AN answer TO THE ARTICLES preferred AGAINST Edward FINCH, Vicar of Christ-Church, by some of the Parishioners of the same.  
Whereunto is added a just and modest Reply, to a most Scurrilous, Scandalous, and Malicious Pamphlet (as by the Title may appear) of an uncertain author.  
By Edward FINCH, Vicar aforesaid.  
Printed in the year, 1641.   

TO THE READER.  
READER,  
ENvious Pamphlets, and scurrilous Frontispieces, the dear delight, and itch of this scribbling Age, are but ad Populum phalerae, rather the act of Malice, than Ingenuity. For my part, I am Vir dolorum, The chastisements of my youthful frailties are upon me, and so to retort virulent language upon my Delator, were more to betray, then fortify my innocence. It was not of old, Deus in turvine, God in the whirlwind, or in the earthquake, but In aura tenui, in the still voice. Certainly, 'twould have argued more of God in the man, if he had been less blustering in his distractions. To thrust out only the right Eye was modest cruelty in Naash the Ammonite; But Philistinelike to put out both Eyes, and to produce the Samson a laughing stock, this is at least, Laesa patientia.  
To murder me in my Morality, in my Religion, to make me the people's scorn, to condemn both my person and function to a night more horrid than that of Egyptian darkness.  
But as David of Shimei, forbid him not, it may be the Lord will look upon mine afflictions, and do good unto me for his cursing me this day. Leaving the wretch to the repentance of his fact, and the pardon of his and my good God; my business now makes to thee Gentle Reader, Let me in the bowels, of our Saviour implore thee, impartially and without prejudice, to peruse the brief and modest contents of my just and forced Vindication. In this doing thou shalt at once both oblige and felicitate  
Thy much humbled, E. F.   

MY answer TO EACH ARTICLE in Order, as I delivered it before the Grand Committee.  

Article 1.  
FIrst, That the said Master Finch is very officious and observant in worshipping the great idol lately erected in the said Church, viz. the Altar.  
TO the first, I utterly denied and do any officiousness or observancy in worshipping the Altar, as is alleged: only thus much I confessed, That I never came into the Temple to execute my ministerial Function, but I gave a decent reverence to God, being his own house, and not only at the Administration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, but also when I came to the Font at the administration of the Sacrament of baptism, and with as much reverence and humility, appearing before so great a majesty, whose unworthy Minister I was, and am, when I was conducted by the Officer into the Pulpit.   

Artic. 2.  
That he exacteth sometimes twenty shillings a piece, and many times more, for funeral Sermons, himself seldom preaching any of them, and affirmeth his Pulpit to be his Shop, and therefore must improve it to the utmost.  
To the second I confessed, that I demanded for the most part of the most able sort, twenty shillings for a funeral Sermon; to those of an inferior rank, I either took ten shillings, or upon notice of their inability, (though they were desirous to bury their friend in a fashionable way, being the last duty, or office of love they could perform for them) I gave it them freely, and not only forgave them my own duties, but persuaded the rest of the Officers of the Church to do the like.   

Artic. 3.  
That he is very careless and negligent in executing his pastoral duty, having appeared scarce twice in twelve months to Officiat the same, nay, not once in a year.  
To the third I confessed, that by imprisonment, I was enforced to execute my place by others, allowed Preachers, sufficient and able men, myself not being suffered to come abroad, without great charges, which I was not able to disburse.   

Artic. 4. 5.  
●●at he ordinarily preacheth in his Surplice.  
That he also weareth his Surplice in going the Perambulation of the Parish.  
To the fourth and fifth, I answered, that I held the wearing of the Surplice to be a matter of indifferency in itself. But it was ever accustomably worn in that Church: For besides that it is parochial, it is also (by the Foundation of H. 8.) cathedral, where all solemnities of that nature are used.   

Artic. 6.  
That he hath not for many years been resident in the Parish, but lets to farm his vicarage-house  
To the sixth I confessed, I let my house, constrained thereunto by Imprisonment, as before, but is no vicarage house as is alleged.   

Artic. 7.  
That he maketh no conscience of oaths, but is a frequent violater of God's holy Name, by often swearing thereby, with fearful and horrid Imprecations, and execrations, as was most abundantly proved.  
To the seventh, I did (as it was fit for me and every good Christian to do) acknowledge Swearing to be a great and most abominable sin; but denied that I ever usde it frequently. But said, that if at any time through passion and forgetfulness I had offended my God that way, I humbly before them craved pardon of him in the first place, to give me grace, that I might never offend any more in that kind, and entreated their Christian compassion to pass it by upon promise of amendment.   

Artic. 8.  
That he is a common haunter of taverns, and alehouses, and is often and openly drunk.  
I denied it, otherwise then upon necessity, society of Neighbours and friends, and I hope without offence, or scandal.   

Artic. 9  
That he hath exacted excessive Fees, as ten shillings for a christening.  
I denied any exaction of Fees, other than my Predecessors had formerly taken, nor so much neither, and no ten shillings for a christening, neither came it in proof.   

Artic. 10.  
That before he will perform his duty in Burials, and upon other occasions, he will have his lawless and unconscionable demands satisfied, whereof some of the Petitioners have complained to the Diocesan, but it seems his correction was gentle, for no amendment hath followed.  
To the tenth I gave this Answer, that the Article answered itself; for it pretended a Complaint, and a Correction, and n● man is to be punished twice for one fault. But before whom this complaint was, and when it was, for my part, I know not of it, nor ever heard of it.   

Artic. 11.  
That he hath demanded, and taken for Burials of Parishioners, ten and twelve pounds a piece, and hath shut, or caused to be shut up the Church doors, and not suffered the ground to be broken for Parishioners, until his undue exactions have been satisfied.  
To the eleventh I denied it.   

Artic. 12. 13. 14. 15.  
That he hath administered the Communion to a dying woman, when he was so drunk, that he forgot the Service, failed in rehearsing the Lord's Prayer, and at his departure was not able to return to his place of abode without leading.  
That at the same time he caused all present with the said woman to depart the room, and then enjoined the sick party to confess unto him all her secret sins.  
That being so alone with the said woman, he demeaned himself so uncivelly, and used such unseemly gestures towards her, that she was fain to cry out for her husband to come in.  
That afterwards for performance of this good service about the said woman, he sent for a Fee of three shillings four pence.  
To these, I confessed that I was sent for to administer the Sacrament to a dying woman, then dwelling at the George in Warwick lane. I confessed likewise, that I desired two or three women that were there to depart the room, that I might speak one word to the sick party. And it was this. If any sin trouble your conscience, you shall do well to reveal it, and I will give you the best comfort I can. She replyde, she thanked God there was none at all, whereupon I called in the company immediately, and we went to the performance of what I came for, namely, the administration of those holy mysteries of the body and blood of our blessed saviour. But that I was drunk I utterly denied it, neither was it positively proved, but merely by the threats of some of the Prosecutors, as I can make appear, fairly extorted from them, and that in a doubtful and ambiguous sense too. The husband and the women acquitted me before the Committee for any ill behaviour, or incivility, or any outcry made by the Woman.   

Artic. 16. 17.  
That November 5. 1639. he would suffer no Sermon to be Preached, unless out of the Collection for the poor, he might have a Fee of thirteen shillings and four pence, but finding the Collection to be small, he took ten shillings.  
That this last November 5. 1640. he would neither preach himself, nor suffer any other to preach.  
To these I answered, that I did acknowledge to have received ten shillings for a Sermon on the 5. of November last was Twelumonth, from my then Curate, master Thomas Risdon, who came to me from the Parish, as he pretended, with an earnest request, that I would give way to it, and he would preach. But from whence the money came, I professed ingenuously, I did not to that day know, nor do I yet. It is known in my whole practice, for near upon 11. years, I have been more careful to add then to diminish from the poor, which has caused some differences between myself and some of the Parish, which is still an heartburning, I am afraid. As for an instance, Master Whales 100 l. misemployed contrary to the express Will of the Testator; the misimploiment of which, I know has been out of the poors' way many a sum of money, which they feel the smart of. I added over and above, that in regard of the Commemoration of that blessed and happy Deliverance on the above named day, at Saint Paul's Church whither some Reverend and grave Divine is, by the right reverend Father in God the Lord B. of London, chosen out of one of the Universities (my Church being so near there was never any Sermon there before. But the Right Honourable the Lord Major, the Aldermen his Brethren, with the rest of the grave Citizens of every Parish, do in a solemn manner go thither. And the next 5. of November I was never so much as asked. If I had, I would willingly have given way to it. And this year there was one.   

Artic. 18.  
That he and his wife having for many years lived asunder with much obloquy, he keepeth company with divers women, suspected of incontinency.  
To this I answered, that I knew not any woman I kept company withal, any ways suspected of incontinency, unless it were by such scandalising pamphleteers, who first raised the same, and study nothing more than to take away men and womens' reputations. Besides, I have answered those Calumnious aspersions in two several Courts, and been freed in both, viz. In the Arches, and upon an appeal against me in the Court of Delegates.   

Artic. 19  
That he hath since his being Vicar of the said Parish much opposed the Lecture, which without intermission hath for many years been continued in the West end of the said Church, called the Old or Lower Church, (early in the morning on the Lord's day) not suffering any one to preach the same, unless he the said Vicar might have extraordinary hire for permitting of it, viz. about forty pounds at one time, and twenty pounds at another time, and divers other sums at other several times, and at this present twenty pounds a year, and yet not contented therewith, he threatens to arrest the present Lecturer, unless he may have his unjust demands satisfied.  
This I denied, And I wonder they were not ashamed to make it an Article, since divers of the Parish know the clean contrary, and others also Nay, some did profess to me, that I had been very just and earnest in setting it up, and had not deluded them as others did. And without my pains and zeal in it, they had conceived no hopes of it. For which they gave me many thanks, and said, I should find the love of the Parish ever hereafter, which you may see and judge by the presenting of these Articles, what the requital of my love showed to them has found.   

Artic. 20.  
That he detaineth and keepeth away divers books belonging and appe●taining to the said Church.  
To this I answered, that by direction from that Honourable Assembly, the Churchwardens received the book of the Foundation of H. the 8. and the Register book of Burials, Marriages, and christenings, which was always accustomably left in the Chest in the Church. Myself having one Key, and each churchwarden another, according to a Canon in that case provided.   

Artic. 21.  
That many times in receiving his own exacted Fees for Burials, he hath also received Duties due to the churchwardens for the use of the poor of the said Parish, and detained them to his own use.  
To the last I denied it, But admitted▪ I said I was responsible by Law; and when the accounts were brought in by the churchwardens, which always use to be at Easter, I would give satisfaction for what could be made justly appear to be due to them on my part.    

An Answer to the pretended proofs, which the Author hath falsely collected, and inserted in his Pamphlet.  
THat the Communion Table was removed, I grant it; but that was no particular act of mine, but a command from Authority at a public Visitation. I do not remember that myself set any helping hand to the removal of it; but if I did, I am sure I used no insolent or proud gesture, either at my approaches to it, departure from it, or passing by it, as is falsely suggested: but what I did was, as in my answer to my first Article.  
That I bow at the Name of Jesus, I confess it, induced thereunto by the practice of the Church, for many hundred years, and conceiving it to be due by the Text, Phil. 2. 10.  
Concerning exacting of Fees (a thing for which I stand so much condemned) I have given an answer to the Articles in general, but will give the Reader satisfaction in the particulars alleged. And  
1. For Master How: he was indeed an ancient Parishioner, and one to whom (so long as he lived) I was much beholding; and because he was one that honoured the Church, and the well established Government thereof, and was indeed a Benefactor (if it may be so properly called) by his daily solicitation of friends, to a good value. I gave order he should be decently and solemnly interred, and attended on to his grave by those that appertain to the Church (the choir.) It was desired Master Risdon should preach, I gave way to it, but it was not performed, and the reason was this. There came an Order from authority, that there should be no night Funerals, upon a complaint made by the Heralds at arms; the Executor of master How had notice of this, and that the whole solemnity must be finished by four a clock; this was promised, till past six we waited, at last Master Risdon said unto me, I neither will, nor dare preach, because it is past the canonical hour, and against the Order of the Lords, nor is it safe for you to bury it this night, let us attend no longer, but be pleased to give order that the Church doors may be shut up. Whereupon they were; presently after the Guests invited to the funeral came with the corpse, and knocked, I caused the doors presently to be opened, and the Body was buried presently. Without a Sermon indeed, because of master Risdons' former refusal, not out of any denial of mine. It was never proved that I had five pound for a Sermon for him, and that master Joyce, who was brought as a witness, knows well, and so does one master John Wright a Gentleman of our Parish, who was by at the agreement, and will testify that it was for the ground, and the other Church-officers duties, which for my share came but to five shillings, besides the ground which was in the chancel, and by consequence, the benefit of opening of it, and interring of the Body, totally belonging to me, for which I had three pound laid down, of which master Wright lent the Executor twenty shillings.  
2. For master Darnton, I confess, that he dying in my Parish, I did expect as large a proportion for my duties, as any that should come out of another Parish to Officiate in my Pulpit. He mistook himself that said, I called it my Shop. Indeed, this I said, both upon that and the like occasion to himself and others, that it was my livelihood, and that I had reason to make the best benefit, as well as any of them of their shops; and this I hope may receive a favourable construction. That I denied absolutely that Doctor Holeworth should preach his funeral Sermon, is utterly false, but as master Pettit, I presume, upon occasion will testify for me, I said, I thought my Pulpit honoured by him, and so indeed I do, and ever shall; He is known to be a man so generally learned, a man of so rare abilities and endowments of nature, and on whom God hath bestowed such an admirable gift and faculty in the way of his Preaching. That I spent my time as the tavern while the funeral was solemnising, is like the rest of the author's Scandals, maliciously inserted, and utterly false: neither did any such thing come in proof.  
To the Articles concerning my Superstitious affection to the Surplice, and other (as he ignorantly terms them) Popish practices; which I thank God, I am far from, and hope in God, ever shall be. I have answered to them before; and his vain babbling tautology, and multiplication of terms, to infuse suspicion against me, in point of my Religion, into the people's heads, my practice being known to be otherwise, shall not make me wast my time, and tire the Reader.  
As for the Article concerning my drunkenness, It was testified by Master Risdon, the Lecturer, who for fear of losing his quarterly Contribution might happily be drawn to say that, which I daresay, and he himself had since said, he will not, if he came upon his oath, swear for a World. And it was observed by many, that he gave his Testimony very faintly, and not without being jogged and egged forward by one William Greenhill, a Chandler, that stood behind him, (That Arch-incendiary of Christ-Church Parish who, together with his brother in Law John, I know not what to call him more, have been the Plotters and Contrivers of these Articles in Parliament against me, and the Procurers of witnesses to testify upon them, as I will make appear. Were it not by means of these two, I am confident, and so are many more besides me, that myself and parishioners should live as lovingly, and as peaceably, as any Pastor and people in England. But this by the way. In brief, I believe 'tis an hard matter to swear positively when a man is drunk: but he that glanced at that testimony, let him knock at his own breast, and see if he be not guilty himself of that sin, and in a higher measure too, which he lays to the charge of others, though that's no warrant for me nor any other to sin, because I can produce precedents.  
Concerning the Administration of the Sacrament to the dying woman, her husband himself did before the Committee, and will anywhere else clear me for any rudeness, or any incivillity, which might cause her to cry out, and so did Mistress Johnson her Neighbour in Warwick Lane, and the rest of the Women then present. All that one of them said, was this, that she conceited me to be distempered in drink, and that she we might; my distractions and griefs have been so many, my miseries and afflictions so great, that when it is well known I have neither eat nor drank that day, by my looks, discourse, and unwonted alteration of speech, I have been supposed to be distempered, and I desire the Reader to judge of me in a Christian way, and to believe this to be true. The improbability to tempt a dying woman in an uncivell way, being in all men's opinions, so abominable, ridiculous, that I should injure myself to God, about a confutation which the Witnesses did for me.  
Concerning my Sermon which I preached on the 5. of November, about two years since, it was alleged by one Bamfoard, that I should deliver words to this effect, The Plotters in that business were but a few malcontented Persons, and that they desired at their death that this act might be forgotten, and that I should say, that I thanked God that it was so almost, and I hoped 'twould be quite forgotten.  
Should I have delivered any such Doctrine in a Pulpit, or spoken such words in any place whatsoever, upon the perprecation of so horrid and damnable Treason as that, a Treason never to be forgot while the World lasteth; I confess, I deserved to suffer the same, if not a far greater punishment than they did; Hanging, drawing, and quartering were not considerable punishments, they were too low for the offence in me, because a Minister; and I could not for shame sue for any mercy here. And it is a wonder, if not a miracle to me, that in so great a Congregation as mine is, not one of the Auditors were able to testify any such thing but himself, and he but fumblingly neither. I am sure there are divers of the Parish, learned men and good scholars, many that have tenacious memories as he can possibly have. But God forgive him for casting such an horrid aspersion upon me, I do forgive him from my heart, 'twas a mistake in the carriage, that's my construction of him, in point of charity. And as it falls out, 'tis well I pen all I Preach, as the Pamphleter says, in a written book, for by that means, I am able to give the Reader satisfaction, and set it down word for word as I delivered it.  
The words upon which I preached, were these, Or despisest thou the riches of God's goodness, &c. After I had spoken of the riches of God's goodness in general, I descended to particular instances, wherein this kingdom, above all other Nations whatsoever, had reason to contemplate of the riches of his goodness. And first I instanest, for blessing us with the glorious sunshine of the gospel, in a perspicuous and clear way, wholly hid from many, and dark unto others, &c. Then I showed how the riches of his goodness had be ne manifested to us, in his manifold and sundry Deliverances, from 88 the Pestilence, and from the Gunpowder-Plot, and there I took occasion to say thus much. This day's solemnity, I hope, we shall never forget; but as once a year publicly, so every day privately commemorate, A day on which the King himself and his Issue, that State, and all the Commons assembled in the High Court of Parliament should at one instant have been blown up, and our Kingdom brought to utter desolation. This could not certainly be any project or invention by mortals, how politic soever: certainly the Devils broke loose from Hell, and took upon them human shapes to lay the groundwork of so great a conspiracy. No History can parallel it, no Age come near so cruel an intention, so bloody a design, tending to the utter extirpation and dishereditation of us, and all our Posterities, rights and interests to the world's end. The subject is moving, and able to melt the most stony and obdurate heart. And I am persuaded that though the desire of change and innovation in Religion, or hope of Honour and preferment (being formerly discontented persons, which works much in such spirits) or desire of gain, or profit, or some such like thing: yet they themselves could not choose but have some reluctancy, and startle at it, being a fact of that high nature, so generally prejudicial to the country in which they received their birth and education, all their means, livelihood, and subsistency in this world. Resolute I know they were ever to the last moment of their lives, and little or no confession, no signs of sorrow or repentance could be drawn from them, though strongly laboured that way for the good of their souls. Yet there were amongst them that did profess, not only a dislike, but even an utter loathing and detestation of so horrid and prodigious a Treason, And wished this, that no records might be registered, no remains might be kept, whereby it might appear to posterity: what enemies and slaves they had been? how vilianous and treacherous to their own country? Non ignota Cano, Their Confessions are extant, and I have read some of them to this purpose. 'tis greater to conceive the horridness of this Treason, then to endeavour to aggravate it with words and language. No tongue how fluent soever, being able to set forth the foulness, the devillishness of it. Vox fancibus haeret, I am at a stand, and will forbear to name if any more, but leave you to meditate on the riches of God's goodness in that great deliverance.  
Pardon good Reader, my tediousness, it stands me upon to be punctual upon such an allegation as this, and laid down to be fully proved. Let any that has read that and reads this, and compare them together, see if any such doctrine can be picked out of that part of my Sermon, but merely the contrary. 'Twas a profitable inversion of my words, for them to make me more odious (as they have done in the rest) to the Honourable Court of Parliament, which I hope they will take into their grave considerations, and not suffer me to groan under the pressure of their malicious accusations.  
Touching the proof that I had taken for the Sermons, at seven of the clock on Sabbath day morning's several sums of money of the Parish, I confess. And thus it was, The Parish after the choice of a Lecturer there, before they stirred, at the motion of a worthy and eminent member of that Honourable House of Commons, whose Name I dare not be to bold with. For my willingness to condescend to let them have a free choice of a man they liked of, did voluntarily under their hands, as will appear in the Vestry book, give me 20. pound a year, as an addition to my small Living, to be paid by 5. pound a quarter, this fell short. The sickness drew on, it was thought fit that Lecture, above others (because it was a Lecture, to which all persons, both out of the City and Suburbs, Out-places, and By-Alleys, which might breed a general Contagion) should surcease. When it pleased God, to stay his hand, a new Lecturer was chosen, and the money I received from them was not for the setting up of the Lecture, but for the arrears of the 20. pound unpaid, and that they know very well.  
Touching the Testimony of the Coachman, I hope the World will conceive, that it is no argument of Incontinency to ride abroad in a Coach, and take the air. And I hope the world will judge that if every man had made choice of his Mate, and intended any incivility, and vile and obscene gestures, certainly we would not have been so impudent as to call up a Coachman to be witness of it. Besides the fattest of the three was my own Sister, since dead, and I hope with God. And I hope the World will in Charity believe, that God has not given me over to a reprobate sense, to be so unnatural, as in such, as is alleged to pollute and defile my own Sister. That supposed, I hope the World will yet further in Charity believe, that I would not stand by and see another be uncivil, and she so immodest, flesh and blood would not have endured that. And for setting them down at Newgate, and studying there to make an excuse to their Husbands, where they had been, for my part, I know no such thing, neither am I acquainted with any such conditions in Women.  
And because the scandalous Pamphelter says, we arrived at a house fit for our intention, I shall satisfy you in that, The place we arrived at, was the sign of the Goat at Hammersmith. For which cause, the ridiculous fellow, in the frontispiece of his abominably absurd Pamphlet, pictures a Coach with persons in it, and over the head, Away for Hammersmith. The ground of his fond conceit. The persons that live there, and have done for many years, are of that credit and repute, so generally known for their honesty and sufficiency, that they would scorn, if they had suspected any such thing, to have suffered the least show of incivility in their house; and besides, they knew us all to well for that. But to aggravate proofs in a continued malice, I believe they hired this journeyman Coachman for a small matter (for he is foully slandered if that will not do it) to say any thing they would have him  
Concerning my frequenting Mistress Stevensons company, I could hardly avoid that, because I dieted and lodged in the house: and for Mistress Valentine, her husband going to Sea, left me in trust with the managing of his whole estate, and the bringing up of his Children. David Lloyd his servant, and divers others, can, and will at any time be ready to testify: but never kept company with any of them both, in any uncivil way. Concerning the woman he calls my wife, which I do not, nor have reason to acknowledge to be so, reasons not only known to myself, but many more, 'tis as false as malicious.  
Concerning Mistress Valentine's Kinswoman, I neither know her, nor to my remembrance ever saw her above once, and that was in the kitchen at the Chequer at Dowgate, an open and public place, for all comers, and therefore unfit for such a lustful desire as he mentions her. Neither did I ever know her name, till of late, and upon enquiry I find that before she was married, her name was Margaret Sweet, one that lived by making of Buttons (a profession I dislike not, I speak it not for that) but she seldom wrought not above once or twice in a month, but ran up and down after several young men, no constant abode at any certain place, but ran from lodging to lodging, a common Tale-bearer, and makebate between party and party, and noted for this among all her kindred, that they could never believe one word that proceeded out of her mouth. Let the World judge what a witness this demure creature is. And the Pamphleter tells me one thing, which I never knew of, that a Bishop's wife may be a Lady, we have no such honour conferred upon their wives in our kingdom, and in other parts they are not married. But the devil owed him a shame, and be forgot himself before he was aware.  
Concerning the Testimony of one Benson, that lived once at the Queen's head in Smithfield, but now at the Bull head in Cheapside: It is alleged that I should speak in his house six years ago, at a dinner upon occasion of discourse, these words, That man which has a handsome woman to his Wife, and was jealous without a cause, it was lawful for her to make (so the Pamphleter deserved, nay, the testimony of Benson) him a Cuckold; and rather than he should not be made one, I would ride an 100 miles to do it myself; that this point of Doctrine I had preached, and would preach, and that to all eternity: I take God to witness, as I shall answer it at his tribunal, when I have most need of his mercy, I neither remember any such, either words, or meeting. And what is spoken in mirth at a Table, may in six years be easily forgotten; and the former part to be jocular and inoffensive. The latter troubled me, that I should Preach it, whereupon I besought the Committee that they would be pleased to ask Benson, and the rest, whether he, or any of them present, who were my Accusers in other matters, and my constant Auditors, whether he or any of them had ever heard me preach it, or no. They conceived it to be a very material question, and accordingly demanded it, the rest were silent (not an argument of consent, but of ignorance, as not knowing any thing of the matter) and Benson answered, no indeed, I never heard him preach it. This being only a merry speech (if any such speech did proceed from me) will, I hope, be conceived not to be an offensive of any such nature, as the Pamphleter would have it. Heartily sorry I am, if any such inconsiderate words past from me, and I hope, God and the Parliament, will forgive my extravagant language.  
Concerning my coming in unseasonably, when I lay in the cloisters with Master Stevensons wife, pretended to be testified by the than Porter of Christ hospital, Master Phillips; it is utterly false, there never was any such thing, he never affirmed any such thing, and I have inserted a Copy of his renunciation, under his own hand, the original whereof I have.  
And this it is,  

KNow all men whom this doth concern, Against the Scandalous Papers published in Print, against Master Finch Vicar of Christ-Church, That John Phillips the late Porter to christ-hospital, doth, and will prove and maintain; That Master Finch did never, at any time, at what hour soever of the night, he went forth, or came in at the Gates, to his Lodging at M. Stevensons, misbehave himself in words or deeds to the said Porter, as is published, but always demeaned himself courteously to him, not giving any cause of grumbling or mumbling at him. And for his sweet heart Mistress Stevenson, as is suggested in the book, he never saw any more familiarity between them, whereby to show any cause of suspicion of secret love, more than to any other woman.  
Subscribed John PHILLIPS.   
This was a proof much insisted upon, and of which there was taken by the Committee more than ordinary notice. And therefore this appearing to be utterly false, I hope it will be conceived, that the other Articles are as well Scandalous, by adding to them more than was delivered before the committee, as well as his Testimony is wonderfully enlarged, and clean altered by the Pamphlerer from what he spoke.  
Concerning the two Sisters mentioned in the book, till long since the publication of it, I never understood who they were, but by accident I was informed, that it was one Mistress Buckle and Mistress Jordan; In the first woman's company I never was, and if she died of the Pox, and her head dropped off in the Coffin, that concerns not me, and I believe it a mere slander. In Mistress Iordans company I was twice, and no more, upon a difference, Mistress Johnson and Mistress Whitney, both of my Parish, referred to master James Waters the then Churchwarden, and myself. And this divers are living to testify.  
Thus the Pamphleter ends his proofs in particular, alleging that more such foul and scandalous things might have been proved, but glances at the heads of none. Indeed he need not, these were sufficiently bad, if they were true, but I thank God they are not.  
Ex ungue Leonem, Let the World conceive but thus much by this little, that if he had had any other crime, of any consequence whatsoever, or his malice could have invented, what favour I had been like to find from a brazen faced fellow, void of all sense and truth, that hath dipped his pen so falsely and injuriously against me.  
He might as well have inserted in his book, that I writ diverse and sundry Letters, between two and three hundred to be seen, sent to the Lady Wolley deceased, for several sums of money, for the relief of Prisoners, poor scholars, deceaest Ministers widows, setting up of new married couples, and many more such Stratagems, converting it all to my own use, without having yet given any account. He might as well have inserted, that I seldom taught any scholars, whose friends were of ability, but I got money from their Parents, for the above named uses, and kept it to myself. He might have inserted that I was found behind a Grammar school door, young, and know not mine own name, nor the offspring from whence I came.  
His naming of places of Scripture, in the thundering of judgements, concerns all men as well as myself: and I hope neither I, nor any other of the Clergy, take them ascendently from the foot of us to the head; for to those the fellow chiefly, but most ignorantly, applies them. His terms upon me of Athisticall, son of Belial, and putting on a whore's forehead, carrying myself most proudly and insolently, are terms I return upon himself, as being most guilty of them; I take them as scurrilous and railing language, and therefore pass them by with scorn and indignation. I do only observe one thing in a word, to see how the foolish fellow contradicts himself; he accuseth me for Officiating shamelessly in mine own person, and presently after condemns me, that I seldom or never come amongst them. And for that, Courteous Reader, suspend your Judgement when time shall serve. I hope to give a clear satisfaction to all men, for forbearing as yet my constant personal performance.  
To conclude, he condemns me that I commit many of the foresaid condemned Superstitious, wicked, and drunken practices afresh without any blushing, or the least sign of relenting.  
For the satisfaction of the Reader, I have inserted this ensuing Petition.  

To the Honourable the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses in the Commons House of Parliament assembled.  
The humble Petition of the Parishioners of Christ-Church, London.  
Showeth  
THat the Petition and Articles have been heretofore presented to this Honourable assembly, charging Master Edward Finch, Vicar of the said Parish, with several misdoings, in part attested by witnesses, upon hearing before the Grand Committee for Religion; Which we find him to have fallen into his time of many Suits, Troubles, and Imprisonments, and consequently, will admit of the more favourable construction, and he more capable of pity; that the end aimed at by the said Petition, who wish the reformation not the ruin of the said M. Finch.  
Wherefore they are humble suitors to this Honourable Assembly, that the said Petition and Articles may be withdrawn, & no further disquisition be thereupon had, that the said M. Finch may be restored to the good opinion of this Honourable Assembly, and left to Officiate his Cure amongst them, as to his duty belongeth, and by which all his livelihood that he hath in the World, and that but a slender one neither.  
And they shall ever pray   
This Petition which I have to show was subscribed by most of the Gentry, and divers other persons of quality, honesty and ability in the Parish. And many more hands I might have had, had I regarded the number of the men, above the integrity and worth of the persons.  
This hath not as yet been presented unto the Parliament; the weighty affairs of the State considered, I hope it will be conceived to be rather modesty in me, to forbear pressing upon their more urgent businesses, than negligence in following my own occasions. In all humility I cast myself at the feet of that Honourable Assembly, imploring their favour and charitable construction of me; and deploring my own misfortune, that any sincere and well intended ministry hath not brought forth so good fruit, by reason of some particular prejudices cast upon me, as I hoped it would have done, and which I continually prayed to God it might had done, and still may.  
I have now done, and refer all to thy consideration, Courteous Reader. And I could have heartily wished that the Pamphleter, had rather spent his time in the due execution of that profession whereunto God hath called him. Doing what belongs to him without Dissimulation, not consuming his time in writing of lame and ridiculous Rhimes (I cannot for shame call them Verses, for fear some that have read them should laugh at me) and setting forth Scurrilous Pamphlets, without any sense, wit, truth, or approbation.  
FINIS.