AN ANSWER IN Just vindication of some religious and worthy Gentlemen of Pembrokeshire.  
Against a scandalous Pamphlet published in print by one John Poyer late Mayor of Pembroke.  
Set forth by such as have been eye-witnesses of of the affairs of that County, from the beginning of these unnatural wars, who love Truth and Justice, hate Oppression and falsehood.  
Auritis denis oculatum testibus unum  
Cur praefers? audis nam, Poyer, ipse malè.  
As also the Petition of Mr. Nathaniel Cradock, a very godly Preacher to the Honourable Committee of the House of Commons in Parliament concerning plundered Ministers, of intolerable abuses done him by the said John Poyer, with several Orders, Certificates, and Letters concerning that business.  
London Printed, 1646.   

To the Reader.  
THe following Vindication was drawn up and finished within three days after sight of the Relation, and was presently intended for the press; but there being a rumour of a second part to be set forth by another hand within few days, it was thought fit to expect that also for preventing trouble of a second Impression. This second hath not yet appeared, and therefore it is requisite no longer to defer the disabusing of them that have seen and read the Relation, who by this time perchance have passed their verdict, and taken all for granted, because not gainsaid. The Author of the Relation hath had notice of this Answer: and the Reader is moved in arrest of Judgement to peruse the Vindication before sentence. 'Tis hoped this motion will easily be granted by the moderate Intelligencer, who this week hath begun to deliver his opinion in this matter upon hearing of one side. It is presumed the case being truly stated, and both parties with their proofs heard, will both alter his opinion in this matter, and keep him within the limits of moderation, which is very much desired.   

An Answer, in just vindication of some Religious and Worthy Gentlemen of Pembrokeshire.  
IN pursuance of the Relation, as it lies, this following Discourse must pass through these two Stages, Truth, and impartial Dealing, (both which are bawked by the Relator in every line) so that if the Reader please to cast his eye upon the Relation first, and then peruse this Vindication, he will find every thing in charge either convinced of untruth, partiality, or both. It was long after the beginning of these unhappy differences between King and Parliament, that the marquess of Hertford came to Carmarthen, the battle of Edghill being then fought in Octob. 1642. at which time the Gentry were by him first summoned to appear; nor were the Summons otherwise then by particular Letters directed, only to some few Gentlemen of that County; whereby it is evident, no general appearance was intended. The marquess declared, his Majesty had received Supplies of Men, arms, and Money, out of all other Shires of Wales, except that County, and therefore required the like compliance. To which answer was returned by the sheriff (a discreet man, now a colonel in the Army,) and those few Gentlemen present, That the Irish Rebels did daily infest their Coast, and therefore neither men nor arms could be spared; and to the Money they pleaded losses by Sea, and non ability. With which Answer, the marquess not satisfied, commands the sheriff to summon the Country to Haverford, where Contribution being motioned by the sheriff, in pursuance of his lordship's Commands, nothing was concluded, all Parties declined, and the marquess went for England. That negotiation thus finished, a calm continued several months after; nor was there any such labouring or entreaties for gaining parties to either side, as the Relator pretends, nor was there any party at all, or division for a long time after; nor any Commission of Array published or executed; nor Master Elliot Commissioner, or Master Lort, Treasurer of that Committee, there being then no Committee in that County. Neither was there any such thing executed by them, or any such Warrants thundered forth, as is injuriously related: the said particulars being no other than a fardel of untruths. And here doth the Relator (to save his credit) slip over a great hiatus and interval of time (almost a whole year) without mentioning one syllable of a Treaty, Agreement, and Subscription to an Association with Carmarthen and Cardigan Shires; wherein to prevent the Lord Herbert's Command over those Counties, (who was a notorious Papist, and had Commission from the king to be Lord Lieutenant of South Wales) the Earl of Carbery was made Commander in chief by the consent and Subscription of all the Justices of Peace, and Gentry of that County, except only two or three Officers of the soldiery, who kept within the strong town and Castle of Pembroke. And now see how the design was laid and carried; some of these Gentlemen who had subscribed the Association, betook themselves into Pembroke about May▪ 1643. an (not intending at first to be seen in the head of any Party themselves) they set up one Poyer, a man of mean birth and education, brought up by Master John Meurick, Customer of Milford, first a boy in his kitchen, than groom of his Stable, after in the Trade of a Glover, one of such impudent rudeness, that few Gentlemen (though desirous to have served the Parliament, and have made their abode in that Town) could endure his insolency. Now was Poyer made forthwith Deputy-Mayor of Pembroke, (though the Mayor himself resided in town) he commands all, first violates the Peace, goes with some Horse to Tinby, a town then well affected, and (pretending a friendly visit) seizes upon the Ordnance, drives the townsmen into the Steeple, than departs jeering at their distracted fears, without any Guard left for preserving the town for the Parliament. Hence the source and fountain of that Counties calamity, and of Poyers' rising. Hereupon the Mayor and Aldermen of Tinby (thus affrighted) call a council, where is resolved, that two of them, (viz.) Thomas Wyatt Mayor, and Evan long Alderman, should ride to the Earl of Carbery, who accordingly did the day following, and procured him to send down two Companies of Foot, which are received, and Tinby Garrisoned for the King. All this was so suddenly done, in the midst of Harvest, 1643. that the whole County stood amazed in great perplexity; the occasion whereof proceeded merely by that ill carriage of the Deputy Mayor of Pembroke, yet by the Relation injuriously cast upon Master Lort and Master Elliot, who were then many miles absent, and in no wise privy to any part of the design. After this, not many days passed before the Earl of Carbery and Judge Jenkins came with Supplies of Horse and Foot to Tinby, the Judge being sent (as was conceived by many that knew the Earl's carriage and inclination) of purpose to observe the others actions and demeanour: The Judge frames the Warrants, and the Earl subscribes the Summons, first to the Gentry, after to the rest of the County. Some of the Gentlemen (that had formerly subscribed the Association) appear either there or at Haverford; some few of the Subscribers keep in Pembroke, yet with correspondence, relation of friendship, and presents to the Earl at Tinby. In October following, Poyer (raised from his deputation to be Mayor Paramount) subscribes an Instrument, whereto he affixes the town Seal, in haec verba. (viz.)  
WE the Mayor, bailiffs, Burgesses and Inhabitants of the Town of Pembroke, whose names are subscribed, do sincerely, on the faith of loyal Subjects, declare, That we will, with our lives and fortunes, defend his Majesty, his royal person, crown and Dignity; and for the town and Castle of Pembroke, we do further declare on the like faith, That we shall to the utmost of our endeavour, preserve and defend the same, against all such as shall force a Garrison on the said town and Castle, and all other Forces under the name of King and Parliament, or any other. And we do further declare, That we will keep the Town and Castle for his Majesty, and no other; And we do heartily desire the wonted Trade and Commerce with the County and Towns therein, and our neighbouring Counties and towns, as also a free Trade and Commerce by Sea and Land. For assurance whereof we have fixed, &c.  
Which Instrument was by him sent to the said Earl at Tinby, to be presented his Majesty, which was done accordingly. Thus was the state and condition of that County in October, 1643. before the Oxford journey, which is not mentioned in the Relation, till after a preposterous insertion of some of the Mayors vain glorious acts and achievements; by which method, as well as by the stile of the Relation, partiality of the discourse, and by the dispersing the Books with his own hand to his acquaintance in London, the reader may perceive, the late Mayor of Pembroke doth appear himself to be the notorious Relator.  
To proceed, therefore to unveil the naked truth, and wipe off the fucus he hath put upon his seeming glorious actions. Whatsoever the Relator saith to the contrary, Pembroke had both Walls and Gates repaired long before, Tinby, Haverford West, and Carew, were secured; nor were those places secured, but by the said Earls and Judge Jenkins' means, and by their Forces, after the taking of Tinby. Nor were the said Walls or Gates repaired at the charges of the said late Mayor, the mentioned Ship being not his, but properly belonging to one Jenkins of Cowbridge, and the decayed Walls were repaired by the Inhabitants respectively, as every part fronted their Burgesses.  
Captain Swanley, at his first coming, paid for what victual he had of the Country, and was forced to depart for want of more. The Ship so much discoursed of in the Relation, for the rare manner of surprisal, was indeed no prize at all, but the vessel afterwards restored (by Order) to the owners, and the valiant surprise was in truth by drinking the captain drunk, which the Relation attributes to God's blessing and the mayor's virtue. Then follows the second adventure upon another small Ship without Guns, related to be taken by volleys of two small pieces of Ordnance and Musketeers in two Boats, which indeed was a remarkable piece of gallant service: This vessel (now furnished with men and Arms, having none before) takes another, laden with Salt; and all this his own every groat, no part accounted for to the State, either of Ship or Goods, yet hath he the face now to petition the Parliament, for no less than four thousand pound disbursements, which is desired may appear in particulars, that the State be not cozened; as also what Receipts in balance. But to proceed, The Relation sets forth these gallant actions, done before the going of Sir Richard Philips, Master Lort, Master Elliot, and Master Bowen, to Oxford, which is as true, as that they had presented the King with great sums of money, and desired a Commander in chief, &c. than which never was printed Story of less truth; for these Gentlemen, with Sir Hugh Owen, burgess of the Parliament for Pembroke, and Master Lewis Barlow, (whom the Relator partially mentions not) were compelled much against their frequent and earnest desires, with threats of present imprisonment, and loss of their Estates (then in the enemy's power) to go with the Earl in nature of disaffected persons to his Majesty, as appeared by the King's confinement of them at first sight, and their great expense and long continuance at Oxford, before they could be discharged, having not carried with them so much money as did defray their eating charges. Where, during their abode, they were all frequently reviled openly, called traitors and Roundheads, and otherwise abused; and yet they would not pay any Fines, nor take pardons as some others of that County did, and importuned them to do the same.  
And touching a Commander in chief, the Association long before Subscribed, had determined that, and the Earl of Carbery was Commissioned accordingly, and did execute the place some Months before the Oxford journey; but the sending of Shipping with Ordnance and Ammunition from Bristol to secure the Harbour of Milford, was done by Sir John Pennington, one whom they never knew, nor had any knowledge of, nor action in, that design, as the Relator falsely and maliciously suggesteth. And now the Relator mentions Mr. Lorts House garrisoned, which in truth was no other then by his own Servants, not a soldier of the King's party there; and this defence made for preservation of his Goods, occasioned by the Mayor of Pembroke's threats of plundering and actual taking away of his cattle.  
Mr Bowens House was not garrisoned by him, but by the Earl of Carbery, yet charged upon Mr Bowen in the relation: which is as true as that five hundred pound was proffered for the Mayor of Pembroke's head: Credat Judaeus Apella: for those that knew the Mayor can assure the Reader, the Enemy might have had him theirs soul and body better cheap. Now comes Captain Swanley into the relation and Harbour the second time, at whose arrival (and not before) the Relator begins to mention Major general Laugharns first motion in the Parliaments service, and his Commission of colonel from the Earl of Essex, who joining with the Relator (mark the arrogance) and some few Seamen, stormed the Houses of Stackepool and Trelloyne. Thus the Relation. But the truth is, admiral Swanley's arrival (whom the Relator slightly mentions here, and disgracefully elsewhere) was the prime instrumental cause of the Parliaments Successes in those parts. And his seamen under the Command of Captain Whitty had the mannagery of the active part of the Service in taking of the two mentioned Houses, and Pill, and Tinby. Nor was there any achievement in those times wherein the Seamen had not at least their equal share of Honour: witness the Relations in Print. As for the Author of this new Relation, he was not at the taking either of the Houses, or the Pill Fort, as is untruly by him alleged, but was then safe within the walls of Pembroke Town and Castle: indeed at Tinby Siege he at last appeared, where when he saw the Enemy give fire, he was observed to duck his head. But the Relation proceeds to Trelloyne House, which was taken not by storm, as is related, but by Composition; nor was the House of Mr Lort Stormed; but taken by a wile, and plundered while Mr Lort was in Tinby detained, and confined within that Town by the than Governor thereof; because he would not declare himself for the King against the Parliament, and admit a Garrison of the King's soldiers into his House of Stackepool.  
Shortly after the advance to Carmarthensheire, Laugharn Castle taken by the Mayor of Pembroke, is related as a special note of his Service done in absence of the general (a most valiant piece) there being then neither Enemy nor resistance. And now from Laugharn at the March to Carmarthen, he wonders where the Pembrooksheire Gentlemen are, when surely he cannot, without malicious blindness, but see all present that were able to march. And Sir Richard Phillips with his two sons: and Mr Elliot in the head of a Reserve of Horse at the conflict, before the Town was gained: only Mr Lort being extremely plundered of his Horse, and Arms, &c. was before the advance bound for London, with admiral Swanley, who was then sent for home by the State. Here the Relator maliciously upbraids Captain Swanley for feasting and entertaining Mr. Lort a Shipboard after his voluntary coming in, according to the Declaration of both Kingdoms, and taking the national Covenant, who since that time hath served the Parliament with all faithfulness and integrity, and in conformity to their Ordinances and Commands: Whereas the Mayor of Pembroke in September last did feast the Cavaliers upon a Fast-day, and drink himself and them drunk in a beastly manner, but must be past by in silence. He proceeds to relate the coming down of Gerrard, where he inserts himself as well in the defensive as the active part of that War, whereas in truth he seldom stirred out of Pembroke, (where the Enemy came not all that Summer) nor did ever charge any Enemy in his own person. He talks of buying Arms at unreasonable rates out of the Ships for the men he entertained, which Arms he afterwards compelled the poor country Neighbours to pay for, at more unreasonable rates than he bought them. A little after he falls upon Captain Swanley again, and Captain Smith, enviously jeering at their Gold-chains, falsely and arrogantly terming himself the Actor, them but Assistants to the service of those parts. All which, how varying from truth, let the reducing of Pill-Fort, and Tinby demonstrate, with the Action wherein Captain Smith was slain.  
In the same page with the like impudence, he charges Mr Elliot, Mr Lort, and Mr Bowen, with the chiefest delinquency in that County. And first says they were sworn to the King's party; whereas in truth they never took any Oath at all but the national Covenant, and as Committees of Parliament since these Wars began. Secondly, that they were the causers of all the bloodshed of those parts; which is a thing so notoriously false, that an invention purely hatched in Hell cannot add to the forgery; nor can any instance be given, wherein any of them were at any time the cause of shedding blood. The succeeding Narration is hammered in the same forge; he tells the Reader that (after Captain Swanley's last arrival) the new Committee questions him at Haverford, by what Authority he raised the Forces in Pembroke: Whereas this Question was never raised by the new Committee at Haverford or elsewhere; but by the old Committee at Pembroke (long before Captain Swanley's last return) upon the motion and desire of the general there in person. To which the Mayor replied, that the Committee had no power to examine him, or to sit in that Town; and though the Ordinance of Parliament was then read, and showed unto him, he would not obey. Whereby the Committee were compelled to depart, and to keep their residence at Haverford, within three miles of Gerrard's head-quarter. Whereupon the Major general collecting the Relators aim to be independent to his Commission, makes Lieutenant Jones Captain of the Troop which formerly went under the Relators Command.  
And now he sets forth in his Relation that the troops of Horse and Dragoons, with the Arms, were his own proper Goods; whereas the contrary is a known truth, that both Horses and Arms were taken up by him out of that County without any consideration given (to this day) by him or any other. And for the payment of these men, their proportion did many times exceed the other soldiers pay, even to the hazard of mutiny. As for the Committees carriage in that County, it hath been without self-ends, their attendance in the Service being hitherto wholly upon their own private purse, and not upon the public Charge. They have not been backward in laying sums upon themselves particularly for the public use, besides the payments of their proportion respectively in every general rate with the country. Nor hath any Committee in England more willingly engaged their estates for the maintenance of this Cause; as appears by several great sums borrowed by them of several persons in London, and elsewhere, for the service of the State. For which already some of them have been imprisoned here, and others (if not prevented by the State) like to suffer. What Committee of other Counties have willingly given so much free quarter in their own Houses as they have done to the soldier in that County? This and much more will be made appear, to the shame of the false and scandalous aspersions of the impudent Relator.  
Upon the second advance to Laugharn it is also most untrue, that the provisions sent from Pembroke to the Army were any other than the country Store. The Ammunition likewise related to be purchased by the mayor's purse, was of Captain Swanley's Ship provision, and the States goods; whereof the Relator hath yet great quantities left unspent, and none hitherto accounted for; and though he hath been by Warrant sent for to that end by the Committee of Accounts, yet hath he contemptuously disobeyed, run out of Town, and made no appearance.  
In the next place, one falsehood again appears in the neck of another: First, he says Laugharn Castle was taken by storm: how was it then, that the governor and soldiers departed upon quarter? Secondly, the Relator says he marched to Cardigan with the Army, and there took both Town and Castle by storm; How came it then to pass that he did not come within twenty miles of the Town and Castle of Cardigan from the first to the last of that siege? but perfidiously attempted to draw the soldier's home to Pembroke from the Major general's Army, because he was not permitted by the soldier to carry away the plunder he had engrossed at Laugharn. As touching the Committees sending to the Relator to deliver up Carew Castle to Sir Richard Phillips, it is answered, they did it upon good grounds, and by consent of the Major general; but that Sir Richard had formerly delivered it up to the Enemy is most abusively false.  
In the next Section he acquaints you, that he had exhausted his own Stock by clothing, paying, and maintaining his men. His own stock before these Wars could not be exhausted, being no visible thing, either in Land or Goods; and the truth is, the clothes his men had, were received by him of the Committee, and the money which he paid them (if any) was out of Rents belonging to the State collected by him, and refused to be accounted for; which was the cause that (by general Vote of the Committee) he was stayed by Captain Swanley: yet to this day hath he obstinately refused to account. Concerning the stopping of his man and Letters to the Parliament, there was no such stop or directions from the Committee, but both man and Letters did pass without contradiction; Nor had Captain Swanley reason to deliver him clothes and Salt, or what else of the States Goods by him desired, without Order of the Committee, which was by the Relator scorned and despised: yet now the Relator desireth, whatsoever hath been acted by him without order (though maliciously, and of set purpose) may not be interpreted by the Parliament to be done in contempt of their power; but rather to impute it to his want of knowledge and necessity: and then appeals to his Actions (which if you will believe him) were chiefly for the public good; when in truth his endeavours were for self-ends merely, and to colour rapine.  
Thus hath he brought the Story down to Gerrard's return in April last, and skipping over his loss of Carew Castle, falls upon the Committee (his old friends) who instead of assisting him (he tells you) some ran to the Enemy (these would be known) others ran a shipboard (these could do no less) the Relators abusing of them a little before, and the drunken rule he kept in Pembroke, was motive sufficient to avoid coming thither: but more of that anon. The correspondence with Gerrard, and the Committees leaving word at their Houses, that they were prisoners aboard the Ships, with Captain Swanley's not affording Ammunition, while to be spared, is the Relators own fiction. But that some of the Committees aboard betook themselves to London, seeing the country fired by the Enemy, is confessed, yet not acknowledged an offence, because they had the consent of most of the rest of their fellows to go thither, and to represent the sad condition of the County to the State, who did accordingly solicit for relief and procured it. Good reason had they (at their coming to London) to complain of the Relator for beating, and thereby expelling their Ministers out of the country, and for other public and personal abuses; his tyranny over the well affected being not inferior to Gerrard's cruelty.  
Now follows in the Relation the siege and defence of Pembroke, where assuming all to himself, he mentions not the Major general until Colby-moore Victory, and there would share in the honour of that Action too, although many miles absent from the place. After this he tells you of the reducing of some places, and leaving his men with the Major general (no small favour you'll say) passing many dangers in his journey, he at last arrives in London; where no sooner come, but he presently boggles at the Committee of Pembrookesheire. Then he talks of (he knows not whom) but still they are of the Committee, that sure, 'twas they that called him out of his name at the parliament-door, though none of them there: yet resolved it is, it must be they or nobody. And the Lord Mountnorris, a person of known eminent integrity and impartiality in the ways of public Justice, and opposition of tyranny and oppression (because father in law to Mr Lort) is brought in by the Relator in a parenthesis stuffed with untruth; wherein he falsely sets down that Mr Lort was forced by him to a compliance with the Parliament; whereas the Relator appeared not in any Service out of the Town of Pembroke until after Mr Lort took the national Covenant, who came in voluntarily to Captain Swanley, and was received by the admiral and Committee, according to the Declaration of both Kingdoms, in Febr. 1643. But the Relation sets forth that the thing objected by the Committee, and their friends here against the Relator, is, that he is a mean man, and hath acted without Commission, not fit to be trusted; which whether true or false, let the impartial Reader pass sentence upon perusal of this vindication. And now for a farewell, he bids defiance to his accusers in proving any disservice to the public, though he confesses some faults, but in implicit terms. Here shall issue be joined with the Relator, and now having run through the substance of the whole Relation, the Reader is desired to peruse the Epitome of the Relators behaviour in that County laid down briefly thus.  
The manner of his Rise is already set forth; his endeavour since hath always been to engross plunder in all places to the advance of his private interest, whereof nothing hath come amiss of what kind soever, though contrary to Order, (viz.) Arms, Iron, Lead, &c. in August 1644. great store of Wheat, malt, and other provision brought into the Garrison of Pembroke, he converts it into biscuit and drink, sells it to his own use. The like he did with Corn brought in by the country for provision of Carew Garrison, and when he had sold it, billeted the soldiers of that Garrison abroad on the poor adjacent Inhabitants upon free Quarter. If at any time he heard the Committee had sequestered (according to Ordinance of Parliament) any malignant's estate near Pembroke, thither would he go with Armed men, carry away, and sell the wood, corn, cattle, &c. in mere contempt of Parliament, and for his own private unjust gain. If he could learn where any Money was to be had in the neighbourhood, he commands the party, though well affected, into Pembroke, imprisons him until he pays what sum he imposes. This hath he done since a Committee settled there by Ordinance, and thereby hath gotten great sums of money. At other times he plays the Freebooter, takes away all he can lay hands upon, makes men buy their Freedom, than takes them the second time, terms them Bumkins, and puts them to ransom as often as he pleases. Abuses the Committee of Parliament, calls them Common thieves, imprisons five of them at once, one at another time, runs at them with his Sword, strikes admiral Swanley to the effusion of his Blood, while he was in Command there by Ordinance of Parliament; shamefully beats two Orthodox godly Ministers preferred to two Livings in that County by this Parliament; stirs up the soldiers to mutiny against the Committee, for Money, who with Pistols, Spans, and Matches lighted, threaten to have their heart's blood, and after abuses their persons in several places of the country; He feasts the Cavaliers prisoners in Pembroke upon the Fast-day in September last, receives the Sacrament, and drinks himself drunk with the prisoners the same day. Another time rides up and down the country between Haverfordwest and Pembroke, and presents his Pistols at all the poor people he meets in his way, compels them to fall down upon their knees and beg their lives of him, than rides on in triumph; These are some of the Relators Services, who before these Wars began had neither Lands nor Goods of value, now hath near 400 head of cattle, and is grown rich; yet demands four thousand pound more of the Parliament, and so would injure and deceive the Parliament as he hath done the country. All which particulars are truths that will be manifested by clear and apparent proofs upon oath, and have been with many more misdemeanours presented in Articles by the public Agent of that County to the Honourable House of Commons in July last, and shortly after to the honourable Committee of both Kingdoms. Now let the Reader judge whether this man hath made good his defiance of any disservice done by him to the State.  
In the conclusion of his Pamphlet the Relator blushes not to term himself the mouth of that County to the Parliament, and desires if he hath done amiss, the country may not be blamed, who have hoped they have served the public in serving him, Os durum, A mouth indeed! who can read this without blushing or indignation that knows the person or qualities of the man? There is a Gentleman (whom he pleases to traduce in his Relation) Mr Elliot by name, who is by general consent of the Committee of that County chosen Agent for those parts (whose merit transcends the Relators obloquy) having lost his whole Estate in Service of the Parliament, his house (a fair mansion) with his householdstuff, together with eight houses of his Tenants burnt to ashes in August, 1644. At Gerrard's first coming with his Army into Pembrookesheire, himself and his two sons taken prisoners by the Enemy, and (himself being afterwards exchanged) his eldest Son was indicted of Treason for bearing Arms against His majesty, and adjudged at Carmarthen by David Jenkins to be hanged. This Gentleman served the Parliament faithfully, and hath been one of the Committee of the three Counties of Pembroke, Carmarthen, and Cardigan-shiers for almost three years, and hath had two Sons constantly in the Service of the Parliament, under Command of Major general Laugharn. The Baronet (whom the Relator traduces) gave sufficient testimony of his integrity, and good affection to the Parliament, at the time the Earl of Carbery with his Forces was possessed of the whole County of Pembroke, except Castlematen Hundred and Pembroke Town, by sending a private Message to the prime Gentlemen then in Pembroke, to desire them speedily to send some Foot to garrison his Castle of Pictown, intimating his Gates should be open to receive them, and that they might with conveniency come up by water. Which being neglected, shortly after the Enemy took possession thereof for the King without his privity or consent. To conclude, this Noble Barronett, with Mr. Elliot and the other two gentlemen, (viz.) Mr. Lort, and Mr. Bowen, so often mentioned in the Relation, did jointly lay hold of the Declaration of both Kingdoms in February 1643. and took the national Covenant, contributed to the service of the Parliament proportionally to their abilities, and were made of the Committee for that and other Counties; wherein they have served the Parliament with all integrity, and for that Service have had their Houses burnt by Gerrard's Forces, and lost their personal estates to a greater value than any ten of the gentry in those parts. Now let the world judge whether in these times of professed and Covenanted Reformation, this Relator, quondam Mayor of Pembroke, be a man fit to have any trust, power, or authority over any who desire to be called Christians; and let them who have countenanced and defended him peruse this following Scripture:  Prov. 17. 15. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.  

At the Committee of the House of Commons in Parliament, concerning plundered Ministers, Novemb. 29. Ann. Dom. 1644.  
IT is this day ordered by the said Committee, that Nathaniel Craddock, Master of Arts, a Learned and Orthodox Divine, shall preach twice every Lord's day in the Parish Church of Pembroke, in the County of Pembroke, and shall have for his pains therein fourscore pounds per Annum out of the profits and revenues of the bishopric of St Davies to be quarterly paid. The first payment to begin at the Feast of the Annunciation of St Mary the blessed Virgin next: And the farmers and Tenants of the said bishopric are hereby required to pay the said fourscore pounds per Annum to the said Master Craddock, as they will answer the contrary at their perils, and the Committee for the said County are required to see this Order observed.  
John White.   

To the honourable Committee of the House of Commons in Parliament, concerning plundered Ministers,  
The humble Petition of Nathanael Craddock, Minister of God's Word.  
MOst humbly showing, that your Petitioner having for above twenty years continued a constant Preacher of God's word, in the parish of Egloyskimmin in county of Carmarthen in South-Wales, upon the lands of the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount Valentia; in which place the Petitioner did according to his poor abilities, faithfully discharge his duty, to the good contentment of all his Parishioners, and adjoining neighbours, as he hopeth, until he was by the cruel Enemy plundered of his books, and all his other goods, and forced to fly (for safeguard of his life) into Pembrokeshire, where this Honourable Committee taking notice of his distressed condition, were pleased by their Order dated the 29 of November 1644, to appoint him to preach twice every Lord's day in the Parish Church of Pembroke, and to have fourscore pounds per annum out of the profits and revevenues of the Bishop of St. David's, to be quarterly paid unto him, as by a copy of the said Order hereunto annexed may appear: and this Petitioner making his repair the 24 of April 1645, to Mr. John Poyer then Mayor of Pembroke, and in all respectful manner acquainting him with the Parliaments designing him to be Lecturer there, desiring his countenance and protection of him, the rather (with which I acquainted him) in that the day before I riding thorough the town, had a great stone of about three pound weight purposely thrown at me, which striking my horse, I narrowly escaped: he at the very first charged me to be a mischievous worker in the kingdom, revileth me, calling me stinking rascal, and stinking Scab, using many other reproachful and menacing speeches, pulleth me from off my horse, not only trampling my hat under his horses feet, but used his uttermost endeavour to ride over me; not herewith contented, he draweth his sword, and with his whole might smiteth me on the head, and then over the shoulders, and held the point of his naked sword for some while to my throat, swearing and threatening to kill me, if I would not go along with him; by which means, being in fear of my life, he enforced me again to take horse, and swearing, raging, and reviling of me, he laboureth my horse with his naked sword, and thus driveth me as fast as my horse was able to go before him, inscornfull and reproachful manner to Pembroke. Being thither come, I took sanctuary in a private house, for safety of my life, from his fury; from thence, notwithstanding all possible mediation of friends, that he would forbear me till the next day, being then very faint, sore, and feeble by his evil usage, he sends, and fetcheth me to his house with his soldiers in most disgraceful manner: Being come before him, and giving him all due respects, and standing in humble wise uncovered before him, he threw my hat twice at several times about the House, calling me again stinking Scab, with a furious and wrathful countenance, using many other ignominious and threatening speeches, to my great terror and public disgrace; and at last by mediation I was dismissed, and being forced for some time after, to keep my bed, and not able to write, I used the hand of another, to show my sufferings to the Parliament-Committee of that county, praying relief, but could get none there; but was necessitated to depart thence by shipping to London, where your Petitioner hath, and doth still continue in a distressed and miserable condition, being by the cruel beating and barbarous usage of the said John Poyer, ever since very greatly disabled in body and mind, not only unto the public ministry, but likewise unto his private studies, and thereby unfitting for public employment, becoming thereby (unto his more than ordinary grief) very little useful for the present in the Church of God; and however your Petitioner, most innocent of the least offence, suffered all these injuries, and many more too tedious and irksome to relate; yet the authority of Parliament was herein most affronted, in as much as the only cause of all his being thus cruelly used, was his signifying unto the said then Mayor of Pembroke, the Order of Parliament for his being Lecturer there.  
Wherefore he holds himself bound in duty, to make known to this Honourable Committee, these both so great contempts of so high authority, and so violent outrages and disgraces causelessly offered to him, God's poor and persecuted Minister, to the great scandal of Religion and public Justice, so much wanting in those parts; and humbly beseecheth, that in God's holy Name, fear and way, there may be such proceeding against so notorious a Delinquent, and for vindication and reparation of your poor Petitioner, as you in your wisdoms and Justice shall think fit.  
And he shall ever pray, &c.   

A brief relation of John Poyer late Major of Pembroke, his beating Mr. Evan Roberts a godly Minister.  
MAster Evan Roberts coming into Pembroke ferry-boat, he sitting in one end of the boat, and John Poyer in the other; after the boat had passed some part of the channel, high words passed between M. Poyer and the boat-men, a while after before the boat came near the shore, Poyer did strike one of the boat-men divers blows, so that he drew blood out of the man's brow with his cane, which M. Roberts seeing, entreated M. Poyer not to contend with the men in the boat, lest they should all miscarry; and told him, that if they offered him any injury, he might soon right himself when they came to shore: so soon as M. Roberts had spoken thus to him, he presently struck M. Roberts two or three blows with his cane, which he warded as well as he could, but not without some hurt, and great fear; and hasting to go out of the boat, the said Poyer struck him again a blow on the head, thereupon M. Roberts was compelled to hasten away from him, for fear of further danger.   

The copy of a Letter written by a godly person to M. Nathanael Craddocke from Pembroke, the 28. of October, 1645.  
WOrthy Sir, I salute you in the Lord, I hope of your kind acceptance of these my rude lines, though you might marvel, having no acquaintance with you, yet your goodness being such, as will not refuse any friend, that desires the furtherance and enlargement of the gospel of Christ, and the suppressing the Enemies thereof: you were of late given us for our pastor by that pious House of Parliament, but opposed by that vicious man who hates all goodness, and good men, that he fears will reprove his wicked courses, which is abominable, and rather grows worse than any way mends; for he that hates to obey God and his Word, will surely hate God's Servants, and Ministers, he hath many times rejected the good admonitions of our reverent late deceased M. Jesop, he showed his wickedness towards him to the end. I need not repeat it, for you know it, and for your abuses, it was not only to you, but to us who have had a great loss by his wickedness (I mean John Poyer) he is the subject of my discourse, who drove you from us, and now we are left without a Teacher, and have not had a Sermon in four or five weeks, but one the last Wednesday in September, which was used to be our Fast-day, according to the command of Parliament, but was left quite by Poyer long since; but as I said before, on the last Wednesday in September, he going out of his Office shortly, would leave some show of piety, he thought, caused warning thereof the Lord's day before, of the Fast, and a Sacrament on that Wednesday, and brought Mr. Rud a notable Cavalier, to preach, who commended them for keeping the Book of Common Prayer, and not using the Directory that was out, and wished them to hold fast that book: So Sermon being ended, and the Sacrament, he forgot his humiliation and feasted his Preacher, but especially some Cavalier captains, and Commanders, that are prisoners here, them he kept until it was very near night, drinking Sack and strong Beer, (as they themselves reported) but were so drunken, that they could scarce go, but did reel in the street and ready to fall, scarce able to get to their lodging from Poyers' house: It was a great grief to me, and some of my friends that saw it, how God's Word and Ordinance, is made a cloak for his villainy, and now he is going for London to get to be governor of this town, which if he gains, not any that bears the name of an honest Christian shall be able to live here. Therefore I beseech you in the name and for the mercies of Jesus Christ, withstand it as much as you may, and acquaint the Parliament of his unjust carriages, and we shall not fail in our prayers for you, and that you may be given us to the building of us in Christ, which the Lord of mercy, for his Son Jesus Christ's sake grant us, and keep you and us, to whose almighty tuition I leave you, and rest,  
Pembroke, 28. October. Your loving Friend in the Lord.   

I Francis▪ Viscount Valentia, do hereby testify to all to whom these presents shall come, that I have known M. Nathanael Craddocke to be a constant painful Preacher of God's Word, upon my Lands, in the Parish of Egloyskimmin, in the County of Carmarthen, above twenty years, and that he hath always had the reputation and esteem of as powerful, religious, and godly a Preacher, both in his own Parish, and in other places, as any in those parts: a man of an humble and meek spirit, and of godly life and conversation, beyond all exception; and for such a one esteemed by all honest men, who know him. He was plundered of all his books and other goods by the enemy, and forced to fly, for the safety of his life, into Pembrokeshire, where the Committee of Parliament for plundered Ministers recommended him to be Lecturer in the town of Pembroke, but he was there so inhumanly beaten, vilified, and reproached, as he was enforced to take shipping for London, where he now remains in much want and misery, being (by the cruel beating and barbarous usage which he received in Pembrokeshire) ever since very greatly disenabled, not only unto the public ministry, in the exercise whereof he was very laborious, but likewise unto his private studies, and thereby fitting of himself for public employment, becoming thereby (unto his more than ordinary grief) very little useful for the present in the Church of God; for whose relief in his distressed condition, I am an humble suitor to those who have power and means to grant it, and do conceive it cannot be better placed upon any Divine within the Dominion of Wales. In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my hand, this first of October. 1645.  
Fra. Valentia.   

The Certificates of the honourable Sir Robert Harley, Knight of the Bath, Mr. Stephen Martial, and Mr. Richard Vines concerning Mr. Nathaniel Craddocke.  

I Have long known M. Nathanael Craddocke, and am persuaded that he is a godly man and a good preacher.  Ro. Harley.  

BEing desired to certify my knowledge of Nathanael Craddocke, I can do no less then certify all whom it may concern, that I have been acquainted with him above twenty years, and that while he lived in these parts, he was a godly, painful humble man, and have often heard, that he so continued and walked, since his going into Wales.  Stephen Martial.  

I do know M. Nathanael Craddocke, to be a very godly man.  Richard Vines.   

Imprimatur. Gilbert. Mabbott, Deputat. Joh. Rushworth.