TOO mighty are the Exorbitant thoughts of ambitious men for that mean Center Heaven has allowed, the which too of­ten makes them start beyond the bounds of Reason, and as often loose themselves in the vast Abiss of their covetous desires, by daring to attempt unlawful Actions for the hope of Lucre, prompted by an insatiable Appetite to be advanced beyond what Heaven thinks convenient for their Stations; the which no sooner ventring on, but straight the dreadful Shoales appear, and danger starts from out his Ambuscade to seize on the pre­sumptuous Hero, then turned fearful and amazed at such an unexpected surprize; for distant Ju­stice, to such men, seems but like painted Fires, mere Metaphors or Shadows of despised Ills, that [Page 4]only seem to weave aloft; nay more, they surely create these fond conceits unto themselves, that all its Manaces, like Airy Clouds by gusty Winds dissolved, are swept along the Skies, and dare not intercept their Villanous Designs: But 'tis still ob­served, That in the fulness of their Pride, and top of all their Hopes, offended Heaven finds them out, though ne'er so subtile in their ways, though Hell gives Counsel, and the Fiends beneath are sum­moned to their aides, 'tis all in vain: No Machiavell with cunning Arts can e're delude Omnipotence, or turn unetring Justice back, as may be seen in this of which we here intend to treat; for could the Art of man have perfected the Politick Design, it sure had been performed, or at least hushed in per­petual silence: But short is finite wisdom, if com­pared with Infinity, for oftentimes it confounds it self; in what it self supposed to be most secure and Humane Wit, is often turned to Foolishness, as it was evidently known.

Thus one Mr. John Reading, a Counseller, one who was always looked upon to be a most grave and prudent man, but of an inclination covetous, and somewhat hard to the Poor; the which, as the Princely Prophet observes, are still protected by the great Jehove; and Heaven always takes their Quarrel up against their mighty Foes, and they that have such Power on their sides need never fear the frowns of envious men: And it is commonly seen, That offended Justice finds some means to lay hold [Page 5]on those who use such Tyranny to their distressed Brethren, although not in the same nature such a Cause requires, but by some different way, for whether the aforesaid John Reading had any Actual Combination in the late most horrid and barbarous Plot is not as yet known. Upon eminent Cau­ses of suspicion he was apprehended and carried before the Committee for that purpose assembled, and all his Chambers (for he had several Chambers or Lodgings, as it is supposed, to abscond himself in case his unlawful Practices were at any time dis­covered, and in several distant places) were seized upon, Padlock'd, and guarded by Authority. When he came before the Committee aforesaid, he de­meaned himself somewhat more confidently than ordinarily, but seeing it was in vain to contend with Power, he began to be very calm: There the Witnesses alledged several grossmisdemeanors against him, to the great prejudice (if they had took effect) of this Government; the which he would there by no means confess, but the Witness being positive in their Allegations, he was by the said Committee ordered to the County Goal of Newgate, where he continued for a considerable time, but on Thurs­day the 24th of this Instant April 1679. he was brought to Westminster-Hall, in order to his Exa­mination or Tryal, to the Kings-Bench-Bar, where the Court being seated, the Jury pannell'd, and all things disposed in order, his Indictment was read in publick audience, where he the said Reading stood indicted for several great and hainous misde­meanours [Page 6]so contrary to the established Laws of this Kingdom, and to the prejudice of his Majesties Crown and Dignity, for designing to corrupt seve­ral persons, the happy Discoverers of the late most pernicious and Diobolical Plots, and Romish Practi­ces, against his most Sacred Majesty and his peaceful Government; the which being amply proved, and that he the said Reading received moneys for the better carrying on of his Illegal Design, as well for his own part as for the distributing amongst others, to make his Enterprise more easie in acquiring, but the Parties whom he designed upon, being endued with more Loyal Principles, and faithful to their Countreys safety, were they who impeached him, and now witnessed against him.

For these and such like hainous Offences he was condemned by the Court in a Fine of one thousand Pounds to the King, to suffer one [...]ears Imprisonment, and to stand in the Pil­lory three several days, in three publick places, viz. the Pallace yard Westminster, Temple-Bar, and the Royal Exchange.

At the former of these places he stood, ac­cording to the Law in that case provided, on [Page 7] Monday the 28th of April, for the space of one hour, where to behold him the thronging Crouds press'd in from every side. The Of­ficers were very diligent to prevent the Mul­titudes from throwing Things, as their usual manner is, but their diligence was vain; for several naucious things were cast upon him: He behaved himself very patiently in his Sufferings, perhaps because he could not o­therwise, by reason of his Wooden Yoak, a­void by turning his Head. After he had stood the time according to order, he was con­veyed back to Prison; upon his Forehead was imposed, during the time of his standing in the Pillory, a large Paper denoting his Of­fence, with this Inscription, viz For endea­vouring Subornation of Perjury: and is to stand twice more, viz. at Temple-Bar, and the Royal Exchange.

Let this be a warning to all that hereafter shall dare, in the like nature, to offend; espe­cially in so high a manner: And 'tis but just [Page 8]that all those whom Covetousness can tempt upon such base Designs to make them false, and break Allegiance Vows, should feel the ri­gour of offended Justice, and be made exem­plary Trophies of deserved disgrace, that after Ages may beware of such pernicious Crimes.