, irrational Notion, and Acceptation of a Gentleman among us, that is one descended from such an Ancient, dignified Family, when there is a Degeneration from all the true Noble Accomplishments, and behaviour of Gentlemen; and a total, and shameful Laps from all real Ver­tue, that true Gentility is the Genuine Off-spring of, which it gives its first rise, and being too, and which necessarily it must have its foundation laid in; when he hath scarce a Rag, or Shadow of it left, nothing but Romantick Com­plements, Pedantick Postures, and Legs made with some Geometrical pro­portion) with one Mr. John Bear, who is now in a probability to be lickt into some form, and shape of Gentility, with Thomas and Nicholas F [...]d, what they take themselves to be, I know not; but I think their Gentility will scarce pass for Currant Coyn in the Country where they live: The rest were the very Scum thereof, a meer Catalines Crew, whose Imployment did exactly Harmo­monize, and Correspond with their Quality; for Durty Fellows or most fit for Durty work. Thirdly, Their Condition, which is Necessitous (for the greatest part of them) a sufficient Provocative, and spur to these Heroick Atchieve­ments. Fourthly, The Head of this Informing Party the abovesaid Mr. John Beer, or Bear (as he writes after his Grand-father,, the Old Committee-man, who Usurpt, and Assum'd the Name of Bear, which is the Name of another worshipful Family in Devon, to dignifie his own with) of Woodmason, or Bears-comb (as the old Committee-man denominated it from his New Name, Bear) near Kingsbridg, this New-stampt Gentleman, was the Captain of, and had the honour to Conduct this Peerless Party, and Squadron: Of whose Unchri­stian, Ingenerous, and Disobliging deportment among his Neighbours, with ma­ny of his sordid Actions, you shall have a further and fuller Account. Fifthly, The manner of their coming which was with ursine Rage, Bellaine Fury, Impetuous Insolency, Beating a Youth in the way, whom they supposed gave warning to the People; to whom in a most outragious manner, at first they ap­proach, their Renowned and Gallant Leader, Mr. John Beer, or War (but let us not deny, or grudg him the latter name, it being so Congruous to his Na­ture) his first Salution being: Where is that Damn'd Rogue, (meaning the sup­posed Minister) others of them cried out, Ride for your Lives; which they did without any respect to the People in the way: And such were their rude Voceferations, and Exclamations, with their most soul Calumniations, that well might any have judg'd some Bedlam-madness to have possest them, or that they were some Tartarian Troop, brought by an Invisible hand thether. And when they could not find the said Minister, Mr. John Bear, Retreats; and Advancing towards several Gentle-women (whose Virtue and Modesty, is well known, and acknowledg'd in the Country where they live, by all, but those that have respect for, or value neither) begun Prodigiously to Curse them, after this manner: The Plague take you, What have you done with Hicks? And then adds to it, Swearing by the most Sacred, and Terrible Name of the Supream Ma­jesty: You have hid him under your— The rest of his words being so Obscaen and Filthy, I shall break off with an Aposioperis.

George Bear, the younger Brother, coming to a young man, demands of him Ten Shillings; who mildly Replied, Do you want Money? Whereupon the said G. B. spurs up his Horse with much Fury and Fierceness against him, but (as if he were sensible of the Inhumanity of his Master) he denies Obedience, and Recoyls; then G. B. commands one Lucas his Informing Brother (a Fel­low of vast Dimensions) to Beat him, with these words; Beat the Rogue; who prensently with a great Cudgel, most furiously and forcibly, gave him se­veral Blows upon his Head, bruising it very much, and in all probability had he not kept on his Hat, his Life had been endangered: Yet the other took his abuse very patiently, making not the least resistance. Tho. Ford, a most busie and active Informer (having his Soul impregnated with such principles of matchless Magnanimity, that one might suppose there was now a clear demon­stration of the Metempsenchosis of Souls, that some Hectors, or Scanderbegs, had transmigrated into his Body) with most Heroick, and Invincible courage, chargeth three young Women, commanding them with most fierce Looks, and the Rays of highest Valour, sparkling through his sprightly Eyes, to stand for their Lives, Minacing, and Threatning most formidably, that he would run them thorow, if they would not tell where Hicks was; the words were so like Thondering and Lightning, that they were struck into Consternation, and some of them through fear Fainted, and fell down: If Ne Hercules contra duos, What a rare Son of Mars was here, that durst Encounter with three at once. Certainly on Army of such men would have been signally Serviceable to his Majesty, when the Dutch came first up to Chatham, when all the Sons of Bacchus, and Venus, gave a clear Demonstration by their Pannick fear, how little of Mars was in them; no doubt if he had been then Imploy'd, he would have merited Immortal honour. And to conclude this, when these Informers were together, nothing could scarce be heard but whole Volleys of Oaths, with a most execrable Eructation, and Evomition of Curses, insomuch that one would have thought Infernal Spirits had made use of Corportal Organs. Some of them were (as the two Informing Beers) upon Conviction by Mr. Bastard, of Garston, punisht according to Law, for Swearing.

June the 12th. these Informers, with fresh Auxiliaries, and an Addition to their Number, in a very Hostile manner, came into the Town of Kingsbridg, and when they were near Mr. Hicks his House, they drew their Swords, to the Terrour of some of the Inhabitants that were within view thereof, and then hasten to his House to beset it; the better to effect which, they violently, and furiously, broke open his next Neighbours Street-door, and then some of them run thorow his Entry, and Garden, and Leaping over the Hedg, came to Mr. H. his Back-door, that they might forcibly keep in the People (which they supposed were there) till a Justice of Peace came, and Apprehend the said Mr. H.; which a few days before, one of the Informers (and that George Bear, if I mistake not) said Fifteen of them had engag'd to the Bishop of Exam, to do. Now let the Reader know that these Informers came (as they did the Sabbath­day before) thus Arm'd with Swords, and Pistols, without any Warrant or Authority from any Justice of Peace, and without any Officer with them; the People therefore knowing there was no Authority to Restrain, and Deprive them of their Liberty, resolved to go out at the Back-door, were they found [Page 9] one John Lucas, a Carpenter, with a Pistol in his hand Cockt, and presented to them (which Lucas was bound to the Peace, or Good Behaviour, for Beating the man the Lords-day before, of which an Account is given) yet thus they Arm him; when the Pistol was first given him, he quickly and speedily, run to the Back-door of Mr. H. his House, and then returning hastily again, cry'd our to his Informing Brothren, Yonder are the Rogues: But then said, What shall I do with this Pistol, there is nothing in it? Upon which words, one of the In­formers was seen to deliver him something, which he put into the Pistol, and ha­sted towards the Back-door again, saying; Now I am fitted for the Rogues: And when he stood at the Door, he was further heard to threaten, that he would Pistol those that came forth; which caused two of the Company (viz. Nicholas Huxome, and John Leech) to disarm him, to prevent his doing Mischief (for he that had beaten one the Sabbath before, might kill another now) which when they had done, several of the Informers came, as Mr. John Bear, his Brother George, the Valiant Tom Ford, &c. to justifie him in breaking of the Peace, and with drawn Swords, and cockt Pistols, they pursue some Persons, threatning to kill them: One of them set his point of his naked Rapier to the Breast of a Wo­man (who saith, she thinks it was George Bear) uttering Bloodily, and Barba­rously these words: Thou impudent Jade, or damn'd Whore, I could find in my heart to Run thee thorow, and if I should do it, I should do God good service. The said George Bear, set the point of his Rapier to the Breast of Nicholas Ha [...]me, and Swore he would Run him thorow. Likewise Walter Campion (of whose prodigious Perjuries hereafter) a Blacksmith in Dadbrook, near Kingsbridg, Seised a young man in the Street (who had been long Sick before, and had Re­covered a little strength now to come Abroad) and commands him to go along with him; which he refusing to do, he forcibly Drags him along; the other demanding a Warrant of him for so doing, he took a Pistol out of his Pocket, and told him that was his Warrant, threatning no less than death to him. Ano­ther of them highly and terribly threatned a young Woman, bruising her Arms by a forcibly Hailing, and Pulling her along, whereby she was much Affrighted, and whereof she much complained. These are some of their brutish Carri­ges, and savage Actions at that time. After which, John Lucas (who was disarm'd) to be reveng'd, accused several for beating him, whereof William Gilberd, of Kingsbridg, was one; accordingly a Warrant was granted by Mr. Hele, upon the Oath that the said Lucas had taken, to Convene the said W. G. before him; who when he appear'd in obedience to the same, Lucas acknow­ledged he was mistaken, after he had thus sworn against him. When the Sessions came, Lu [...]us who was Bound over to them, makes his Appearance; but the Judg of the Sessions, Mr. Car [...]w, would take no notice of his Breaking the Peace, but shamefully Acquits him, Justifies him in what he did, highly Countenances him; the Clerk of the Peace refused to take any Fees of him, whereby all En­couragement was given him, and the rest of the Fraternity, outragiously to Abuse at their will and pleasure, such as are called Conventiclers, and Fanaticks; and though this was so Notorious a Riot, according to the Laws of England, yet the least Notice was not taken of it. Had a Heathen seen with what Partiality, and Favour towards one Party, all things were managed, and with great Ri­gour, Injustice, and Cruelty towards the other (that is, those whom Lucas [Page 10] falsly accused for beating him; and one William March, as wrongfully, for speaking some Seditious words, whom Mr. Carew would not give any time to provide Sureties for the good Behaviour, but Commanded with a most stern Countenance, and in a most wrathful manner, which shew'd how much his Heart was fill'd, and envenomed with Envy and Malice, the later presently to take him) he must needs have Cry'd out, that certainly Christianity Eradicates, and destroys common Equity. Here the very Scum of the Countrey, the most abject Fellows, and Dross of Mankind, were by Mr. Carew, suffered to Taunt, Vilifie, and set at naught some Justices upon the Bench, as Mr. Hele, and Mr. Bastard (being lookt upon as Favourits of Fanaticks, and because they would not Oppress their Neighbours; but more concerning them in the subsequent part of the Narrative) as if they had not been worthy to wipt their Shooes: No Check, or Controul was given them, but all was heard with much seeming de­light, and Complacency. Here every Informer was suffered to talk, as if he had been a Justice of Peace, or a Person of greatest Honour. Among the rest the Magnanimous Tom Ford, taking his place upon the Bench, aloud askt Lucas, if he wanted any Money, he should have enough: And because Lucas, after he had taken a positive Oath, that William Gilberd beat him, acknowledg'd his Errour. Tom Ford, in open Court, aloud, further told him (that he might be sure not to Err the second time) that if he that Beat him had Black Hair, then it was William Gilberd, but if he had Yellow Hair, it was Richerd his Bro­ther (as if Black and Yellow, put a Characteristical difference betwixt them, and all other men) whereupon Lucas at a venture, swore it was Richard that beat him, which was notoriously false; and this desperate Oath was taken, and the said Richard was Bound over to two Assizes, of which there is yet a fuller Narrative to come.

Two Lords-days more, viz. June the 19th. and 26th. these Informers hunt eagerly, but could find no Game, till July the 3d. when Mr. George Reynel was return'd into the Countrey, and then to work they go Early in the Mourning, having the fresh Scent of a Conventicle in their Noses at Liuckham-hill-head, near Salcomb, in the Parish of Malborough, thether therefore they repair with all the strength they could make, being about Twenty, or Thirty Horse and Foot, Arm'd, Swearing they would have Hicks if he were above ground: As they were going to the place, they overtook a Young-man of Kingsbridg; of whom Mr. Reynel, demanded where the Meeting was: He replied, He knew not (as he did not the particular place) and then leaves the Lane, to go into a Field [...] which Mr. Reynel seeing, quickly Dismounts, and ran after him; whom over­taking (most well becoming a Justice of Peace) he Beat him with his Horse­whip, the Stripes whereof left their Marks and Prints behind them upon his Back, and Shouldiers. When they came near the place, where they supposed the Meeting was, they divided themselves into two Squadrons, thinking by that means to Encompass the Minister, and People, and take them all in a Net at once, but when they came, they found only some few in the Circumjacent Fields; then they Rode fiercely about, being most Impetuous, and Eager in the Chase, and Pursuite of Mr. H. (though he had stolen neither Gold nor Sil­ver) Mr. Reynel offered Ten Pound, or a good Sum of Money to one man, if he would discover where he was, and demands of another to tell him, who [Page 11] being silent, he either ordered, or suffered one of his Attendants (I think his own Servant) to Beat him, which was Inhumanly done, with a Cud­gel: Then meeting with a third Person, who upon demand, refused to make Discovery of Mr. H. and being unwilling to go along with them, one of the Company (whether by the Order of the Justice, or no, I cannot certain­ly tell) Knockt him down, and then two of them, whereof the Perjured Companion was one; drag'd him along several Paces like a Dog, by the Heels, which put the man to great pain (he having not long before broke his Leg) which Extorted outerys, and complaints from him, a young Woman being near him, bid him be of good comfort, and not fear, for God would be with him (or words to that purpose) this wretched Champion hearing her say so, en­deavoured to bring her into trouble: Saying to the Justice, Hark what [...]he saith? She saith the Devil is with us, and God is with them; but some of their own Company witnessed the truth, and contradicted him: Then saith he, if she said not so, she meant so. Then after they had spent two or three hours in making a diligent search in Fields, Houses (some whereof they vio­lently broke into, without demanding any entrance, or having a denial given them) Orchards, Gardens, &c. for Mr. H. and had wearied out themselves they depart; but Conviction was made of a Conventicle. Twenty Pound is Levied for Preaching, though it could never be proved; many did suffer, though they never knew their Accusers, which is usual; and commonly there is no other Evidence to ground, and bottome a Coviction upon, but what is given by Informers. And how Unreasonable, Unwarrantable, and Ille­gal this is, let all Englishmen, yea, and the world judg, seeing they are Parties so much concerned.

Now Mr. Bear (the Head of the Informers) expects some considerable Re­ward for his good Service done his Majesty, and the Church, as he accounts it, he writes therefore to the Bishop of Exon (as he had done sometimes before, declaring his several Services for the Church, his Endeavour to bring to Condigne punishment all di [...]enters from her) to acquaint him he had now done what he could in that single Capacity he was in, hoping to arrive at some higher pitch of Honour; the Merit of his Zeal, and illustrious Atchieve­ments, in his own esteem, challenging no less than the reward of being made a Justice of Peace: Which if he were invested with the Authority of, he promiseth him with what Vigour, and Activity, he would Ruine, or Reduce to due Obedience, the Churches Enemies. The Bishop perceiving him to be a Prompt and Active Young man, to promote the Hierarchical Interest, and having had Ample experience of his scorning to stick at the breaking of any Law, or committing the soulest Riots to advance the same. He had no reason to suspect his Cowardise, if he could get him Advanc'd to a Justice­ship, in adventuring Soul, Body, Conscience, Estate and all, for the preser­vation thereof. He therefore bestirs himself to get him into the Commission of Peace, which after much difficulty by the Arch-Bishop, and the Earl of Bat [...], he effected. One might indeed have thought, that in good time there would have been a probability of his Advencement to the Degree of a Hun­dred, or Head Constable, but few or none judg'd him worthy of a higher Dig­nity, considering the Inferiority of his Quality, the Inconsiderableness of [Page 12] his Estate, being as his Neighbours (that know it well) affirm, at the ut­most but 200 Pound per annum, out of which he pays his Father, his Bro­ther George, and two Sisters, such Annuities, that he cannot have much more than 60 pound per annum to maintain, and support the Grandeur of a Justice. Its known likewise he is Indebted, being a Borrower of Money; How fit is he for his present Preferment, and capable of such an Advance­ment, let all true English souls judg? I know no other reason why his Fel­low-Justices so much scorn and disdain him, why none of them, nor any other Gentleman at the chief Sheriffs Table the last Assizes, thought him wor­thy to be Drunk to; which was but sower Sauce, I believe, to his sweet Meat, and enough to hinder the good Concoction thereof, But however, though he that was so lately the Head of the Informers, be now lookt upon but as the Tail of Justices, yet he is resolved to make his Neighbours, and the Fanaticks to know his Authority; forthwith therefore he begins to dis­play its powerful Beams, the scorching Heat whereof, he makes the Con­venticlers sufficiently to feel, but Excentrick to all Law, as the following In­stances will most clearly Demonstrate.

To begin then with his first Conviction of a Conventicle held at Linckham-Hill-Head, the 26th. of July, 1670. which he exprest in his Warrant to the Constables for Distress, was grounded upon the Oaths of two or more Witnesses, but who these were is unknown; no Person being Convicted in the presence of his Accusers, nor Summoned to appear before his Worship, to hear what was Evidenced against them, or what they could plead for themselves, till the Warrants were granted for Levying Fines, to the Value of Twenty Four Pounds Ten Shillings, upon six Persons by Distress, with­out making Demand of the Money. Besides several other Distresses, that I forbear to mention, which the Sufferers groan under, they being so Unrea­sonable, and their Goods sold so much under Value. Also, they were able to prove themselves elsewhere the 26th. of July, which when Mr. Bear un­derstood, he gave the Constables new Warrants to keep the above-mention'd Sums for the 3d. of July, commanding them to return the Money to some whose Goods they had taken, and under-sold: The Constables therefore of Kingsbridg, bring to Mr. John Hingston, Seven Pound Ten Shills, which was Levied on him: He told them they had no Money, but Goods from him, which if they would bring back again, its likely he might receive them; whereon one of the Constables threw down the Money on his Table, and the other catcht it up by a second Warrant, he not receiving it, and the first Warrants Mr. B [...]ar hath since forced from the Constables.

Another Conviction of his was as followeth: Mr. Tooker, a Non-conform­ing Minister, living in the Parish of West-Altington, in the County of Devon, having three Gentle-women at his House on a Sabbath-day (who visited his Wife, being much afflicted for the death, by drowning at Sea, of her Son and only Child) Prayed with them, it being in the Afternoon when there was no Minister at the Parish Church; and while he was engag'd in this Christian Work, and Duty, come Lucas, Campion Arnel, with Leech (the Apostate, and Judas) all of the Informing Crew, with some others, and beset the House, to see that none should pass in or out, while they sent [Page] for the Constables, and Church-wardens of the Parish, before whose coming, one of the Gentle-womens Servants came with a Horse to carry her home, but seeing the House beset returned again immediately; and when they came, the Doors were presently opened to them, who entring the House made a general search, the Informers assisting them, but found not one Per­son besides the three aforesaid Gentlewomen, and the Family; this highly discontents, and enrugeth the Informers, because they misled of their ex­pected Prize, and Prey. However, they said, this should not serve their turn, but they would make a Conventicle of the three Gentle-womens be­ing there: Accordingly they immediately repaired to the New Informing Justice Bear, and acquainted him; that though there were but three Persons in the House besides the Family, yet there was a Servant of one of the Gen­tle-womens, who came Riding thether, and Mr. Revil Bastard (who hear­ing that the Informers were there, came to the House to see what they did, although not until the Officers had searcht the House and were gone) with Joseph Tripe, who was then walking in his own Ground, where it was not possible for him to hear any thing that was spoken in the House, and the Informers were betwixt him and the House likewise, and this Mr. Bear judg'd to be Notorious Evidence, and Circumstance of Fact sufficient to make it a Conventicle; and accordingly the next Morning (without sending for any of the Persons complain'd of, to hear what they could say for them­selves) grants his Warrants for Distraining of Mr. Tooker for 30 Pound, and Joseph Tripe for 10 Pound; the Officers of the Parish the same day, came to Mr. Tookers House, and the Informers with them, without being requi­red, or commanded, who pulled and Tore down all the Goods in his House; and such was the Inmanity, and Inhumanity of these Rapacious Harpies, and Voracious Birds of Prey (I mean the Informers) that they did not only Seise his Beds, and Bedclothes, but the poor Childrens Wear­ing-clothes, and the very Victuals that was in the House, they left no Corner or Place they could find unsearcht, for Money; neither his Pockets, nor the Flesh-Tubs, Pigs-pailes, all sorts of Bottles, nor yet the very Close-stool (as if the evacuated Excrements of Fanaticks, could be converted into Coin, or were rich Bullion, however these New-Gold-Finders judg'd that something more precious, and Odoreferous a Partepost might drop from them, than other persons) ten Shillings they stole, but who was the par­ticular person that did it, I know not; but this I know, that one of the principal Actors among them was John Bear, or Beer (who by a Nick-name is called Cocky Bear in the Countrey) a Cousin of the New Justices, that had sufficienly experienced the Pinches of Poverty, before he took up this most Disgraceful, Informing Trade, and now he with the rest, live upon the Spoyl of the Contrey.

Josep Tripe, having his Goods destrain'd, immediately repairs to Justice Bear, and acquaints him that he was so far from coming to Mr. Tookers House, as that he shund and estranged himself from it (there being a Sute in Law betwixt him, and Mr. Tooker, upon her former Husbands account) and fur­ther prov'd, that he was within his House all that day, until that time that the Informers came, Mr. Bevil Bastard, and the Gentle-womans Servant [Page 14] prove the same; upon which, Mr. Bear dismist them, and set their Goods a [...] Liberty (Mr. Tookers being much Spoiled, and Damnified) but he had not his Money again, which was stolen from him; and because Mr. Tooker, about half a year after, complained of the dammage done to his Goods, and that he had reason to have Satisfaction for it; Mr. Bear grants a new Warrant to Seise all his Goods, and in case no Goods could be found, then to Apprehend his Person; which Necessitates, and Enforceth Mr. Tooker to Disperse his Family, and betake himself to a Wandring Life, to avoid his Impla [...]able Wrath and Malice.

September the 11th. This Gorings Crew, or Plunderers, went to Mr. Burd­woods House (a Non-conformist) in the Parish of Malborough, where they found him singing a Psalm with four of his Neigbours, besides his own Fa­mily; and having a Mastiff-Dog without at the Door, he Barks at them, a Girle living near, perceiving this, sets on the Dog (it's likely understanding that though these were not of the same Species, or Kind with the Dog, yet that they were of the same Disposition) which the People of the House hearing, presently call off, and opening the Door to let him in, the Girl being affrighted, enters in too, and the Informers with her, even upon her Heels; and this Mr. Bear makes a sufficient Ground and Reason, to proceed on to a Conviction of a Conventicle (notwithstanding that one of the In­formers did acknowledg, that the Girl went in when the Door was opened, to the Dog) he Levieth therefore Twenty Pound upon Mr. Burdwood for his House, Twenty Pound more for Preaching, and Five Shillings for each of the rest. One Chiswel of Kingsbridg, Black-smith, owing Mr. Burdwood Three Pound, had a Warrant sent him from this New Justice, requiring him to detain the Money in his hand, which he through fear did; another War­rant he sent to the Constables of Cornwoody, for the Seising of an Estate which Mr. Bardwood had there, if they found it Chattel for Lives, or Years. April the 23d. of this present Year, Leech (the Judas) and Arnel his Bro­ther Informer (two expert and considerable Setting Dogs, that Mr. Bear is the Master of) Hunt about the Countrey for Game, both for their Master, and themselves, and at last they came to a Farmers house, in a Village cal­led Leigh, in the Parish of Modbury, about Five or Six Miles distant, from the place where they live; and seeing some persons pass into the Farmers Yard (it being the Forenoon) one of them stops at the House to watch, the other went to call the Officers of the Parish, who came with all possible speed to the House, and narrowly Searcht it, but found not one person in the House, or about it, besides the Family belonging to it (and the truth is, the people only passed through the Court, and went to some other place, or about their Occasions elsewhere, while the Farmer was Praying with his Family) Nevertheless, the Consciences of these Informers were so prodi­giously Debaucht, and Cauteriz'd, that they took their Oaths before Mr. Bear, and Mr. Bruton, that they saw a great number of persons go into the House, and that there was at that time a great Number there. Mr. Bear, who called his Neighbour Justice Bruton, to assist him (one ready enough for such an undertaking; which makes the Fanaticks in those parts, some­times beholden to the rude Bayliffs.)

Goes out of his own Division to Execute the Law; comes therefore to Mudbury a day or two after, and makes a Warrant to this purpose, That whereas they are Credibly Informed, that now there is a Conventicle at such a place, these are therefore, &c. The Informers accompany the Officers to the Farmers house (this Lye being forg'd and fram'd to attain their end) and violently Break open the Doors (there not being one person within) and enters the House, which when they had done, the Informers shew'd the Officers another Warrent immediately to take Distress; to work therefore they go, and empty the mans House of all his Goods, leaving him neither Bed, Pot, nor Pan, Dish nor Spoon; they took away his Sider, and sold it for about Four Shillings a Hogs-head (as they did all other things at an un­der Value) and I hear likewise his very Fewel, which was for the Twenty Pound that was Levied upon him, by which the poor man is almost, if not utterly undone. Should I write all the unjust, and Illegal Actings of this (by an A [...]tiphrasis) Justice Bear, it would make these few Sheets swell to a considerable Volumn: However I will Epitomize a few more before I have finished this Narrative, and bring them within as narrow a Compass as I can, that it may be known how much his Majesty is abus'd, and dishonour'd by such Oppressing, and empty Persons; who only Prostitute Authority to Con­tempt, and Gratifie a single particular Interest, which will be found too narrow a Basis for our vast Structure, and too weak a Leg for our great and Bulky Body Politick, to stand long upon.

I have in the preceding part of this Narrative, told the Reader of Fifteen Informers (or very near the Number) who as Volunteers, Invaded, and Be­set in a most Hostile manner Mr. H. his House at Kingsbridg, the 12th. of June, 1670. Among whom, there was one John Lucas, who stood at the Back-door with a Pistol, threatning to Kill any that come out, which was the cause why he was Disarmed, being bound before to the Peace, or good Be­haviour, and deporting himself so Minaciously, without any Authority. This Lucas, in the Month of December last Sickned, and Died the beginning of January; when he was Dead, his Informing Brethren Mr. Bear, and the rest, threaten that some should suffer for Murdering him. Mr. H. the latter end of August, leaves the Countrey about Eighteen Weeks, and near the time that the said Lucas died, his Adversaries conjectur'd, he was returned in Devon. They resolved to make him guilty of this horrid Murder, as they reported it to be (though while Lucas was well, and in health, he never Accused him for Beating, or Assaulting him at the time spoken of, or any time after) Justice Bear being return'd from the Sessions, presently enquires into the pretended bloody Fact. Lucas his Widdow, she swears before him (who was then the Head of this Informing party) that when he lay upon his Sick-bed, he said that Mr. H. came out in the Head of Threescore men (or near that Number) and Knockt him down, and that Eight persons more, viz. Mr. Bevil Bastard, Mr. Henry Luke, William and Richard Gilberd, — Merrigame, J [...]hn Leech, Nicholas Hexome, and John Bowen, fell up­on him, and Beat him so cruelly, than he was never well after, but gradually Languisht, which was the cause of his Sickness, and so of his Death; her Father Kisland (a Fellow that Lucas was heard to say, not long before he [Page 16] fell sick, would for a Groat betray, or take away any mans Life, or words to that purpose) Swears that when he was stript, there were the Impressions of the Blows, which he called Stripes, upon his Back; this being done, Justice Bear grants forth his Warrants to Apprehend all these Persons upon Suspition of Murder; they all yield themselves, but Mr. H. (who was not at home, nor hath been for many Months) Mr. Bear refused to Bayl them, though the Case will admit thereof, to the Goal therefore they must go; the Mittimusses of some of them were made, but two other Justices did Bayl them, either not being so Ignorant of the Law, or not so Malicious as himself, Now though this Justice and the rest of the Informers confidently Report, and Assert, that this was a most Bloody, and Barbarous Murder, yet they Bury him, never endeavouring, and it's likely never intending, to have him Crown'd; a Coroner indeed came not long after, but did not his Of­fice (I will not confidently avere that Mr. Bear, or any other, did tamper with him privately to be gone, knowing that no Stripes would be found upon his Back.) But the Accused knowing their own pure, and spotless Innocen­cy, were resolv'd to have him Crown'd, and accordingly sent for a Coroner, who came and Executed his Office according to Law. When his Jury was Impanel'd witnesses on both sides, with Impartiality were Examined. Lucas his Widdow, and her Father swore as before the Justice (except as some say she accused not Mr. H.) to whom was added a new Witness, John Bear (a Fellow that not long before took an Oath before a Justice of Peace, that Mr. John Tripe of Kingsbridg, was at a Conventicle, when he was sick at home) who swore that going with Lucas to find a Conventicle, he Riding and the other walking on Foot; and not holding pace with him, he asked him the reason why he could go no faster. To whom he replied: He was never well since he was Beaten at Mr. H. his House. After the Evidence of these three was taken, then were Witnesses for the Accused Examined; who were first his own Natural Parents, its well known in the Countrey where they Live, that there was much Love betwixt these and their Son, that he was very dear to them; insomuch that his Affectionate Mother, from the Intensness and Strength of her Love, when her Son was taken out of the Grave, after he had putrified there a full Fortnight, Embrac'd him (as if by her own warm Bo­some, she would have Reanimated, or given him a second Life, or breath'd her own into him; yea, she abundantly wept over him, as if with a Flood of her own Tears, she would have washt away the Filth, and Corruption of his Body) Certainly then if they had Apprehended, or Suspected these Persons, or any other to have shed his Blood, they could not have been back­ward to prosecute them; but they being convinc't of the contrary, they Voluntarily take their Oaths that to their Apprehension, their Son was us Healthful, Strong, and Lively from the 12th. of June, to the time he sick­ned, as ever they knew him, that they never heard him complain of any of the Accused doing him wrong, or hurt: They further Sware, that all the time of his Sickness, they never heard any complaint of this Nature, and that they did believe in their Consciences he had no wrong, or harm done him by the Persons Accused; and for the Stripes upon his Back that Kelland sware to, they did judg them nothing but Strikes made with the folding of his [Page 17] Shirt, and Wast-coat, lying much upon his Back. Another Witness was his Phisitian, who Attested upon Oath, that he died of a Putrid Feaver. A third that gave Evidence, was a Fellow-workman with him, who did Swear that the next day after this pretended Beating was, he came to work with him, and he asked him if he was Hurt by Beating the day before? and he answered, No; And further he Witnessed, that he wrought with him Seven Weeks together, and that all the time he did his Work (being a Carpenter) as Lustily, and Lively, as ever he knew him to perform it. William March (who is lately Dead, but while he Liv'd, was known, and approved to be an Honest man, and Peaceable man, by all his Neighbours) had not Providence prevented his coming, would as he intended, have taken his Oath, that he, being next Neighbour to Lucas, heard him the Evening of the same Day in which it's said he was Beaten, speak these words, as he was walking in his Garden with another man: That he had no more hurt than himself; when he asked him the Question, whether or no, he was so Beaten. And further told him, They did, or might Strike one another; but they could not Strike him they stood so thick: This, William March often while he Lived, affirm'd to be a Truth; but though he was now wanting to give in such material Evidence. Yet the former with Bar­bary Cawseys, who (being Mr. H. his next Neighbour) was in her own Court, or Garden, a Spectator at that time, was so Pertinent, Demonstra­tive, and Satisfactory, that there was no need of any more.

Evidence therefore being thus given on both sides, the Jury Advise, and Consult together, what Verdict to bring in; the far greater part presently concurred in their Judgments, that Lucas died a Natural Death; Three or Four dissented from the rest, which caused a Debate, and Things to be Argued Pro and Con, several Hours: Then one Mr. Ford (who hath good Judgment and Skill in Chirurgery) being a Juror, declared his Opinion; That if Lucas had Sickned, and Died of any Blows that was given him so long be­fore, they must have Impostumated before that time, and this gave general Satisfaction: So the Verdict of the Jury was, that he died a Natural death, by the Visitation of God.

Notwithstanding this Search is not only the Mortal, but Immortal ha­tred and malice of this Justice Bear against Mr. H. That about three Weeks after he grants forth a Hue and Cry, to pursue him for Wilful murder; when his u [...]si [...]e fury could not reach him any other way: And though by Vertue of his Warrants, his House had been Searcht for him several times before, yet now he is resolved to make thorow work (supposing him to be in that Countrey, when he was not) on a Saturday Night therefore about Ten a Clock, came the Constables of Kingsbridg, with most of the Informers for their Guard, and many others, to the Number of near Thirty Persons, and Besets his House; to whom his Wife opened the Doors, a strict Search then they make for him: One of the Constables commanded to Stab any that should go out (a Fellow lately put into that Office by Mr. Bear, who was never iudg'd fit for it, or capable of it before) but not finding him there, they made a further Search, very diligently all that Night in the Town, disturbing many Families; and among the rest, they re [...]uire some Quakers [Page 18] to open their Doors (though no doubt they expected him not to be shelter'd in their Houses, as the Sequel declares, from whom he had met with so much Disturbance, and Opposition in Preaching) and when they were got in, they violently took away their Goods. The Sabbath-day in the Morning early, they leave Kingsbridg, and go to Westalvington, where a Search was made in some Gentlemens Houses, but to no purpose; from thence they pro­ceed to Milton Parish, from it to Hughes, so to Salcomb, thus they spent the Sabbath: And after they had by their great Labouriousness, and Diligence tyred themselves, they gave over, not finding their Prey, having Searcht near Thirty Houses: How unwearied, and implacable is Malice, how sweet is Revenge?

When the Assizes begun at Exon, the eight Persons spoken of before, ac­cording to their Recognizance, made their Appearance, and the Grand Jury debated the finding of the Bill of Murder against them, which continued from Wednesday, or Thursday, till Munday (when the Assizes were nearly concluded) the Gentlemen being divided Thirteen against Twelve; the greater Number were for finding it an Ignoramus, but the Twelve were for finding Billa Vera. Now the Reason why there was such a Number for it, was in all probability some Under-hand dealing with the Under-Sheriff, Mr. Norman in Exon; for Sir John Davy, the chief Sheriff of the County, had sent a List of such Gentlemen to Mr. Norman, as he desir'd the Grand Jury should consist of, with Orders to warn them; but he not liking what his Master had done; without acquainting him with it, takes upon him to alter his List, leaving out whom he pleased, and warning such in their stead as he judg'd more fit, and such as he knew would gratifie the Malice of the others, whatever it did his own. Notwithstanding therefore, all the care of that Honourable Person Sir John Davy, to have a Grand Jury, in reference to all Concernments that should come under their Cognizance, of Sober, Solid, Judicious, and Honest Gentlemen; it was now in a great measure other­wise Constituted, there being those that without any respect to Equity, and Justice, would take away the Lives of those called Fanaticks. The Bill being now found, the Prisoners were called to the Bar, where they Pleaded not Guilty, and then came to their Tryal, which lasted about three Hours; in reference to which, I shall give an Account both of the prodigious Perjuries of the Wit­nesses for the King, and the Partiality (to give it no worse Name) of the Judg, before whom the Tryal was.

And while I present to the Reader some of those Sowre Grapes, which these Plants so far Degenerated from all Truth, and Righteousness, brought forth; I shall begin with Mr. John Bear, the Justice, who being called to be a Witness against the Prisoners, Swore as if he had no Sense of an Omnisci­ent Deity, or a Divine Nemesis, to take Vengeance upon him, for his unpar­relled Perjuries. The Sum and Substance of his false Oath, is, That Lucas was almost Beaten into the Ground, that the Prisoners did lye upon him, and Beating him, had made a Pit in the Ground, enough to bury him in, (which must be very large considering his great Dimensions, but its likely this Gentleman was resolved to Swear Rhetorically, by an Hyperbole) when the Ground the Pit was made in, was only a very soft Dunghil, and many [Page 19] People passing over it, at that time, had Trod it down, and made some Holes, or Pits in it; at this desperate rate he went on Swearing Roundly, and Smoothly, but with such a still and low Voice, that the Prisoners at the Bar, could not distinctly hear him: Therefore Mr. Luke, humbly desired the Judg, that he would command him to speak more Audibly, which being so Just and Reasonable a Request, was granted; in obedience to the Judg, he raised his Voice a degree higher, but yet not Loud enough to be heard by the Prisoners (from all probability he was unwilling they should hear him, that they might not except against any thing he Swore, and so all might be credited by the Jury, and likewise his Conscience might fly in his Face, and tell him what monstruous falshoood he did attest) Mr. Luke therefore moved again, that he might more extend his Voice: Which at last doing, he desired the Judg to ask him; Whether he swore those things from his own knowledg? The Question being askt him, he replied No, but he was informed of it, and had heard so. Now he was pincht to the pur­pose, for if he had answered Affirmatively, there were those present (which he was not ignorant of) that could prove the contrary, he not coming till after Lucas was disarmed, and upon his Legs, and when there was no person in the least that did molest him. How may the Reader see what bloody Malice, Prompted, and Acted, this Justice Bear, to precipitate, and hurry himself into the absorping Gulph of Perjury. For supposing all had been Truth which he Swore, yet it's False-swearing in the sight of God, to Swear what he had no certain knowledg of, (such knowledg being an Essential Constitution of a right Oath, as the Divine Oracles, and Casuists do Deter­mine) and it's very probable, he contracted more of this dreadful Guilt upon his Soul: For he further Swore, that a little before Lucas his Death, he was with him, and that then he heard him charge his Death among others, upon William Gilberd; and yet afterwards, when the Question was asked him, Whether Lucas did not Acquit the said W. G. before Mr. Hele (then one of his Majesties Justices) after he had Accused him upon Oath, for Beating him, he confest he did; it being so known a Truth, he could not deny it. Let the Impartial Reader judg, that rationally it must be dissonant from Truth, that L. who had Acquitted J. before a Justice of Peace, would so long after, charge his Death upon him: And though Mr. Bear swore he did it upon all the rest, yet this having the ugly Visage of a Lye, what may we judg of the whole, but that it was a Contexture, and Concatenation of many notorious Falshoods together. Now we will leave Mr. Bear Immerst, and Drown'd in the dreadful Guilt of his Perjuries (though afterwards we shall find him sinking deeper) and proceed to another desperate Swearer, by Name John Roope, in the Parish of Chestow: He Swore, that when he came he found Lucas lying upon his Back in a Wet, or Dirty place, and John Leech, and H [...]xome upon him; and that Lucas was so weak, and Spent, when they rose from him, that he had not strength of himself to rise, but was help [...], or listed up by him: But Barbary Caws [...]y witnesseth (who was a Spe­ctator, standing upon the Hedg that parts betwixt Mr. H. his Garden, and here, under which Lucas was thrown down, and lay at that time when R. came, so that she had him full, and perfectly in her View) that its true [Page 20] J. R. coming immediately as H. ro [...]e from L. he took him by the Arm, but by his own strength, with much Ni [...]bleness, and Quickness, he Leaped, or Sprung (but was not Pull [...]d) up, and threw his Arms about him, crying out with great Vehemency, and Voceferations, There's the Rogue (point­ing to H.) that took away the Pistol; and to give a clear Demonstration, that he was not so spent, with great Force and Fury (Mr. B [...]ar with some other Informers, being then in sight for his encouragement) fell upon H [...]xome, wrapping one hand in his Hair behind, and pulling back his Head with the other hand, gave him such a Blow upon the Mouth, that he struck him down to the Ground, where he lay a considerable time before he could rise, being depriv'd of his Senses by the force, and greatness of the Blow.

The next Witness against the Prisoners, that I shall give the Reader a faith­ful Account of, is, Walter Campion, (who bears the Bell away from all the rest of his Perjur'd Brethren, being a most profound Sink of Lies, and Abyss of Falshoods, to whom the precedency of all the Knights of Post is due) who Sware he saw the print of Forty strokes in the pilm upon his Back. Roope swore, he hearing a great Tumult in Mr. H. his Court, hasted with all speed thither (and it was no great distance from him) where he found Lucas down upon the Ground, and lying upon his Back, but saw no man strike him; it's strange then that he should have so many Blows given him, in so short a time, and that in a Throng, and Crowd, where one hinder an­other (as William March heard L. say in his own Garden, they could not strike him, they stood so thick) he could not have them when he was thrown down, because he lay upon his Back, as J. R. swears; and it's strange he should receive so many behind, and not one before that did appear, or was spoken of; either they were most base Cowards, that would only Assault him behind, or he was a notorious Coward that would not face about to de­fend himself. But any Impartial Reader may see by this, if no more should be produced to Demonstrate it; What a Disperado this Campion is for Swear­ing? But to evince this Perjury more clearly, let it be considered what J. R. Swore, viz. That he found Lucas upon his Back, in a Wet or Durty place (which is a truth, for there many times Water runs, and there is always Mud and Durt) the Forty blows then that C. swore he saw, must be either before he fell, or after; before it could not be, because he was thrown down before R. came, who came before Campion; after, no man can ration­ally suppose it to be, because he lying in a Wet place upon his Back, the Pilm, or Dust must be removed, or changed into Durt, so that no Prints, or Impressions of Blows could be seen in it; yea, if it had been in a Dry blace he fell in, yet Tumbling, and Strugling upon his Back, would have defaced them altogether, or rendred them very undistinguishable; it's strange fur­ther, that so many Blows should be unobserved by all the rest, as if he who had a more notorious Lying Tongue, should have a more quick and piercing Eye, than all his Brethren had. And take all this in Conjunction with what Barbary Cawsey swore, that she was a Spectator, and Observer of all Passa­ges both at the beginning, and the end, and saw not one Blow given him; and that she heard the people, or some among them say; Strike him not a Blow: And then the incedibility of all that he Swore in reference to this [Page 21] particular will be most manifest. So I will leave this, and proceed to ano­ther piece of Perjury as Infernal, and Tremendous, as the former, that he was Guilty of in the open Court, where he Swore twice (to render Mr. H. as oudious as he could) once when he was call'd to be a Witness against Mr. H [...], and Mr. Bastard, for neglecting their Duty as Justices, in the Execu­tion of the Act against Conventicles; and now when he was a Witness against the Prisoners, that the said Mr. H. near the time that the Act against Conventicles was in Force, threatned, that if any man came to Disturb him in keeping them, he would Knock him down, shewing him a C [...] as he term'd it, near as thick as the wrest of his Arm; to whom, Campion said, he Reply'd, You may miss your blow, and if I close with you, I may prove as nimble as you (or words to that purpose) and further said, he was not affraid of him: To whom Mr. H. replied after this manner, Sav'st thou so, and pulling out of his Pocket a Ste [...]etto, or long Daggar Knife, turn'd the point of it towards him, and told him, there was that which should pick his Teeth. That the Reader may know the matchless Empudence of this Fellow, and what a Debaucht, Profligated, and Canterized Conscience he hath, which Generates his most Horrid, and Hellish Perjuries, I will give him a True, and Faithful Relation of this Matter; as Mr. H. calls the Search­er of Hearts to Witness, and Verbo si [...]erdotis, doth prosess. Which take as followeth:

About the midst of December, 1669. Mr. H. had a Horse dangerously wounded, and employed Campion to cure him, who came to his House to dress him; and one Evening before he went away, he asked him if he would Drink, which Campion accepted of: He then put it to his choice, whether he would drink Beer, or Sider. Campion replied; He could drink Beer at home, and he knew Mr. H. had good Sider, therefore he would rather chuse that; which when he had drunk, he commended it. Mr. H. at that time had a Staff in Hand, which Campion took notice of, and said, it was a good one: To whom he replied; That he had rather have such a Staft, than a small Rapier, such as now was in use. Then said Campion, But what if one should give you a prick? Mr. H. again: Possibly he might put by one thrust, which if he did, he would prevent the second, if he got one blow at his Ad­versary that should Assault him. Campion speaking of his Skill in Fencing, and what Feats he could do with a Sword: Mr. H. told him (which was the Conclusion of the Discourse) that if a man should Assault him with a [...]o [...]d, he would be in such a posture with his Knife in his left Ha [...]d ( [...]aking it then out of his Pocket) and his Staff in his Right; and if he p [...] by a Thrust, he would quickly pick his Teeth. This Knife is indeed made after the form of a Daggar, with a little Cross-bar, to prevent its run [...]ing th [...]h the Sheath; both Hast and Blade, are but about a quarter of a Yard lon [...]. And when Mr. H. first had it, they were frequently, and commonly u [...]'d for cutting Meat, and for this purpose many Sober persons use them [...]et: But in all this Discourse, there was not one word relating to C [...]ve [...]icles, or in the least bordering upon them, it being at that time when to Act was in Force against them, and several Months before the present Act was made; and Mr. H. never exchang done word with Campion, by way of any Discourse, [Page 22] since he pay'd his Money for the Cure he wrought, which was a few days after it was done. And now I shall leave this Fellow a while, deeply Abyst in his Perjuries, and under the heavy Pressures of that Soul-sinking Guilt.

Thomas Ford (that man of Magnanimity, and Might, already mentioned) Sware that Lucas was thrown down on his Back athwart a Gutter, which was pitcht with sharp stones, over which, by the Head and Heels, they drew his Body. Now that the Reader may understand what a Brother in Iniquity this man is with the other, he must cast his Eye upon what followeth, viz. That Tho. Ford was not there when Lucas was thrown down, and disarm'd, neither saw he in what posture he lay. He Swore further, that Mr. Bevil Bastard, and Mr. Luke, cry'd, Kill the Rogue, Knock down the Rogue, and yet he was not there (as before is asserted, and can be prov'd) when Lucas in strugling for the Pistol fell, or was thrown upon the Ground; and none can prove, or doth affirm, that one Minacious word was spoken after he got up. I need not declare the Perjuries of Lucas his Widdow, or her Fa­ther Kelland, they being much the same at the Assizes, that they were be­fore the Coroner, except one Addition that Kelland made, viz. That Lucas not only from time to time complained of his Beating, but spit Blood, and brought up Knots of Blood as big as French Nuts at his Mouth, and that much Blood went from him by Stool. To all that hath been Evidenced by such near Relations, and others to prove Rationally the contrary, I will add the Authentick Evidence of Mr. George Sutchcot (who is known to be no Friend to Non-conformists, nor their Meetings; but a most Intimate and Familiar Converser with the Informers, being judg'd by many to be an Abettor, and Encourager of them) which was this. That though Lucas the next day af­ter his pretended Beating, complain'd to him thereof, yet he wrought with him several Months after, without failing any thing in his Work, and he never heard him to complain more of it. I could Write much more to Confirm what hath been Asserted, but let this Suffice, till there be need of further Evidence.

I will now proceed to the Narration of the Judges Partiality, I will not say Injustice, and apparent Malice. First, It's evidenced that the Judg came Prejudiced to the Tryal of the Prisoners, and had hearkned to their Enemies Informations before he came; for at Mr. H [...]les Tryal at the Nisi Prius Bench, when there was an occasion to speak of the Conventicle held at Mr. H. when Lucas was disarm'd, and of the Barbarous, and rude Carriage of the Informers; he justified them, and said, it was well they were all Arm'd (or word to that purpose) or they might all have been Murdered at it as Lucas was, whom he declar'd was then Murdered, for want of Arms to defend himself: All which was before the Tryal of the Prisoners, whereby it evidently appears with what prejudice he was possest, and how little he intended to do Justice.

He gave also the Witnesses against the Prisoners, the utmost Liberty to declare themselves; and when Mr. John Bear Swore so desperately by Hear­say, and Information, and Ro [...]p, and Campion, did in their Oath contradict themselves, he took no notice of it: But the Witnesses for the Prisoners were [Page 23] Snib'd, and Discouraged not a little by him, he lying still at the Catch, to make their Evidence to Interfere; he used likewise all ways to Nonplus, and daunt them, that they might not have boldness to declare the Truth. The Mother therefore of Lucas, when she came to Evidence for the Prisoners, he asked her, How much Money was given her for her Sons Blood? And told her, she came to Sell it for Money (or words to that purpose) he Taunting­ly, and Scornfully reflected upon Mr. Bastard likewise, who was desired to be a Witness for the Prisoners; saying, He thought it a fine thing to stand there to own a Cause. So he dealt with another Person (who was a mate­rial Witness in the behalf of the Prisoners) floutingly: Telling him, That he was drest up in a Coat, or Cloke, with a fine made Story. To another Witness Jeeringly, and Scoffingly, he said: He did believe that she was one of them, for she did Tone it out like one of them. The Coroner likewise be­ing desired to speak something of the death of Lucas, was suffered to say little or nothing, the Judg telling him, That Coroners were wont to be Tam­pered with: And when he came to give Instructions to the Jury, and to Sum up the Evidence, against, and for the Prisoners, he Omitted most of the material Circumstances that made for them; and told the Jury they must find it Wilful Murder, or nothing. And when the Jury brought in their Verdict not Guilty, he seem'd to be discontented, not letting the Prisoners depart, without Slurring them in the open Court, and rendring them as Odious as he could: Telling them, That though Men had Acquitted them, yet there was a God that knew they were Guilty, of that they are charged with (or words to that pur­pose) I shall leave the Impartial Reader to Judg thereof.

And now that none may Ignore, or be Unacquainted with the true Ground and Reason of this Violent, and Virulent Prosecution of so many Innocent persons: I shall but briefly relate a few Passages, viz. George Bear's words (who Swore desperately enoug among the rest) who when he heard what full Evidence was given for the Prisoners, swelling with Indignation, burst forth into these Audable words, which contain'd a Diabolical Imprecation, to this purpose: The Pox of God take them, they will be all Acquitted. The Widdow of Lucas returning home, did Chide her Mother in Law, for the Evidence she gave, and told her if she had been good (or words to that pur­pose) she might have got her a Thousand Pound: The Mother replied, What Advantage could it be to you, if the Prisoners had been Hang'd? The Wid­dow replied, Rather than so they would have given her a good part of their Estates. Justice Bear, when the first Examination of matter of Fact was, and Lucas his own Father was Summoned before him, who Swearing that they were but Strakes upon his Back, made with the folding of his Wastcoat, and Shirt, which Kelland swore were the Imprest blows; he commanded his Clerk to Write down Stripes. The Coroner that came first, (as I have told the Reader) went away without doing his Office: I will not absolutely determine who was the cause, or what was the reason of it; but we have ano­ther Notorious Exidence, and Circumstance of Fact, from Mr. Bears sending for the Coroner, that came upon notice given him by the Accused, who re­fused to go. Now I leave it to the Ingenuous, and Judicious Reader, to de­termine in his own thoughts, whether this eager Prosecution was to Vindicate [Page 24] Inn [...]l Bl [...] spilt, or to spill Innocent Blood, Now if it be questioned by any, What's the reason Mr. H [...]ks did not appear with the other Eight, that his Innocency aswel as theirs, might be cleared? The Answer is briefly this: That he being at some considerable distance from his own House, when Mr. Bear so Illegally, and Maliciously pursued him with a Hue and Cry, and never being where it came, he judg'd it fit, with many others, to take no Notice of it, but enioy his Liberty till the Assizes; when, if he were Accu­sed to the Grand J [...]ry, and the [...] of Murder found against him, with the Fest, he intended to make his Appearance, and put himself upon his Tryal, if he could have any hopes of Justice, and Moderation: But understanding how the Judg did prejudg the [...]act, calling it Murder, when the Tryal was betwixt Mr. H [...]l [...], and one of the Informers; and how those that were wit­nesses then against Mr. H [...]l [...], did most prodigiously Perjure themselves, and who were to be Witnesses against himself; and not being Ignorant how Active, and Industrious some [...] s [...]asticks, or Hierarchists, were to Ruine him if they could ( [...]aving [...] st [...] a [...]arn'd; for that end, some saying, [...] him, [...] [...]ld H [...]g for all the rest) considering with all these things, the Care and Industry of the Under-Sheriff, to have a Grand Jury so Constituted, as the B [...]ll of M [...]rder might be found against him, with the Rest. He had good reason to Suspect, and Fear, that he had also provided such a P [...]tty J [...]ry, a [...] would gratifie the Malice of his Enemies, and into whose hands it would not be safe for him to put his Life. Upon all these dis­advantages he thought it not fit to yield, and give up himself to those who Intended, and Attempted so Voraciously to make a Prey of him. If it be said — Hic ma [...]s ab [...]s [...], &c. And that Absconding, and Flying, argues Guilt. I Answer, That sometimes the most Unstained, Unspotted Righteosness, and Virgin [...]en [...], cannot stand before malicious Fury, and powerful Malice, or devouring Envy Arm'd with power (which made the w [...]te M [...] say, T [...] [...]metimes the Righteous d [...] [...]eri [...]h in his Righteousness, th [...] r [...]gth [...] that [...] justifi [...] [...] wicked, and co [...] the other, though both be [...]) and when it [...] so, it's no dishonour to any person to secure himself by [...]ight; [...] doth it Administer a just ground of jealousie in any other, that [...] the case of Guilt, which it cannot in the least Infer. What Mr. H. doth, many who have been in the same Circumstances, have done. But this is not all that he hath to plead for himselfe; For there is Imprisonment, which his Enemies design against him, so if they cannot deprive him of his Life, they will of his Liberty; and Liberty being more Eligible, and D [...]able than Restraint, he is resolv'd to enjoy it as long a [...] he can. And [...] he desirs may be Published to the whole World, that let him have a [...] before a Just, Upright, and Un­b [...]aft Judg, and have a Jury of Indi [...] [...] Indicious persons, not chosen by Malice, and Prejudice; and [...] [...]f he be not found Guilty, he shall have his Liberty, He will p [...] [...] it, for the clearing of his Innocency.

I now proceed to give the [...] fully, and Impartially of the Tryals that were betwi [...] [...] [...]n Bastard, Esquires, and Mr. Edward R [...]ynel, and J [...] [...] or Bear, for pretended [Page 25] Neglects of putting the Act against Conventicl [...] in Execution, &c. The first Infomer Sued Mr. Hele for three Neglects, and so was in hopes of having one Moity of Three Hundred Pounds, however his Majesty would dispose of the other (it's likely he was not without hopes of it, as the Merited reward of his Signal, and eminent Service) now let the World know the Ingratitude, and Disingenuity of Edward Reynel, towards Mr. Hele, not on­ly as he is his God-Son, but as he at that time Owed him several Sums of Money, both on his own, and Fathers Accounts; his Elder Brother, Mr. George Reynel (the Prisoner in the Kings-Bench, and the Justice) Owing him likewise an Hundred Pound, which his Lady sent for some Years since, to pay her Phisitians with, and had it from him, only on her single Letter, without Bill, or Bond, and which is not Paid to this day, He is now re­solv'd to requite Mr. Hele well, for all his Civilities, and Favours shewed to him, and the Family. The other Informer Sued Mr. Bastard, for two Neg­lects, and now thought to enrich himself with the share of the Two Hun­dred Pound, thereby to get above the Disgrace, and Contempt of Poverty: Non habet infaelix paupertas durius in se, quam quod rediculos homines facit— In this Account which I give, I shall as before Methodize, and Digest it into this Order. First, To relate the Perjuries of the Witnesses that sware against both the Gentlemen, and the hard Measure they met with from the Judg; who set himself with that Violence, and Vehemency against them, that it was observed, and spoken of generally with Abhorrency, and De­testation.

When Mr. H. Tryal was put forth after four days Attendance on the Assizes, and the Jury call'd, Robert Adams, of Malborough, being the Fore­man of it, was excepted against by Mr. Bear, the Justice (who was not long before the Principal Informer) as an Excommunicated Person, for which he took his Oath in the Court, whereby the said R. A. was Incapaciated to serve in the Tryal, relating to Mr. H. and Mr. B. Now the Reader must know, that the foresaid Person was suspected by the Informers, to Favour, or bear Good-will towards those they call Fanaticks; and they could contrive no way to remove him but this, to prove he was not Capable of serving as a Juror (which by the Law no Excommunicated person is) Mr. Bear there­fore he undertakes for an Expedient, and that is, to call the Omniscient God, and Him that is Essential, and Eternal Truth, to be a Witness to a Lye. For since the Assizes, it hath been enquired into, and found that Robert Adams was not then Excommunicated. M. Bear further Swore, to Aggravate Mr, Heles supposed Neglects, that the Insolency of Conventiclers was grown to that height, that all Loyal Subjects had just cause to fear a Rebellion: That they (speaking of Mr. Hicks, and the people he Preacht too, did not only Usurpt the Pulpits of Lawful Ministers, but pull'd them out of their Pulpits, and laid Church-wardens that came to Suppress them, flat on their Backs in the Church, and broke open Church Doors, &c. all which things, if Truths, Mr. Bear was never an Eye-witness of: But what Noto­rious falshoods these are, the whole Countrey round about knows. It's strange, and most Inconsistent with Reason, that they who were continually Attempting to bring Mr. Hicks into trouble for Preaching, should never take [Page 26] [...]o great, and fair an Advantage against him, as hereby they had. If Mr. Bear can produce one Church-warden, or any Officer in a Town, or Parish where Mr. H. Preacht publickly, that will affirm, that either he opposed him, or that any Assault, or the least Violence, and Incivility was offered by him, or any of his Hearers, upon the Account of his Preaching; or can bring one Minister to prove that ever Mr. H. or any of his Hearers did dis­possess him of a Pulpit, when he was in it; or that any Church Doors were Broke open to possess the Pulpits, then will I engage Mr. Hicks shall appear at any Assizes, or any other time, to suffer whatever any Law in the utmost Extremity can Inflict upon him, and promise never to Indite Mr. B. for Perjury.

The Jury being Sworn, one Witness upon Oath, Swore that Mr. Hele re­fused to take Informations upon Oath, that there was a Conventicle at Mr. Hicks his House, May the 19th. When another of them upon his Oath did confess, and acknowledg, that Mr. Hele did take their Informations, which also several persons of Mr. Heles House, did Attest. As for the other two Neglects Mr. Hele was charged with, and Sued for, which were in one day, June the 19th. 1670. I shall speak nothing concerning them, till I relate the Carriage of the Judg, in reference to them.

When the Tryal betwixt Mr. Bastard, and John Bear, was put on for two Neglects, the first being for the 29th. of June. Likewise, one of the Infor­mers, and the Dog-whipper, Swore they came between Twelve and One a Clock, to Mr. Bastards house, to Inform of a Conventicle near Kingsbridg, in Mr. H. his House; and that it was three miles betwixt Gorston (where Mr. Bastard dwells) and Kingsbridg; but the contrary to all that they affirmed upon Oath, was so fully prov'd, that all who heard it, might, and most were convinced what perjur'd Miscreants they were: Campion Swore that he saw Mistriss Bastard, Mr. Bastards Wife, at the same Conventicle, whereas it can be prov'd she was elsewhere, by several Witnesses. Should I publish to the World all the false Oaths, and Voluminous perjuries of these, and other Wit­nesses, the Narrative would break the bounds, and stretch it self far beyond the Consines, I intend it shall be kept within. I shall now conclude all with the Carriage of the Judg, who suffered without any Check, Mr. Hele, and Mr. Bastard, to be Jeared and Flouted, and high Affronts put upon them, by such Humuncios, and Dregs of Humanity, as Campion, the Smith, Leech (the Judas) that's glad of a days work in the Countrey, the Dog Whipper, and others. When Campion swore he saw Mr. Bastards Wife at a Conven­ticle, and the Judg asked him, How he knew it was her? He most Saucily, and Impudently replied: He could not tell whether she was Married to him, or no, but he had had several Children by her, &c. And yet the Judg did not in the least reprove him for, or shew the least dislike of his so shamefully abusing Persons of that Worth, and Honour, they are known, and esteemed generally to be. When Leech sware, That if Mr. Bastard had been so zealous in Executing the Kings Laws, as he was to maintain Rebellion, the Conven­ticlers had been all Routed before that time; the Judg did not in the least Check him, for that high and most scandalous Charge, but seemed rather to be delighted with it, and all the rest of that filthy Trash. He suffered [Page 27] likewise the very Council to be Flouted by some of the Varlots, as th [...] Campion, whom he permitted as long as he pleased, to Act the parts of a Fool in the Play, to make Sport for, and move Laughter in Court; and he himself Reflected sufficiently upon the Gentlemen, insomuch that one of them told him, if he were an offence to him, he would go out of the Court. Yea, he Laboured to Discourage their Councel, and to prevent their full, and effectual Pleading for their Clients: Telling them, he was sorry to see any Plead in such a Cause, bidding them for shame to hold their peace (or to that purpose) but said, he thought what they did, was for their Fees. When the Councel for the Informers, had all desirable Liberty to speak, yea, and were often eased, and Assisted by him. And though as to the first Neglect, Mr. Hele was Sued for, it was fully proved, that he did not refuse to take the Informations of the Witnesses, by the acknowledgment of some of them in the Court, aswel as by the Evidence of his own Servants; and none could Swear that there was either Praying, or Preaching, or any Reli­gious Worship dissonant from the Liturgy, and Practice of the Church of England, at that time, but that about three Fields off (besides a high House, that the Voice was to ascend over) they heard a Voice, which they conclu­ded, came from Mr. H. his House: Yet he gave a strict charge to the Jury, to find for the Informers, the Plantiffs. Concerning the two other Neglects, which were for one day, the one for the Forenoon, the other for the After­noon, how the Judg suffered Justice to take Place, and Sway; what follows may give the Reader ample Satisfaction. In reference to the Forenoons Neglect, the Witnesses Sware that they were at Pool (Mr. H [...]les Parish Church) about Ten of the Clock in the Forenoon, to Acquaint him with a Conventicle at Mr. H. his House, which was confest upon Oath by them, ended a considerable time before Mr. Hele had any Notice of it; and yet it was judg'd a Neglect, that Mr. Hele came not soon enough to Suppress the same: And as to the other pretended Neglect in the Afternoon, though Mr. Hele prov'd, he sent immediately for his Horses to be fitted for him against he came from Church; and after he had refresht himself with some meat, he came to Mr. Hicks his House, where he found neither Preaching nor Pray­ing, neither could any of the Informers Swear there was any; but they heard a Voice of one in such an Exercise, and that it was Mr. Hicks's Voice (which was desperate enough, seeing Voices are many times as like as Faces) and that this Conventicle began at a Eleven a Clock, and ended at Two (which was more than Mr. Hele then knew) yet not the least Grane of Allowance, must be laid in the Ballance for Mr. Hele; and whatever was said by his Ad­versaries, was sufficient to Preponderate, whatever might rationally be plead­ed, to Acquit him from the Guilt of a Witting, and wilful Neglect of his Duty (the most Rigid, and Severe Interpretation, being put upon all his Actions, and the smallest Circumstance aggravated to the highest Pitch, that it was possible for Malice, and Prejudice to Rack, and Screw it up to) as that it's Contravertible, and Disputable, whether the Act doth require a Justice of Peace to come in Person to any place, where he is Inform'd a Con­venticle is, there's no such Law exprest; if there be any thing of that Na­ture, it's but very Darkly imply'd. And further, that he was Engaged in [Page 28] the Publick Worship of God when the Informers came: And should he leave that, to Ride Three or Four mile upon an uncertainty at the best? (And if he had come, it had been to no purpose, there being no Meeting at that time) And after the Worship was over, it was most reasonable that Nature should be refresht, before he Ride so far? And yet he came at the most pro­bable time to find a Conventicle, which was about Two a Clock, the ordi­nary and usual time, that Mr. H. was wont with the People, to meet at his House. And certainly, if the Informers had not Alarum'd them by their coming, before the Justice, he had Surprized, and found them all like Bees in the Hive together; And when he came, none did Swear that there had been any Worship of God, only a Voice of one Praying, or Preaching, was heard, and it was Mr. Hicks's. And suppose it had been so, they did not Swear that it was to above the Number of Five: It's true, Mr. Hele found some Women in the House, and he Askt them, How they came there? And how, or when, or to what end they came: How could he know? Mr. Hicks had a Child very Sick, and they were with his Wife, in the Chamber where the Child lay: And how this could be a Notorious Evidence, and Circumstance of Fact (that is such a Circumstance, that carries in it, a certain Demonstra­tion of the Fact, coming within the compass of that Axiome, or, Maxim positâ Circumstantia rei, ponitur res ipsa: For it's Absurd otherwise to Inter­pret the Law the two former ways of Conviction, viz. Confession of the Party: Or the Oath of two Witnesses, being certain Quoad Nos, the last must be of the same kind) to him, that there had been Religious Worship, and differing from the Liturgy, and Practice of the Church of England; or a sufficent Reason to prove him Guilty of a Witting, or Wilful Neglect of Duty, let all Sober, Impartial, or Unprejudiced men judg. However, the Judg strictly chargeth the Jury (which destroys the Liberty of a Judgment of Discretion, aswel as of Determination in them, and so makes Juries to signifie nothing) to find three Neglects, which is more than the Law (as ma­ny that are Judicious rationally suppose) doth charge him with, or any other man; for it doth not say Toties Quoties, or so often as a Justice doth not Convict of a Conventicle when he may, he shall Forfeit so many Hun­dred Pounds, but not doing his Duty he shall Forfeit one Hundred Pound; When our Wise Legislators intended, that Conventiclers should suffer for every particular Crime, they Express it: Why then should we think, much less abso­lutely determine, that seeing they have not exprest it with respect to Justices of the Peace, that they did certainly intend it. The Jury having this charge given them, after some time, bring in their Verdict to the Judges Chamber, of Two Hundred Pounds for two Neglects only; at which, he was highly displeased, and would not receive their Verdict, till they brought it in for Three.

Mr. Bastard producing such full proof, and clear Evidence to Acquit him­self from one Neglect he was charged with, and Sued for, he was resolved to make him Guilty of the other; therefore, though Mr. Bastard prov'd that he took all the Informations of the Informers, and every word that they said in reference to the same, and every Name of the Persons, that they affirmed were then present: To which Informations likewise, the several [Page 29] Informers put their hands, but without any proof, that there was either Preaching or Praying (Mr. John Bear upon his Oath, acknowledging he saw, or knew of no manner of Worship among the people; and the rest, that there was no Worship contrary to the Liturgy, and Practice of the Church of England.) And notwithstanding this, though Mr. Bastard (that he might not Neglect his Duty) made a Record hereof as a Conventicle, which was put in at the next Sessions; and the Money return'd of those Offenders (whom two of the Informers sware, were there present) so much as con­cern'd the King; yet the Judg declared it a Neglect, because the Record was not Dated the First day of the Sessions, but the Third. Whereupon Mr. Bastard declared openly, and in the Face of the Court, that he did not Neg­lect his Duty Wittingly, and Wilfully (which are the express Words of the Act against Conventicles) for he could aswel have Dated it the First, as the Third day; but he knew nothing to the contrary, but that it was Valid enough if Entred, and Dated any time during the Sessions (which are taken in a general Sense, every particular day not being a New, or distinct Sessi­ons) and what Unprejudiced Persons can rationally think, or judg other­wise: However, according to the Directions given to the Jury, he was Fined a Hundred Pound. Now if the Reader be curiously Inquisitive to know what Judg this was, that so far Deviated, and Swerv'd from all Justice, and Equi­ty, least any other should be censured for him, I must declare; it was Judg Rainford, who is profoundly Wise, and Understanding in the Law, Mild, Compassionate, and Impartial in the Administration of Justice, here in England (for ought I ever heard to the contrary) except when the Causes of those call'd Fanaticks come before him; and then like Naaman, he must be pardoned.

At Ashbrenton, near Totness, on, or about June the 12th. one Andrew Helly, with his Son, Daughter, and a Friend, were Repeating a Sermon in a Barn of his, about a mile from his House; to which place, just as they had ended, came James Parrat, and a private Person, the Setting-Dogs be­ing Abroad, Scented, and espied the Game, and rather than they would not be rewarded for their pains, resolutely Sware, he was the Minister; and so the Number Five is made up, and consequently a Meeting prov'd, and Preaching too Logically concluded. So Parrat, that was never near the place till all was done, was Fined Twelve Pound, A. H. and his Relations, Twenty Eight Pound; and this was done by Justice Fowel, and J. Kelland, who made the Evidence of Informers (that are parties) the ground of this Conviction, which was against all Reason, and Law. For suppose the Barn part of the Dwelling-house (which is about a mile distant from it) then though J. P. had been present, and a Preacher too, there could be no Con­venticle, A. H. and his Children being of the Family: Let it be taken other­wise, yet Parat not being there, there could be no Conventicle, the other not being a Number above what the Law allows; so the place was not liable to Twenty pounds. But grant that he were there, yet not being a Minister, or if he were, yet he neither Preaching, nor Teaching, no Law doth punish for Twenty pounds more. But the Justices were resolved to set this Poor Barn, like a Shepherds Tent, on Wheels, carrying it home to the precincts [Page 30] of the Dwelling-house, for the Fining of that, and then Recarrying it to the Fields, for the Fining of the people. The Agrieved become Appel­lents to the Sessions, where they find no Relief, or Redress, but great Op­pression; instead of a Plaister, their Heads are Broken more, they are Cast, and Treble Costs they must pay for their Traverse, which is always an Hyper­bole in the Excess, never in the Defect, at the Sessions.

At Silverton, near Exon, Justice Sainthil, Seised some persons, with a Non-conformist, Mr. Treg [...]ss (I hope now after all his Storms, Arrived at the Haven of his everlasting Rest) in a private House, about Nine a Clock in the morning, and Fined the House Twenty pound; and though he could not prove that there was any Preaching, or Teaching (as there was none) yet some of the people were Fined for the Minister, Twenty pound more: Though he had an Estate of his own, which he Acquainted the Justice with, and desired he might bear his own Fine, but the Gentleman would not grant it: The Agrieved appeal to the General Sessions, where they Traverse with some good Success, touching the Preachers Fine, his Conviction not be­ing Recorded; which the Appellants Advocate observed to Advantage: But yet the Remedy was almost as bad, if not worse than the Disease; for being found Guilty of the Meeting, though not of Preaching; they were Senten­ced by the Judg of the Sessions, Mr. Carew, to pay treble Costs as high, as if they had been Cast in both parts.

At Exon, there lives an Old Gentleman, called Mr. Butler, a Justice of Peace in the City, who hath been a Notorious Conventicle-Hunter many years, the Fame whereof is diffused through all the West: The Ardours of whose Zeal and Passion, when he is to Engage in this Honourable Imploy­ment, so far Transports him, that many times he becomes a compleat Th [...]mo­bedlamus; his Gestures, Postures, Ravings, much resemble theirs, whom I have seen bound in Chains, which the Boys in the City can Act, and Imitate with admirable Dex [...]y, though no doubt he deserves for them a Canoniza­tion of Saint [...]hip, but by the Romish Church; because he's never zealous for the Fifth of November, and an esteem of a greater Wit, because what he hath, appears hereby to be mixt with Madness. I might Write Voluminously here­of, but I will Omit, and pass by all things concerning him, except this one, which the Reader may be pleased to cast his Eye upon, thereby to take a measure, and judg of all the rest. One Evening upon Information given him by some of his Familia [...]s, that there was a Meeting of the Fanaticks, at Mr. A. Jeffreys, thether he hastens as the Eagle to the prey; when he came to the House, the Doors without delay were opened to him, there he finds about sixteen persons, most of them Relations of the Family, and Invited to Supper; but this Quick-scented Justice smells another Feast in his Conven­ticling-Fancy, and judging rather by Number of the persons, than weight of Reason, after some wonted Ravings, and Ragings, Fines the House Twenty pound for a Supposed Meeting; and Mr. Chrispin, besides his own Mulct and his Wifes, was Fined for several Rich persons, directly contrary to Law, which makes the Rich to pay for the Poor only (not whom a Justice shall judg to be so, but who are really to be so.) Mr. J. and C. appeal from the Rage of one single Justice, to the Reason of a Bench: At the City Sessions they [Page 31] Traverse their Appeal, where Mr. Butler was not only Judg, but Witness in his own Case; his Oath most unreasonably taken, and as falsly he Swears in the Face of the Court. That when he came to Mr. Jeffreys House, he could have no entrance, but was forced Violently to break open the Door, insomuch that he made the Staple flye; the contrary whereunto was suffici­ly prov'd, viz. That the Master of the House opened the Door quietly, and seasonably; the Attendants that stood by, perceiv'd no such effects of his Vigour, and Vivacity. But no wonder to hear a false Oath drop from a false Lip, that hath caused a Wide-mouth'd untruth, to pass proverbially under the Name of a Butler: But happily he might Lodg some mental reserve, for a Salvo to his Oath, and so be able to say with that prophane, and profli­gated Wretch— Jur [...], at mentem injuratam Gero. It was likewise Sworn, if I mistake not, by some of his Setting-Dogs, that the Meat was laid down to the Fire, after, or about the time they entered the House; which was prov'd by the Appellants, to be then near half Roasted, and that all the Harbingers of a Supper, were there. But however, though they did suffi­ciently Invalidate all Circumstances of Fact, that the Justice would ground his Conviction of a Conventicle upon, yet it was to no purpose: For Justice Carew sitting as Deputy Recorder, and Judg of the Sessions, so instructed the Jury-men, who were fit to receive his Impressions, that they brought in their Verdict against the Appellants, and they are Laden with treble Costs, according to the liberal Calculation of the Judg.

At Derwood, near Exon, on a Lords-Day, a little after the 10th of May, some persons met together in a Wood, but not so close as to escape the Eagle eyes of the Informers, who observ'd their going in, which they con­cluded confidently to be a Conventicle. The adjacent Parish upton-pines, be­ing speedily Alarum'd herewith, from thence rush forth with all Expedition, and Fury, a company of Club-men, whereof the Son of the Parish Priest was one, and fall violently upon one person; which madness, when a Sober, Honest man rebuked, telling them he would go without compulsion; they outragiously fell upon him, Drawing, and Dragging him along, some taking hold of his Arms, some of his Legs, and so rudely was he handled, that he Recovered not for some considerable time of those Distortions, Compressi­ons, and Contusions, which his Body suffered by them. At last, some few of them (the rest escaping) were brought before Justice Tackfield (that blustering Tempest of Wrath, and Rage, against his Fanatical Neighbours) where being in an outward Room, they heard what the Informers Sware be­fore him, viz. That they heard a Voice, but whether there was either Prayer, or Preaching, they could not tell. However, this Don Farios [...] (that he might make some further Compensation for his Notorious Quandam Fa­naticism) Convicts of a Conventicle, Fines some of the people for them­selves, and some for a Minister, though none could be so much as prov'd to be there, much less to Preach, or Teach: But, Corruptio optima est possima, Which is not only true Physically, but Morally.

At Darlington near Totness, Goodman Searls House was Visited upon sug­gestion of a Meeting; by Mr. Tho. Carew, where he found but one Person (a­bove the Family) Viz. a Kindsman of the said Searls. But the quick-sighted [Page 32] Justice in a certain Room finds many Spittle spots, and thence by Logical Deduction Concludes it a Company, and at next step a Conventicle, Two or three being met in a certain Field, at some distance from the House: now a most dim suspicion is made, a very demonstrative cercumstance, and noto­rious evedence that God had been worshipped there by more then Four, besides the Family, or that there was a Meeting for such an end. When a man looks through a multiplying, and magnifying Glass of malice, the min­utest circumstance shall be substance enough, and a dark shadow a clear Sun-beam: rather therefore then he will not attain his end, even that which is next to nothing shall be a sufficient ground to pass a Conviction upon; So now wo be to the Rheumatck People, for they must pay large Fees when this Man is their Physitian, twenty pownd therefore must the shoulders of the poor man (the Master of the Family) bear the weight off; and unless he and his Family will forbear spitting, when together, he may be in danger of paying more: but all that this Justice doth, is little enough to Compur­gate and absolve himself from the Imputation of Fanaticism, and he must be pardoned if he shew his Valour in this Cause, as he once did in another of a differant Character, when a Champion in Captain Braddons Troope,

D [...]ven. and Cornwall being so nearly Conjoyn'd, and such frindly Neigh­bours, it may not be impertinent, and unlawful to cast an Occular glance upon the Borders, and Fronteirs of it; where there is a Tovvn call'd Lan­drake, vulgarly Larrake, at which lives an Aged Reverend Divine, whose vvorth is furrher knovvn then his ovvn Country, a Non-conformist, by name Mr. Gasper Hicks, Who continuing to Preach in his Family since the 10. of May, 1670. to the Number that the Act against Conventicles allovvs of, vvith others under 16 years of age, it did highly inrage a young Levite of Jejune, and Immature Braines; Who Serves for the Parish Priest, by Name Mr. Winnel, or Windle; this Supercelious, Pragmatical, and self-conceited Novice resolves therefore to injure as much as posibly he could, him vvhom he ought to have rever'd and had in high Veneration; to accomplish his end he sticks not to turn Informer (the most dishonorable and imfamous Miscre­ant upon the Earth) against him, that he kept Conventicles, he gets the Of­ficers of the Parish to search his house, vvho found none but four Persons of or above the age of 16, vvith some fevv under, besides his ovvn Family: Hovvever this Munseur Furibundo, rides from Justice to Justice to make a conviction; but these worthy and noble Gentlemen that were his Neigh­bours, who have right resentments of Genorosity, and walke according to the Rules of Justice and Equity, as Sir J. C. Sir W. M. Mr. S. would give him no Countenance, knowing the Law was not violated by Mr. H. Then he spurs up his Horse further Westward, where he met with some Justices, who like Tinder presently took fire; upon the first Information: (I know not all their Names, but one of them was Dr. Polewheel, that terrible Fulminoso, who for these 10 or 11 years past, hath anhelated nothing but threatning cruelty against those Catachrestically called Fa [...]aticks) with the highest impetuosity and rage; These Justices fall upon Mr. H. creating something out of nothing, they Con­vict him of a Converticle kept in his own house, and likewise take it for grant­ed, without any proof, that he Preached, and so Levy 40 l. upon him: He [Page 33] finding himself agrieved becomes an Appellant to the next General Sessions, which is out of the Frying-pan into the Fire, for all Justice was banish'd from the Bench, Mr. H. was denyed a Jury, directly contrary to the Law, Page 9 of the Acts against Conventicles; Mr. P. and others cry'd to the Vote, which was done; and so not withstanding all the strenuous, and nervous endeavours of several Justices there to make Mr. H. his innocency a fence against the storms and flames of the others fury, and to shelter him from op­pression, Judgment by an illegal Vote only passeth aganst him; and his Ap­peal hereby being made unjust, besides the 40 l. they give treble coste a­gainst him, and most ignobly load him with soulest revilings, and reproaches: never was there more monstrous and barbarous Injustice acted. First, that they should deny the Appellant that previledge which the Law gives, and which is every English-mans Birth-right, Viz. his Tryal by a Jury. Secondly, that they should judge him guilty of a Conventicle, when there were no more then four Persons of or above the age of 16 years besides his Family, nei­ther was he accused of having more; but however it holds to be a Conven­ticle by a nevv nice, and subtle distinction, (which like an Ariadnes fine spun thread, helps and conducts them out of the Labyrinth they vvere in) viz. That though persons under Sixteen years of Age, be no Conventiclers, yet being found with those that are of, or above the same Age, constitute a Conventicle: Whereas the old Axiom is, Quicquid effecit tale, est magis tale. These New Phylosophers can make Non-entities, productive of Realities. Children must make men guilty, and yet themselves remain Innocents still. A Thousand under the Age of Sixteen years, are Nullities in Law, but in the Execution thereof, make others Criminals and Penals too. These New Ora­cles of Law make the former Criminals, but not exposed to Penalties (though they expose others) and so makes the Law in this respect an ineffectual Va­nity, supposing it to make Offenders, without a Sanction, and Allotment of punishment for them. These New Arithmeticians, can make Ciphers, cast Figures, Four above the Family in Law, is nothing, Ten Thousand under Sixteen years, are nothing; but now according to their Rule, add nothing to nothing, and you make Five, or more. But their definitive Sentence, and final Determination by Vote (to which he must stand) shall make all sound Phylosophy, good Law, and true Arithmetick. Thirdly, That they should Convict him of, and punish him for Preaching, when none could prove it (supposing him guilty of keeping a Conventicle) neither was there the least Circumstance to be Demonstrative of it. It's true, our Le­gislators have made Notorious Evidence, and Circustance of Fact, to prove a Conventicle, but no such thing to prove Preaching, or Teaching, for it can scarce possibly admit of any proof thereby. For, grant a Minister be found among a people above the number of Five; What notorious Evidence can result from this, that he Preacht? for it might onely be (as often it is) to Pray, or his Preaching might be prevented; or grant he were sound with his Bible, and Notes in it; yet this cannot evince clearly he did Preach: It may indeed beget a suspition, that either he did, or intended to do it. But is it Legal, or Rational, to punish persons upon so slender a ground as this? To inflict the Law upon him from a jealousie of his Intentions, is to [Page 34] make such an Act of his, or another Non-conformist, worse than Murder, or Theft, &c. For no man is punisht as a Felon for intending, though it be manifested by Attempting Felony, when it's not Actually committed. And to punish him for having done it, when it did not so appear, is equally un­just, and unreasonable: For, De non apparentibus & non-existentibus eadem est ratio, Doth our Law condemn any Felon from a naked abstracted Jealousie, that he's guilty of the Crime he stands charged with, when there's no Evidence to prove the same: Our Law therefore is most Just, that Jurors must pro­ceed Secundum allegata, and Probata. And that every Conviction of Guilt, and judicial Sentence must be Founded, and Bottom'd upon the same: But here was no such thing to be the Basis of the Determination at this Sessions, by the Major part of the Bench, against Mr. H. they were therefore so un­certainly Fluctuating, and Dubious, whether he Preacht, yea, or no, for want of clear demonstrative Evidence: That in the Record of the Offence, it was exprest Disjunctively that Mr. H. did Preach, or Pray, and not Copu­latively that he did both, or possitively, and absolutely he did the first. His Council pleaded to this, and opened the Law fully to them, shewing them their Gross mistake. But all was to them like beating the Air, for neither Law, nor the strongest Reason, can be an impregnable Bulwark against their Envenom'd and Virulent malice, which was so Oppressingly disgorg'd upon Mr. H. Thus Reader, thou seest how Illegally, not only in Devon, but Cornwal, many Justices Act, and that the New Chancery, or court of Ap­peals, which should be a cherishing Bosome to the Oppressed, is made a Pon­derous, and Pressing-stone for such as will not yield to the unjust Convictions of one or more private Justices. Thus poor Distressed, Agrieved Conventi­clers, like unweary Birds, flie from the Hawk, into the Fowlers hand: So that henceforth, the Philosopher must be the Appellants best Councellor, who ha­ving his Head broken, and being by a Friend advised to go to the Magistrate, and get the violent Fellow punished: Nay, said he, it's better to go to the Surgeon, to get my Head healed. The best Remedy for Sufferers, is to cry to that God who hath his Throne (as the Psalmist tells us) established in Righ­teousness, and Justice, and Judgment, for the Habitation thereof, that exe­cutes Judgment for the Oppressed; that for the crying of the Poor, and sigh­ing of the Needy, will arise, and from whom their cries, by reason of their Oppressions, cannot be debar'd. That will bring forth their Righteousness as the Light, and their Judgment as the Noon-day; who ordaineth his Arrows a­gainst the Persecutors of his people. To that Essentially, and Eternally Just, and Righteous God, be Glory for evermore. Amen.