THE LASHER proved LIAR. OR, The Beadles LASH laid open.
In a short Reply to a slight Pamphlet ushered into the world with the scurrilous Title of, A Lash for a LYAR, discovering the vanity of William Jennison, with his ungodly abuse of Thomas Tillam, Minister of Christs Gospell.
I Know 'tis no new thing for Professors to (Lash or) smite with the tongue, Jer. 18.81. and devise devices against Gods Ministers: But wo to that evill servant who shall be found (lashing or) smiting his fellow-servants, like this abusive Beadle, Mat. 24.48. much fitter to converse with those Salvages or wilde Heathens in America (from whence he came) then with any civill man. Psal. 20.3, 4.
It is my mercy that the Litigious Title of my sordid adversary hath rendred the Book contemptible with men of ingenuous spirits (even of his own opinion) and no lesse my misery (in bandying with my Beadles Lash) to be led to a Language which I loath; for whiles I would be serious, I see my selfe necessitated to answer (a foole according to his folly, Prey. 15.4, 5. Isa. 37.22. 2 Tim. 3.8. and warrantably allowed to laugh rayling Rabshakeh to scorn, yea and to mak [...] the mans folly manifest to all men. I cannot justly be censured for terming my Lasher a Beadle, since his own sinnious Title Page entitles him to the office which he might [Page 2]easily learn in New-England, whose Magistrates (about seven years since) most barbarously condemned Christs servants to be lasht at the common whipping-post, for professing the same Gospel-baptisme which I practice, and my Beadle opposeth.
The persons thus persecuted were Mr. John Clarke (the present Minister of the Baptized Church at Worcester-house in London) and Mr. Obadiah Holms, with John Grandall, &c. And though Mr. Clarks friends secretly purchased his freedome of the mercenary Magistrates (as the Pope parts with his pardons) for money, yet Mr. Holms could not consent to the payment of their imposed thirty pound fine, so that he was most lamentably lashed on his naked body by the Beadle of Byston's who severall times spitting on his hand, laid on with all his strength. It would greatly affect a gracious heart to heare the sad story (now lying in print Entituled ill news from New-England. before me) how the enraged blood-thirsty Governour told Mr. Clarke, he had deserved death for denying Infant-baptisme: And how Mr. Wilson (Pastor of Boston Church) did strike Mr. Holmes before the Judgement-seat, saying, The curse of God or Jesus go with thee.
Here's a sad account of New-England courtesie (who were themselves but lately under Prelaticall persecution:) And why should I look for better from my Beadle, then to bring his Lash along with him? that he may make a display of a New-England spirit, in attempting that with his tongue and pen, from which (at present) his hands are tyed.
First, The sordid title of his Lash publisheth his own punishment: If it be a punishment to be often plucked from his dwelling place, Psalm 52.5. which he subtlely endeavoured to avoid, when he was pluck'd from his dwelling-place at Colchester fiege, by his shamelesse seeking for some hundreds of pounds amongst the sufferers, desiring our Elder (who assisted him in securing his cash) to keep his counsell, saying, He would put in for enough, since twas like he should have little enough.
In his slander of me as a common slanderer of so many as are contrary to my opinions, Lash. pag. 46. he confutes himselfe by his own confession, That I justifie his reprover, who was the Town-Lecturer, [Page 3]and one of those many that oppose my opinions: So are their present Mayor and Magistrates (for not many wise, mighty or noble are called) as also the people termed the Separation; all of them contrary to my opinions: And if I be not a common slanderer of all these, then my Lasher himselfe is a slanderer. Yea, such a slanderer shall I prove him, as will blast the vain boasting of his Factor Burges, in applauding his Pamphlet for sober and serious, without railing or slandering, just like the late vaunts of his neighbour Luskin (now lying in his grave) whose sale of the fatherlesse Libel (by my speedy Reply) was dasht as it were in a day.
But how sober my Lasher is, may appear by a taste of his common slanders, speciall abuses, grosse absurdities, manifest contradictions, and notorious falshood.
1. A touch of his common Slanders.
THe two grand opinions of Sabbath and Baptism (which lye under his Lash) will clearly discover him the common Slanderer of so many as oppose his opinions. Lash, paeg 1. & 38.
For first, he so deifies his first-day-Sabbath, that who ever strikes at it, he publiquely proclaims and reproaches them all for Impostors, and the Devills instruments, which surely are slanders sufficient. He spares none, from ancient Origen to this instant; but all both former and later (if they either deny a Sabbath, or assert every day a Sabbath, or sanctifie Jehovah's seventh-day Sabbath) all are branded by my Beadle. The many thousands in Court, City, Countrey, Army, whether Notionists, Baptists, Independents, &c. (though dark in the seventh-day Sabbath, yet) if they disown his first day Sabbath, must all tast of his Lash: So that we are put upon this necessity, either to condemn them all, both former and later for Impostors, and the Devils instruments, or else to record our Lasher for the common Slanderer.
Which is further confirmed by his opposition of Gospel-Baptisme, wherein he confidently condemns all of this opinion [Page 4]by branding Anabaptism it selfe (as he termes it) for the main Engine of the Jesuites and their Factors to overthrow Protestantisme.
Why, Lash. pag. 72. what a notable learner is our Lasher? who at one Sermon at Peters (hearing the Anabaptists term'd the Devills Factors) commenceth Doctor in the same Dialect: But believe it, if the President of the Privy-Councel, and so many persons of this opinion in high places be (indeed) engaged in the main Engine of the Jesuites and their Factors to overthrow Protestantism, 'tis time for our Beadle and his brethren to look about them. And if this be not so, I am sure the Lasher is a common Slanderer of such as oppose his opinion.
The Beadles speciall ABƲSES.
WHen his Lash comes to my loyns, he layes about him like the Beadle of Boston, and as busily as old Burges, when the crabbed Caitiffe is cruelly scourging his fellow-creatures called Quakers, upon the account of their conscience: And yet we must not say here's any thing but what's serious and sober; not one bit of bitternesse, not a rag of rayling, unlesse we should censure his lovers as lyars; wherefore to secure their credit, it seems I must grant;
First, Lash. page 1. That he kindly unchristens me in the first encounter, and continues the same courteous complement in severall lines of his Lash. With the same piety he paints me to the world with a loathsome spirit of Apostacy for opposing (Parish Hirelings) set maintenance; Lash. pag. 26. yea full as bad as Julian (that desperate Apostate) for reviving Jehovah's Sabbath. And to expresse the pinacle of his piety, he appoints sundry Professors (labouring under the like loathsome disease) to keep me company.
How comfortably he courts me as one eudowed with cunning craftinesse,Lash. p. 28:labouring to beguile and deceive my Reader (not onely beguiling and deceiving, but labouring so to do.
With like humility he heaves me up as a man of a horrible Lash. pag. 30.[Page 5]spirit of contradiction and delusien; most sober and serious salutes unlesse his Factors say falsly.
I cannot say 'tis unsuitable to his sincerity to spread forth my praises as one so t [...]shly drunk with delusions. Lash. page 37.
See how lovingly he lifts me out of the smoak of the bottomlesse pit, Lash, page 38.where he found me smothered (if he speaks truth) and commends me for marvellous ignorance, which is more then every one will do.
Is it not Saint-like indeed to enshrine me (in his owne dear bosome) as falsitying and deceiving, seared and senselesse? Lash. page 46. And now who will say here's ought of bitternesse belched forth! But if all this be true, I may rue the time of my coming to Colchester; for I was then so far from being sottishly drunk with delusions, seared and senselesse, that you may see my loving Lasher contradict all.
His manifest Contradictions,
FOr he tells you, Lash. page 43. That I principally bent my selfe in my preaching against the Quakers, who had ensnared many: Page 42. But yet he suspects some designe: And indeed there is as good ground for it (upon our entrance both in one day) as for the meeting of Simon Magus and Simon Peter at Rome. Euseb. Yet doubtlesse the great God eminently designed by my reproached selfe on the one hand, and the Quakers on the other, to pluck so many plumes from the Parish Presbyters Classical Cap, that the hirelings and their hackneys are become restlesse in their rage, while the doom of their jus divinum draws on apace.
For further proof of my being sottishly drunke with delusions seared, and senselesse; my Lasher assures you, Lash. page 42: that I discharged my selfe freely and fully, to the great and full satisfaction of those that heard me. And that I gained esteem of the best and most sound Christians, who were taken with the strength of my gifts, and plausibility of my deportment. And are not these sufficient signs of one smothered in the smoak of the bottomlesse pit? which is a [Page 6]punishment somewhat more painful, and less profitable then the fume of a Tobacco-shop.
The last evidence (brought by my Beadle) of my being sottishly drunk with delusions, Lash, pag. 43. may be my renewed call to the high employment of preaching; For he sayes, my Labours were again desired. But was not my Lasher himself smothered in smoak, and sottishly drunk with delusions, to be one that desired my Labours, after he knew my opinion in Baptism? and I had printed it, with my owning of the Sabbath in my Book of laying on of hands? which he esteems the Devils doctrine, and Jesuites designe. But here's more then enough for a discovery of his Contradictions. I shall proceed to a tast of
His Gross Absurdities.
1. Lash. pag. 25. & 41. & 33. & 35. HE assignes the begginning of his Sabbath to morning, and his morning to mid-night, and then sends poor Israel to grope for Manna, and to offer sacrifice; but if he say true, that his day begins with the morning, and that morning at mid-night, I am sure his Night must needs begin at Noor. Gen. 1.5. Ainsw. in loc. Our blessed Creator calls the darkness night, and begins the day with the evening; but the presumptuous creature, who hath no more grace then to change Jehovah's Sabbath, dare adventure to destroy the very course of nature, Isa. 5.20. without dreading that doom of putting darknesse for light, and light for darknesse. Will Saints be thus deceived of Gods sanctified Sabbath, by such as dare assert the day begins at Mid-night, and Night at Noon?
2 He makes no scruple of beginning his First day-Sabbath in his mid-night morning, and yet deems it a marvellous difficulty to set upon the true seventh-day-Sabbath in a cloudy evening; But if it be so hard to distinguish between common and sacred time in a cloudy evening, when we are generally awake, how shall thousands be able to discern such difference in his dark mid-night morning, when fast asleep.
[Page 7]3 But here admire with me the just hand of God against this subverter of his holy Sabbath, who is so smothered in absurdities, that after sixteen moneths deliberation, he hath yielded his whole Cause by this his full confession; Lash, pa. 26. That now Christ being come, though the services be abolished, yet the day may be observed.
Which confession being discovered since his booke was printed, himself is so ashamed of it, that he hath raced and blotted it out.
'Tis strange, that after so long consideration, and so many suppers for consultation, the Lash being lickt over and over by so many hirelings correction and alteration, it should come forth with such a clear confession as abolisheth the Ceremonies, and celebrates the royal Sabbath.
4 I shall at present cease from his Absurdities, Lash, pag. 44. with his censure of me as deeply drencht in little better then grosse Popery about the Sacraments. And indeed this absurdity way well passe for my Lashers Master-piece; for he sayes, he found me thus drencht by this expression of mine, That the outward elements of bread & wine in the Lords Supper were spiritual things. I do not remember the expression; but let's try by what Logick hee'l prove me drencht in Popery; for thus he must argue.
The Pope affirmes the Sacramentall bread and wine to be corporal, carnal, natural things.
But Thomas Tillam hath said they are spirituall things. Therefore Tho: Tillam is drencht in little better then grosse Popery.
Sure the Prophet is a foole, the spirituall man is mad, Hosea 4.7. and the joynt testimony of his nine New-England Confederates will not recover his credit, Lash, pag. 40. nor secure him from this sinke of absurdities, which ushers in his falshood.
His notorious Falshood. The first falshood.
HIs leading sin may be that deceitfull falshood of his, Lash. pag. 22: Rom. 2.14.15. in asserting, That the Gentiles still have the Law written in their hearts. He that dare thus adulterate Gods word, will [Page 8]not stick to censure pure Adam of ignorance of the seventh-day-Sabbath, Lash. page 23: nor scruple at rayling accusations against Christs Ministers; but new Covenant-Christians know, that the Law written in the heart is their prerogative Royall, and not the words of the Law, but onely the work of the Law is found in the hearts of Heathens.
From this and the like abuse of Scripture, A second falshood. he hastens to vent his distempered spleen at me, in a subtle envious suggestion, Lash. pag 42. that (at my coming to Colchester) I appeared necessitous; which falshood the present Mayor can and will discover to such as shall enquire, seeing he first courteously entertained, invited, and encouraged me to the work; and so comfortably was I accommodated by the Gentlewoman with whom I sojourned, Page 43. that all who know it must censure it as basenesse in my Beadle to upbraid me with his Table. Wherefore untill he produce sufficient evidence of my appearing necessitous in person, purse, horse, habit, or something, I shall make bold to record my Lasher for the Lyar.
Who proceeds to a third, A third falshood. Lash. pag. 48. in affirming that I promised not to meddle with Baptism. And yet himselfe and the Towne in generall are witnesse of my publique engagement to preach the whole body of Divinity, Heb. 6 1, 2. which is impossible to be done without handling the foundation principles of Christian Religion, whereof Baptism is one. And if they did desire me to conceal it (as he asserts) I am sure it discovers their sin and shame. It being a sad signe of a sinking cause, and a corrupt conscience to smother truth. 1 King. 22.13. They were Baals worshippers that desired the Lords Prophet to speak like the Nations Priests; and 'twas a Jewish Presbytery that would have suppressed the Name of Jesus, Acts 4. as my Beadle confesseth would have serv'd his baptism.
But seeing I have sufficient testimony that his own mouth severall times confessed, that my promise was not to meddle with the controversie of baptism at his meeting (which accordingly I performed, it is not I, but himself is the Lyar.
And he further foments, A fourth falshood. That soon after this promise I fell pell-mell upon the point of Baptism. I confesse if my Beadle be as [Page 9]expert at Pel-mel as at jumping, Lash. p. 48. and shovel-bord he's too hard for me. But if after this promise I preached more then 60. sermons before I left Pel-mel upon baptism, my Lasher must be left in the lurch for the Lyer.
My other Principles, Lash. p. 44. (reprinted by my Beadle) were formerly published by some Libellers long since filenced, and though they were ashamed of their names, yet they are upon discovery, and do sound like their slanders.
The young Levite who lay lurking in the North till he endanger his Fellowship, looks like one Daresly his stinging tongue being sharpned like a shaft, for envious Archers bow confirmes the country Proverb, that a Fools bolt is soon shot, whereby himself is snared; my Lasher also laying himselfe open as a party in Print; He further complaines that I never dealt with him in a Christian way for his miscariages, which doth but increase his score. A fifth falsehood. Lash. p. 55. Seeing I so laid Ham's Sin to his charge (for his treachery against that party he had sided with as the honest party) that his wife (trembling) said they were never so reproved, nor did I spare his passionate adversary, but pressed satisfaction on both sides, which was promised, but most hypocritically performed by my Beadle. Indeed such were the actings both of Lecturer and Lasher, that it hath moved me to heare how it became even proverbial for fellowes to call unto each other in the streets, thus; Mr. Jennison is a knave, else aske M. Archer, Mr. Archer is a knave, else aske Mr Gennison. Lash. p. 17 I know not well what the Beadle meanes by that Infamy, which he saith will hardly ever be wiped off, but this I knew (to the praise of free grace) that my Ministrie hath been frequently attended by the chief of the Magistrates, with great resorts of people, and confirmed by the conversation of many soules, with sweet communion of more then two hundred baptized disciples, Celebrating Jehovah's Sabbath, so tha [...] my God hath set me above the blast of a Tobaco-man, and out of the reach of his New-England lash that would make me a lyar. Lash. p, 41. The 6th falfe-hood. 2 Tim. 3.8.
And his first charge, is my opposing the Spels of the contentious Lecture at Peters for which, he saith, there was never the least colour: But the dayly discovery of the parish presbyters, resisting the truth of God, like those ancient Enchanters Jannes and Jambres sufficiently clears me, and proves my Lasher the lyar.
Who is like to speed to better in his second slander is terming it a grosse untruth that I have printed him, Lash. p. 48. Lash. 41. The 7th. falshood. Lash. p. 40. as polluting his conscience in opposing his principles, and (that he may falsifie to purpose) he saith, I condemn him because he will not oppose his New-England principles; That the falsehood here of may be manifested; observe, that he professeth the morality of the fourth commandement, The. Sab. p. 147. &c. as New-England doth; now it is plain that New-England professedly opposeth those very Arguments which our Beadle takes up from Heylin and the Prelates, with very much vaper in the 22, 23, and 24. pages of his Lash: If then the Beadle be so, for the morality of the fourth commandement as they are, I doe once more affirme that in his opposing the Seventh dayes certainty, and beginning of the Sabbath (which they so strenuously attest) he doth still more & more pollute his conscience in opposing his professed principles, so that the grosse falsehood he would fasten upon me, reflects upon himselfe, and further confirmes my Lasher the lyar.
His third slander which he termes a very foule and manifest untruth, Lash. p. 49. is my saying that (whilst he opposed his principles at Peters) the decaying Clergy sate silent; and to prove it so, he tels us that the parish Minister prayed before he began, and spake when he had done, and by this Logick the Lasher confirmes his title in making me a Lyar; The 8th. falsehood. and indeed it is a notable whiff from a Tobaco shop. The parish Minister prayed before our Beadle began, and speake when he had done: Ergo tis a very foul and manifest untruth to say the dacaying Clergy sate silent whilst he speak, doubtless the old man is smothered in the smoke of his botomless pit, could none of the decaying Clergy save the mans sence from this in evitable shipwrack? Had I been admitted to their pretended conference at Peters, I should have done my best in rescuing his reason; But they be like feared defilements, Lash. p. 42. seeing the Lasher laies me out to be as bad as excommunicate; But (if he be not too old to learn) let me instruct him, that no censure is so bad as excommunication, much lesse my own voluntary withdrawing. The fourth falsehood or grosse lye (to use that durty dialect wherein he disciples me) in my speech, that he highly applauded me, without the least contradietion, long after some of my different principles were delivered.
Ans. That he highly applauded me, let his own pen testifie [Page 11]where he tels the world, that I bent my self freely and fully in my preaching against the Quakers, who had insnared many, yea and that to the great and generall satisfaction of my hearers, and that I gained esteem of the best and most sound Christians, who were taken with the strength of my gifts and plausibility of my deportment, &c. I think he hath applauded me to purpose.
But to prove that he contradicted me, after some of m [...] different doctrines were delivered, he tels us that he discoursed, Lash. p. 50.& divers times argued the points of Baptism with me, which I hope may be done without a spirit of contradiction. And that such discourses & arguings were without contradiction, his own pen proves, Lash. pag. 48. where it is published, that after I was discovered to be against infants baptism, divers Christians (meaning himselfe for one) desired me to wave it, being so controversall, using this argument that it would but make breaches, and they stood in need of healings: Now let any ingenious person judge whether such desires, discourses, or arguments may be termed contradictings, if not, then here's full proofe from his own pen that my Lasher is the grosse lyar, The ninth falsehood. who indeed was so far from contradicting me in the point of infants baptism, that there are sufficient witnesses of his saying, that for his part he should not dislike it, if baptisme were forborn 3. or 4 yeares, till the children could answer for themselves.
His fifth untruth, about justifying faith, Lash. p. 50. reflects upon himselfe, seeing I have as sufficient testimony as any can be produced in Colchester, that I have published the truth (for substance) in my Christian account confirmed; but lastly, The 10th false hood. that I helped to uphold the meeting at his house which was almost sunk through his treachery in revenging himselfe of the Town Lecturer is so generally known, that if he were not sottishly drunk with delusions, he could not gainesay it, but this indeed is true, that till the Lecturer so vehemently charged him and his wife as implecable persons (which I doubt was too true) there had been a meeting many yeares, in all which time they could never find away to communion; and if there be any thing of God in their sacrament since, both Presbyterians, Independants, and separation should give me thanks for rouzing them.
It is also true, Lash. p. 50. that since my departure their meeting is grown [Page 12]numerous; for it being deserted and forsaken for it by the Towne-Lecturer, and secondly by my self, the man prostituted his house even to the parish Presbyterians, so that in the former season it became too hot to hold them.
I have omitted very many of his down right untruthes in both parts of his Lash, being heartily wearied with digging in his Dunghill; I have carefully avoided reproaching terms, unlesse his owne language be censured as such. The Lord hath marvelously discovered the mans folly, & ordered his owne pen to vindicate my integrity; he hath sufficiently proved himselfe the busie Tobaco-man, & with his art of a New-England Lasher is fully proved the lyar, & so let him trudg to Stannaway bowling-green, he were better leave his jangling & follow his jumping, onely let him beware of jumping out of the London waggon any more, seeing his last leap so long retarded his lash, & possible has spoild that sport, but he knows how to recreate himself with his shovel-boord-table, which he can easily turne to a communion Table upon his first daies fabbath, for the fellowship of Fordham, and as suddainly turn it again for a Classicall consultation, how to be revenged on the Dipper who (if the persons of Peters and Dedham preach truth) trips up folks heels in the water, and is not ashamed to pull off womens stockens, and wash their feet.
Beadle, bring out your Lash, and do your office lustily upon these egregious, Jer. 9.5. But I must be modest, and turne to the controversall part of the pamphlet, which savoures of a little more sobriety, which I would meet, with a proportionable spirit; The controversall Part. wherefore leaving sorded Will. Jennison with the Beadles in Bridewell, I come seriously to contend with the more sollid Mr. Jennison, on the battlements of Beth-el.
And upon our very first encounter we are agreed, Lash. p. 3. Act. 2. both Master Jennison and my self freely subscribing to the Apostles Pentecost, and fully concluding that the same glorious day on which Pentecost then fell, was and is that blessed, Sanctified day which the Saints did, and ought to keep as their Sabbath.
For although the Authority of the seventh day be firmly established by the Fathers institution, 7th. day Sabbath sought out [...].68. &c: the Sons confirmation, the spirits Approbation, and the Saints observation (as I have fully proved in my book of the Sabbath) yet since Master [Page 13] Jennison omits three of these impregnable Pillars, and singles out the fourth to cast his whole cause upon: I am chearfully resolved, through the assistance of the promised spirit of truth, to embrace that wonderful day of Pentecost, and none but that, for the undoubted Sabbath of Christians, which I shall convincingly and undeniably prove to be Jehovah's certain sanctified seventh day, which (being performed) Mr. Jennison stands obliged in credit and conscience to own it; Seeing therefore we are agreed herein, I shall with all possible brevity touch (and I hope overturn) his other Arguments, and referre the whole matter to the Apostles Pentecost. Lash. pag. 2. And first Master Jennison (silently) yields, that he hath neither command from God, nor councell from Christ for the observation of the first day of the week. In that he flies for his prime Argument to the supposed example of Saints, which if he could prove (as no man can) yet were it not sufficient ground to reject the true seventh day Sabbath, setled by clear commands.
For this must be observed as a general conclusion. A General rule. That example [...] do only allow us liberty and nothing but a clear command can oblige us to duty, Rom. 4.15. As for instance. Community of goods is the Saints liberty, because it was practiced. But liberality of our proper substance is a duty because it is commanded.
Saints may freely Feast before Communion, because we have Apostical president. But all true Disciples must break bread, because we have Evangelical Precept. Even so we have liberty to meet the first day, as freely as any other week-day, for we find the Saints at Troas then, (occasionally) assembled. But we are tyed in duty to celebrate the seventh day-Sabbath, as being expresly commanded. The Saints example at Troas once, doth no more obliege us to their time, then their meeting in an upper chamber doth tye us to the like place. If examples alone were binding, Act. 17.2. and 18.4. we have innumerable for the seventh day Sabbath: and this may be sufficient to shew the invalidity of Mr. Jennisons first Argument; and that part of his fourth which is grounded upon Act. 20. Lash. p. 18.19. His Arguments from Christs appearing, pag. 2. and blessing pag. 15. &c. depend upon the beginning of the Scripture day which alwayes begins at Even, Exo. 12.18.19. Deut. 16.46. and so Christs non-appearing till the first day at Even makes rather [Page 14]against it, Jer. 6.14. and so doth the famous examples of Father, Son, and Saints; for, in stead of the honour Master Jennison would put upon it (pag. 17.18.)
1. The Father wrought upon it, Gen. 1. and therefore we should be his followers as dear children, Eph. 5.1.
2. The Son travelled upon it, Luke 24.13.15. And he hath given us example that we should do as he hath done, John 13.15.
3. Lash. pag. 12: The Saints cast their accounts upon it, 1 Cor. 16.1, 2. and so may we; Master Jennisons apprehensions of the year of Jubile are altogether impertinent, since it is evident it was the year of Christs first Preaching, Luke 4.16. and not of his Resurrection.
Neither doth Johns being in the spirit in the Lords day shew what day that was, Page 13. nor any more prove the first day, the Saints meeting time, then his being in the spirit in the Isle of Patmos can prove Patmos their meeting place.
As for succeding ages, they do as much justifie Easter-day, as the first day of the week, and as much may be conjectured for the one as the other, Page 14. & 27: from Psal. 118. one command is worth 10000: suppofitions. Christs birth-day bids fairest for it, Luk. 2.10, 11. But Ioh. 8.56. carryes it.
If any can discern the Saints assembling in 1 Cor. Page 19. Page 20. 16. (as Mr. Jennison suggests) it must be by some other light then Gods word. The day of Christs greatest power prophesied, Psa. 110.3. was the Apostles Pentecost, Act 2. with Luke 24.49 & Acts 1.8. Though Master Jennison cannot see why the seventh day from the words Creation should rather be mans holy rest day, Page 22: then the seventh day from mans own Creation, yet through grace I and others can; Exod. 20.11. For in six days Jehovah made the heavens and the earth, and rested the seventh day, wherefore Jehovah blessed the Sabbath day, and sanctified it.
Mr. Lash. p. 23, 24. Jennisons Arguments against the certainty of the seventh day do equally strike at the certainty of his first day, and to what end should he contend for any Sabbath if both were uncertain? But my book of the Sabbath hath undoubted evidence of the seventh days certainty, to which I refer my Reader where he shal not only find the certain day, but the undoubted beginning of the day, not at Master Iennisons midnight morning, but the sixth day [Page 15]Evening, Pag. 25. & 35. Levit. 23 32. for doubtless our glorious Creator had finished his work before midnight; yea the very ceremoniall Sabbaths (because honoured with the Title of Sabbaths) were to be celebrated from Even to Even, which begins and ends at Sun-set, Lash. pag, 36. Mar. 1.32. Deut. 16.6. as is fully evident from plain Scripture which needs no consequence to confirm it, yet do I not deny a fair deduction from Scripture, but do utterly deny the setting up a first-day Sabbath by conceited consequence, against the true seventh day Sabbath confirmed by clear command. Or that any Ordinance of Christ was ever Instituted by consequence, I shall never be condemned for omitting what was never commanded, 1 Joh. 3.4. Rom. 4.15. as first day, and Infant Baptism; For sin is the transgression of some Law, and where no Law is, no transgression.
It is not so as Master Jennison asserts; Lash. p. 25.26 That if the seventh day appointed (in the Royal Law) be the Christian Sabbath, that then all the Ordinances appropriated (by the beggerly Ceremonial Law) are still to be observed. He that appointed double sacrifices for the Sabbath day, as a Sabbath day, enjoyned single sacrifices for week dayes, as weekes dayes; and as soon shall the week dayes cease to be week, dayes as Jehavah's Sanctified seventh day shall cease to be the Saints Sabbath day, Isay 66.21. Mal. 3 3. Isai, 56.6.7. Heb. 10.5.6.7. and 13.16. Rev. 5.8. and as soon shall the mountain of Gods house be melted, because made up of Priests and Levites, as G [...]ds Sabbath shall be subdued, because mentioned with burnt-offerings and sacrifices; He that accepts their persons for a Royal Priesthood will graciously own their Saviour and services for burnt-offerings and sacrifices.
And Mr. Lash, page 27. Jennison may one day understand that Christ was never more active then in and after death, Col. 2.14, 15. And that when God brought his Son into the world, then all the Angels did worship him, Luke 2.14. Math. 4.11. But Heb 1, 6 speaks not of his resurrection day, nor Psa. 118. of every first day of the weeke, Page 28. nor were the disciples in a hopelesse condition till the first day was almost, and altogether ended, Luke 24. Lash. pag. 29. Mark 16.13, 14. As for Heb. 4. I have faithfully expounded it in my book of the Sabbath, and whereas Mr. Jennison saies the word Sabbatism denoteth not any dayes rest. Mr. Carter. (in his covenant) will tell him it denotes the first day, and I suppose he knowes the originall as well as Mr. Jennisons instructers. But [Page 16]let the Lexicons and Dictionaries be examined (whose authors were equally ignorant of the true Sabbath) and they will inform that the word Sabbatism signifies the Celebration of the Sabbath, or a day of rest, But Mr. Jennison is quite mistaken, in applying to the rest mentioned in the other verses, Lash. p. 31: Heb. 7.27. & 9.26. & 10.10. for they are all of them an other different greek word, and it is utterly untrue that he saies Christs sufferings ceased not at his death, and that the holy womans celebrating Sabbath was not after Christs sufferings, Luke 23. for when he once died he bequeathed his spitit to God, and entred into rest, Luke 23.46. Act. 2.26.
If the 4th. commandement be given to the Gentiles (as Mr. Iennison confesseth) I am sure it commanded nothing but the sanctifying of the 7th day Sabbath which is to continue for ever and ever,Lesh. p. 32. and 32. Ps. 111.7, 8. Mat. 5.18.even till heaven and earth passeth away, and so was it never said of circumcision nor first fruits.
As to that of Col. 2.14.16. I am sure it doth not so much as mention the seventh. day, if it oppose any thing in the 4 th. commandement it must be the Sabbath it selfe, which Mr. Jennison will not say. But I have fully proved it toucheth not the Royall seventh day Sabbath at all, which Mr. Jennison doth not answer. Lash. p. 34.
As to Mr Ienisons assertion that the day begins with morning, he doth not onely oppose New-England principles, but the order of God himselfe, Gen. 1: who placed the evening before the morning; And Mark 14.30. is pregnant for it, for the 14th day at even when the Passover was eaten, was the beginning of the fifteenth day, as is confessed by the learned commentators Anot. Lev. 23.5. Lash. p. 37. and is plain Exod. 12.18, 19. and however Mr. Jenison termes it a shuffle to say the first fruits were offered the morrow of (or after) the Sabbath, Amsworth.and yet this morrow was the Sabbath it seife, he termes not me but Moses, if not God himselfe the shufler, who plainely calls the 15 th. day of the first moneth the morrow after the Passeover, when they came out of Egypt, & yet the very same night of eating the Passeover, & departing out of Egypt was the beginning of the 15th day, Numb. 33.3. Exod. 12.18, 19. If this be marvellous ignorance as Mr. Jenison termes it, I am content to be so sensured by him, whilst I have learned Ainsworth, Diodati. the English commentators, Moses, and God himselfe to bear me out in it. lash. p. 38. And that Saviour who is Lord of the Sabbath [Page 17]Sabbath will reckon with Mr. Ienuison for his hard speeches; Lash. p. 38, 39. for we shall seek none other Saviour, but he who commands the keeping of his Sabbath, Mat. 24.20.
As to the judgement of God upon the Prelates, indeed it is most just for their opposing the morality of the Sabbath, and let those who assert it, that sleight it, expect the next Vial. I have seen variety of judgements, even to astonishment, upon rejecters of the revived seventh day Sabbath, which (in my Reply to the next book which I hear is in the Press) I may possibly have more leisure and just ground to particularize.
The Stress of the Controversie.
AFter this brief, yet full Confutation of Mr. Iennisons inferiour Arguments, I find him (in my entrance upon (the Apostles Pentecost) which he concludes the main Stress of the Controversie) labouring under two very gross mistakes; Act. 2. Lash. p. 3. The first is a strange conceit, that the first fruits (enjoyned Lev. 23.11.) was to be ripe corn; and upon this his mistake, he renders the day of reaping uncertain, p. 4. & 10.according as Harvest came sooner or latter; and so runs on in reckoning the fifty daies, or seven weeks, at randome, to fasten (the Apostles) Pentecost to his First-day Sabbath; whereas the Scripture requires not ripe corn, but green ears, Lev. 2.14. Exod. 9.31. Deut. 16.12. Exod. 23.14. such as the field afforded at their going out of Egypt, in Memorial whereof these first fruits were appointed, and Gods Israel prohibited to eat thereof, until this homage were performed.
This foul fault in the entrance of his account of fifty daies, must needs be ill in the end.
His second intolerable mistake, Lash. p. 9. (which hath nothing to save it from high blasphemy, but gross ignorance) is his confident assertion, that the feast of first fruits was not at the end of the weeks, but at the beginning; yea, and chargeth it as a very great mistake, to say the Feast it self was not till the end of the weeks. This Charge flies in the face of God himself, [Page 18]who hath thus expressy spoken by his servant Moses. Also in the day of the first fruits, when ye bring a new meat-offering unto the Lord, AFTER YOƲR WEEKS BE OƲT, ye shall have an holy Convocation,Numb. 28.26. with Lev. 23.2.4.ye shall do no servile work. This was that holy Convocation, Act. 2.1, 2. called (in Greek) Pentecost, whereon the bread which was made of the Sheaf (or [...]n [...]er) waved, Let. 23.11. was to be again waved before the Lord, as the first fruits, Lev. 23.17, 20, 21. I shall not henceforth wonder at Mr. Iennisons error, in his reckoning the seven weeks, so as to make Pentecost fall upon his first day, who can so confidently affirm that this Feast was in the beginning of the weeks, and charge Moses with a very great mistake, for recording it to be after the weeks were out.
Now touching that which he terms the main Stress of the Controversie between us, Lash. p. 3. we have both solemnly engaged before the world (in print) casting (as he saith) our whole cause upon it. That the day whereon (the Apostles) Pentecost fell, Act. 2.1.was, and is that glorious day, which the Saints did, and ought to keep as their Sabbath. And I desire no more, but that he which shall shrink from this clear confession, may be henceforth judged and deemed a deserter and profaner of the true acknowledged Christian Sabbath.
The fair discovery of this Question, upon what day the Apostles Pentecost fell, will be fully evident in the institution of the Feast, Lev. 23.10, 11, 15. where Jehovah required Moses to speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, when ye be come into the Land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest unto the Priest, and he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, [...]to be accepted for you on the morrow of the Sabbath (for so is the Hebrew, and so Ainsworth renders it) on the morrow of the Sabbath the Priest shall wave it. And what ever this Sabbath was, this is plain, that from the morrow following, they were enjoyned to begin their reckoning of seven Sabbaths, Lev. 23.15, 16. which is expresly called seven weeks, in Deut. [...], Lev. 23. 16. and the Septuagint is the same in both places. And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave-offering, seven Sabbaths [Page 19]shall be compleat, even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath, shall ye number fifty dayes.
This Sabbath from whose morrow the account began, is by Ainsworth, Diodat, &c. called the Passeover Sabbath, Lash, p. 4. & 5. & 8. and Easter; But Mr. Jenison is very angry with me for so speaking, and yet from the bare authority of certain obscure Informers, he confidently concludes, that it was the Jewes seventh-day weekly Sabbath, and so boldly begins upon the first day of the week to number the 7 weeks, or fifty days, so to make Pentecost fall (Pat, as he phraseth it) upon his supposed first-day Sabbath.
I shall not (with my small skill in the Hebrew) presume to contend with his unknown informers, who assures him that it can be no other then the weekly Sabbath; yet I suppose modesty will even constrain both him and them to submit unto the information of the most profoundly learned, which the long Parliament and Assembly could find for that eminent mark of the English Annotations upon the whole Bible, whose Notes upon these very words [Lev. 23.11.15. On the morrow after the Sabbath] are quite contrary to Mr. Ienison and his informers, who say it can be no other then the weekly Sabbath. Their notes are these; Not the weekly Sabbath, English Annot. on Lev. 23.but the first day of the Feast of unleavened bread called (say they) a Sabbath, vers. 7. Yea, and to put the seven weeks or fifty dayes out of doubt, these learned men do expresly declare in the same place, the punctuall day of the Feast, and of the moneth which begins our account, even the second day of the Feast, which is (say they) the 16th day of the moneth Nisan, from which day were reckoned the fifty dayes ended at Pentecost, reckoning that second day inclusively. Here's the most clear confession, that the Sabbath leading to the account of fifty dayes is not the weekly Sabbath; but that the morrow following the waved sheaf is the (certain fixed) 16th day of the moneth, and begins the number of 50 days, or seven weeks; and on what day this 16th of Nisan fell at the death of Christ is clear; for upon the 14th day of the first moneth at even, Exod. 12.18. Coll. 2.16, 17. Matth. 26. did our Lord Jesus (who is the true body of these shadows) punctually celebrate the Passcover; and upon the morrow being [Page 20]the 15th day (and commonly called good Friday) was our first fruits waved by the Priests upon the Crosse: So that the 16th day being the seventh day Sabbath, must unavoidably begin the seven weeks, or fifty dayes; and this is easily known, that the same day which begins the account must needs end it, and be the true day of Pentecost.
Though this clear confession from the Sabbaths adversaries might suffice, yet through strength from on high with demonstrations of the spirit and power, I shall further produce three infallible proofs that the Apostles Pentecost was none other then the sanctified seventh-day Sabbath: And this will be evident by Gods institution of a Feast, for he assigned a certain day, from which the number of fifty dayes began; That Christ was punctuall in time, see Mat. 27.55, 56. Luke 22.35. John 8.20. and this day was the morrow of (or after) a certain Sabbath, which must be punctually fulfilled in and by Christ, as well in the Time as in the Type, or else why was the time so precisely appointed, and the fifty days so exactly to be numbred?
The morrow after this certain Sabbath will be readily known.
First, by the sickles first entring the Corne, Deut. 16.9.
Secondly, by the waving of the first fruits, Lev. 23.11.
Thirdly, by offering the same day a Lamb without spot, Lev. 23.12.
The time when these shadows were all punctually fulfilled in Christ the body is abundantly manifest. And first, the certain day when the the sickle was first put to him, Isai. 53.8. to cut him downe, the whole world knows to be that they call good Friday, Luke 23.54, 55, 56. that is the sixth day of the week, The day of the preparation before the 7th day Sabbath, from which sixth day Gods account of the seven weeks begun by his appointment, Deut. 16.9. Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee, begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the Corne. Is it possible for any truth to shine more clearly? Now either Mr. Jenison must deny (what he grants, pag. 38.) That Christ was by the sickle of death cut down, (upon the sixth day of the week) or else he must give glory to God by beginning to number the fifty dayes or 7 weeks, [Page 21]from that time the sickle first entred our corn, and cut him down by death, from which day the holy Sabbath is the very first of the account, and at the end of seven full weeks, the same blessed seventh day Sabbath that began, must needs end the fifty daies exactly upon the Apostles Pentecost, Heb. 10.1. although the Law was not the very image of good things to come, yet certainly this Sickle was a notable shadow in many particulars.
1. It was put to the corn, Deut. 16.9. which the Jews performed the night following the Passeover, with great solemnity; and just so was it fulfilled in Christ, Ioh. 18.3.
2. They were to cut down green ears, Lev. 2.14. Hos. 14.3. And even so our Saviour expounds himself the very day of his suffering, Luke 23.31. when our green fir-tree was cut down.
3. The green corn was bound, (as the Hebrew signifies, Lev. 23.10.) and brought to the Priests, and so was our green plant, Ioh. 18.12, 13.
4. The green corn was to be dried by the fire, Lev. 2.14. neither was this wanting to our first fruits, Luk. 22.54, 55.
5. It was to be beaten out of full ears, Lev. 2.14. and just so was our Saviour served, (at full age) Matth. 26.67, 68. and 27.26.30. After the first fruits were thus fitted, (as the English Annotations shew, on Levit. 23.10.) they were upon the morrow of that Sabbath to be waved by the Priest, Lev. 23.11. And this is the second infallible token what that Sabbath was, namely, the Passeover, on the morrow of which Sabbath it was exactly accomplished in Christ, by the crucifying Priest, who waved him between heaven and earth upon the sixth day of the week, from which day began the count of the Apostles Pentecost, punctually beginning and ending upon the seventh day Sabbath.
The third infallible mark by which that Sabbath (Lev. 23.11, 15.) is more then fully found, was the Lamb without spot, appointed to be offered the very same morrow of the Sabbath, but this was such an infallible token to know the undoubted day wherein it was accomplished in Christ, that Mr. Jeunison hath wholly (and I doubt deceitfully) omitted [Page 22]it. And indeed it is impossible that any thing but wilful blindness should obscure the glory and stupendious eminency of that sixth day of the week, whereon our Lamb without spot or blemish was offered, Heb. 9.14. 1 Pet. 1.19. from which sixth day begun the account of the Apostles Pentecost, and as it began, so it exactly ended on the seventh day Sabbath, to its everlasting glory, and the glory of him that sanctified it, God blessed for ever, Amen.
And thus while Mr. Jennison and his Informers affirm, (without one word of Scripture) that the Sabbath from whence our reckoning arises, (Lev. 23.11, 15.) was the Jews weekly seventh day Sabbath: I affirm, (with the most learned of this Age) that it was not the weekly Sabbath, but the first day of the Passeover Feast; and I have fully proved by three infallible Scripture marks, that the fifty dayes did at the death of our Redeemer, most exactly begin and end upon the seventh day Sabbath.
Why blessed be Jehovah the Institutor of this Sabbath, and glorified be Jesus the professed Lord of this Sabbath, and for ever honoured be that excellent spirit, who at the Apostles Pentecost, most wonderfully owned and approved this same seventh day Sabbath, as hath been convincingly proved by
1. The Sickles first entring our Corn.
2. The waving of our sheaf of first fruits, and
3. The offering of our Lamb without spot.
And now unless Mr. Jennison can confute this precious point, (which I am sure is utterly impossible) I must expect the speedy performance of his promise, Lash. p. 3. & 11, 12. to own and imbrace this glorious day on which the Apostles Pentecost fell, as the very day which ye did, and ought to keep as their Sabbath. And I shall for ever acquit him of all the abuses in his book, and esteem it abundant satisfaction to see a sinner return from the error of his way. Jam. 5.20. Amen.
As touching the second part of Mr. Iennisons Lash, concerning Baptisme, he must excuse me if I deem it a dishonour to that flourishing truth, to contend with him, after so many learned debates of persons with whom neither of [Page 23]us may compare, much less conceit to exceed.
The Covenant made to litteral Israel, which he would have to be one with mystical Israel, do exceedingly differ. As;
1. In the Mediator, Gal. 3.19.
The servant being veiled, 2 Cor. 3.13.
The Son revealed, Mat. 17.5. 2 Cor. 3.18. Ioh. 1.14.
2. In the parties taken into Covenant.
In the Type a fleshly seed, Gen. 17.7, 13.
In the truth a faithful seed, Gal. 3.9, 29. Rev. 12.17.
Then not in Covenant, till first they were Abrahams, now not in Covenant, till first they be Christs.
3. There's difference in the Sign.
The shadow signed the outward man, Gen. 17.10, 11.
The truth signs the inner man, Rom. 2.28, 29. Eph. 1.13, 14.
4. In the Sacrifice:
The Type Carnal, Heb. 9.10.
The Truth Spiritual, 1 Pet. 2.5.
The Type dead, Heb. 10.1, 4, 5.
The Truth living, Rom. 12.1, 2.
5. In the Inheritance:
The Type Temporal, Deut. 4.21, 38. Ier. 11.3, 5.
The Truth Eternal, Heb. 9.15. 1 Pet. 1.4.
His conceits upon 1 Cor. 10.1, 2, 3. Lash. p. 61. pleads as much for Infant Communion, as for Infant Baptisme, neither of which is found in Christs House.
That of 1 Cor. 7.14. p. 64. tells you the unbelieving wife is sanctified to the husband, and so are the children.
Mr. p. 66. &c. Iennison at length grants that he can none other way help Babes to Baptisme, but by consequence; and because he confesseth William Iennison cannot prove his interest in Christ, but by consequence; he judges the same of Tho. p. 69.Tillam, who through distinguishing grace hath a fairer evidence then a bare consequence; Rom. 8.16. Eph 1.13. 1 Cor. 2.14. the Spirit it self bearing witness with his spirit, that he is the Child of God.
When Scripture fails for Baby-Baptisme, Mr. Iennison fetches an argument from the Turk and the Devil; Lash. p. 73. p. 74. but I shall not travel into their Regions to disprove him.
They that now censure dipping of Disciples, as immodest and dangerous, would much more have cried out upon the circumcision of mens privy parts.
But I shall cease to contend about a point so fully controverted and cleared, expecting a fair and speedy submission to that Christian Sabbath whereon the Apostle Pentecost was celebrated, recording to his full confession, wherewith I shall conclude, That the day of the first New Testament Church its meeting, and that wherein the Lord so highly blessed them, Lash. p. 12. & 3.is that glorious day which the Saints did, and ought to keep as their Sabbath. Amen.
As to the Lady Abergavenny mentioned in my Information, I have this to add further, that I do very well remember, that at the time when the five Jesuits were to be hanged, drawn and quartered, the said Lady came to the Portugal Ambassador, and made a most dreadful Complaint to his Excellency, to this Effect, how that we were all ruined, if the said five Jesuits should suffer, for to be sure that the next man that should die would be Sir George Wakeman, in regard the five Jesuits were condemned upon the same Fact, that Sir George Wakeman was guilty of, therefore I desire your Lordship by all means to see if your Lordship can find any way to prevent the Death of those Jesuits.
Upon which my Lord made answer to the said Lady, that he could not Imagine or Find out any way to save their Lives, but that they must die, for said he, we have used all our Endeavours, and made all the Interest vve can, and it vvill not be granted.
Then the said Lady made ansvver to my Lord, that then Sir. George Wakeman vvould have his Tryal, and vvould be condemned and suffer, and then all our Plot vvill be discovered.
My Lord made answer in these vvords, No Madam, vve vvill seek to prevent his Death by some Friend that vve shall make.
Upon vvhich my Lady Abergavenny took her leave of my Lord: I Francisco de Faria vvas Interpreter betvveen them both.
Thus far I have followed the Series of Relation without interruption, as being Occurances that happend and depended one upon another.
I am now to repeat some passages which as they come to my Knowledge upon Various occasions, and at Several [Page 23]times, require not to be so punctually disposed in order as being compleat within themselves.
In January or Febuary 1678/9. A Letter vvas sent into Portugal by a Capuchin, belonging to the Queens Chappel at Somerset House, call'd by the name of Paulenio, to a Friend of his at Lisbon, the Letter Containd Words to this Efect.
Our affaires are very well in London, vvhere I hope in a little time there vvill be a great alteration, and our business vvill be at an end in a short time, so that I hope this place vvill all become Catholicks.
The Gentleman that received the Letter in Lisbon, shewed it to a Friend of his that vvas an English Man, vvho by that time had intelligence of the Discovery of the Plot in England, that Gentle-Man vvrites over immediately from Portugal to a Friend of his in London vvhat he had heard by a Letter from a Capuchin of Somerset-House, upon vvhich the said Gentleman vvent to the King and Counsel; and declared vvhat Newes his Friend had sent him out of Portugal: presently the King and Counsel caused the Queens Confessor to be called, and to be Examined, vvho at that time denyed all, protested his Innocency, that he never vvrote any such Letter, vvhereupon the King and Counsel discharged him, but that very Night there vvas private Intelligence given to the said Father Paulenio upon vvhich he Immediately made his Escape for Flanders, vvhere he staid till the Portugaal Ambassador arrived in the Downs in his passage homevvards, vvhom he then met and Embarqued vvith him for Portugal, in the Ruby Frigat, under the Command of Captain Allum.
And novv that the World may see, hovv this Popish Plot vvas carryed one by General Contributions and Collected Maintenances, either out of Devotion or Fear, I vvill add one Certainty more, vvhich is this, that vvhile I vvas Employed in the service of the said Ambassador, I vvas intrusted [Page 24]among other things, to pay to Mr. Anderson, Alias Munson, a Secular Priest, then a Prisoner in the Kings Bench upon the account of the Plot, fifty Shillings a Month, which money I Constantly paid to his Sister, Mrs. Barbara Tempest, Living in Holborn near the Kings Gate, during the whole time of the Ambassadors Residence in England. One day I took the boldness to ask his Excellency why he gave that Allowance to the said Monson, to which he was pleased to answer, because he had been his Chaplaine fifteen Years before, when he was but Envoy Extraordinary to the King of England from the King of Portugal, to which when I replyed, that I supposed his Excellency did not allow it him for that reason only, but that I belived he was concerned in the Plot, his Excellency returned this Answer, why Francis do you think that if you were taken upon Suspicion, that I and all of us were not bound to assist you with our Lives and Fortunes, as we do particularly this Mr. Munson, and all others in his Condition, lest they should discover the Plot? And at the same time among the rest of the Contributors, his Excellency named the Lady Penalua, Sister to Don Franciso de Melo, who died Ambassador in Ordinary in England, in the Year 1678.
A certain Sign that the Ambassador was deeply concerned, who was so profuse of his Life and Fortune, to Strangers in a Forreign Country, where if it had been otherwise neither his Life nor his Fortune had been in the least danger or Jeopardy.
The further INFORMATION of Francisco de Faria upon Oath before me Edmund Warcupp EsqMid. and West.one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace in the said County and City, this Day of December, 1680.
THis Informant being duely Sworn and Examined, saith, that in the Month of July 1679, when Sir George Wakeman Baronet, William Marshal and William Rumley, Gentlemen; and James Corker the Priest were Tryed in the Old Bayly, he employed one Mr. Cooper by Order of his Master Gasper de Abreu de Frietas, Ambassador in Ordinary from the Crown of Portugal, to take in Writing the said Tryals, which he did; and the said Trials were transcribed, and afterwards read and interpreted unto the said Ambassador, who seemed to be exceedingly displeased with Mr. Marshal for so over-doing his Defence, in regard said he, the said Mr. Marshal was well assured before hand, he should not be Condemn'd, and in these long Speeches, said he, he hath too much reflected on the Innocency of them that had already Suffered, and took too much No, tice of the Blood already shed, by which he endanger'd the spoiling of the whole Business, by exasperating the Court and Jury against them all.
That some time after the said Trials, there was a report about the Court and City, that Articles were coming out against the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, upon which the said Ambassador told this Informant, he would give fifty Guinneys to have a Copy of them before they were made publick.
That some time before, the Ambassador acquainted this Informant, that he intended to send to Portugal for his [Page 26]Lady, and that this Informant should be her Gentleman Usher, and also continue in his present Capacity of Secretary and Interpreter.
That the said Ambassador did in order thereto furnish his House, and one Day, being very intent upon Work Men, who were putting up some Tapestry Hangings, a very large Pacquet of Letters was brought his Excellency by Doctor Mendex, one of the Queens Majesties Physitians, which he had no sooner read, but he acquainted this Informant, that he must forthwith go for Portugal, to which this Informant answered, that he much wondred at it, and was not a little surprised to hear it especially, in regard that his Excellency being Ambassador in Ordinary, must then leave the Ambassadage Extraordinary behind him, a thing unusual. But his Excellency answered this Informant, that he must go, and that immediately, and would leave Orders to sell his Coach and Horses, and other things after he was gone. This Informant still pressing the Reasons of so sudden a Departure, was by the said Ambassador answered, that otherwise he thought he should be called before the King and Counsel, upon the Lord Scroggs his account, and added, Francis, you must then go also, but I charge you not to say, that you went to the said Lord Scroggs from me, that Fryday on which Sir George Wakeman was Tried, but that you went on your own head, and that you went to him from me on the Saturday after only, for God above knows, what we do is for the Catholick Cause, and that God below (pointing to his Chappel, which was under his Chamber, in which we then were) will pardon us, and justify us in what we do. At which time there being a remour that the Earl of Offory was to go for Madrid, to complement that King upon his Marriage, and that he would Embarque for Lisbon, and go thence by Land to Madrid, the Ambassador said he would go with him. [Page 27]But he then again further charged this Informant to say, if he should happen to be examined before the Council, that the Ambassador sent him, and went himself to the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs by a Mistake, as looking on him to be a publick Minister of State. Whereupon this Informant having alwayes great Freedom of Discourse with the said Ambassador, asked his Lordship his reasons, and why his Lordship did direct him to say in that manner touching the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, and his Lordship thereupon answered him in the Portuguese Language with a Proverb of that Countrey, in these words, Chenes muy curioso, novive muto, which in English is, He that is overcurious never liveth long. Whereupon this Informant thought fit to forbear any further Questions in that Matter, promising to obey his Lordships Command about the said Lord Chief Justice Scroggs.
And this Informant saith, that he well remembers, that this Discourse was on the last Lord Mayors Day was twelve Months.
And this Informant saith, that at the time when his Majesty was ill at Windsor, this Informant being in Discourse with the said Ambassador, did ask his Lordship what should be done with the Queen in Case his Majesty should then die, which God forbid he should, who answered, that so soon as his Majesties Eyes were closed, the Marquess de Aronches Extraordinary Ambassador, or else himself would immediately go with her Majesty to Calais, and her Majesty being by one of them thus secured, the other should stay here, and then England should be treated with, to restore Tangeir, and the rest of her Majesties Dowry, vvhich he said was the reason that two Ambassadors were here at one time, for said he, should the King die, the Queen would be imprisoned and punished, or made a Slave in England, and we come not hither (to repeat his own words) Nos non vimus para ensilar perlos, to thread Pearl, but to take care of her Safety. Frantisco de Faria.
And this Informant further saith, That the Ambassador one day asked him if he knew Dugdale. To which he answered, That he knew none of the Witnesses. Then the Ambassador said, Dugdale is a Rogue, because he would not accept the money that was offered him by a Chambermaid; For if he had taken the money, he might have gon beyond Sea, and might there have lived happy, and been adored, for that our Church will forgive all that repent. The Ambassador further added at that time, that Burgomanero the Spanish Ambassador was a great Friend of the said Chambermaids, and that the said Burgomonero would be examined before the Council about that Matter, as he thought.
And this Informant further saith, That the Ambassador his Master, after he came home one night from Court, with great Joy said, That Villain Shaftsbury is put out of the Council, and now we must have his Blood; calling this Informant Dunce and Blockhead, that he should be at White-Hall and not hear it before.
And this Informant further saith, That at one other time, discoursing of Mr. Coleman that was Executed, he said, If ever any Man was Guilty that died, Coleman was, and therefore could not ever be Canonized for a Saint because of the Guilt, but he might be Absolved.
And this Informant further saith, That at the time when the Duke of Monmouths Cook accused Segnior Antonio Farnandez, belonging to the Queens Confessor, for somwhat said by him or to him about the four Ruffians at Windsor, after he had given directions to one of the Hhrbingers to provide Lodging for four Irish Gentlemen, for which as this Informant beleives the said Antonio Fernandez was imprisoned in Newgate, and to be tryed at Westminster before the [Page 29]Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, as this Informant heard, but he being out upon Bayl, he came to vvait upon the Ambassador, who ask him whether or no he had spoken to any of the four Irish Gentlemen at Windsor, who replyed, yes, he had to one of them, but he was sure the Rogue, the Cook that had accused him, could not hear him direct the said Person to see him at Night, to which the Ambassador presently replyed, Segnior Fernandez, you shall not be Canoniz'd or suffer Martordom this bout, for we have taken care that nothing shall appear against you, which proved true, the Ambassador giving this Informant a Guiney that day he was to be tryed, and he did attend at Westminister and there saw him in Court, and nothing did appear against him: and this Informant further sayeth, that Dr. Mendez beforementioned, was once in the absence of this Informant Interpreter betwixt the said Ambassador and the Lady Abergavenny, and that the said Dr. Mendez about a Month after the said Ambassador was gone for Portugal, was passing in his Coach by the Shop of one Mr. Phillips on Ludgate-Hill, where the said Dr. Mendez espying this Informant, he took him into his Coach, and as they rode together, this Informant complained that the Ambassador was not so kind to him at his departure as he expected, adding, that he knew enough against the said Ambassador, to ruine him, and should he discover it, would hurt many in England, and the Dr. made answer, I hope you will be more honest than to discover any thing, and this Informant believes, that if the said Dr. Mendez were Examined he would own the same.
This Informant further sayeth, that before the said Ambassador went out of England, he this Informant having much trouble upon his Spirits arising from the Knowledge of the things he hath now discovered, to ease his Mind, did write down the Heads of the same in Portuguese upon a Piece of Paper, and delivered the same to his Mother to lay up carefully for him, and more especially [Page 30]what related to the Design against the Earl of Shaftbury, Dr. Oats, and Mr. Bedlow and a Country Justice, which Paper was Svvorn unto in the House of Peers on Fryday the 19th. of November, 1680.
The following INFORMATION was delivered in the Spanish Language, fairly written by Mr. John Faria my Father, to his Majesty and the Lords, Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Assembled, who were pleased to Command Mr. William Blathwaite to Translate the same into English, which was done, and the same Sworn unto in the Lords House, his Majesty present, upon the 19th. Day of Nov. 1680.
THIS Informant sayeth, that at the first Arrival of Gasper de Abreu de Freitas, the last Ambassador in Ordinary from Portugal, at the Court of England, this Informant went to visit him, as having had an old Acquaintance with the said Ambassador, at the time when he was here before, in the Quality of Envoy extraordinary to his Maejesty of Great Brittain (whom God preserve) And the said Ambassador asking the Informant about his Son Francisco de Faria, whom he had a mind to make his Secretary of Languages, as being skilled in the English, French, and Portugeze Languages; whereupon this Informant carryed his said Son to the Ambassadors House, and left him there to be his Interpreter, and this Informant continuing often to visit the Ambassador, who used to complain much in his Discourse of the great Persecution, which he said, the Roman Catholicks lay under in the Kingdom of England, and that all was occasioned by Mr. Oats and Bedlow, who were base Rogues and Villains, and that for their having caused so great Mischiefs, they deserved to be killed, swearing by God, that he would take care [Page 32]to have them killed; and this Informant hearing the Ambassador use at several times this Sort of Discourse, this Informant told him (as he used to be very free with the Ambassador) That his Ambassy in England was about the affair of the Kingdom of Portugal, and that he needed not trouble himself with any Body else, and that he should let the King of Englands Subjects live in Peace, to which the said Ambassador replyed, that for those great Mischiefs those Rascals had brought upon the Roman Catholicks, they deserved to be killed. And this Informant further sayeth, that a Month or five Weeks before the said Ambassador took leave of his Majesty of Great Brittan, upon his Return to Portugal, the aforesaid Francisco de Faria brought to the House of this Informant some Papers belonging to his said Son, that this Informant might keep them for him, and amongst the rest there was one which the Informant saw written with the Hand of the said Francisco de Faria, wherein were several Memorandums written in the Portuguese Tongue, with the Names of English Persons as may be seen by the said Paper, which the said Francisco de Faria took away afterwards out of the House of the said Informant. And this Informant further sayeth, that at that time when the Book made by Mr. Oats was published in French, being a Narrative of the Plot, the said Ambassador sent to buy one of them, which the Informant translated and read out of the French into Portuguese unto the Ambassador, who then spake verily angerly of Mr. Oats, and sayed that the Jesuits that had suffered died as Martyrs; whereunto this Informant replyed, that if they were so Zealous of their Religion, it had been better for them to have exercised it in Flanders and in other Parts, since they well knew, that if they were found in England, they were to be punished with Death, by the Laws of the Kingdom; and the Ambassador did also say that Coleman had suffered only [Page 33]for endeavouring to bring the Roman Catholick Religion again into England; and the Informant also sayeth, that the Paper annexed to which he has put his Hand is the same Paper of Memorandums before mentioned, which the said Francisco de Faria brought to the House of this Informant.
Translated out of Portuguese.
- TO take care to Kill Oates.
- To Kill Bedlow.
- To take care to Kill Lord Shaftsbury.
- To take care to Kill the Justice of Peace that lives in the Country.
- A Complement to the Queens Doctor.
- A Complement to the Lord Scroggs.
- The Letter that I was to send to Flanders by a man.
- [Page 34]About Friar Paulino, the Letter he wrote and sent to Portugal.
- About Madam Abergavenny and what she said to the Ambassador.
- The Porter of Summerset-House.
- To take care to Kill Oats and Bedlow.
- To take care to Kill Lord Shaftsbury.
- Madam Abergavenny what she said.
The following INFORMATION being Sworn unto at the same time, and the Matter therein contained relating to part of my Information in Page 29, I have with leave Inserted it at the End of this my Information. December 15th. 1680.
I Thomas Buss of the Parish of St. Margerets Westminister, Cook and Servant to his Majesty, in the Office of a Cook in his own Kitchin, as third Cook, called by the Name of Groom of the Kitchin, and being Master-Cook to their Graces the Duke and Dutchess of Monmouch, and in the Year of our Lord Christ 1678, when his Majesty was then, in the Month of September, at Windsor, I the said Thomas Buss, then waiting on their Graces, as abovesaid, was on the 13th. or 14th. of September, being on a Fryday, about seven of the Clock in the Morning to buy in such Provisions as was needful for his Graces Family, his Grace being then returned from the Battle of Montz, I by chance espyed Four of my Acquaintance talking together, viz. three Portugals, and one of them an English Man, and I having not seen the English Man of three or four Years before, then Saluted him by the Name of Father Hankinson, not knowing his Christian Name, in these Words of Father Hankinson, May I say by or to you, as God Almighty sayd to the Devil, Whence came you? or how shall I say to you? for he and I being acquainted ever since her Majesties first Arrival into England at Portsmouth, he the said Hankinson made me no other Answer, but, You will never [Page 36]leave your Old Drolling, but I having him by the Hand all this while, said, Well then come prethee from whence came you indeed? Why I came from Italy, and then two of the three Portugals left him, and one Portugal with me, and did ask him (he saying he came from Italy) if he had brought over any Bulls or Pardons from his Holiness the Pope, whereunto he did reply, You will never leave your drolling; and I did ask him when he arrived at the City of London, and then the other Portugal named Segnior Anthonio Fernandez turned from our Company over to the Fishermen that sate in the Market, which was not above a yard and a half distance from the place where we two then stood still talking, (their Majesties both being then at the Castle of Windsor) I there ask't the said Father Hankison if he did arrive at Windsor on the said Wedensday Night, or no, and he told me No, his Horse did tire, and it was late, so he stayed in Town all Night, and came for Windsor on Thursday the 13th. about four or five of the Clock in the Afternoon. Then I did ask of him, if he and I and three or four more of his old Acquaintance should not drink together before his Departure, for he was then in a travelling Posture? He told me by no means, for he was in great hast, for he was going about ten or twelve Miles to a Lords House, naming the Lords Name to me, but truly I did forget his Lords Name, but he told me. If he could dispatch betimes, to get to Windsor by four or five of the Clock in the Afternoon, then his other Acquaintances and I should Drink together, and then the said Father Hankison called over to the aforesaid Segnior Antonio Fernandez the Portugal aloud, and prayed him for Gods Sake to have a care of those four worthy Gentlemen the Strangers, and then I hearing him tell me that he came from Italy, (thinking they might be four of the Gentlemen of Italy, come over to see the Court of England) ask't him, what these Gentlemen were? and he told me they were four Irish Gentlemen, and called to the afore mentioned Segnior [Page 37]Antonio Fernandez, saying aloud as he did before, Segnior Antonio, Segnior Antonio, for Gods Sake have a great care of those four Gentlemen, worthy Gentlemen, the Irish Men, for they will do our Business in the Grace of God; and the said Segnior Antonio answered, And Grace of God I will have a great Care of them, in the Grace of God fear nothing. And so he the said Father Hankison, being about to be gone, well said I to him, if I shall see you no more, pray when do you leave England? Tomorrow. And then said I, whether then? For Paris, and then for Italy again. And then I bid him remember me to his Holiness the Pope, at which he did laugh, and told me, you will never leave your Drolling, and so we parted, and have not seen each other never since, nor thinking nothing of it more, till I reading Coleman's Papers, wherein I heard the Names of four Irish Ruffians named, should kill his Majesty, and I being his said Sworn Servant and bound by my Oath as his Majesties Servant, not to hear any Secret or publick Mischief, nor Treason against his most Sacred Majesty, but the same to reveal to some of his Majesties Officers, the which I did by Name to Sir Steven Fox, and he did order me to acquaint the Committee of Secrecy with it, and likewise I did acquaint Mr. Vernon, as Secretary and Steward to their Graces, the Duke and Dutchess of Monmouth, and my Superior Officer in their Family, and he liked it very well, and told me he would inform some of the Committee of Secrecy of it, and so he did, and I went before them at Serjeants Inn in Fleet-Street, and they did like the Information very well, for then they did want some to second Dr. Oats's Depositions, and at the Tryal of Councellor Langhorn, I was fetched by the under Sheriff from dressing their Graces Dinner, to give Evidence against the said Prisoner at the Bar, the which Evidence was after Oath taken, highly approved on there, and this aforenamed Segnior Antonio Fernandez sent for to the Court at the Old-Baily, by the Under-Sheriff with [Page 38]to the Earl of Ossory, to Speak to their Majesties, that the said Segnior Antonio Fernandez might be brought before the Court at the Old-Bayly, and he being brought before the Court, the Court ordered Sir George Jefferys, to take his Defence for himself, he making so weak a one, he then being the Recorder of London, sent the said Antonio by and with the Keepers to Newgate for the Matter of High Treason against his Majesty, where he lay till the end of the next Term, and then was Bailed out, and I was bound by Sir George Jefferys to prosecute, and did Appear, on Summons from Windfor at Sir George Wakemans Tryal, and never was once so much as called, nor a great many more, near seventeen or eighteen, and when the Court of Justice did rise, I asked Dr. Oats whether he or the Court had any other Business with me, and he told me no, so I returned to Windsor the same Night, and never heard more of it till this Sessions of Parliament.
Sworn by Order of the Lords Committees for Examinations &c. the 10th. of December 1680, before me.
Edmund Warcupp. Esqu
And now Reader give me leave to admire the Providence of God, that I Francisco de Faria should be brought from almost the utmost Parts of the far distant habitable World to be an Instrument here in England to detect, or at least more convincingly to prove the truth of those Horrid Treasons and Conspiracies, that have been for so long time as wickedly denyed, as impiously perpetrated; but I am answered, when I consider that the Judgements of God are Unsearchable, and that there is no Craft or Subtilty of Man, can hide or conceale those Impieties, and foul Conspiracies which God will bring to Light.