TO confute the many Lying and scan­dalous Pamphlets wherewith this age abounds, (to the prejudice of truth and continuance of our divisions, and so to the provoking of the wrath of God up­on a lying, and lye-believing generation) would be a busie and hard taske, because the Devill, the father of lyes is maliciously indu­strious, & his children numerous. Yet I cannot but take notice of one most eminently fals­hood, so as to contradict it by my knowledge: & I do it not so much to rebuke the informer as to undeceive the so simple people that are more ready to blieve such falshoods, then to indeavour to know the truth: as for those who are knowing and sober, I mistrust them not; because wise enough to discern not one­ly falshoods, but improbabilities also.

The Pamphlet wherein this monster lye [Page 2]is couched, bears the Title of A Message from the Isle of Wight, brought by Major Cromwell: wherein I find the pretended heads of Bishop Usher's Sermon at the Isle of Wight.

Now though I have more then a proba­ble conjecture, That the Bishops integritie so well known is a sufficient confutation of so ignorant and malignant an intelligencer as he that communicates those untruths: yet certainly those that live more remote, and have not the Cognizance of men by experi­ence, but by reports, had need be informed of the truth and falshood of such reports, lest our charity be overprest, and, not hea­ring those reports contradicted, may suspect, and at length believe what is not true; and therefore, being experimentally assured of the falsnesse of this report, I dare say he was nei­ther Scholler, nor good Christian, that gave that information: or if he had been truly a Gentleman or clearly rationall, hee would have been ashamed of his traducements. Sure it is he had malignity enough; and the De­vill his master in this trade of lying ought him a shame, and could pay him no better, then to stirre him up against the so well [Page 3]known truth and integrity of that pious man.

The first untruth is (That the Bishop of Armaugh hath much prejudiced the present Treaty.) The falshood of this may justly call all the rest in question; For 'tis very wel known, that no man hath been more faithfull in what he un­dertook then the good man accused; nor would have hazarded more in procuring a well-grounded Peace, then himselfe; and to then end improved his best interest; though this maligner hath thus reported.

2. The Informer saith, Hee sawned upon the King, flattering his Majestie?

Good Reader, judge whether the King were in a condition to be flattered? or whether the Bishop of Armaugh expected any prefer­ment from the King? 'Tis well knowne by them which know the Bishop, that hee nei­ther hopes for, nor cares for much in this world of what man can confer on him; and sure if he would be a flatterer, he tooke an ill aime, and a wrong person, to slatter the King is not now the thriving way; yet this accuser would faine make you forfeit your judge­ments, and charitie to this beliefe.

[Page 4] 3. That the Bishop being asked (by some of the Court) why he preached so to highten the King, at such a time as this? This is a meere fiction: none at Court asked this question; But that which makes this altogether improbable is the Bishops answer, as hee reports, That the Bishop excused it thus: That 'twas not preme­ditated what he preached; and that if anything gave offence, it was to be imputed to the distemper of his brain after his journey. Truly if the Bishop had made this excuse, I should have suspected indeed the distemper of his brain, and judge you whether ten dayes after he came into the Island were not sufficient to rest himself after his journey; and so long he was there ere he preached. Besides, the Bishop doth not preach nonsence, nor without premeditation at any time: sure he would not choose to doe it at such a time as that was: and, good reader, can you be drawn to imagine that the Bishop of Armaugh would preach so fillily on that text as those inferences are which this malig­ner sets down with as much boldnesse as ig­norance? I am at a blush for his folly.

Yet Imust confesse this much of what he writes is true, That the Bishop preached on [Page 5]that text cited by him, and the former part of his fourth inference, that it was his Majesties 49 year, the year of Jubilie, and he hoped 'twould prove so to his Majest: but the last clause is most false, viz. (that he said, His Majesty was more strictly dealt withall.)

So that of seaven inferences which he notes, six of them are utterly false, and the seaventh but halfe true. And thus much hee avoucheth, who himselfe was a more faithfull and indifferent hea­rer then he who hath laboured to defile the reputation of him whose Innocencie will one day plead for him, when such a man as this infor­mer shall not be able to stand in the judgement.

Now concerning his whole carriage at the Isle of Wight, nothing but envy can asperse his inte­gritie and zeale for an happy accommodation 'twixt the King and his people. and to this, be­sides the Testimony of his own conscience, hee hath good witnesses, if they will speak but what they know of him. And as for such as are of none, or of small reputation, it is not much to the pur­pose what they say. And therefore I presume I need say no more to satisfie any sober and unbia­sed in this point: though I might have said more to the informers refutations. But the folly of his [Page 6]madness is and wil be sufficiently made known. And in the mean time I have a word of advice to him for his good; First, to repent for the falshoods he hath uttered; and confesse and be sorry that he hath wronged a servant of Christ, and lest in stead of such a rebuke as this, the wrath of God come upon him, if after this time he sin wilfully again in this kind, for no lyar shall enter into the kingdom of God. I have a word likewise to the over credulous people; be not you deceived, nor believe every report, for he that receiveth, and he that telleth lyes, are both in the same transgressi­on. To backbite, and to take up a reproach against another, are the symptomes of such as have no dwelling in the holy hill, Psal. 15.3. And as for the Bishop of Armaugh, I need say nothing to him, he knows how to bear with patience all re­proaches, and stripes of invenomed tongues, and to contemn them (as things farre beneath him:) and if any of you will yet be more vile, more ma­licious against him, his return would be, not to bring rayling for rayling, but blessing for cursing; & at the extremity, but, The Lord rebuke thee, Iude v. 9.

Thus much I could not but say to so bitter an accusa­tion and unjust, untrue, I commit all to he knower of hearts, who will one day discover, Hypocrisies and lyes, and render proportionably to their deservings.