WHen I perused the scandalous Pamphlet of Mr. Masterson, and remembred what Coat hee weares, I could scarce free my selfe from suspition that he was one of the lying Spi­rits that came out of the mouth of the false Prophet to de­ceive Kings or States, he comes forth with a deceivable­nesse of unrighteousnesse working lying Wonders or won­drous lyes; and I held a dispute within me, whether I should Vindicate the reputation of that worthy Gentleman Mr. Wildman, whom he endeavours to asperse and blemish. Sometimes I thought Mr. Wild­man himselfe would answer him, but my reason gave a sudden check to those thoughts, telling me it was beneath the honour of a man in whom is so much worth, to struggle with a false accuser, from whose Lips and Pen, not onely wisdome bu [...] truth it-self is banished; sometimes I thought there was nothing in his Papers but what was despicable to every eye▪ and that the smoake of his calumnies would vanish of it-selfe; yet lest hee should impudently insult, I shall endeavour that every one may understand what manner of man he is▪

I shall observe his own order and begin with his Title, which is The Tri­umph Stained: And if you aske the Author whose triumph; he will answer you in the next line, Truths Triumph: and if you further question by whom▪ hee will tell you (toward the latter end) by GEORGE MASTERSON, Prea­cher of the Gospell, &c. And now I beseech you Gentlemen, judge whether it corresponds with the profession of a Preacher of the Gospell, to staine the just Triumphs of Truth.

[Page 2]But surely the Gentleman hath received the marke in his forehead by the imposition of the holy Romish hands by succession, and truth is become his pre­tended Merchandize, and he is Angry that any one who hath not received the same marke in his hand or forehead, should presume to name Truth; It be­ing proper onely to men of his owne tribe to buy and sell that Merchandize.

But let me trace you a little further, A Pamphlet so called, &c. Truly before I have done with you, I beleeve I shall cleare it to the eye of all that are in­genious, that it was not onely so called▪ but was indeed really the same, and if I mistake not, you doe your selfe confesse it and much more. The title of the booke you pretend to staine, was Truths Triumph, or Treachery Anatomiz'd, being a Discovery of the false and treacherous information of Mr. Masterson, &c. And you your selfe acknowledge to have given in to the Lords at their Barre, Ianuar. 18. an Information of dangerous and bloudy consequence against L. Col. Lilburne, and Mr. Iohn Wildman: What was of dangerous and bloudy con­sequence, The Information of Mr. Masterson, against whom? L. C. Lilburne and Mr. I. Wildman? So that not only out of the mouthes of two or three wit­nesses but out of your owne mouth you shall be jugded.

And now give me leave to aske you this question, Mr. Masterson did it; or doth it become George Masterson a Preacher of the Gospell, to have a hand in such a treacherous bloudy designe to make a bloody and dangerous informa­tion without a word of truth in it against any though his enemies and Hea­thens, much lesse those which neither he nor any other can adjudge lesse then faithfull, and as deepe Proficients in the Schoole of Christianity, as he himselfe, the pretended Preacher of the Gospell which leads me to the next part of his Title, where he (to set the fairer glosse upon his Treacherous and faithlesse, bloody and dangerous Information) stiles himselfe an Evangelist, or Preacher of the Gospell at Shore-ditch &c. If an Evangelist or Preacher, where's your Commission? Are you of Paul or Apollo, or of Cephas, or of the Twelve? 'Tis to be feared (nay to be proved) that you are of neither; for they were never In­formers, nor Persecuters, nor false accusers of the Brethren; Christ said *, Mark. 13. 9, 10. That they should be taken by men and carried before the Councels; not that they should take others and carry them and accuse them? before the Councels. A Preacher, should bee a preacher of peace and reconciliation▪ not of division and dissention, a declarer of glad tydings▪ not of Bloody and dangerous Informa­tions? But let us examine a little further; Mr. Masterson sayes, he is a Prea­cher of the Gospell, I wish hee would tell us what Gospell he is a Preacher of now? For sure I am he was a Preacher of the Bishops Gospell, within a few yeares he was a Levite, but that growing out of fashion, he altered his cut, and became a Gadite, and rambled (some say) to Linne Regis, where he conti­nued so long as it was Royall, but that being reformed he was reformed also; [Page 3] and grew as zealous for the Scotch Presbytery as any of those, whose Religion was a fat Benefice; by which seeming shew of Sanctity and the helpe of a speciall friend, in or about Shore-ditch, he got to be admitted not to bee pre­tended ( Pastor or Curate) but reall Priest of Shore-ditch; where he hath (by his owne confession) endeavoured to weed out the Nettles (and plant Elders in the roome thereof) untill such time as the Army, with an Independant Axe hewed them downe by the rootes, and then Mr. Masterson was enforced to borrow some seeds of Independency of a deare friend of his in Coleman-street, who had enough to spare, to begin a new Plantation! In which he hath made so large a progresse, that he is now become Goodwins darling, and shall be Ca­nonized for his zeale to the cause, in his Kalender of Worthies.

But to leave his Title, and proceed to his Proeme▪ wherein hee with gilded oratory seems to adorne faire Truth, hee calls her The eldest daughter of Hea­ven, of bloud with the Son of God made man, &c. and yet bespots her afterward with the foulest calumnies that either envie or falshood can invent; he manifests more of a Poet then a Preacher, in his Vivat illa! as he calls it; and truly, J thinke it were better and fitter imployment for him, of the two; to write Songs then Sermons.

But leaving his Proem, which is stuft with nothing but impertinencies, and inconsistencies, being Billinsgate, or rather language of the Spittle Hounds­ditch, or Hogsdon, (only taking notice of his justification of himselfe in the latter end thereof;) to which I may be bold to affirme that, His own conceipt is greater then the report of others; for many (nay most) have, alwayes repu­ted him a politick Priest, and a flattering Orator, but few have or doe adjudge him either a conscientious Pastor▪ or a man doing that himselfe which with such earnestnesse he presses as a duty upon others; He is indeed very zealous in out­ward appearance, just Priest-like boasting of his annointing, but indeed a very carelesse Practitioner; He is one of those that Preaches another should not beare false witnesse, but he may and doth? another should not lye, but he doth? (witnesse 21 palpable lyes in the following Discourse, which will evidently ap­peare to be no lesse then so many treacherous lying forgeries pieced up toge­ther to make an Information; To the end that he might appeare indeed (not a Preacher of the Gospell) but a servant to the State.

It seemes Mr. Masterson hath two Trades to live by, and I confesse it is good wisdom; A Preacher of the Gospell▪ that is a servant to the Church, and a servant to the State, that's an Informer; I wonder which is the most beneficiall; are you a servant in Ordinary, or Extraordinary? Extraordinary sure, for I do not read or heare (though many Priests have pretended to be reformers) that they were ever so base before as to turne informers. But it may be the promise of a better benifice or of be made a Statesman in that Common wealth of Church [Page 4] Governours, and to receive foure shillings per diem, did incite you to do this so remarkable service, truly if it were so, you are to be excused, for charity be­gins at home, and truly such a stipend and honour beside, hath corrupted greater Zealots then your selfe; and if Iudas could be seduced to betray his Master for thirty peices of silver, well might you betray your brethren for three hundred.

You take great exception that you should have the name of Trechery fast­ned upon you, as if you did not indeed deserve it; but truly I beleeve, when it shall be considered that Mr. Masterson came privately in to the Roome, and stood sneaking in a corner to heare what was said, and neither asked a questi­on, nor objected against what was delivered or spoken, but catcht at severall broken sentences, and patcht them together to make up an Information; truly I beleeve in the eye of reason, this demeanour cannot deserve a fairer name then premeditated Treachery, or a Designe to betray; if any advantage could be gotten.

But leaving your Proem I come now to your Information it selfe, which being long and full of eyes, will take me up more time then I am willing to bestow upon such a worthlesse subject as your selfe, or relation; but because I would be loath that your lyes should passe for currant, as so many Oracles of truth; I will trace you a little further. And first, In your relation you affirme, that at a meeting in Well Yard, and L. C. Lilburne, and Iohn Wildeman (with many others were debating a Petition, when you and Robert Malb [...]n came in) and at the Bar he affirmed that Mr. Wildman was speaking of tu­mults in Wiltshire, which is a cleare contradiction.

1. ly In answer to which, I affirme, that it was neither the end of the meeting, not the work at the meeting to debate the Petition, neither was it at that time de­bated, for the occasion that, that meeting was appointed, was to satisfie some persons which made some scruple whether they should any more Petition the Parliament &c.

2. ly In the second place, you tax L. Col. Lilburne with saying, that when the House should be fit to take an impression of justice, we should force them to grant us those things which we d [...]sire. All which is as contrary to truth, as light and darknesse, for what was spoken in relation to the particular charge was in relation to the votes of the Houses against the King; In which he said, If the Houses did proceed according to those votes, they would be necessitated to act ac­cording to those Principles in the Petition, and to grant the desires therein con­tained.

Now give me leave to demonstrate the irrationality of Mr. Masterson in laying such words to the charge of L. Col. Lilburne, that he should endeav­our to perswade the people, that the Parliament should be forced to grant their [Page 5] desires, when both he and all rationall men know, that a forced act is no act, and if the Parliament should be enforced to grant our desires, what were wee the better; since such a grant would be a greater grievance then a deniall; as for example. The [...]at [...] Ordinance for the Militia, being forced by violence from the House, was null in it selfe, and they that obtained it in a much worse condi­tion then if they had never obtained it by such a way, when on the contrary, had the Parliament, for their own safety been necessitated to passe the said Or­dinance, voluntarily of themselves, it had been effectuall, and yeelded more safety and satisfaction to the persons desiring the same: so that it is not only false but irrationall, for Mr. Masterson, to affirme, that was so spoken by L. Col. Lilburne, was intended in any such way, or bore any such sence, as the Informer maliciously puts upon the Gentlemen, having both of them been evi­dent abhorrers of that force.

3. ly In the third place you say L. Col. Lilburne did affirme, that the people of London had appointed ten or twelve of them Commissioners, &c. and that the honest blades in Southwarke, did not like the word Commissioners, &c.

This is another falshood, for he said so many were appointed in the nature of a Committee, and that the honest Blades in Southwarke did not like that name, &c.

4. ly In the fourth place, you take upon you to frame an objection, and father it upon Iohn an Okes, viz. a plaine man, namely that he should say to Mr. Lil­burne, that the people being wicked, (if by sending your Agents abroad, &c.) which is altogether false; there being never any such thing as sending, or in­tending to send Agents, the method observed in the carrying of it on being be­fore prescribed: as you may plainly see in the letter which you have printed directed into Kent, &c. observe how he composed his information (omitting and adding at pleasure) as he doth his Sermons; for his own advantage, for the truth is one at the meeting, hearing of the tumults of the Poore in Wilt­shire, enquired how they that were accounted Independents, &c. should be safe, in case tumults should be more generall.

5. ly Now in the fift place, he frames Mr. Lilburnes answer though not as he spokely it, but as it will best serve your owne turne. And that appeares by your own words; at the Barre, and in your book, at the Barre you did affirme that Mr. Lilburne should say▪ That he that had the Petition in his hand, and a blue Ribband in his Hat, should not need to feare his throat cutting. And now in your booke you play the jugler, and salve up the sore of your stinking memory, with an (or) this Petition in your hand, will be as good as a blue Ribband in your Hat; to preserve your throat from cutting. And herein I see the Proverb veri­fied, viz. That a lyer had need of an excellent memory, for you are in two mistakes already; for said Mr. Lilburne, if God should not please to prevent a generall [Page 6] confusion, yet he was confident, that those who should be known to have pro­moted the Petition, which was of equal concernment unto all, should be most secure, then he that should weare a blue Ribband in his Hat, &c.

8. ly In the seventh place you vary from your information given at the Barre, for there you said the Parliament mans name which did intend to attempt to kill Crumwell, was Harrie, and now you come, with this Gentleman his son is of his Christian name (as they call it) nay it is you that call it, for it is your trade to make others Christians, though you your selves are worse then Jewes, for they had a vaile before their eyes, but you hold the truth in unrighteousnesse.

9. ly And then you say a noble Feltons resolution, when the words were: he was resolved to become another Felton, &c. and thus you endeavour to in­sinuate unto the people, that Mr. Lilburne did approve of Peltons Act▪ in com­mitting murther; which I am confident his soule abhorres.

10. ly I omit severall additions in the story, as being but slips of your Pen, or the effects of a heart full of inveteracy, and bitternesse. And proceed to your next falshood, which you affirme as the words of Mr. Wildman, viz. That he knew three other men that at the same time had taken up the same resolution, which is altogether false, as will afterwards appeare by the testimony of seve­rall persons of as known intergrity, and better conversation then any this In­former can or doth produce. 11. ly But this is as true, as Mr. Wildman should say, he would never trust honest man againe for Crumwells sake: which how unlik­ly let any man judge, for if Mr. Wildman was resolved never to trust honest man more, because one had deceived him, with whom would he converse after­wards? certainly he must converse with knaves▪ and if the deceitpfull dealing of one seeming Saint was so irkesome to him, what would the palpable and a­vowed dishonesty of so many professed Divells? he had not need to converse with Priests▪ for they are generally a very compendium of deceipt, nothing but seeming sanctity, they seem to be clothed with Lambs Skins; but they are in­deed ravening Woolves. I believe Mr. Masterson you were mistaken, Mr. Wildman said he would never trust Priest more for your sake: but to be serious, he did say that he should never trust any man upon bare professions for L. Ge­ralls sake▪ and therefore I advise you when you intend to informe next, trust not to your memory but take notes (as you do when you take upon you to preach) for if you cannot remember the truth which you pretend to know, you will never remember a falsehood which you take by Heare say.

12. ly The next remarkeable lye (though there be many which J for brevity sake omit) is, that Malignants gave encouragement to go on with the Petition, saying, It was the most rationall piece that they had seen: In which particular you do most grosly pervert the sence, and only patch up severall broken sen­tences, together spoken at severall times, and upon severall occasiosn, viz. [Page 7] that the Petition was of such equall concernment unto all; That the very Malignants would be so farre from opposing it, that (setting a­side some few that were linke unto the Kings interest, by personall engage­ment) many would joyne in the promoting of it.

And now Mr. Masterson is this such a transcendent crime in your bill of sinners, for a man to promote a Petition that tends to the uniting even ene­mies, much lesse friends and brethren, who have been deluded to a bloody con­test each with other and have been almost consumed in a flame of you, and your brethrens the Priests kindling? certainly if you were as you pretend a preach­er of the Gospell, you would preach reconciliation to the Gentils, and peace to Jerusalem, and not repine at those, nay endeavour the ruine of those that la­bour to heale the wound that you have made, by your dividing principles.

But the irrationality of this will appeare, when the great contrariety be­twixt the Principles of those Gentlemen, and the principles of those which they call Malignants, are put into the ballance together: for there is an abso­lute inconstancie betwixt them▪ the one by that Petition endeavouring to destroy the poore of the King, in relation to his dissent to laws, and the o­ther endeavouring to maintaine it.

13. ly In the next place, you talk of their affirming that the Lords offered to Ar­ticle with them to desist from promoting the Petition, and that the Lords of­fered thirty thousand pounds, &c. And that if they would forbeare, &c. they would be content to cut off the Legislative power from their heires, by Ordi­nance or act forever; so they might enjoy it for their lives▪ &c.

14. ly Here is a cleare looking glasse for lyars; to use your own words, A bad Informer; And a worse memory: for at the Bar you affirmed, that Mr. Wilaman spoke these words, and this was all you could charge him with, and yet now in your Pamphlet you affirme that Lievtenant Col. Lilburne spoke them; what, contradiction upon contradiction? This is as good, as a former passage, one or other or both affirmed▪ &c. Is not this a fine way of accusing; some body said something, Mr. Musterson or some body, or both, did tell a lye at the Lords House▪ and one and twenty in the House of Commons: by which you may see, he is his Crafts-master▪ he hath taken his degrees▪ and is a perfect profi­cient in the art of hyperbolizing; for this is as grosse a deviation from the truth▪ as possible may be, as is apparent by the following attest of severall honest men which were at the meeting, given in to the House of Commons under their hands▪ &c.

15. ly So leauing your Information I come to your observation in the fifteenth page of your Pamphlet▪ In which I observe that you cannot forbear to st [...] your lines with falshoods; for in the first line, you say you have given an [...] (to a sillable) of that Information, &c. And in the latter end of the fourteenth [Page 8] page you have these words; 16. ly This is the sum and sence of that, which was affirmed and related in the House of Lords at a conference, and in the Com­mons House, by George Masterson; &c. now if it be an account to a sillable it is not only the summe or sence, but the totum or whole of the matter; But if you please to call to mind you may remember that you affirmed at the Com­mons Barre that Mr. Lilburne did say, that they used the name of the Parlia­ment in the Petition, but at a cloake or colour, till they could heighten the spirits of the people, to rise and cut their throats; but it seems your conscience hath given your tongue the lye in that particular, and in many more, or else your witnesse will not stand to you in it, and now therefore you go about to mince the matter, and flam us off with a story of a Cock and a Bull; I cannot omit your subtill aspersing the Parliament, by your publishing this relation of yours, for let any rationall man put all that you have set down, and laid unto the charge of those gallant men, into the evenest ballance, and weight them a­gainst the stricktest Law, and all will not amount to so great a crime, as de­serves the name of misdeameanour, muchlesse of treasonable, and destructive; especially Mr. Wildman, to whom he layes nothing. And what indignity do yea put upon the Parliament, that they should upon such an Information com­mit men to prison; no no Mr. Masterson, certainly this is not an account to a sillable, for it is notoriously known, that your information was stuffed with such dangerous and inveterate premeditated charges, as that honourable house could not but apprehend great cause of feare, and your impudent per­sisting▪ (being once engaged) enforced you to speake that then which now you shame to own, and truly when men consult with rage, not reason▪ they are often hurried to such extreames, as not only occasion danger, but shame also.

7. ly The next falshood▪ is but a pretended one, namely Curat of Windham, and pretended▪ Gentleman of the life Guard, &c. for the first, I dare affirme that it is but a pretence▪ there neither being, nor ever was the least colourable ground for any such aspersion, he might as well and better affirme, that you George Masterson was not only a pretended, but a reall rebell in Linne Regis, when it was kept against the Parliament, and that now (though you were a Presby­terian▪) you are now a seeming Independant, and a reall hipocrite, And for the second, They at know him can testifie that he was more then a pretended Gentleman of the Life Guard: and only discerted them when they discerted righteousnesse, and though not in the fighting dayes, yet Mr. Masterson know he hath undergone as evident hazards in fights, as most of those, and that he is so much of man, that he dare cudgell your Canonicall Coate into better man­ners, and then you will have little reason to surfeit your spleen, or make your selfe merry, &c. 8. ly But to passe that by, you carpe exceedingly at his saying that he was devoted to suport the Authority and honour of the House of Commons.

[Page 9]And because it is so evident to all the world, you wave i [...], and only fall upon some single expressions spoken in relation to his own imprisonemt, and these you would enforce, as so many arguments to prove that he did not really de­sire or endeavour to support the Authority aforesaid.

As if Mr. Masterson should say, Mr. Wildman doth indeed by promoting that Petition, endeavour to invest the house of Commons with the supreame and sole law-giving power, but because (according to the present state of affaires) he will not yeeld to be imprisoned, upon the lying, malitious informa­tion of a single Priest, contrary to the Parliaments own declarations, and the established Law of the Land, viz. without having a legall [...]ime laid to his charge, or a legall Mitimus; which the law of the land directs: therefore he do's not endeavour to support the Authority of Parliament; believe it a good conclusion, an Orthedox observation, but if you raise no truer conclusions for the instruction of your Parrish, then you do for the Information of the king­dome, truly you will scarce deserve the tenth of the Piggs, much lesse of the proffits of those which you exercise your trade amongst, I meane of Preaching, (not of Informing, for I believe you will be found a man of so corrupt a memo­ry) that the Parliament will doe by you, as you said Mr Wildman would do by L. G. Crumwell; namely, never trust a Priest more for your sake, and truly if they consider all, they have little reason, for if ever they did any thing whereof the Kingdome have cause to complaine, sure I am, you and your brethren were the promoters and procurers of it.

19. ly But you proceed, and take upon you to frame two reasons why your witnesse were not called in, which you say was, because Mr. Wildman confessed many things which L. C. Lilburne, denied &c. which is a most notorious falshood, for they did neither of them differ as touching the passages at the meeting in any thing, but only L. C. Lilburne did declare more at large what he himselfe had spoken at the meeting, then Mr. Wildman did, he mentioning nothing of Mr. Lilburne at the Barre▪ but only that passage concerning L. G. Gru [...]well being promised to be made Earle of Essex, &c.

In the next place, you beginne to heigthen your conceipt with an argument of satisfaction in the houses drawn from Mr. Wildmans Timidity, Tremblings 20 ly and Astonishment: though he were not astonished▪ well he might have been, to consider that a man of Mr. Mastersons coate, and profession should dare in the face of the supreame Authority, to affirme such notorious falshoods.

But this is only a mistake, for it was Mr. Masterson that was astonished, and conscience staring in his face, forc't him to such an extasie, that he had forgotten what he had the day before so avowedly declared ad unguem; so that the House was enforced to wring that out of him by questions which he had before given in as matter of charge.

[Page 10]But on the contrary, Mr. Wildmans confidence and constancy mixt with re­spect and civility, did so clearly appeare to the whole House, that many of them were surprized with delight and others with admiration. Neither would hee have voluntarily gone to the House (if he had feared the Informer or any crime he could lay to his charge) and at the Barre related more concerning the Mee­ting then the Informer could say against him.

But Mr. Wildmans constancy and courage in strugling with opposite Powers (though in those whose frowne would create another soule in the Informer, is to all that know him so evident) That your scandalous report of his demea­nour herein cannot blemish his honour; but render your selfe an absolute Cre­tian, i. e. Alwayes a Lyer.

21. ly In the next place you begin with a charge & tell us we most not suppose that Mr. Wildman delivered all that at the House of Commons which fills up the best part of seaven Pages.

As if you should say, I know it, but I would not have you believe it you must not suppose &c. It seems you dare not affirme he did not speak so much, but you are loath the People should believe he did, and therefore you charge them, not to believe it: But you proceed to weaken the Peoples beliefe, and asperse the manner of the delivery of Mr. Wildmans language at the Barre, which you say was with such stumbling, interfeering▪ and down-right Halting; fye Mr. Ma­sterson, the eloquence of the Genr. is well knowne, only his exact care to relate the truth made him pause at severall periods to recollect things though you might powre out your falshoods without feare or wit: Know you not that the best part of Oratory is Deliberation, and it was not timidity that caused Mr. Wildman to take such deliberation, but he remembred the saying in the Scrip­ture, A wise man weigheth his words in the ballance, but the foole speaketh rashly.

And believe me Mr. Masterson, if you had followed his example, and beene more ready to heare then offer the sacrifice of Fooles, I am confident you would have been taken (if not for a better Statesman▪ yet for a better Preacher & have kept up your repute in the world of being wise, though not honest, but truly now you have discovered your want of both.

But you come at last to the catastrophe of all, namely that There was no need of witnesses, for hee appeared, (Ile spare your Greeke for you have but a little) selfe condemned, &c.

For what I wonder? All your Information against him amounts not to a crime according to Law▪ and if not; by what will you condemne him? Doe not you passe a Sion sentence upon him I beseech you; and canonize him among your bundle of Hereticks; pray do not excommunicate him. And then he will be so farre from condemning himselfe, that it will be above the reach or power of your selfe or all your Seminaries, (whose interest he is an enemy to) to con­demne him.

[Page 11]In the last place, you seeme to take exception, at his wonder, that he should be committed without Witnesses, and that the witnesses should not be called in: And here you take upon you to domineere, as if you had got the victory be­fore you have begun the fight.

First, you begin to question the truth of Mr. Wildmans relation touching your Witnesses acknowledgement that nothing was spoken at the Meeting but what tended to advance the Parliaments honour. &c.

Upon this you begin to run division, and in the first place you take upon you to aske a question▪ Whether the two persons which the Informer brought as pre­tended witnesses, confesse this.

It is not yet evident that they have by Oath proved the contrary; but suppose one of them did confesse it before Witnesse, surely that is su [...]icient to cleere the truth in that particular, and to demonstrate to the world that truth is not so strong on your side as you would make them believe.

And I am so satisfied in the truth in this particular, that I shall make bold to wipe off that staine from the face of Truths triumph, and returne you scoffe with this advantage:

In the second place you proclaime the Chastity of one of your witnesses, (It seemes you suspect the other for a Strumpet,) hee is true Roman, you say; but how shall we know it? He is but Secretary yet, neither to the Parliament, nor us; for he never declared what or how much he could witnesse to be true of your Bloody dangerous Information, O but he's valiant too, the man is not yet borne that ever darst tamper with him about it; marke J beseech you, either Mr. Masterson was never borne, and therefore a Monster; or else Mr. Wilison is a Coward; now which of these will you believe, one is a Lye for a certaine. Mr. Masterson without doubt hath tampered with him about it, or else hee had never given him that learned Certificate under his hand to support his weake credit with the people. But what will you say Mr. Masterson, if your witnes­ses did acknowledge what Mr. Wildman affirmes without tampering withall, and to a man of as much credit, and valour as any of those you so much boast of; This I will undertake when you dare to make good, and truly then if your Witnesse will say one thing and sweare another, I shall hardly thinke him either valiant or honest, but only one of your Disciples that can alter his tone, as occasion is offered.

But waving the rest I come now to the pleasantest part of the story, viz. the certificate, which methinks savours of the Priest, for sure I am; it was the pro­duct of nothing lesse then spleen and inveteracy which no witnesses should be fraught withall, But I desire the reader to observe how impertinent this is to the proving of Mr. Mastersons relation true, he gives us a certificate, as he pretends [Page 6] wherein Mr. Willison affirmes he spoke not such and such words? but I conceive it would have been more authentique, if he had got Mr. Willison and his other wittnesse to attest under their hands that this relation, or information of Mr. Masterson was true: for truly priests are grown to that passe now, that it is not safe to believe any thing they say without two or three wittnesses.

But by this time I thinke if you cast up your account you have little reason to insult over Triumphant truth, especially when you shall have weighed this following testimony, not of one, but of many men, both valiant and faithfull, who have done more for truths vindication in the face of authority, then either your selfe or your witnesse dare do, in a private vestry to asperse her.

Now let the Reader-judge, whether sounds the most like truth, whether is the most authentique; the testimony of a single Priest, and two other preten­ded▪ Witnesses, which are not in the least visible, or this which we affirme and justifie by such sufficient visible testimony, this fore-going Paper being in the name and under the hand of the Subscribers, sent into the House in a letter, af­ter a fortnights attendance to get it in the nature of a Petition.

But to trace you a little further in the next place, to fill up the measure of your wickednesse▪ you take upon you to comment upon a Letter which you say was sent by severall Gentlemen into Kent. The maine thing that you seeme to startle at was this, viz. That after seven yeares wayting for Iustice and Free­dome, they (meaning the men of London) will receive no denyall in their requests.

And here you take upon you to Catechize us, what no denyall? Though all authority joyn'd with all the Representative reason of the Kingdome should vote against your Petition▪ &c.

Truly though we are not bound to answer you in this particular; yet might such a resolution be justifiable from the example of the importunate Widow and the unjust Iudge; And I thinke the visibility of evident ruine to this Na­tion for want of the establishment of Iustice and Freedome▪ might well excuse if not justifie the most vigorous demands of the performance of that duty from those which had received power from us unto that end, and yet neglected it.

But to draw to an end, for I am weary of tracing you in your laborinth of folly, It were to be wished that you made use of the counsell which you give Mr. Wildman▪ viz. Not thus to absent your selfe from that people which pay so deare for your company: cannot you be content with the Appearances of those goodly Angels, and comfortable dispensations which you fleece your Flocke of, but you must ramble from the fold, and like a greedy VVolfe worrie other mens Sheepe? The man you speake of is none of your Canonicall cut, hee can he content to be a law unto himselfe, and strive not to bee a law to others, and in that hee hath had sufficient discovery of the comeli­nesse▪ and all sufficiency of Christ, which is formed in him, And in his behalfe (whose soule J am confident sorrowes for your sinne) I shall offer up this Petition, viz. That the Lord would cause his Spirit to Evangelize or Preach a Gospell of peace and pardon, and to make out himselfe in such precious and glorious discoveries, That your soule may be enamoured with his glory, and confounded with the apprehension of your creature actings, and in that Spiri­tuall rapsody may be penitently inforced to cry out; You have sinned, betray­ed innocent blood▪ Math▪ 27. 4. Have mercy upon me O God, according to thy lo­ving kindnesse, according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions, &c. Psal. 50. 1.