Forgery Detected, AND Innocency Vindicated. BEING A faithful Account of the seasonable Discovery of an Horrid and Detestible Slander raised on the Anabaptists of New-England, in that Diabolical Pamphlet, entitled, Mr. Baxter baptised in Blood; designing so maliciously the Reproach and Exposure of all under that Denomination. Mat. 11.12. Blessed are ye when men shall Revile you, and Persecute you, and shall say all manner of Evil against you falsely, etc. Psal. 120.2, 3. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from Lying lips, and from a Deceitful Tongue. Psal. 35.11. They laid to my charge things that I knew not. London, Printed by J. D. for Fr. Smith at the Elephant and Castle in Cornhill, near the Royal Exchange, and at the same Sign first Shop without Temple-Bar, 1673. Forgery Detected, etc. IT hath been always the Malicious Practice of that grand Slanderer Satan and his Instruments, since the first times of Christianity, when they could not resist the Power of Religion, to defame the Persons and Assemblies of all Christians, with foul and hateful Crimes laid to their charge; putting them into Skins of Beasts, that Dogs might devour them, as appears by the Apoligies of Tertullian, and other of the Ancients, who wrote in their behalf. By which it appears that those Defamations fixed no lasting blot upon Men and Meetings, unless with some Rash and very Credulous Persons. But this unparallelled Slanderer hath hatched a Forgery beyond all Story, not only under the specious pretence of Piety (intitling God himself, his holy Word, and all that is sacred therein) but set forth with the formalities of Names, Speeches, Actions, Time and Place; Orderly & most Pathetically discribing the most Execrable Murder that ever was known; Exceeding the Cruelties of the most Savage Heathen; And as his own words to the life expresseth it, such a villainy which the Myrmidons, and Scythians in the midst of Barbarism itself never heard of, viz. of first Stripping and cruelly Whipping, then Unboweling and Flaying alive a Reverend Godly Minister in his own House, in the midst of the howling Groans and Scriching of his dear Relations lying bound before him; And this by Anabaptists, and that for no other provocation, but being worsted by him in Disputation. And the better to create belief, this dreadful Story must here be made public by his pretended Mournful Brother, as a known Inhabitant in this City, and the real Stamp of Public Allowance (suruptitiously obtained, to avow the truth thereof) put upon it. That by so feigning (yet credibly relating the Fiction of this unspeakable Villainy perpetrated in New-England by such Anabaptists that never were) he might bring into Obloquy, Hatred, and Hazard, all of that name in other places, as accessary to a Murder done, which was never done. And may it not be truly said that the Bounds of Christian Profession are not wide enough to afford us an Example parallel to the prodigious Malice of this lying Defamer, pretending this horrid Fact as done by Anabaptists, that he might the better expose the whole Profession of them in all Parts, though never so Innocent, to the Hatred and Rage of the People in all places against them; the whole design of the Pamphlet being no other than to put them into Sambenita's, that is, painting them like Devils, both in corrupt Doctrines, and wicked Conversations, that he might render them the more odious and obnoxious throughout the World; concluding it in these words, viz. I have penned and published this Narrative in perpetuam rei memoriam, that the world may see the Spirit and Temper of these Men, and that it may stand as an Eternal Memorial of their Cruelty and Hatred to all Orthodox Ministers. But thanks be to the God of Truth and Righteousness, who hath timously and seasonably discovered so horrible a Slander and Imposture, by the arrival of a Ship which came from New-England, above twenty days since this Murder was said to be committed; the Master of which Ship, and a Merchant living at Boston in New-England, the place where this Fact is said to have been acted, testifying upon Oath that they knew of no such Fact, no such Persons, either Murdering or Murdered; Nor any Causes or Circumstances, of any such deed done, in the place from whence they came, or in the whole Plantation of New-England; and that they hold it for a mere Fable and absurd Fiction, as appeareth by the Affidavit itself before the Lord Mayor, hereto annexed, viz. The Affidavits of the two New-England Men. RICHARD MARTIN, Master of the good Ship the Blossom of Boston, of New-England, Merchant; and HENRY MOUNTFORT of Boston aforesaid, Merchant, make Oath, That on the 26th Day of February last passed, they these Deponants set sail from Boston aforesaid, for the Port of London; and these Deponants also say, and affirm, that they the said Deponants for divers Years last passed have had their constant Residence and Abode in or near Boston, aforesaid; But these Deponants and either of them for himself saith, that they never heard of or knew any Minister called or known by the name of JOSIAH BAXTER, nor was there, to these Deponants Knowledge or Belief, any Dispute or Controversy whatsoever between the said BAXTER, and the ANABAPTISTS in New-England, of or concerning any Point of Religion: Neither was there any Report at Boston aforesaid, or any other Place in New-England, of or concerning any Murder pretended to have been committed upon the said BAXTER, or any other Person or Persons whatsoever by any ANABAPTISTS in New-England. And these Deponants do verily believe that the late Book entitled Mr. BAXTER baptised in Blood, is an absolute Pamphlet, and a very great Falsehood, for that these Deponants were residing at Boston aforesaid two and twenty Days after the said Murder (in the said Pamphlet mentioned) is pretended to have been committed. 21 May 1673. Ambo jurat. sure. coram me, RICHARD MARTIN. HENRY MOUNTFORT. RO. HANSON, Mayor. Hereupon the Lord Mayor was pleased by his Officers not only to interdict the vending the said scandalous Pamphlet, but to seize it in the hands of the Hawkers and Mercuries that sold the same, and to suppress a second Impression thereof in the Press, committing also to Prison several of the Publishers. And whereas this barbarous Murder is said to be published by Benjamin Baxter living in Fen-Church-street, the the mournful Brother of the said Josiah Baxter (falsely said to be murdered) whom after all our diligent search both in Fen-Church-street and elsewhere, we cannot find; as appears by the Testimony of the Churchwardens, Overseers, and Beadles of Fen-Church-street here following, Viz. The Certificate of the Officers of the Ward. WHereas We have lately seen a Pamphlet, entitled, Mr. Baxter baptised in Blood, said to be published by his mournful Brother, Benjamin Baxter living in Fen-Church-street, London, We the Churchwardens, Overseers and Beadles, do Certify that there is no such Man doth or hath within our memory lived in the two Wards of Aldgate and Longburne, in which Fen-Church-street is situate. To the Truth of which Attestation we whose Names are under-written, have set our Hands this present 27th day of May, 1673. Churchwardens. Thomas Bailiff Will. Wickins Gordard Fletch Thomas Fisher Overseers. Sam. Loveday Ralph Almond Beadles. Will. Tyrlington Thomas Smith It is true we find one William Baxter a Packer living in Fenchurch-Street, who declareth that he never had a Brother at Virginia or New-England; that he had never heard of this Josiah Baxter, a Minister, nor knew any thing at all of the Story or its writing or being published. We have by diligent search, providentially found out the first Publishers of this lying Pamphlet, one of whom by name Seymer (a pretended Doctor of Physic) we have met with; the other who is known by the name of Lawrance Savil (yet through guilt hiding his head) we have not met with; who confesseth himself (by a Letter to one of us) drawn in and cheated by this imaginary and supposititious Benjamin Baxter: but how likely a story he tells, and whether there is not good cause to conclude him the man himself, let the intelligent Reader judge by the perusal thereof, hereunto added, viz. Lawrance Savil's Letter. SIR, THE Doctor (viz. Seymer aforesaid) has urged and pressed me by several Letters to give the world a full and satisfactory account of this business of Mr. Baxters' Pamphlet: Mr. Benjamin Baxter, the Author of the late Pamphlet, about nine Weeks since insinuated into my Acquaintanice, first in Grays-Inn Walks, and afterwards at a Coffee-house in Holborn; I met him often in the Walks, from thence we went to the Coffee houses; I was well pleased with his Company, because he seemed an ingenious Person, a good Scholar, and an Orthodox Member of the Church of England; He used always to dispute against the Anabaptists, and in Coffeehouses to be so fierce in his Invectives against that Party, that sometimes he became ridiculous to the company; he would often much comment on the increase of that party. Afterwards he told me, he was composing a general History of the first Original and Progress of the Anabaptists, with a full confutation of their Tenets; which he was confident would be a work very acceptable to the sober part of the Nation. Then be told me he had a particular Kindness for me, and that I should have the publishing of it, by which he was sure I might gain no les than 100 l. I returned him thanks for his Kindness, and told him I was not as quainted in things of that Nature, but that it was more fit for some Bookseller to deal in, and that it would require a Disbursement of a considerable Sum of Money, which I was loath to venture. He instantly replied, that though I was ignorant in the business of Printing, yet he understood it well, and had printed several things, but now his Business coming on so fast, he had no time to follow it himself, but (if I pleased) would wholly employ me in it, and would disburse the Money for Printing and Paper, but leave the Profit entirely to me. I must confess these Offers seemed very fair, I could not handsomely refuse such Kindness. So the Business was concluded, and I every Day expected this Elaborate Work for the Press. I saw him no more for eight Days together (at which I much wondered) but one Evening at Grays-Inn I met him in a most heavy and disconsolate Condition: after I had pressed him to discourse the Causes of his Grief, he told me his Sorrows were unexpressible, that his dear Brother that was formerly gone to Virginia he heard was killed by the Anabaptists; and then in a great Passion he fling me three Letters, and had me read them; He said he was resolved to immortalize the Fact, and let it stand for ever as an Eternal Memorial against that Party. I was much troubled at the sad Fate of his Brother, and so we parted. Some three Days after we met again, and then he shown me the Copy of this Pamphlet, and told me be came just then from Lambeth, and that Doctor Parker had Licenced it, for (said he) I shown Doctor Parker the three Letters, and could not forbear Weeping. Can you yourself have doubted of the reality of the business, if you had seen the Licence to it, his Tears and passionate expressions, and also the three Letters? So at last I condescended to do it. The next day I went to Mr. Derby, and desired him to print it; he took a view of the Copy, and said he was not satisfied of the truth of it: But he would recommend me to a Cavalier Printer (as he expressed it) in Jewen-Street, who would readily perform the business. I deferred the publishing for seven or eight days, expecting to hear some Objection against it, but meeting not with any, I published it. Mr. Baxter constantly met me every day, and always urged the expedite and sudden publication of the Narrative. I told him it was coming forth. He told me I should command what money I desired, for this and several other Books he had to come forth. I replied, that none was wanting yet, but when it was printed, the Printer was to be paid. Upon May 15 I shown him a proof-sheet; he said he was glad the business was so forward, he would go to the Goldsmith to Morrow; for, said he, that will be soon enough for the Printer; But in the mean time, says he, pray let me have 4 or 5 Guineas till to Morrow. I told him I had not so much about me, but what I had he should have: So I let him have 40 s. So we parted. The next Day I expected him, but he came no more, neither have I ever seen or heard from him since. Formerly when I asked him concerning his Lodging; he said he lived in Fen-Church-street, but he was seldom at home, and it was impossible for me to meet with him: He said he was an Attorney, and had good employment that way. Thus has this Fellow put me upon a business, and now unworthily deserted me. And now I begin too late to perceive him either to be a Cheat, or to be grossly cheated and gulled with false Letters; For he several times said he had not heard of his Brother since his Departure out of England till now. If I can do any further Service in the Matter, I shall be very ready and willing, for unless Baxter appears in his own Defence, and pay me the Money I lent him, I shall certainly conclude him a Cheat. As for my Friend the Doctor, he was altogether unconcerned in the matter, and did only recommend me to a Printer at my Request. All this that I have writ, I will avouch to be most true, and if you please to print it, I will stand to it, and justify it to be the naked Truth of the Business. May 20 1673. Your real Friend, Laurance Savill. An address being made to the Council-Board; they, upon the Examination of the business, finds it False and Fictitious, and accordingly ordered the publishing the same in the Gazette, viz. The Order of Council. Whereas there is a Pamphlet lately published, Entitled Mr. Baxter Baptised in Blood, containing a horrible Murder committed by four Anabaptists upon the Person of Mr. Josiah Baxter, near Boston in New-England. The whole matter having been inquired into, and examined at the Council-Board, is found altogether False and Fictitious. Edw. Walker. The Licenser being also made acquainted with the whole matter, confesseth his mistake, and too sudden Credulity in the Licensing so strange a Pamphiet, as appeareth by the Testimonial hereto inserted under his hand, viz. Dr. Parker's Testimonial. Whereas there was a certain Pamphlet lately published under the Title of Mr. Baxter Baptised in Blood, containing a Narrative of a Murder committed on the Person of one Josiah Baxter a Minister near Boston in New-England; which Narrative was allowed of, Licenced, and publicly exposed to Sale. These are to certify that the Allowance and Licence thereof was obtained at the desire and suggestion of one Lawrance Savil, who in Order to procure the same, did really produce to the Licenser Letters and Testimonials under the hands (as he pretended) of several Persons in New-England, containing the particular Circumstances of the said Relation, and asserting the truth of the same, as in the printed Copy is expressed. All which upon further inquiry and examination, the said Licenser hath since evidently found to be Fictitious and untrue, contrived and invented here in England, without any Warrant or Attestation from beyond the Seas. And so much he hath thought fit to publish, to the end that no Person may be abused or Imposed upon by a Report, which, as he is now sufficiently convinced, is both false and groundless. Read in Council, 30th May 1673. Sam. Parker. BY all this, and what more we hope yet to find out of this wicked and inhuman design, (as cruel in the intention, as the fact is in the fiction, and both equally detestible) our Integrity and Innocency will the more appear. And although to be falsely accused, directly or indirectly, is a great exercise; yet to be cleared, and timely acquitted we look at to be a good providence of God to us. For what have we done, or what are our Principles in Religion, that men should think us any wayfitted or disposed to conceive, commit, approve, and not abhor such abominable crimes as these are? what is in our Practice of being Baptised in Water upon the profession of Faith, that should incline us to such henious do, above all others, in the thoughts of any sensible or rational men? And although perhaps this Pamphlet hath wrought some prejudice in the minds of many men against us for a while, yet considering how seasonably it hath pleased God to detect and defeat the malicious and cruel design of this Diabolical Stratagem, We have cause to acknowledge the goodness of God therein; and patiently to bear such slanderous Reports, especially remembering that what is now our Case, was the common Case of all Christians heretofore, to be defamed and evil spoken of without cause, though it hath not befallen many to be so clearly and fully acquitted. We leave this Record to posterity, as a signal example to future Ages, how injuriously and cruelly the Malice of some men hath vented itself against us and our Profession, and how speedily and opportunely the Goodness and favour of God hath appeared in our timely and successful Vindication. When as that which this wicked Author hath boasted to the perpetual Memory of the Fact, will be found to turn upon him to his eternal Shame. FINIS. The Booksellers Advertisement to the Reader. That since the detestible Pamphlet hath so designed, not only to reproach and vilify the Professors of Baptism by this his villainous attempt, but the Profession itself also, as guilty of much Ignorance, Wickedness and Sacrilegious Impiety; He hereby signifies to the impartial Reader, that if he desires Information into the Principle or Practice of that reproached Truth, he can furnish him with most of the judicious Treatises written upon that Subject, and amongst them of most Note, The learned Treatises of Mr. John Tombs. The Works of Mr. Samuel Fisher, in Folio. A judicious Piece, by Henry Lawrance, Esq And a Treatise of Baptism, by H. D. (lately come forth) wherein that of Believers and that of Infants is examined by the Scriptures. With the History of both out of Antiquity. Imprimatur, Sam. Parker. June 5. 1673.