Phanatical-Tenderness, OR THE CHARITY OF THE Non-Conformists. EXEMPLIFIED In the Practices of many of them in Bristol and others their Favourers and Accomplices in that City, in London and Pembrokeshire against Thomas Godwyn Sometime Vicar of St. Philip's and Jacob's Church in Bristol, and now Rector of Poulchrohan in Pembrokeshire. Humbly offered to His Most Sacred MAJESTY, To His Royal Highness JAMES Duke of YORK, etc. And the Lords of His MAJESTY'S most Honourable Privy Council.  
LONDON, Printed for, and are to be sold by Randall Tailor near Stationers Hall. 1684.   

To His Most Excellent Majesty King CHARLES the Second, etc.  
Dread Sovereign,  
YOur Majesty's innate Propensity to Compassion being improved by all Christian and Princely Experience hath given me hopes that this Address humbly laid at Your Sacred Feet▪ will be esteemed (if not in itself, yet by its Necessity) a Pardonable Presumption. As men under Pressures are required by devout Prostration of their Souls and Bodies before his Throne to implore the merciful Help and Direction of the King of Kings; so in the use of the means prescribed by Divine Counsel, Subjects have no more assured way to relief than by a submissive and dutiful Petitioning the Assistance of the Almighty's Great and Wise Vicegerent. Not that trifling Complaints should be permitted to disturb the Course of the Serenest Debates, or any leap into jordan without a Prophetic Confirmation of mind that other Waters were insufficient for effecting the Cure. As the Son of a Clergyman, a noted Confessor in the Late Parliamentary Persecutions, and as myself suffering under Scoffs, Reproaches, often and tedious Imprisonments and Bonds for the same Cause since Your Majesty's blessed Restauration, I acquiesce and rejoice in the Toleration. Nevertheless while Obedient Innocence supports my Contentment, at the same time it commandeth me to endeavour settlement in a Peaceable Estate, and that especially because successful Pride groweth daily more insolent by silence, and by degrees attempting upon my Neighbours also doth infringe the Royal Prerogative and interrupt the Church's Tranquillity. The Considerations whereof with all Humility I offer to your Princely Wisdom, Praying solicitously and sincerely for Your Majesty's long and happy Life, that the dangers of this beleaguered Church may be removed before your Translation to a more incomparable Crown; In which will be completed the felicity of  
Your Most Sacred Majesties most Humble and Obedient Subject and Servant, Tho. Godwyn.   

To His Royal Highness JAMES Duke of YORK, etc.  
Great Sir,  
TO undertake to inform your judgement, how pertinaciously Malicious, how pestilently Reproachful, how impudently Dissatisfied and implacably Cruel Men listed in the Rowls of Faction are, were to say, That your Royal Father, and Brother, and yourself, High Prince, never felt the sharpness of those Vulture's Claws, nor disgusted the Poison of those Asps. But in regard of the Danger of permitting an Execrable Brood to live to maturity for mischief, each private Man is (as it seems to me) obliged to detect them▪ Grace and Clemency in their King work no more upon those inform Minds than to create in them an audacious Confidence to suggest Him unthinking and too soft to Govern; Meekness and Temperance in their Fellow-Subjects is their invitation to Injury; And the Compliance of the Knave and Fool-Trimmer increaseth their Insolence. For this Good Man furnisheth even the Archest Hypocrites with formal Lies, and frameth Pretences under which to shelter them, while they Levelly at the Government. They indeed commend Moderation, but at the same time condemn it as Pusillanimous, encouraging the Age, wherein they live, to the severity of the Execution of justice; For the Scourge only quieteth them, and if they are not themselves blooded, they fall mad and terribly infest all others with bloodsheding. May it please you, Great Prince, favourably to admit this Reason for the Publication of these Papers, and this Apology for a Suffering Churchman's most humble Tender of them to your most judicious Observation; That, As I judged the Imposers, and what hath been imposed upon me ought not to be longer concealed, so neither can I expect remedy by private Means, and have therefore recourse to the Royal Fountain. I would gladly pass the rest of my Days in tranquillity, (if God be pleased to permit it▪) and should most unwillingly see other well-meaning Persons ashamed of their Duty through my Cause. To prevent which I am prostrate before you, beseeching your Mediation for and Protection of  
Your Royal Highness' Most Humble and Most Faithful Servant and Orator, Tho. Godwyn.   

Phanatical-Tenderness, OR THE CHARITY OF THE Nonconformists, etc.  
I Have been long persuaded to Publish to the World the barbarous usage and insolent behaviour of the malicious Nonconformists of the City of Bristol (especially the Presbyterian Faction) toward me the space of twenty years past, either as they acted under the pretence of Religion, with a barefaced contempt of God and the Laws established, or as they privately suborned their Instruments under pretensions of Legal Proceedings. I hitherto desisted, not thinking it meet to add weight to the sorrows which oppressed good men, while they beheld their most beauteous and dear Mother torn and bespattered by tender Consciences, & men breathing out nothing but Zeal and Purity. But when these Fits of rude Zeal, not curable by the Gentle Means, which had been long administered, broke out into open madness, and needing severer Remedies, the Patients are reduced to an unwilling Submission, I would gladly in Peace thank God for confirming his great Mercies of Restauration, with these signal ones of His Most Sacred Majesties and our admired and envied Churches Preservation. To my attainment of this Peace, I thought nothing more conducing than a Publication of the practices of these men upon my Reputation, Estate, and Person. My Verbal Relations have seemed incredible to many; I will therefore exhibit in Print the Actions, the Actors, the Times and Circumstances, with that ingenious Fidelity which becomes a Clergyman and a Gentleman, aggravating or heightening nothing out of Passion, but so sincerely and nakedly delivering each passage, that my bitterest enemies shall not be able to contradict; or if to contradict, yet not to justify me guilty of any Error, unless in sparing them through forgetfulness of some of their many injuries.  
Those, which blacken the first Pages, are not so amazing as them standing at the foot of the Catalogue, no wickedness being fully audacious in an instant, but strengthened by Time and Counsel, and growing by Success. Yet have they, among many undiscerning Tempers, been received and allowed as sufficient Cause of Justification for what did follow of a more violent Nature. Calumnies indeed some of them are, and therefore not of themselves matter of complaint in the judgement of one, who would be esteemed a man; but as they moved forward the most fatal Engines of cruelly, I conceived that they ought in order to take place in this account. The most eminent Sufferers, whom the World hath seen to fall under the rage of a Faction Confederate as Religious, had the Guards of their Allies and Subjects affections first weakened by poisonous infusions, and their good Opinion subverted. Speak aluod, render him odious, and you render him helpless, said Harison the Machiavillian Mouth of a Traitorous Council in Consultation against a Most Gracious Sovereign. Prejudices entertained obstruct scrutiny into the Quality of an Enemy's Practices, and ill Actions are seldom blamed, when done to a Person supposed to be ill deserving. And the more numerous the Party is, which designs against any man, the more innumerable shall his crimes be, his very innocence and care swelling the list of accusations. Names are here plainly used, this Publication requiring it as necessary, but not with intent to asperse any. For as the Actions were manifest in the Places where Acted, so must the Names be in those other Places, it which it's desired that the Deeds should be known. And as their Hearts could imagine, and their Tongues and Hands prosecure evil with delight, so I may conjecture, that according to the custom of other Debauches, these will be so fat from taking offence at the Particularities of my Pen, that they will ●ather rejoice and glory in the Repetition, as an opportunity of new acting them. The Adversaries base Temper shall not be gratified by any king of Confornity with them in Obloquy; but seeing they would not but be guilty of the Commissions, I must (though I pity them and blush at it) proceed in the Relation. In the recital of the last Passages (I confess) I blame myself, not for any thing unduly represented, but that I have not retained that Patience in Penning which I had in Sustaining them. But I entreat those sharp Judgements (whom nevertheless the Love of Loyalty and the Church doth sweeteh) that observe discomposures, to pardon the imbecilities occasioned by a renewed sense of the Oppressions. Now having said this in order to the Readers apprehending me what probably I am, a Churchman and Loyal, I Preface the Bristol Narraon with the mention of a Pedigree, which I should not have insisted on, more than that the consideration of my Progenitors may in much measure give assurance that I think myself obliged to Loyalty and Conformity.  
I am the Great Grandson of Thomas Godwyn, sometime Bishop of Bath and Wells, and Dr. Wootton Bishop of Exeter, and the Grandson of Francis Godwyn, sometime Bishop of Hereford, and Dr. Ralph Barlow, sometime Dean of Wells, the Son of Morgan Godwyn Dr. of Laws, Archdeacon of Salop, Canon Residentiary of the Church of Hereford, etc. and Chaplain in Ordinary to King Charles the First of Blessed Memory. My Father being Sequestered, Plundered of all his Books, Goods and Houshold-stuf●●t the taking of Hereford by Colonel Massey and Colonel Birch, besides the burning of his Vicarage House at Lydney in the Forest of Dean, was also long imprisoned in Hereford as an eminent Malignant. But at length being discharged from that Confinement, for some years suffered with his Family under much indigency, continuing resolutely firm to his Principles of Loyalty and Obedience. About the year fifty two he became Master of a small Freeschool at Newland in the Forest of Dean before mentioned, the Salary whereof was then but ten pounds yearly, where nevertheless his condition became indifferently plentiful by the frequency of Persons Sons of Quality sent to him from divers Parts to be disciplined; but especially by the bountiful support of the never to be forgotten most Loyal and Pious Lord Viscount Scudamore, of Holme-Lacy in Herefordshire, and of james Scudamore of Ballingham in the same County Esquire. Here his especial care (not to speak immodestly of others committed to his charge) was to insinuate to his Sons, That the Institutions of the Church of England were above any purely Primitive, and most rationally accommodated to the benefit of the Present Age, replete with the most lively excitements to Faith and Holiness, and only such as could make men happy in their Temporal Concerns, establishing their Welfare in Peace by an undisputable Obedience to their Lawful Prince, and other daily Discourses tending to the Confirmation of our Minds in these Persuasions. About the beginning of the year fifty five, the most bloody Regicide Oliver publishing an Edict, That no sequestered Minister, refusing to take the Engagement, should be tolerated as a Public Schoolmaster within England or Wales: My Father was forced to quit the Employment, but not the House, the Feoffees of that School constituting me Schoolmaster. Within two years after my Father died, not permitted in this State of Nature, to see the so passionately desired Restauration, but translated to a better, where after the congratulatory Hymns of Cherubin and Seraphim, he makes one in the Triumphant Chorus, rejoicing for our Felicity.  
But here began my Conflict with those Holy Men, whom an Infernal Inspiration had Sanctified, and made the World's hopeful Guides to Eternity. For in a short time after one Faucet (who had been a eminent Covenanter and Pulpit Instigator to Rebellion, and was sent down by the Company of Haberdashers, to be Lecturer at Newland aforesaid) and one Bromidge (a London Brazier, Father to the late Sheriff Pilkintons' Wise, but purchasing an Estate in the Parish of Newland, and dwelling there) a zealous Covenanter, also used divers Stratagems, encouraged by the imbecility of my years and judgement to Kid-nap me over to their lewd and disloyal Principles. But God's blessings upon my Father's Instructions had fortified me against this danger, and my Youth was sufficient to answer Arguments, the strength of which I have always thought to consist more in the invincible Malice and Perverseness of their Minds, than any Reasons that Party did ever produce. This Project of Proselyting me into an Uncooth, Rude, and Rebellious Religion failing, the Reader (I suppose) conjectures the Consequence, That nothing calm or suitable to Christian Persuasion would follow, but Violence take place where Consent was not obtained. Therefore they endeavour by all possible means to prevail with the Feeffees of the School to eject me; but my Father's memory (with peradventure some other sansfactions) in the Chief of them so overruled, that nothing more than the appearance of some snarling teeth was done to my Prejudice. But when God was pleased to smile, and reinstate us in the Fruition of a just and free subjection to the Undoubted Heir to these Crowns, the most Gracious of Kings (eligible above all men, were our Condition to that degree unfortunate as to have the Sceptre Elective) and by his reestablishment to bring us to his Sacred House and Altar, there to rejoice with the thankful who kept Holiday, than did these Snaps of Sedition retire into silence ashamed of their devices. At this School, and in serving the Cure of St. Briavils (having entered into Holy Orders soon after His Majesty's Return) I continued until after the Bartholomew Act, when the Viccaridge of St. Philip and jacob, in the City of Bristol became void by the Non-Subscription and Conformity of Edward Hancock acting as Incumbent there. To the acceptance of this Church I was invited by Mr. Nathaniel Cale, (my Father's intimate Friend) Mayor of Bristol that year, Mr. Henry jones then Rector of St. Stephens in Bristol and divers others. In which Vicarage, as soon as I was settled, the Factious Parties began to practise against me without any provocation, more than my exactness of Conformity, which I must boast myself to admire in others, and always strictly to have enjoined to myself) having not time to know Persons or inquire into Dispositions, had my Inclinations otherwise led me. Within the space of four or five days (at the utmost) after my Induction came seven Men (of whom I knew but one to my Lodgings, with much smoothness and expressions of respect, desiring to be known to me, as being Parishioners and Vestry-men; and after some short discourse had in my Chamber, desired me to receive a Treat from them at the King's Arms in Christmas-street, than a Tavern. Where after a small sitting, their ill looks and affected words sufficiently instructed me what the men were; but every second or third man very kindly presented me with Service and a Glass. The Company being-suspitious, the Treat could not be pleasant; but taking my leave, they importuned me with a sort of unusual Compliments to a longer stay, which I refused. Two of these were not acquainted with the design, but my retiring so unexpectly ●oon caused the others passionately to urge unto the two (Mr. William Baber Powdermaker to King Charles the first at Oxford, and Mr. Nicholas Willis then Churchwardens of that Parish, and brought along to palliate the others contrivance) who were unwitting of the Project. That they had discovered their design, Thomas Edward's Wheelright and Henry Lang a Sergeman were the principal Actors in this Honey Plot, and raving at their want of success, could not but divulge it. The next day Mr. Baber and Mr. Willis came to acquit themselves to me, and declared all the passages, viz. That if they could have made me drunk, partly by scandal, partly by Articling against me, they did not question to remove me. Not long after died one james Powel, who during much of the time of confusion had been Chamberlain of the City, and always both a Defender of that Execrable Murder of our Martyred Sovereign, and violent Persecuter of all such as he imagined Loyal and Affectionate to th● Church. This person (forsooth) must be buried without Divine Service read at the Interment, because he had sometime before his death conjured his Relations so to bury him, to which if I consented I should be liberally gratified. My Answer informed them that I was unacquainted with such Testaments, and such sorts of Liberality, which was more properly Scandalous Bribery; and I met the Corpse brought to the Churchyard Gate, beginning, according to prescription, the Service for the Occasion: but the Bearers ran forward with such haste, that it would have given thoughts that their Master had whipped them forward, fearing the late arrival of his Purchase. Me they violently plucked aside, and took from me the Service Book, giving me divers Blows, together with incredible Scurrilous Language, and the Clerk putting his hand upon the Coffin, using persuasions not to interrupt the Office of the Church, a slander by wrest the Spade out of the Sexton's hand, and chaps the Clerks hand so that the blood ran upon the Coffin, his Funeral, being as his Life, besmeared with Innocent Blood. Alderman Miles jackson and Alderman Sandy stood by beholding these violences, and were not observed with the least word or motion to offer their Authority towards the curbing them. I complaining to my Diocesan of the so unaccountable carriage of these men, He immediately sent for Dr. Gilbert jones then Chancellor of the Diocese, and commanded him severely to prosecute these Offenders: But he making me and five more Witnesses to dance attendance weekly for the space of above half a year, I never heard more proceeding against them, than these words three several Court days directed to them; Gentlemen your business here before me is very foul, but I will do you all the kindness that I can, In Conclusion, the good aged Bishop was tired with chiding and threatening, and we with attending, and so our admirable Chancellor punished these Rioters.  
These abuses were followed with Scandals of so notorious a nature, that none the most debauched villains could be said to be guilty of greater, and the Abettors tutored by one Ralph Farmer (vulgarly before my living in Bristol called Malicious Farmer) who had been first a Maltster, than a Sequestrator, and lastly, became such a Minister as the times encouraged, and held St. Nicholas Church, from which the late Reverend Mr. Towgood Dean of Bristol was sequestered. Particularly a Plot was laid for me at the Marriage of the Daughter of one john Dowl, alias Gotly (a strange two legged Beast (as I found afterward) but utterly unknown and unheard of by me before that time) with whom upon invitation I dined and departed within half an hour after dinner, but could not deny the promise of coming again to Supper, upon the very earnest importunities of this Dowl with pretence of especial Friends of mine, (whom he named) who had promised to be there likewise; I coming at the hour appointed, seeing many disorderly Persons there, but none of ●●ose mentioned, took my leave and went home, yet was I reported to have Danced and drank till past Midnight, to have been so drunk that I was not able to go, but to be driven home in a Wheelbarrow. These reports coming to the beforementioned Alderman Cale's Ears, and he acquainting me of the rumour, by his advice I convened the Authors before the Bishop; having first made my Complaint to his Lordship, and discovered the improbability of receiving Justice from the Chancellor, if I should sue them in the Ecclesiastical Court. The Authors were the said john Dowl, and two other most profligate Persons, whom I had never seen before, Thomas Boice and Robert Bowen. With them I also convened the Bridegroom, and divers of the Bride's Relations. Dowl, Boice, and Bowen were by chance overheard to be advised by Ralph Farmer to speak confidently, and if the Bishop should condemn them, yet the infamy would stick to me. The Bishop being informed hereof examined them singly. They all three agreed in their story alleging what was before spoken; but Boice affirmed that I was there (concerned as is mentioned) till Eleven of the Clock at Night, Dowl said till One, Bowen till Two in the Morning. On my side, the Bridegroom and the Relations testified that I departed the House at Seven of the Clock that Night, and that they neither saw nor heard any thing tending to excess or folly of the nature of what his Father-in-law and the other two declared. Furthermore going home, I was met near the Door of my House, at seven of the Clock by three Country Gentlemen, who intimated a desire to speak with me, and promised to be with me within an hour; but staying longer, I was in Bed by nine of the Clock, and scarcely lain down when the Gentlemen came and were brought up into my Chamber, and their business being only to deliver a Licence, and treat with me concerning the time of Marrying the Persons therein mentioned, departed. These I brought also and my Servants, who all testified so much; yet the three found thus maliciously false and (although unknown then to me) long known to the whole City to be the vilest of Men, sticking at no sort of Rudeness, Lies or Debauchery, found among the Godly, sober Party, the Credit of Saints and Angels.  
Besides many other contumelious reports, groundless and silly (such as Church-haters had forged in their extravagant mirth, and used to tell of Parsons even before my Birth) impudently, packed upon me, for the space of several years; I could not walk the streets without volleys of scurrilous Terms, and reflections, thrown at me by Apprentices, and Journymen, the Masters standing by and showing themselves therewith pleased.  
But my Patience (I thank God) preserved me from the harms intended me by that sort of Battery, and I was no more afflicted, then so ●a● as Compassion for their Malice and Folly, moved me to Sorrow; neither did I forbear passing through any street by reason of the reproachfulness of the Inhabitants, or gratify any ill temper by anger, or so much as turning my head to look upon the Persons of disingenuity. Nevertheless I was not Ignorant that the ill Characters of my Person, were not the sole aim of their Aspersions, but had learned from the Examples of Superiors (at the pedestral of whose Imitators I presumed to stand) that the blackening a Name by Obloquy, made a grand Progress in Ruin.  
And these were preparatives for justification of Actions to follow, which were frequent Arrests of me and my Servants; of myself for words pretended to be spoken, of which they never stood to the trial, of my servants for the like, and for treading besides the Paths of some of their grounds in their looking after my Tithes. And although they dared not stand to a Legal Deremination, yet this was expensive, and they hoped by continual Actions to impoverish me, and likewise to tyre the patience of my Friends, whom I made use of as Bail, that if they could not drive me out of the City, yet they might secure me in a Prison. The before named Dowl, Boyce and one Francis Bell were the Principal Actors herein.  
In the beginning of December in the year that Sir Thomas Lancton was Mayor (I cannot exactly speak the number of the year) I had occasion to send a Letter by a Trowman to one Henry Hyman living near Monmouth, who was wont to furnish me with Provisions of Corn, Bacon, etc. and not finding the Trowman aboard his Trow, his men directed me to the place where he was at the White Hart in Corn-street. Where finding him, I had scarcely delivered my business and called for a Flagon of Beet, when before I tasted it, came into the Room one Atwood and Dickenson Chief Constable and Constable of All-Hollows Ward, (the later being a reverend Heelmaker and Speaker in an Anabaptist Conventicle) who after some gaping one upon another, and a short silence, began to demand of me what business I had there. I Answered, That I would return them an Account if they first satisfied me what Authority they had to examine me. But their Answer was short, That they were Constables and must bring me before the Mayor. I refusing to go unless they showed me a sufficient Warrant, they laid hands on me and dragged me forth, Dickenson striking me divers blows, because, forsooth (not knowing the man but guessing by his words and gesture) I said I believed him to be some zealous Tub preaching Cobbler. The Mayor being not at home, they drew me to and fro through the Streets (as if some notorious Malefactor) in quest of the Mayor, and after two hours finding him, Dukenson presented me, informing him where they found me, and beginning to preach to the Mayor and both Sheriffs (present then) how unseemly and scandalous a thing it was for Ministers to frequent public Houses, etc. Sir Thomas (whose thoughts were clear of Fanatical Dregs) required by what Warrant they had thus apprehended me; They produced Sir Thomas' Warrant to search all Public Houses and suspicious Places, and to apprehend all such Strangers as they any where met with, who could not give an account of the Places of their Abode or Business in Town, it being soon after an insurrection in the North. The Mayor replied, you intimate that you know Mr. Godwyn to be a Clergyman, and do you not know his place of Abode? They confessed, yes. What then is this (said he) to your Warrant? But furthermore tell me whether you found Mr. Godwyn doing there any ill or unlawful Act, or, can you prove that he sat there drinking beyond the limits by the Law expressed? They answered, no, but began as before to Cant and tell him, That Ministers of the Gospel ought to be Pure and of good Conversation and Example. But the Mayor and Sheriffs threatening them for this Fact, they departed. Yet this they reported (and divers in the City Lovers of the Church as well as Enemies believed it) That they had taken me in a House Drunk, and that the Mayor had ordered me to provide Sureties the next day for the Behaviour, and intended to indict me the next Quarter Sessions.  
Divers litigious Actions and approbrious Reflections (too tedious to insert here) being this year thrown upon me, the next year Mr. Willoughby was Mayor, in whose time certain Persons in and near the City died of the Plague. But one Mr. Walter Chester a Gentleman of my Parish falling sick and dying of a Prurisie, because I had during the time of his sickness been divers times at Prayer with him, and had administered to him the Holy Eucharist, the Mayor upon slight Information that he died of the Plague, shuts up my House and places Musqueteers at my street and back Doares. The Physician who was daily and almost hourly with Mr. Chester in his sickness lived almost in the Heart of the City, the Apothecary dwelled by the Toulzey, where the Magistrates and Merchants daily met, yet no notice was taken of them, whereas my House in the Suburbs must be shut up. And both to remove all pretence of the Mayor and other Magistrates not knowing who was the sick Man's Physician or Apothecary, and manifest this an Act of Malice against me, the last is shown by their fearless discourses and reception of the former. For Dr. William Sermon the Physician and Mr. Martin the Apothecary in the presence of the Mayor and Aldermen at the Toulzey made Oath that Mr. Chester died not of any Contagious Disease but of the Pleurisy; so did one Woman who attended him in his sickness, and two others who laid him out (as they term it) swore that there was not the least spot or token of the Plague upon the body. But before this Oath taken, the Mayor and the rest discoursed Dr. Sermon and Mr. Martin as unconcernedly as if beforehand satisfied there was no occasion for their Oath. Yet after their Oaths and a Permission that the Deceased Persons Body should be interred in the Chancel of his Parish Church, the Musqueteers were continued at my Doors two days, and when the Corpse of my Friend and Parishioner was carried by my Door to be Buried I was denied by the Guard (which was strengthened with the Mayor and Sheriff's Sergeants' and Officer's more at that time than before) to do my Office as Incumbent or perform the last Requisits of Friendship towards a Person I entirely loved. But then I furiously broke through them, and accompanied my truly kind Neighbour to his last Repose. And here Malice took its old Course, and Mr. Thomas Days (since an Alderman of the City as I have been informed) was the Author of a report (which was spread abroad with the wont celerity of a Party willing to fix scandal) that he died not of a Pleurisy, but a violent Fever occasioned by high Drinking with me. Meeting him upon the arrival of the scandal at mine ears, I desired him to intimate to me the place and time when Mr. Chester and I had been together more than one quarter of an hour in a month before his sickness; He answered, That he had heard so much; but being pressed to let me understand by whom this was told him, and what probable Inducements he had to report what tended so highly to the defaming of a Clergyman, I could obtain no answer, but after a Hum and Haw or two pretended, he was glad that it was not true, and that he would satisfy those to whom he had spoken it that he believed the report to be false. I thanked him for his first great civility in so freely murdering my Reputation, and the second in taking me to be so eminent a Coxcomb as to believe, That he would make it his business to give himself the lie, and then took my leave of him.  
Within three weeks after this one Crow my Parishioner his Wife craftily buying the Clothes of some who died of the Plague, fell sick and died of it likewise. I had not heard of either his death or sickness, but took a Boat with six Friends to go down to the Port of Kingroad to see the Saint Patrick Frigate, which was newly built, rigged and ready to sail. In my absence notice was given of this man's Funeral, but the Cause of his Death concealed. My Clerk desired Mr. Forcith Rector of the next Parish of St. Peter's to bury this Person, which he readily did, neither he, nor any Neighbour accompanying the Corpse to the Grave suspecting the Disease whereof he died to be what it afterward appeared. Two days after came Constables, Sergeants' and Watchmen armed with Muskets and Swords acquainting me from the Mayor that my House must be shut up in regard of the danger the City was in by suffering me or any of my Family to walk the Streets, seeing I had been so desperate as to Bury a man dying of the Plague. I knowing nothing of it, thought it had been the old story of Mr. Chester revived, but afterward divers persons dying suddenly, who had been at that Burial, I understood the ground of my confinement. To remove the mistake I sent four of the persons who were with me on board the St. Patrick that day to testify my not Burial of that Corpse, they knowing me to be ten miles out of the City. But Mr. Mayor replied That I was a bold adventurous Person and made more Scruple of a Ceremony than running the City, and that if I had not buried Crow, yet if I were at liberty I would bury others, and therefore the Guards should be continued. So by this sort of preventive Justice my house was shut up a whole month. Yet all this while divers Inhabitants of the City, present at Crow's Burial, who did eat and drink in the House were not any way taken notice of.  
The same year being repairing my Vicarage House, I cut down an Ash in the Churchyard which was serviceable for that Purpose, and was Indicted at the Quarter Sessions for making waste upon the City Lands. Now the pretence of calling the Churchyard the City Land was that the Mayor, aldermans and Common Council had the Right of Presentation to that Vicarage. Their folly could amount to no more than putting me to expenses, for esteeming it my duty to defend the Rights of my Church I proceeded to traverse the Indictment, but it was let fall, they thinking it not safe to go on to a Trial.  
Alderman Morgan (as I take it) succeeded Mr. Willoughby; nevertheless upon St. john's day in Christmas in Mr. Morgan's year, while I was reading the Evening Service for that Festival, a great company of Boys (fifty or more) with shouts and hideous noises at the Church Doares interrupted the Devotions of the Office. The Sexton going forth of the Church endeavouring to curb them, was beaten into the Church with Stones; the Sexton going forth again with the Clerk, they were both dealt with in the same manner. Seeing no remedy I persisted to the finishing of the Days Duty as well as I could in such a disturbance: which ended, as we passed out of the Church divers of the Boys fled, but some continued fearless and impudent. Among others one Bingham more impudent than the rest let down his Breeches and in most unseemly manner affronted me and those People who came forth of the Church. I confess my indignation compelled me to make him taste the severity of my Cane and the Tce of my Shoe. But the provocation was the greater in regard I had thrice before complained to his Grandfather and Grandmother Thomas Wright and his Wife, with whom he lived, of his rudeness at other times when I was readding Divine Service, and have still a confirmation that he was encouraged thereto by them and his Mother (then married to one Hart a Seaman) which opinion what I am to deliver fixes in me. For going directly from the Church to visit a sick Parishioner, while I was praying with her the Lads Grandmother and Mother with other women were at the door of the sick Woman's House, brawling and making noises little inferior to that of the Boys at the Church door. When I came forth I was saluted with variety of approbrious terms, and the Path leading homeward being by the side of a Ditch the Mother suddenly gives me a thrust which had inevitably plunged me in the mire and died my Gown, had not a man coming by observed her motion and plucked me back by the arm. I used all mild expressions to persuade them to come to my House and reason the matter with me there, that it did misbecome them in that nature to make an uproar in the Street, and more to that purpose. But they the more furiously belched out foul language, and after such Terms used, the Grandmother threatened me to acquaint the Mayor with what I had done. To all that was said I made no reply, but walked on with silence until that last womanish threatening, to which turning about I answered, The Mayor will much thank you for it. Immediately the Mother bawls out, What do you not care a Fart for the Mayor? The Brawl oceasioned a great concourse among which were some good people, but especially five men, who had often rebuked the women for their misbehaviour. To these (as soon as the women had spoken the words) I said, It's a thousand to one but these malicious women will inform and incense the Mayor with the words pretended to be spoken, whereas you can testify that nothing like it came from me. I did not in the least suspect that the Mayor could be so wretchedly silly as to take notice of it, but conjectured that through their want of discretion a gossiping or Pickthank story might be promoted. But the next morning came two Sergeants' to my House requiring my appearance before Mr. Mayor immediately at the Toulzey. I desired to see their Warrant, but they answered that they were the Mayor's Sergeants' and their Persons were Warrants. I refused to go without a Warrant, but they laid hands upon me and compelled me. At the Toulzey were present the Grandmother and the Mother, who swore that I said I did not care a Fart for the Mayor. The Mayor and Aldermen then present (expect Sir Thomas Langton, who departed saying to his Brethren, You do not do well to hearken to women's Title Tattles, I'll be gone) required me to give sureties for the answering at the next Quarter Sesons and the Behaviour in the mean time. But I had sent for the five men before mentioned, who offered to swear That being between me and the women they heard all the words by me uttered at that time, while the Women were Brawling, but that they did not hear any such words spoken by me. Sir john Knight the Elder (who esteems himself an Oracle of the Law) told them, this was a Negative Oath and would signify nothing. I argued, That if I had spoken such words, the place where they were said to be spoken was not within any part of the City, but in Glocestershire, and that in the women's Oath there was no mention of any particular Mayor of Gloucester more than Bristol, or Bristol than Coventry; but to manifest that I was not so ungratefully ill-bred as causelessly to affront so eminent a Magistrate and one of my Patrons, I offered to take my Oath that I was so far from speaking those words, that they were not so much as in my thoughts, until the women's speaking them. But Sir john could speak nothing but Law, and that discreetly and accepted neither my asleveration as a Clergyman, nor my Oath as a man; two witnesses swearing positively, and my Oath being only negative and in my own Cause. I urged again, That if any person had been faulty in speaking rudely of another, to any ingenious men his being ashamed thereof was sufficient satisfaction, and that it was satisfaction enough in my judgement that myself and five more (persons of known repute) could swear the words not spoken by me, and what I offered was argument enough that I esteemed such language misbecoming me, that it could not appear other than Malice and Revenge in the women; and lastly, that if the words had really been spoken, I saw no ground that they had for such proceeding, but that my rudeness was my own punishment. Sir john insisted upon the positive Oaths, and required surety, which I denied so much as to seek for: So my Mittimus was made and I was committed to Newgate Prison for the space of six days, Sir john Knight, Alderman Willoughby, Alderman Hix, Alderman Stevens, and Alderman Lawford signed the Mittimus: during which time I desired on Sunday and New-year's day to have the liberty to officiate at my Parish Church paying a Keeper to go with me. The Gaoler dared not permit this without the Mayor's leave. I wrote to the Mayor to desire that liberty, but was denied. At six days end I gave Bail, but the night before I went forth of the Prison, the Keeper of it (being sent for into my Chamber to receive his Chamber-rent and Fees) began to persuade me to a submission and to cast myself wholly upon the Mayor and Alderman's mercy: my answers averse to his propositions seemed strange, especially in regard of their Power, and that (although persons very rich in their own private fortunes) they would prosecute me with the Chamber-stock, and in fine would certainly ruin me. I replied, that little of their love to Justice would appear in their relying only upon their Power and Riches; that the trust was presumed to be put into the manegery of those that were impartial, who would not be moved to wrong doing by either favour or spleen. At last after much discourse to this purpose I said, Come, Come, Mr. Holt (the Keeper's Name) thy are a company of Noddies and know not what they do. This was a grand Offence and moved the Sophies to high indignation, especially by the Keepers (to obtain with his Masters the repute of being diligently jealous of their esteem) adding and swearing more than was spoken, although words in themselves merely frivolous. Hereupon I was again committed and detained under close confinement ten days more, and then Bailed forth. During my Confinement the Mayor, Sir john Knight, the two Sheriffs, Mr. Robert Aldworth the Townclarke who had been a Colonel in Service against King Charles the 1st. and Son of that insolent and ungrateful Rebel Alderman Aldworth, who being Mayor of Bristol shut the City Gates against his Master, and the King forcing his entrance, with an unusual Clemency, not only prohibited Military Execution (as in those cases) but was graciously pleased both to pardon the Traitor and recommit to him the Sword. Yet his Majesty had no sooner left the City but Aldworth did (notwithstanding his many pretensively thankful asseverations of future Allegiance) conspire against his Prince, whose most eminent Compassion reprieved him from the jaws of Hell, and made the City a Parliament Garrison. Mr. Robin's Steward of the Sheriff's Court was sent with divers others to the Bishop with the Complaint of my rude carriage toward the Mayor at one time, and most of the Magistrates of the City came at another. Sir john Knight, as most potent in Law, laid open the offence in a speech very copious and prodigiously eloquent, concluding with a Prayer that I might be prosecuted for this misdemeanour in the Ecclesiastical Court; Mr. Aldworth seconded him; but Mr. Robin's expressly denied to speak against a Clergyman in a Cause whereof he was altogether dislatisfied. The Bishop (when Sir john's Gaping fit was over) had liberty to deliver his sentiments, that he thought the Magistrates had done very ill in Committing a Clergyman to Prison on pretence of misdemeanour of words; that if any words deserving punishment had been spoken, he accounted himself the proper Judge; That they had showed too much of prejudice and little knowledge in endeavouring to inflict on any man for the same offence two punishments, unless in such case as the Law did especially provide; That he had taken care to examine the whole matter and found that there was nothing but malice in it, being confident that the words (which the Women testified) were not spoken, and that (if spoken) he saw no remedy that they had by such ways of proceeding; That it was a blemish to their Authority and Judgements to give ea● to such impertinent Informations: lastly, That he required them fortwith to Release me. But Sir john to manifest his Subtlety as well as Eloquence, had reserved to the last what he had to allege of most weighty Consequence, That I had assaulted and beaten a Boy (Bingham before mentioned) in the Churchyard of St. Philip, etc. upon St. John's day in the Even last; That by the Statute of the fourth of King Edward the sixth, every Clergyman fight, striking or brawling within the Precincts or limits of any Church or Church-yard be forthwith suspended from his Office. His Lordship replied, That Sir john mistook the meaning of the Statute, it being intended to curb the licentiousness of extravagant Persons, who except by the sense of a Penalty, knew not how to distinguish Places Consecrate from Unconsecrate; That Sir john showed himself miss by passion in speaking so sharply a Clergyman, and forgetting the Occasion, the Boys insolence in disturbing Divine Service, and beating the Clerk and Sexton with stones; That withal he had done well in showing his respect to the Church by promoting Prosecution against the Women, who followed Mr. Godwyn through the Churchyard brawling, terming him Rogue and Papist Villain, with many other approbrious Terms, which (although it proved otherwise) might have provoked him to unadvised Expressions; that the Statute urged by Sir john enabled the Ordinary of the Diocese to proceed against Lay persons offending against the Tenor of it to suspension ab ingressu Ecclesiae as well against Clergymen to suspension ab Officio; That therefore he must either proceed against the Sextons of the Cathedral for correcting, in his view, Boys or others misbehaving themselves in the Church, or suffer Divine Service to the Reproach of Religion to be huddled up with a mixture of all sorts of confused noises; which was Mr. godwyn's Case; And that seeing Sir john, in the precise Letter of the Law, termed this Act of Mr. godwyn's an Assault upon the Lad, as Bishop he must proceed against the Master of the School within the limits of the Cathedral to a suspension as often as any silly Woman should complain that her Son, or Grandsons, or Cousin's Buttocks were assaulted by the Master. Sir john retired with much regret that his Learning and Faculties were slighted; but before departure gravely informed his Lordship, that it would not redound to his Honour to defend such as delighted in affronting Magistrates, and to encourage Clergy men to be Strikers and Revengers of their own injuries. At the Quarter Sessions following two Indictments were drawn up against me, and found by the Grand Iury. These being upon appeal removed to the King's Bench, in the Hillary Term following coming to London, as I passed through Chancery Lane in order to advise with Mr. Gregory (now Sir William Gregory, one of the Honourable Barons of the Exchequer) I met with Aldworth beforementioned, who with much pretended kindness saluted me, and desired my company for a short space in Lincoln's Inn Walks. I consented and received there divers fawning and bemoaning expressions, intimating how much he respected me, and was troubled at the unhappy Differences between the City and me. He importuned me not to proceed, for that his affection to me was such that he would make up the Breach, and beget in the Magistrates an advantageous understanding of me; That his acquaintance with me since my coming to Bristol assured him that what was Sworn by the Women was malicious and false, with much more of that nature. In fine I promised not to proceed, if he promised me faithfully to take care that no advantage thereof should be taken. This with exceeding pleasantness and smiles he thanked me for, bidding me not doubt in the lest but that he would do that and more than I could imagine conducing both to my credit and interest, s●eing my ready inclinations to a peaceable composure. I relying on these promises returned to Bristol, immediately after my return was taken into custody by Process out of the CrownOffice for not prosecuting the Traverse, and was forced to pay Charges and give security to traverse the Indictments. The next Term I met him in Westminster-Hall, where he began to accost me with the same wheedle; and my retort of his breach of Promise gave him no blush nor moved him from any Compliment, only he assured me that small charges would signify nothing in respect to the kindnesses which he intended me. Many endearing expressions I received, but bluntly told him that I would no more believe a Person who had once forfeited his Credit in an affair of such a sort, that in might have been at will preserved, wishing him to attend the Court to make defence, for that I resolved by the first opportunity by Counsels Motion to endeavour to quash the Indictments. Which the next day by the now Mr. Baron Gregory was performed, the Court severely checking Mr. Townclark for advising and defending such Prosecution. Now it pleased God to frustrate the malicious intentions of these people without any great affliction to me. Yet I cannot but observe by the way, that seeing how desperately the two Women and Holt swore, had their knowledge been better informed, they would undoubtedly have sworn to a higher Pitch. For the Perjury being the same as if they had sworn Burglary against me, the Oath would not have choked them sooner in one case than the other. Holt not long after died ravingly mad, and crying out against Perjury, and demanding what's the reward of False Swearing? Mrs. Wright, Binghams' Grandmother lived two years after or thereabouts, and then falling sick, and being near death, was frequent (as divers, who visited her, informed me) in very horrid expressions as despairing, although pretensively she was very religiously addicted. I was told likewise by certain Neighbours who visited her, that she was very desitous to speak with me, and to that end I came thrice, as well out of pity as Conscience of Duty to Pray with and discourse her, but her Daughter (Bingham's Mother) denied me admittance. This Daughter is yet, or was lately alive, but, poor Wretch! most unfortunate ever since that Oath taken, living before that very prosperously. She's laden with infamy and scorn by the miscarriages both of her Husband and self; and her other great calamities ought not to be reflected upon, if the lewdness of her life, and no apparent sense of that misery did not spur me on thus to mention so great an Object of Compassion, on whom I beseech God to have mercy.  
In the same year of Mr. Morgan's Mayoralty (Sir john Knight and Mr. Aldworth being the principal Contrivers) I had two more admirable Trials of my Patron's affection. The first was the old Project of Scandal, (and (were not my Evidence Mr. Burroughs then Swordbearer now dead) I would more plainly say Subornation of Perjury to render me scandalous) to the carrying on of which they busily tampered with such as were esteemed meet for their purpose, whom while supplied with drink, they found ready to say any thing that might gratify their Masters, Their chief Factor was one Thomas Warren, whose employment it was to pick up Merchants of Fame. Of such seven (Men and Women) were selected as able to carry on the work, whose Names, and the Substance of what they were to Testify being brought to Mr. Aldworth, he drew them up in form ready for Oath and Signature. This was discovered by Mr. Burroughs, (a zealously loyal Churchman) who gave me the respect of a visit, and to advise me to look to myself, for that he overheard some whisper of design against me, and saw Papers handed from one to another by the Mayor, Townclark and others upon that day dining with the Mayor. In short, the Mayor and other Particles of justice were on a certain day drawn together into the Council Chamber of the City, to sit, as in a Council of War, to determine of a Poor Vicar's Repute; and Thomas Warren was File-leader of the Executioners; For two of the seven appeared not at all. The five managed one by one by Warren, and brought to Aldworth (who stood in the Stairs leading to the Chamber to preexamine and instruct) denied to swear what they had said. Warren was angry, and Aldworth asked them what they came thither for, if th●● would not Swear? To whose question they answered, That Mr. Warren made them drunk, and that (whatever they had said in their drink) they would not swear what was read to them out of Mr. Aldworth's Papers for all the world. So the Right Worshipful and Worshipful departed as wise and honest as they came. Their intentions had been buzzed about the City among the Conventicling Parties, before Mr. Burrough's discovery, although not so privately, but that some of the Orthodox Party discerned somewhat of contrivance against me though they knew not what it was, the day only being known when something of an high nature was to be proved against me. This brought the Factious Birds in Flocks, and the uncertain rumour brought the ingenious sorrowful men to be spectators. Divers of these last saw Warren busy in whispering and introducing the Witnesses one by one, but Mr. Burroughs only heard the words spoken by and to Mr. Aldworth, having, by virtue of his Office, more liberty than others to come within hearing.  
This Holy Stratagem was improsperous, but Malice being always active, they are furnished with a new Devise. Matter of Scandal was some years laid aside, but in the same Mr. Morgan's Mayoralty I was sent for to the Toulzy by a Sergeant, and there brought up into the Council House, where Sir john Knight twatled at his accustomed rates, demanding of me particularly by what pretence of right I received Tithes within the liberties of the City; my Answer was, As lawful Incumbent of the Vicarage of St. Philip of Jacob within the City. Sir john replied, That the City by its Charter was exempted from all payments of Tithes, the Chamber paying fourteen (to the best of my remembrance) pounds yearly to the Abbey of Tewksbury part of the Queen's Dower pro omnibus Decimis Villae Bristol. I justified the Tithes my right, as being received by my Predecessors so long as that the memory of man could not allege to the contrary, and that I would defend the Rights of my Church to the utmost of my power, not fearing God's blessing upon endeavours and a Cause so just. The Parishioners, such as were Fanatical and willing to contribute to ruin the Church, had private notice to be ready, and the Chief of them called up into the Council House▪ and commanded to pay no more Tithes to me or any succeeding Vicar of that Parish, assuring them, that if I brought any action against any of them, their charges should be reimbursed out of the Chamber stock. I urged that the Rector of St. Michael's in the City received Tithes time out of mind for Lands within the liberties of the City, and that the City Chamber paid the Incumbent of little St. Augustine's an annual Composition for Prior's Hill, in regard it was made common to the Citizens for certain uses, and ceased to be beneficial as formerly, together with other Lands within that Parish, upon which Buildings were erected. Sir john learnedly confuted me with saying, that that of St. Augustine's was matter of benevolence, and the other should be enquired into. I departed, and in pursuance of my Promise, served Thomas Warren and others with Subpenaes' out of the Exchequer for non-satisfaction for my Tithes. They defended the Cause for a while, but, after considerable expenses, coming to the succeeding Mayor Alderman Stevens with a Bill of Charges, and to Petition for an Order for Reimbursement according to the former Assurance, the Mayor (although very forward in encouraging them the preceding year, and as forwardly concerned in the former practices against me) had considered of the matter, and answered that no such Order should be granted; That Alderman Morgan galloped too fast in promises, but that he would troth on considerately in performancies of his engagements in rash attempts. This answer cooled my Adversaries, and for that time they came to Composition; neither did I find any further trouble from the following Mayors or other than due respects.  
But the turbulent Spirit of Phanaticism began by banding together, to bring to pass by their own Purses and Subtleties, what they failed of effecting by the Magistrates. To this end divers of them (fourteen in number) entered into a Combination and mutual engagement to detain my Tithes, not only within the Liberties of the City, but those parts of the Parish which lay without the City. The Names of these were john Dowl, Thomas Warren, john Teage, Richard Winston, Robert Miles, and Francis Bell, Principal Conspirators; with whom associated in Council Thomas Edward's, Thomas Wright, Henry Lang not sued, but promoters of the others obstinacy. The rest were rather drawn in, and therefore after some time left them. But three years they held me in Law, making Affidavits of one sort or other, and bringing down Commission upon Commission. At length (when they had almost worn me out) they began to suspect and disagree among themselves. For the Greater charged the Meaner with such Large Bills in Parnership from time to time, that they began to fear themselves ensnared, and to show their Bills. This I by accident hearing was not wanting to add fuel to their jealousy, which increasing, they deserted the Knot of Complicators, and not only compounded with me, but became also Conformable. The rest stood off, but not much longer. The miss of so many Contributors troubled them; for Seditious men as they are Malicious and care not how deeply they engage in mischief, so are they for the most part Seditious out of Covetousness. These also began to be jealous one of another, and by degrees compounded, all except Teage and Winston, who in conclusion were the Asses, which bore the others burdens; for they were compelled to agreement on almost arbitrary Terms. Thus was the storm over, which by most rational men's conjectures would have sunk or wracked me; but Divine Providence reserving me to further trials, permitted not this Device to be successful; their own follies ruined what in their first consultations was perniciously resolved. Then I had some rest for two years, the following Mayor's Sir Robert Yoemans' and Alderman Streamer being so generously and discreetly affected to Loyalty and the Discipline of the Church, that the sly Conventicler durst not attempt by them; The Bishop would not be moved, and the Law gave him no encouragement. The Adversary had, during the late times of Confusion, concealed the Vicarage Rights, and hoped to have involved them in Custom, insomuch that at my first coming thither my yearly accounts of the Vicarage Tithes, Offerings and other Customary Duties amounted not to thirty pounds; which (by their own wrangling and disingenuous practices chiefly) I had by this time raised to be an hundred and ten pounds yearly, being perfectly assured they were worth thirty pounds more. But I thought I had done enough, and was desirous of embracing that tranquillity, which then seemed to Court me.  
Nevertheless within half an year after the birth of my confidence that I should be at rest (having patiently wearied the men of commotion) it pleased God that I was afflicted with a violent Quartan Ague, which worried me two years together. Towards the end of this distemper a certain Quaker named Morrice Williams (whose Wife was Master and Governor according to the methods of perverseness in general use among Sectaries) fearing a Law Suit for the tithes of many years in arrears, came to me and reckoned with me, the account arising to twenty three pounds and upward. This Debt he said he could not pay in ready money, neither otherwise, in regard of his Wife's unmanagable temper. But he desired me for the future to take my Tithes in kind, wherein I shoul● have no opposition, but a free allowance from him so to do, and also to take as much more as my Tithes yearly until the Debt should be satisfied. T●is was on both sides concluded, but not put in execution, Morris Williams soon after dying. His Widow I designed to compel to payment, being able to prove the account and acknowledgements of her Husband. To this end I caused her to be summoned into the Ecclesiastical Court, where she was required either to produce and prove a will, or to Administer to her Husband's Estate. She denied any Will made, or to take any Oath in order to Administration. Her refusal being entered I administered as Principal Creditor, and by virtue of my Administration took into my Possession divers Head of Cattle. But Mr. Thomas Day (beforementioned) being Landlord of what ground Morris William's farmed, caused the Cattle to be brought back by an illegal Replevin. His reasons for fetching them back were grounded upon a pretended Right that he had to ●hem, as being made over to him by Morris Williams in his life-time; and that the cause of this Conveyance was that Williams and his Wife being obstinate Conventiclers, if their Cattle should be seized for penalties, in meeting contrary to the Tenor of the Acts against unlawful Assemblies, they might be disabled from paying his rent. So here was a present Fraud to baffle the procedure of Justice, out of pretence of an inconvenience that might possibly follow. Mr. Day was that year one of the Sheriffs, which swollen his confidence, and gave his dishonest thoughts the larger Wings. But yet this knack of the Conveyance of the Cattle did not look safe; therefore at last the Widow ●ued forth of the Prerogative Court Letters of Administration, and although not sworn, was returned sworn by one (Matthew I suppose) Hazard a Nonconformist Preacher. I opposed my Letters of Administration to hers, and upon a Commission inquiry being made what Bona notabilia Morrice Williams had out of the Diocese at the time of his death, there was only proof that a certain man owed him five pounds for Hey received from Williams; but upon close examination it was found a desperate debt, the Debtor owing many hundreds more than he was able to pay, (whereas it is required that he had of such a value in Goods or Good Debts to make it a Prerogative Case) neither could they prove whether this Debtor was then within the Diocese or not. This notwithstanding (I being confined by sickness to my Chamber, and not able to appear in or look after the managing of my Business) the Administration was granted to the Widow. And after my recovery being in London with my Proctor admiring how the Cause was so carried, I received only this satisfaction from him; This it is to bring into any Court a Cause which is against the interest of the Court.  
Mr. Day was not content with this Victory, nor with ordinary Courses for recovery of Damages pretended to be sustained in driving of the Cattle, but sued my Servant to an Outlawry in the King's Bench. The Outlawry was surreptitiously obtained; and the proceedings were in the King's Bench on purpose to make the Charge excessive before I could be able to make defence. Therefore the Writ was taken out in the Middle of Hillary Term, and the Man arrested and imprisoned, no Bail or Remedy to be taken, but that he must continue a Prisoner until by Habeas Corpus he could be brought to give Bail before one of the justices of the King's Bench, which could be no sooner than Easter Term. Had not Malice and Zeal to Faction spurred him on, that is, if bare reparation for a Trespass had been the utmost of his intention, the Man might any day, or almost any hour of any day have been Arrested, the Cause would sooner have come to Trial, and (if Justice had favoured him) his damages would have certainly not have been the less for his fair and legal proceeding to Judgement. However I resolved to stand to Trial, having delivered a Writ of Habeas Corpus to the under-Sheriff, Mr. Day began some other Fanatical Practices, and daily and hourly after the delivery of the Writ, some or other from him were tampering with my Servant, instilling into his mind many fearful apprehensions of Mr. Days power and his own Danger, and at length wheedled the silly Wretch out of three pounds, and into a General Release.  
But now I am to relate Passages, in comparison of which, all that hath been said is so slight and insignificant, that the past actions of mine enemies seem rather Compliments and Civilities than matter of Complaint. And if the truth of what I am delivering were not known to many men of indisputable worth and integrity, inhabiting in and near the Places of Action, I should forbear to write what I must suspect that few or none would believe. But here Malice met with an Agent, who besides his Power knew how to manage a Church-murdering Weapon. I was advised by Dr. Ironside (the beforementioned Bishop) and my ever Honoured Lord to procure a Qualification to make me capable of some kindness, which his Lordship would confer upon me as opportunity should serve. I hereupon wrote to one Mr. Francis Melsam then belonging to the Paper Office in Scotland Yard to make search for a Vacancy, and to give me necessary instructions to whom I must repair for obtaining of it and when. But he very expeditely sent me down a Qualification under the Lord Denzill Holles Hand and Seal, acquainting me that he had given the Lords Secretary, as his accustomed Fee, five Guyneas, and left the consideration of his diligence to my own Pleasure. I returned him seven Guyneas, and the Instrument withal to be altered, the Clerk in drawing it having committed a mistake, naming Thomas Godwyn Vicar of St. Peter's instead of Vicar of St. Philip and Jacob's Church; which receiving amendment of that error was sent back to me. I came divers times to make offer to his Lordship of my service, and to render him thanks for this so ample a favour, but his Lordship being either beyond Seas, or in the Country at such times as I was in London, I had not the sight of my Worthy Patron. I confess his being one of the Five Members filled my mind with inauspicious jealousies, fearing that he could not be washed white with all those Sacred Lavers of Royal Clemency and Grace wherein he floated, who scorned to publish any Recognitions of the Horrid Indignities and Affronts thrown upon an Incomparable Prince. Within three years after my becoming a Chaplain (to a Lord, whom I could not love, neither was very solicitous to know) Dr. Ironsides died and the truly Heroic Dr. Carleton (now Bishop of Chichester) succeeded. He observing the Synagogues of Satan to be more in esteem and frequented than the Temples of our everblessed Redeemer, and the insolent behaviour of those that were trained up in those Nurseries of Pride and Mischief, with a truly Episcopal Zeal laboured the suppression of them. These endeavours must be supposed to be received, not only with the utmost reproaches of a Calumniating and Viperous Generation, but also all the sly Arts of Revenge. Which nevertheless could not reach his Lordship; and therefore they consult how to wound him through the sides of the Obedient Clergy. Of whom likewise two only appeared open to their attempts, the Reverend Mr. Pleydel Rector of St. Peter's Curch there, and now Archdeacon of Chichester, and myself. In conclusion Mr. Pleydell also broke the Snare, but that laid for me was of greater strength. For the Lord Holles denied the Signing and Sealing the beforementioned Instrument, and expressly before the late Lord Chancellor accused me of forgery. His Lordship's Secretary was said to be gone into France, and Mr. Melsam was removed and not to be heard of. A pretence was likewise form to the Lord Chancellor that I held two Benefices by the means of this forged Qualification, and that St. Philip's in Bristol was lapsed into the King's Hands by my accepting another Benefice, being not legally enabled to hold a Plurality. One Mr. Thomas Cary was by the forwarding and underhand assistance of the Holy Rabble, preferred to be a Petitioner for a presentation on the account of the Lapse, and the Lord Chancellor exasperated with the Lord Holles' Complaint and other Calumnies (requisite at such a time for completing such a Project) would not receive my Addresses, petitioning either for a new Presentation to correct what might be pretended to be error, or a suspension of Mr. Caries Presentation, until the Lord Holles' Secretary should return to England, when I doubted not to clear myself of the imputation. Mr. Cary being presented, I wrote to the Bishop to entreat his Lordship to forbear instituting him, for that I was assured by good Counsel that my Title was good, and that I resolved to defend it. His Lordship received my Letter very joyfully, and for a while denied Mr. Cary Institution. But by some artifice two of my Friends were wrought upon to believe that his Lordships rejecting Mr. Cary's Presentation, would highly redound to his Lordship's injury by incensing the Lord Chancellor, who hereby would be compelled to complain of the Bishop to His Majesty and the Council-Table. That the Bishop would hereby incur His Majesty's Displeasure, and be so far from promoting my interest, that he would render me utterly uncapable of future favour, which would be the consequence of Submission, and room made for it in my Lord Chancellor's Breast by Friendly Mediation. This plausibly told to these two Gentlemen, (whose Names I forbear to mention, in regard of the trouble which the discovered fraud gave them) and by Persons free from injurious intentions, to whom it had been derived from many and different tempers, they readily deliver the same to the Bishop as their persuasion, and his Lordship thinking it safest, and best conducing to the growth of my hopes, Instituted Mr. Cary. Half an hour had not passed after his receiving Institution ere a Letter to his Lordship from me was brought with the news, that I had proved the Qualification to be Signed and Sealed by the Lord Holles, and that Mr. Lord Chancellor would be assured thereof the next or second day by the Lord Holles, who promised to make my Lord Chancellor a visit on purpose to clear my innocence. The Bishop was not more joyous at the removal of the Lord Holles' misapprehensition, than afflicted with his last Act, and that he was induced to it before he consulted me. But he could not recall what was done, therefore he advises whether there were yet no remedy left. To this he was answered, That although no other Patron, might revoke his Presentation after Institution, yet the King might before Induction. Whereupon his Lordship immediately dispatch an Order to the Churchwardens not to deliver to Mr. Cary the Keys of the Church, nor suffer him to be inducted. But this wrought no cure; for the before named Thomas Warren by Ladders, had put up a Boy upon the Roof of the Church, which Boy went in at the Steeple Window, and down by a Bel-rope into the Church, and opened a door which was only bolted within, and Mr. Thomas Palmer (so famous for his service to the late Parliament-General Blake, for his holding the Church of All Saints Bristol, which was the right of that Reverend, truly Loyal and Orthodox Mr. George Williamson ejected thence by Sequestration, and no less nototious for his scandalous piecemeal Conformity in the Churches, wherein he hath been concerned since the Restauration of the Church of England, his private wheedling of Nonconformists, and public resistance of his Diocesan in his charitable endeavours of Regulation) this Mr. Palmer was ready at the violation of the Church, and did induct Mr. Cary, and (if I may inoffensively write what I only conjecture) probable reasons prompt me to speak him the principal Contriver. Mr. Carry thus got into Possession, I that had nothing left wherewith to sustain a necessitous life, must either quietly relinquish my right, or foolishly contend against one that fought me both with my own weapons, and those of a rich and insulting Party.  
But now I must return to show by what Providence the Lord Holles became convinced that there was no Forgery in this matter, unless in him or them who were guilty of framing the Accusation. Waiting on a certain day upon Sir john Baber, (who was divers times pleased to treat me with the respects of a Kinsman, and was a Neighbour and intimate of that Lords) he advised me by no means to frequent the way through Coven-Garden, should my business thereabout be never so urgent; for he understood that the Lord Holles would certainly take me up with a Warrant, and prosecute me to the Pillory for Forgery. I could not but be enraged hereat, and many sudden conceptions traversing my mind without order, I nevertheless without much hesitation replied to Sir. john, that my innocence would protect me, and did now render me fearless; that I would either presently, or at the first opportunity of admittance show myself to his Lordship and (if he attempted or mentioned any such thing) let him know how much I dared contemn the threatenings, and could glory in the sufferings of further proceedings. Sir john blamed me as very ill advised, earnestly dissuading me from such dangerous rashness. His Counsel nevertheless had not prevalency, but I took my leave of him, and for some time walked under the Piazza before his Lordship's Door until I had digested some necessary considerations which then exercised my thoughts. While I was thus walking my Brother Mr. Morgan Godwyn a Person in Orders, and now Vicar of Bulkington in Warwickshire passed along, to whom I related Sir john's words and my own resolution. My Brother approving my intent, went with me to his Lordship, who was so far from menacing, that very complementally he desired us to sit and talked very much like a good natured Gentleman, who would not willingly destroy a Pilchard or Sparta. In discourse he chanced to use the name of Mr. Newman. Now I had formerly been to wait upon his Lordship, but missing him met with his Secretary and Mr. Francis Melsam before mentioned, with whom sitting, as they talked (though of matters not concerning me) twice or thrice they repeated the name of Mr. Newman. Which that I should remember some years afterwards, moved me to the greater thankfulness to my Gracious Preserver, in regard it surmounts my reason. But I (remembering it) had spent much time in enquiry about the Court and other places for Mr. Newman, although to no purpose. My fancy steadfastly persuaded me that this Gentleman either knew what his Lordship had done, or could direct me to Mr. Melsam, which would be equivolent. After so much labour in vain his Lordship puts the discovery in order, which more justly and ingeniously he had never occasioned. He speaking of Mr. Newman, I soon told his Lordship, That I was confident that Mr. Newman knew the Hand and Seal of the Instrument to be his Lordships Act. Doth Mr. Newman (saith he) know any thing of it? Well, Mr. Godwyn, I will send to speak with him to morrow. But I cannot believe I did it, for although the Hand be very well counterfeited, yet I am assured that I never had such a Seal in my life time, but pray come again to morrow in the Evening, and I will tell you what Mr. Newman saith. I departed with this Order, but had not so much silly patience to wait until his Lordship's Meanders and Intricacies should entangle the Gentleman. Therefore enquiring of his Lordship's Porter we found his habitation to be in the Palace Yard at Westminster, the Gentleman to be a justice of the Peace, and a Barester of the Temple. We first desired to know whether he had at any time heard of one Mr. Thomas Godwyn Vicar of St. Philip's in Bristol? He answered, Yes. Did you, Sir, ever hear that he was Chaplain to the Lord Holles? He replied, I know it. But pray, Gentlemen, why do you inquire this of me? Because (as we answered) it is made a doubt whether the Lord Hollis did ever qualify him or not, it being reported that what he hath produced as his Lordship's Act is merely forged. It is (saith he) no such thing; I saw the Lord Holles Sign and Seal it at Somerset House, for the Secretary being sent about his Lord's business, left it there with me, the Writing having three blanks, which I myself filled up; and when it was to be Sealed the Secretary having forgotten to leave the Seal, his Lordship asked my advice whether another Seal were not sufficient? upon my answer that it was, his Lordship borrowed his Son Sir Francis Holles ' s Seal, and therewith Sealed it. Moreover (saith he) by mistake the Instrument was penned as directed to Thomas Godwyn Vicar of St. Peter's, and in regard of this error was remitted to be amended, which I saw done in my Lord's Presence, and instead of St. Peter's was inserted St. Philip and Jacob. I then informed him that I was the Person, telling him likewise of my danger, and entreating him the trouble to certify his Lordship with what he knew and had spoken. He presently performed it, his Lordship seeming to hear it with astonishment. But that which more astonished me, was the borrowed posture of a concerned gravity, which he put on to cover the former denial; for it is most incredible that (Sir Francis Holles' years then considered) his Lordship knew not his Sons Seal, which he must have seen probably above one thousand, at least divers hundred times. His Lordship further pretended much sorrow, that he had wronged me by so unhappy a mistake, but although he conclnded himself surprised some way or other when he set his Hand to the Writing, yet seeing I had suffered thereby in my Reputation and Fortune, he would upon his Honour labour his utmost to redeem them, both with the Lord Chancellor and otherwise. I entreated a short Certificate of this from his Lordship to the Lord Chancellor; to which he replied, Mr. Godwyn, I will readily do more than that, and will on purpose go to morrow to my Lord Chancellor, to testify your integrity. I desired his Lordship to excuse himself that trouble, a short Letter from him being as satisfactory to my Lord Chancellor as his oral testimony. But he answered, Mr. Godwyn, suspect me not, I will upon my Honour speak to my Lord Chancellor, and set you upright in his esteem. But here we have place to observe, that sometimes men are possessed with very thin and soft thoughts of Honour, when their words make them seem impregnable against the temptations of vicious and malicious popularity. The Lord at the time promised came to my Lord Chancellor, but (as the following discourse will demonstrate) was so far from the least endeavour of wiping of the Stain, with which he discoloured me, that contraywise (thinking what was done already to be insignificantly regardless) such additions of Scandal and Notorious Debaucheries were delivered into my Lord Chancellor's hand in memorial (I would call it a Libel if a Noble Hand were not in some measure concerned in it) containing a whole sheet of Paper, written on both sides, that no wretched Criminal in Newgate could be laden with more. It was more than a year after e'er I could learn from whose hand this Paper came; but when I knew it, no Act (except the thought of the Commission of any of those objected against me) could more seize me with horror. I came to Mr. Thynne (one of my Lord Chancellor's Secretaries) very joyfully suspecting nothing of the Policy of the Upstart Vulgar in the Constitution of Nobility, to overwhelm the memory of past injuries by the accumulation of greater. Mr. Thynne producing this Paper, I desired of him, and presently after of Dr. Sharp to know who was the Author, and what were the means of Justification, of which I was solicitous out of self assurance, that no proof or probability of such guilt could rest upon me. They answered that they could not satisfy or direct me in either. At length walking in my Lord's Gallery with the Doctor my great vexation turned to sudden laughter, which he seemed to behold with more trouble than he did my discontentedness, and desires to know what might cause a change so sudden. I answered, it was the remembrance of a Distich in Hudibras, 
Thus justice while it winks at Crimes,  
Stumbles on Innocence sometimes.  The Doctor demanded what I meant thereby; I answered, that it was one passage in that list of accusations, and that I would (if he pleased) relate unto him a Peice of Impudence scarce to be paralleled, yet nothing more signally accepted and rewarded. I showed him the Article, desiring him to hear what I had more to say.  
On a certain evening in the Summer season near eight of the Clock, Mr. Cary (now presented by My. Lord Chancellor to St. Philip's Vicarage) with three Country Gentlemen, (who intended to take Horse at the Lamb at Lawfords Gate near my Vicarage House) and a Citizen called upon me, desiring me to accompany them to that Place and partake with them of a Glass of Sherry. I denied not, but after each man's Club of half a Pint, I paid my own and Mr. Caries shot, and returned home, and was in my Bed by one quarter after nine of the Clock at farthest. A merry vein took the rest and held them there until six the next morning. The rest retired to what Lodgings they could get; Mr. Carry only and the Citizen went home. I received from the lips of the Citizen and two of the Countrymen at what high rates they had drank, and in what a trim they parted, they prefacing their story with these words, It's well you departed so soon. I could speak more plainly, but do not judge it requisite. Only I add, That the Authors of the Libel knowing the time of our ingress into the Tavern, and the time of my departure, must necessarily know my departure home in season, and consequently my not being with the Company at their breaking up, and Mr. Caries being there till the last minute of the stay made by the rest. Yet my reservedness was traduced and punished for idleness and intemperance, and Mr. Caries night Studies met with the recommendations of the Saints, the Patronage of a great Lord, and by their means a remarkable reward.  
I do not think that the Lord Holles did himself frame that Paper of Articles; but whether in consultation with the Bristol Agitants he did not encourage it, I dare not against my opinion affirm. I only affirm his Promise beforementioned made to me upon his Honour, was either never, or at least not at the time Promised performed. And I have great reason to think that he never intended the Performance. For Sir john Baber, some little while after telling me, that the Lord Holles would return me the Instrument, with what endorsement should be necessary for the vindication of my repute among my Friends, (such as might probably think amiss of me, when fame was grounded upon so great authority) the Lord acknowledged that he did promise it to Sir john, but being then busy willed me to come again, and that he would look for it, and lay it aside for me against my next coming. I confess I expected not performance, but had a desire to make a through inspection into the nature of a five Member Man changed. At my next and last coming his Lordship told me that he did make a promise to Sir john Baber, but through forgetfulness of the Promise, on a certain night being in a passion he burned it, but truly was exceedingly sorry for it. And this being the word of a Lord I was bound to believe it, although I should otherwise have thought the sorrow such as needed the Doctor's consolation to his groaning Board.  
I became apprehensive what Honour and Promises were in the esteem of them that had dared to lift up their hands against God's Sacred Vicegerent, and was left to the remedy of Prayer for deliverance from all such for the future. But whither to betake myself I knew not, having neither money nor employment. Yet I had not long waited when the Reverend and my kind Friend Dr. Woodroffe took me down to Shrivenham in Berkshire to officiate there as his Curate: Where for some months I lived very quietly and pleasantly, having no Fanatical broils, entangled with no Law Suits, nor pestered with daily passing amidst the throngs of screwed faces distorted with hypocrisy, malice and the furies of ill Consciences. But after some time spent there, my singular good Lord Dr. Carleton Bishop of Bristol procured me a small Rectory of forty pound per annum called Filton within four miles of Bristol, wishing me to be contented therewith until some better opportunity showed itself.  
During the time of Mr. Cary's Possession, divers Persons learned in both the National and Canon Laws, advised me that St. Philip's Vicarage was not lapsed when Mr. Cary became pretender to it by that Title, but that by my accepting Filton it became void and would be lapsed. I therefore resolved to take no notice of it (if others should pass it without observation) until it were lapsed into the Bishop's disposal; at which time I readily received a Collation thereto from his Lordship, and upon the 10th day of june, in the year 76. (as I take it) was peaceably inducted into the Church by Mr. Archodeacon Pleydel before named, six Vestry men (the Churchwardens being not at home) and some other substantial Parishioners being present. From the Church I went to the Vicarage House and took possession thereof without the least opposition, and after some time spent in it in discoursing I departed, first delivering the Keys of the Church and House to the Parish Clerk in the sight of the Archdeacon and of those Vestry men and Parishioners, who had accompanied me, to be kept for my use, and so went home to Filton. In the morning I returned, and at the usual time began to read Divine Service, and proceeded therein unto almost the end of the second Lesson without any persons gainsaying or motion to the contrary, except that Mr. Cary, while I was reading the Seraphic Hymn, went up into the Pulpit, and after some stay there, being beckoned to by his Brother john Cary (a factious busy fellow) came down again, and with his Brother and Thomas Warren went forth of the Church, and in a short space returned with about ten more in company. Eight of these (Mr. Thomas Cary standing by, bidding and encouraging them with promises of Indemnity) came to the Reading Desk, interrupting and requiting me to cease Reading and come down. One took the Bible, another the Service Book from before me; others plucked me by the right Arm, and some by the right Leg, and in so violent a manner drew me out of the Seat, that my right Leg was pulled down three steps the other remaining above by reason of somewhat in the way hindering its moving, and their hasty Fury allowing me no time to help myself. By their so spreading me I was put to inexpressible torture, and am yet lame, and do doubt I shall continue so while I live. Having drawn me out, they plucked off the Surplice, and tore my Gown, and set up their Idol in my place. This commotion began just at my reading the stoning of St. Paul, out of the 14th of the Acts, the second Lesson for that day being the Festival of St. Barnabas. I stayed in the Church until Mr. Cary had ended his Sermon; but when I was come into the Churchyard, the Constables (who it appeared were of the persons, who dealt so barbarously with me) laid hands upon me to bring me before the Mayor for breaking the Peace, and causing a disturbance and uproar in the Church. I told them that I would willingly go with them, for that I thought my Reading Divine Service could be no breach of Peace or cause of Disturbance; but was rather of opinion that their Actions would be interpreted no less than riotous. Coming before Sir Robert Cann then Mayor, they began a grievous complaint, That I had kept Mr. Cary out of the Reading Desk, and had disturbed the Congregation, and had beaten them being Constables, endeavouring to keep the Peace. When silence from their impertinent Falsities gave me liberty, I acquainted Sir Robert of my Coll●tion, Induction and other Acts before related; and that I was no otherwise concerned with any Person than by performing the Requisites of my Office according to the injunctions of the Church, until these men interrupted and laid violent hands upon me. The Mayor told them, That whereas they had accused me, themselves were the Offenders, requiring of them to appear the next morning at the Toulzey. Thither I came with Mr. Pleydell and such Witnesses as both saw my Induction on the Saturday, and mine and the others demeanour on the Sunday; and Mr. Cary came with his janissaries. There were present on the Bench the Mayor, Sir john Knight, Alderman Olive, Alderman Knight and others; to whom giving an account of what had happened the preceding day, I desired the Offenders might be punished and I restored (as I ought) to possession of my Church. Sir john began to examine Mr. Pleydell by what Power he gave me Induction! who answered, by virtue of a Mandate from the Bishop of the Diocese. Sir john desired him to show it, that themselves and their Town Clerk reading it might judge whether it were sufficient to enable him to do what he had done. That Mr. Pleydell answered, That as soon as he had by an endorsement certified his Act, he returned it me. Sir john very fiercely demanded it of me; to whose demand I replied, That my business before them was not to examine the Legality of the Title, but the force and violent retaking possession, and the Riot committed in a consecrated Place, upon a Person exercised only in officiating in the Church; That Mr. Pleydell and so many other Witnesses proving my peaceable Induction and Possession, I ought to be restored, and that Mr. Cary had his remedy at Law if Institution and Induction had been given me upon unjustifiable grounds. Mr. Rumsey the Town Clerk squeekt it for Law, That if I refused to show my Title, Mr. Carry aught to be continued in Possession, So said Sir john Knight, and Alderman john Knight. The Mayor and Alderman Olive declared their Opinions, That my Possession being no forcible Entry, but proved to be taken without opposition, I ought to be reinstated in it, and that they were no competent Judges of the validity of mine and Mr. Cary's Titles, which must be left to a Superior Decision. Mr. Rumsey continuing to deliver himself in the former Opinion, Sir Robert Can persisted to declare his thoughts to be as before the same, and said further to Mr. Rumsey, Mr. Town Clark, You are by your Office to direct us what is Law, and if you misguide us, as I very much suspect you now do, look you to it. Thus Malice, or lgnorance, or both prevailing against Justice and Reason, I was left to seek Redress where else I could find it, none to be obtained there. But to (to make a show of Justice) on the Wednesday following a jury was impanelled (every person thereof being noted Conventiclers) to inquire of the Force; but no notice thereof was given me, nor Mr. Pleydell, nor any other concerned with me. This jury readily brought in against me a Verdict of forcible Entry, and he who had twice made forcible Entry (first by putting a Boy by Ladders to go in at the Church Steeple to open the Doors, and secondly, by pulling me violently our of the Reading Place, was continued in Possession.  
But as to the Action in the Church I caused Mr. Cary, and as many more as I knew engaged in it, to be cited in the Ecclesiastical Court, and prosecuted upon the Statute of the 4th of K. Edward the 6th. This Prosecution was so managed, that notwithstanding many arts used and delaying practices, Mr. Cary was forced to beg an agreement. Which he did first by Mr. Horn, a Revetend Prebendary of the Cathedral, coming to Mr. Pleydells, to entreat his intercession, whom Mr. Cary presently followed into Mr. Pleydells' House, vouchsafing (although a Thing otherwise of most exalted Spirits) to desire him to interpose between us, and prevail by a Reference to put an end to the difference. It was my hap to come thither a little space before Mr. Horn. Mr. Pleydell telling him that I was in the House, said withal they should have a speedy Resolve. The day before I received a letter, acquainting me that my Lord Chancellor had received satisfactory accounts of the injuries I sustained by the Lord Holles, and his Nonconformist Clients, and had granted me a Presentation to a Benefice in Pembrokeshire, which was already past the Seal. This Letter put me upon Consultation, whether it were best for me to prefer this, or my Bristol Interest. In conclusion, my hopes of a more peaceable life in Wales than Bristol, induced me to accept of an agreement, if such were offered as would indifferently compensate my Charges. But before any thing done I judged it became me to receive my Diocesans directions; who approving my conceptions, this Treaty of accord being offered I embraced it. Not as a Reference (which was very much urged) but if by proposals and arguments on each side of the reasonableness of them any accommodation could be wrought, I consented to a meeting in the Evening at Mr. Alderman Oleffe's House in order to it. The four present were alone mentioned the persons to meet; but when I came thither I found Mr. Penwarden Rector of St. Stephens, Mr. Brent of St. Thomas, and one Mr. Fry an ingenious Clergyman, living in the City but not beneficed. Between the time of my promise to meet and our meeting, Mr. Horn had some conference with the Bishop concerning it, and brought with him a Letter, wherein his Lordship advised me to accept fifty pounds, which he found Mr. Horn on Mr. Cary's part inclined to give. It came open and had been seen by the Company before my coming; and Mr. Horn and Mr. Cary had offered forty five pounds. When I had read his Lordship's advice, I was told what had been proposed; to which I answered, That I should not have accepted so small a sum as fifty pounds, if his Lordship had not thought fit that I should accept it, I not being wont to call my Bishop's judgement in question, especially his, of whose very good affections towards me I was so well assured; but if that I were paid our differences should be at an end. Forty five was the most they offered; but I would abate nothing of fifty. At length Mr. Brent directing his discourse to me in exhortations to Peace, I told him that I would refer the Cause to himself, if he pleased by but three minutes reflection to consider it and make it his own case. The rest of the Company persuaded Mr. Brent to undertake the decision of this Matter, who in short time (after a second demand whether each of us would abide his Judgement) ordered Mr. Cary to pay me the full fifty pounds. On the other hand I was ordered the next Court day to withdraw my Suit commenced in the Spiritual Court; secondly, to give Mr. Cary a General Release upon the payment of the money; thirdly, to sign, when tendered to me, such a Writing as Counsel should advise, whereby I should be obliged, neither by myself, nor any other persons by my procurement to molest Mr. Cary for any Act or Thing done before the Sealing of it. I was herewith very well satisfied, and Mr. Cary seemed so much more, giving Mr. Pleydell and Mr. Horn (not only verbally but otherwise) great thanks for their pains taken in bringing us together, and to Mr. Brent the like for ending the Controversy. Afterwards Mr. Cary and I shaking hands, and all animosities laid aside, Mr. Cary desired of me forbearance of payment of forty pounds of the fifty, for that he was not at present furnished with so much money. I agreed to forbearance of thirty pounds if he gave me Bond and Security for that sum, and paid me twenty pounds in the mean time. At length it was concluded between us (this being on a Friday Evening) that on Monday following he should pay me twenty pounds by two of the Clock at the same House, and there likewise give me Security for the remaining thirty. This being private discourse when agreed upon, we related it to the Company; before whom also he desired, as a kindness, my delivering to him my Books of Accounts, and what Papers I had relating to the Parish Tithes and Customs, which I promised. But when Monday came Mr. Pleydell and I appearing at the Place, and Mr. Cary after some stay beyond the time appointed, coming with his Brother john Cary, I began to discourse him concerning our business, telling him that I had performed according to Mr. brent's Order what I was on my part to do, that is, I had in the presence of his own Proctor withdrawn the Cause, and was ready to sign the Release and other Writing upon receipt of the twenty pounds and Security for the rest. He hereupon was no more the former Mr. Cary, who sued to me by his Friends, and himself for an Agreement, and seemed as it were transported to another World upon the Composure, but began to deny Security, affirming that he would never have any man engaged for him, but if I would take his own Bond for payment within three years, that he would give. And this was all the satisfaction I have received to this day. Sir john Knight I imagine upon good grounds out of his inveterate malice to me, dissuaded him from performance of his promise, whose counsel Mr. Cary finding himself out of danger by my withdrawing the Suit, did readily entertain, partly out of his own disposition to integrity, partly in imitation of the pious Examples of the Parties, which set up and protected him.  
This was done in August, but at the Michaelmas following I arrested him upon the Contract, by an Action taken out of that which they call there the Pye-Powder-Court. My Attorney declaring on my behalf, a Rule being entered requiring their Plea by such a time, it was not filled or delivered in divers Courts after the time limited. Whereupon he being called in Court, and not appearing, Judgement ought to have been entered on my behalf. But chose there was a juggle with the Clerk of the Office (who was one of the Attureys for the Defendant, a thing (I suppose) scarcely justifiable) and another Attorney pretending the Plea to have been brought into the Office in Court time, which ought to have been delivered, not only before that Court was called, but before three Courts preceding that. I required my Attorneys to take no notice of their Plea, but strictly to proceed to Judgement and Execution. But the Steward of the Court refused to enter Judgement, and ordered a Jury to be Impanelled for the Trial of the Cause the next Morning. I intended to have kept to the advantage given me, resolving to prosecute the Steward in case he should continue partial; but being persuaded that a Trial could not be my disadvantage in a Cause so just and plain, I was prevailed with, especially hearing the Names of the jurymen, who in my Conscience I esteemed as honest. I confess I had also somewhat of experiment to try upon Mr. Cary, whether he could be constant to his lately imbibed Principles, and appear without blushing and astonishment, where such Witnesses as I had to produce should on Oath publish the gross turpitude of a Fact utterly inexcusable. At the Trial Mr. Horn, Mr. Pleydell, and Mr. Penwarden proved exactly the three Considerations on which I had grounded my demand of fifty pounds; But Mr. Brent having been very sickly some time before this Hearing proved the three, but withal added a fourth Consideration, namely the delivery of my Books and Papers relating to the Parish, which as it was none of the Considerations, but an aftermade Promise upon request, so neither was it declared for; yet it was proved that I had told Mr. Cary that I had brought them to such a Place in Bristol, where he should receive them upon the payment of the money. Nevertheless Mr. brent's testifying this as a Consideration, I was Nonsuited and the Jury discharged. Whether this Knack was really matter of Law, I do not undertake to know; But the jurymen and the rest of the standers by departed, declaring that they thought it impossible that Mr. Cary should be guilty of so manifest a piece of Knavery as was now laid open. For, alas! they before esteemed him as some Rarity of Gods more especial Handiwork, sent thither by an especial Providence. Nevertheless he altered not his Countenance, but (as the Whore that Solomon mentions going away wiping her mouth, and saying she had done no harm, so) he gaining by them cared not by what brand his Actions were noted, and thought the shame would be worn out when the money remained in his Pocket, knowing withal that he had multitudes ready to blanche his blackest deeds, especially in any thing of concern against me.  
If he had never desired an agreement, I had merely as in respect to the Presentation to Poulchrohan in Pembrokeshire been a Gainer more than the money promised. The death of the Bishop of St. David's Dr. Lucy, and the late Archbishop Dr. Sbelden soon after occasioning unfortunate and chargeable journeys and attendance, with the forementioned Law Charges in endeavouring to recover the fifty pounds, caused me forty two pounds expense, besides the charge of a Clergyman serving the Cure, and demanding unreasonable rates (the Place and Country especially considered) besides the havoc made of my Tithes in Churchwardens disposing, and the ruin of the Parsonage House by my Predecessors Widow, who did tear up and carry away the Board's and Timber of three Rooms entirely, and almost of a fourth, together with eight Doors of the House, and divers Gates from off the Gleab Land, and other Wastes and Inconveniencies.  
Nevertheless at length I arrived at my Parsonage, where I met with Parishioners, who constantly frequented the Church and Sacraments, and among whom was no sort of Dissenter, nor any that seemed inclined to defraud or give me any trouble in my Tithes or Deuce. Their Conformity and peaceable Demeanour exceedingly gladded me: I began to overlook Fortune, and with disdain to view her malignity, and to tell her that my prospect of a quiet life in that remote Angle of the Kingdom was reparation for all her injuries, and strongly conceited myself banished out of the reach of misfortunes. But Faction, which searches the very Abisses of Hell for Weapons to furnish its Armoury, wherewith it dares attempt upon Heaven, exercised its Faculties, and sent after me Executioners of my Infant Tranquillity. I thought that the Bristol men's Malice had satisfied itself with a Lusty Revenge in my past losses and sufferings. But nothing is more apparent than that Oppression suspecteth its own safety, if the Oppressed be not continually beaten down with fresh blows and addition of weights. The frequent Commerce between Bristol men and the Inhabitants of Milford Haven (where I dwelled) gave them opportunity of enquiry by what Methods and Persons further mischief might take its rage. And the first that I have heard of was in large offers of Rewards to one Mr. john Powel Town Clark of Pembroke▪ (within the Liberties of which Corporation my Parsonage House standeth) tempting him to the apprehending of me by the Town Warrants and Officers. I happened to fall into an intimacy of Acquaintance at my first coming into that Country with this Gentleman, whose near Kinsman, and my incomparably kind Friend Nathariel Powel Esquire lived in my Parish, at whose House I often met him, and in meeting, by degrees arrived at the greatest Familiarity. He from time to time gave me intimation of designs against me, and what Proposals and Answers were made. Concealing our Friendship he heard the Invectives of those men (for I knew them not) whom the Party at Bristol had employed as Factors. After two or three Congresses he began more plainly to inquire into the nature of the Causes of Action, especially upon hearing great Rewards offered. At last he shook them off finding no material ground for complaint, or any thing that could correspond with those motions so eager and high in the beginning: they ran on very largely in discourses of my Debts, and that I was Knavish, and would pay no man; but upon examination had no Commission from any of my Creditors to demand or sue me for any sum, and could produce nothing but trifling matters for Costs recovered in three Suits for Tithes, wherein I could not proceed for want of money after my ejectment out of St. Philip's. Only before parting he assured them, wherever I was concerned in any just Debts, he was confident that I would carefully discharge them, time only being in reason allowed in regard of my new and chargeable settlement; But that if litigious causes of Action were framed, he would contribute his best advice and help in my defence, rather than suffer me to be ruined by ill practices. However they failed of Mr. Powel, they hit upon a surer instrument Mr. William Skirm, a sort of perpetual undersheriff of Pembrokeshire, who by himself, Brothers, Relations or Clarks, seldom faileth of managing that Office at the rate he doth it. At the time of these men being in that Country Mr. Thomas Brother of William Skirm had the Name of undersheriff, and knew his Employment somewhat better than his white Staff that he carried as the Signal of his Office. The Bristol Factors had not so much Wit as Malice, but brought into Pembrokeshire Writs for Costs derected to the Sheriffs of Glocestershire and Bristol, which would no way serve the turn there. But William Skirm knew how to gratify them, resolving upon some present fetches until he should be better furnished with instructions from Bristol. This I write as their own Confession at Caermarthen in Company of one, whom they suspected not to know or have any acquaintance with me; And further as being uncapable of provoking Mr. Skirm, (whom I had never seen, of whose name I had never before heard, neither dwelled nearer to him than fourteen miles, the Haven flowing betwixt) by any sort of injury that may be pretended in his Defence, or any relating to him.  
This first Project of William Skirms (for which the Ass his Brother as undersheriff was a Cloak) was concerning a Bill of five pounds due to one Mr. Daniel Lewis. This Lewis had been assigned payment in Corn according to his own desire, but whether by his own change of mind or being inveigled, in july giveth me notice that he expected payment in Money and not in Corn. Necessity compelling me to entreat his forbearance till Michaelmas following, with which request he departed seemingly very willing to comply. But upon the 29th day of August next following a Daughter of Lewis' (and servant to Essex Merrick Esquire, suspected to be a principal Contriver with Skirm) came under pretence of discoursing me concerning her Father's Debt. Presently after her entry, one belonging to me came and told me that there were Bailiffs near the House. The Door being shut, Lewis' Daughter whilst I was looking out at Window, was busy in opening the Door, but was seen and prevented. The Chief Bailiff Henry David knocked at the Door very furiously again and again, threatening to break it open, alleging that he had power so to do, attempting the same with a wooden Bar lying near the Dore. After these menaces he retired somewhat from the Door and made Proclamation, (I heard the Words and divers of my Family besides hearing, saw the postures) holding a large written Paper by the Corner. His Proclamation was, Thomas Godwyn Clark, Rector of Poulchrohan, I require thee in the King's Name to come forth and surrender thy Body to me, as the Sheriff's Bailie, upon pain of Rebellion. This he did thrice, and then came again to break open the Door, I threatening to shoot any Person that should offer to break open any Door of my House. In this manner he spent more than two hours, I in the mean time wondering how strange and different from those of other Countries, were the ways of proceeding in Pembrokeshire. At length my Man Servant driving home a Cartload of Corn, the Bailiffs ran to him and seized the Horses. After many words passing betixt them, Henry David striving to unharness them, they thrusting the Man side, and the Man them, said the Man, My Master hath entrusted me with the Horses, and I will lose my life rather than part with them without my Master's Order. This no sooner said, but he knocked down David with the But end of a Pitchfork, and after three or four dry blows drives the Cart to the place where it was to be unladen. David rising up again, came after him with a drawn Sword, at which my Servant exasperated, beat him more severely than before, and by accident struck some skin from off his Arm. Before this, during the time of his blustering about the House, I had sent to know what his business there was, with assurance of giving due satisfaction to the Law when I knew what it required; and to this I had no other answer, but that I must presently open my Doors, and surrender my Person to him. But at last, upon my Servants coming, he received what his behaviour demanded, and so departed. In returning he with Lewis' Wife and Daughter (the rest were vanished) went to my beforenamed worthy Friend Mr. Nathaniel powel's house to entreat some Cordial Water for this fainting Executioner of Mr. Skirms Laws. There he told a lamentable story, how the Sheriff sending him with an Execution issued forth of the County Court, Daniel Lewis Plaintiff, I and my Servant had beaten him and rescued the Horses taken in Execution. Mr. john Powel being present read the Execution, and the Bailiff having showed his Wounds and Bruises went away. This Execution was taken out, no previous Attachment or Summons (one of the two being absolutely necessary) being served in order to a Legal Trial; neither had I heard any thing of a Law Suit with Lewis, or in the least suspected it. Moreover, the second of September following I caused the Cursitors Office to be searched whether any Writ of justicies (without which the County Court could not sue for any Debt or Account above forty shillings) had been granted in this Case; which was certified not to be granted. But this my sauciness in examining Mr. Skirms actions, which were wont to be justifiable by his bare Will, made him excessively choleric, and to my face to threaten me That he would do my business. Yet Skirm and one Richard Owen (a Solicitor in the County Court) thinking to Palliate the foulness of the Act, gave out that David had no Execution, but an Original Attachment to serve; all which appeared to be false, as well upon search into the proceedings of the Court, as Mr. john Powell's sight of the Execution.  
But I must return to look after Henry David, who in the way home conducting the She Setter (Mr. Lewis' Daughter) to her Master Essex merrick's House, the complaint was made to this Worshipful Mr. Justice, who immediately granted forth his Warrant for apprehending me and my Man. The next morning (August 30.) the Constables took and brought me before this Gentleman, and one Mr. (Thomas I think to be his name) LLoyd of Grove, who required of me two Sureties for the Behaviour. I replying, that being a stranger in that Country I could not every where procure Sureties, but if they saw good to believe me, I wou●d (this being Saturday in the afternoon) certainly on Monday following bring them Security to Answer and Traverse whatsoever Indictment on any pretence should be brought into Court. I explained to them Henry David's words and behaviour, and assured them that I was not near him, but kept myself within the House, and that he would send me no account wherefore he came thither, and that I had no cause (if he had told me his business) to submit to an Execution, in regard I had no notice to defend my Cause. Mr. Merrick answered, We know him to be a great Rogue, but he hath sworn against you, and you must either give good Bail or go to Prison. I thanked them for their respects to me as a Clergyman, in refusing me a Credit than which none is more usually given to inferior Persons, especially in a matter of Complaint by so notorious a Rogue as they bespoke him; and then the Constables guarded me to the Town of Pembroke. These Justices, and most men inhabiting the County had known this Henry David to have been divers times accused of Rapes, indicted and convicted of making arrests and seizures without Warrant or Cause, of arresting two Widows, and not allowing them time to procure Bail, but carrying them into uncooth places, and there proposing to compound the pretended differences, and release them upon receiving satisfaction of his Lust. For these and other enormities the Judges had fined him, and commanded that he should no more be suffered to act as a Bailiff. But being so much the fitter instrument for Mr. Skirm, he was not in the least discontinued. And this is the Man, and this is the Cause, for which I must be disgracefully lead about by Constables from place to place, my word esteemed of no weight, and for which I had been presently carried to Prison too if Mr. john powel had not heard of it and came to my help. This my Friend did not only come and voluntarily engage for my appearance, but having made some discoveries of it, openly taxed and proved Mr. Merrick to be, if not a manager, yet one that knew the contrivance. And to say truth, his carriage in this point only (without the suspicion of things of a later date to be mentioned hereafter) are ground enough for me to believe the same.  
If here in my discourse pretending to be bend against Bristol Nonconformists and their Agents, any seem to inquire what Mr. Merrick hath to do in it, my answer is, That although he hath obtained to be in Commission for the Peace, yet is so far from being overzealous in the Cause of the King and Church, that he is (like the late Earl of Shaftsbury) all true Protestant, and out of his jealousy of Popery creeping in the Church, knoweth how in his forms of Justice, Rates and Impositions to scandalise and discourage strict Conformity, and to wink at Conventicling Liberty. His Father was a Dependant upon that grand Rebel the Earl of Essex, who lead Presbyterian Villainy into the Field armed, with intent at once to destroy and make Glorious their Great Master the best and kindest of men. The same Earl was this Gentleman's Godfather, whence the Font delivered him Essex; And how much a Favourer of those Factious Parties he hath been, those few true Royalists of the County, who dare speak, will inform the inquisitive. But besides, what hath been thus bred in the Bone, he hath also an inveterate hatred to Englishmen coming to plant in that Country; witness his many provocations of the Stout, Loyal and Discreet Coll▪ Mordant, who could have no rest until his Patience tired moved him to qualify Mr. merrick's Gall by bleeding him in the Thigh; and witness his many Consultations how to ruin Mr. Bartlet (an eminent Merchant there) and others, whom he calleth the Strangers, who come thither to eat the Country men's Bread ou● of their Mouths. Add to his private dislike of these, my Crimes of Loyalty, Conformity and a remote derivation, his great intimacy with William Skirm; and this Qustion hath its Solution.  
At the Assizes for the County held at Haverfordwest, and beginning Sept. the 1st I appeared, where I met with one Mr. William Meare, who taking me aside, desired to know what was the Cause of the Clamour about Henry David I related all to him as before; but (saith he) 'tis said and affirmed that it will be sworn by Daniel Lewis ' s Daughter, that you threatened to shoot him; truly (I replied) Sir, I called unto the Person, who threatened to break up my House, forbidding him, and assuring him, That if he attempted it, I would shoot him. And would you have done it? saith Mr. Mear; Indeed I would if I could. (I answered) I would not have killed him, but if he had done any such thing, without satisfying me by what Warrant he did it, I would have put some Pepper in his Shins. He smiled and went away; and (as I learned afterward) was Foreman of the Grand jury, before whom a Bill of Indictment being brought, and Henry David swearing That after divers times threatening to shoot him, at length I and my Man had wounded and beaten him; the Jurymen (as five of them together told me the same day) out of a deep sense of David's many wicked Actions and vile course of life, did all refuse to find the Bill except Mr. Meare, who told them, That although their reasons for rejecting the Bill were otherwise good, yet now they were to be laid aside, for that he himself heard me say I would have shot him if I could. This his alleging part of truth prevailed with the rest to find the Bill.  
This Mr. Meare is also in Commission for the Peace; but his ways of keeping the Peace are very uneasy to many men, particularly to Mr. Thomas LLoyd (a meek tempered Gentleman) Rector of the Parish wherein Mr. Meare lives. But I need say no more of him; for there is scarce any Gentleman or Clergyman in the County but doth either fear or hate his Company. Mr. merrick's prejudices proceed from an old Leaven of Religion, Party and Extraction; But this Man's either out of a delight in trampling down and walking over ruins, or a desire of augmenting his private fortunes by any of those means which himself terms honest. The Scheme of his Religion is not yet finished, and it's feared is a Task too difficult to be completed before his death. He is a man of such impartiality, that when they lie in his way he spares not Neighbours more than Strangers, nor Strangers than Neighbours, but upon displeasure they must all alike feel his Correction.  
Besides this Indictment, by Skirms advise David also sued me in an Action of Battery and Assault; and I resolved to stand the Traverse of the one and Trial of the other; but was disappointed by being arrested in Bristol, and forced to remove myself up into the King's Bench Prison. Nevertheless I took due course for defence, but where Mr. Skirm is concerned due courses seldom take place.  
But while I was at the Assizes, having occasion to go into the Shop of one Mr. Hents an Apothecary (who knew not me nor I him) as I sat in it some time, I saw a man holding up his Arm in a string to pass to and fro through the Shop. Hearing him make some complaints to the Apothecary, and the Apothecary to call Henry David, I enquired of him what he was, and what was the matter with him. He answered, it is Henry David the Bailiff whom the Minister of Poulchrohan had grievously beaten and wounded. I desired to speak with him, and coming to me cringing and scraping with abundance of respect, upon request he related to me the story of his adventure, but with a mixture of notorious falsehoods, especially of my laying hands upon him. When he had ended I demanded of him whether he knew me. He answered, No, if it please your Worship (I desire to be pardoned in regard 'twas his very expression) I never saw your Worship before in my life. Being twice more desired to recollect himself, he still affirmed that he neither knew me nor had ever seen me, but believed my Worship was one of the Reverend Prebendaries of St. David's Cathedral. This was again and again repeated before the Apothecary, his Wife, his Wife's Mother, and the Servant Maid. At length I discovered who I was, saying to the four standers by, Is not this a Prime Rascal to swear against a man, whom he never knew nor saw? I am Thomas Godwyn Rector of Poulchrohan. Upon which words, without a word retort, he shuffled away. At the same Assizes Mrs. Wil●iams, Wife to the Vicar of Rosemarket in Pembrokeshire, made Oath before Sir Francis Manley, Chief Justice of that Circuit that this Henry David came and broke open her House after nine of the Clock in the Evening, requiring submission to his lewd Offers▪ and swearing he would lie with her before he went out of the Huose, and after using violence with entreaty, she chanced to thrust him down backward over a Stool, and escaping out of the House, was compelled to lie hid in the standing Corn without Clothes for the space of three hours, he in the mean time searching the House, and round about the House, swearing as before, and at his departure with horrid execrations vowing he would have her another time although now he miss. This poor Gentleman Mr. Williams being imprisoned for many years' arrears of Tenths due before he became Incumbent, and the House standing solitary encouraged this Villain to this impudent attempt. And who now can doubt but that the eminent worth of Henry David was Mr. merrick's, Mr. Meres and Mr. Skirms Excitement to a generous vindication of his injuries, and the wounds given him by one, whom he never saw nor knew?  
By this denial of his knowledge of me, and the Witnesses of his behaviour at my House, I thought myself sufficiently fortified for defence. But being detained in the King's Bench somewhat longer than I conjectured, by the exorbitant demands of Coling the Marshal, and my want of money, I could not recover home before the Trial, but the Cause was lost for want of defence, and twenty five pound odd shillings Execution taken out against me. And although I returned not home soon enough for a Trial, I timed my removal from the Bench to another Prison, and on Michaelmas Day, immediately before Evening Prayers I was arrested by one Mr. William Morgan, that year undersheriff, or rather Mr. Skirms Deputy. I often desired to know for what I was arrested, but was denied, only was told I should know soon enough, and so forthwith was carried to the Haven side to pass over for Haverford-West, where the County Prison was. But at the Haven brinks Morgan surrendered me to three of his Bailiffs after he had, sitting upon a Bank, written this Warrant.  
To the Bailiff of the Hundred of Castlemartin, and the Bailiff of the Hundred of Roose, and to William Philip's, Thomas LLewellin and Henry— Bailiffs especially appointed.  
By Virtue of a Capias to me directed out of the Great Sessions for the County of Pembroke, these are to require you to apprehend the Body of Thomas Godwyn Clerk, and him in safe Custody to keep and deliver to the Gaoler of the County Prison at Haverford-West, until he shall be thence legally discharged.  Will. Morgan Vicecom. Deputat. 
So that I was again to be apprehended, who was before arrested, no Plaintiff named, no Cause of Action mentioned. The Bailiffs who were my Guardians told me that I was taken in execution at Henry David's Suit, and that the Sheriff would be with me on the Morrow; on the third day Morgan comes to me, I having been kept at the Gaolers' House in the mean time. Then upon demand he told me as the Bailiffs before, and ordered me to be put into the Prison. Within an hour and half afterward I was committed to a Room, the delicacies whereof I intending to recite, do at first take leave to raise the Readers Expectations. The entrance was well fenced with Locks and Chains, the Room well Boarded, and the Windows well Barred, but had never been Glazed. Bed or Bedstead there was none, neither Fire, nor Chair, nor Stool, or any kind of Seat except a Plank with three Legs, and that of an odious House of Office, from which was no conveyance but into the Room beneath, which having not been cleansed above eight years before, stunk beyond any thing to be named. Demanding whether there was no other Room, the Gaoler answered me, yes, but that that was appointed for me as the best. Ask further what I must lie upon, he pointed, There's the Bed, which was an heap of Dust mixed with something that only showed it had been Straw, and (as it appeared) had been the recumbency of some poor Wretches my Predecessors in Adversity. I required him to procure me some fresh Straw, he told me that he could not, but that the Bed was good enough, and that many an Honest Man had lain there without grudging. I offered to give a Shilling for two Penny worth, and pay the Carrier besides; He told me I must be contented until Monday (this being on Saturday evening) and then I should have some. No persuasions could prevail to the contrary; So I was forced to walk all night, excepting that when excessive weariness overtook me, I sat on the low Tripod, and with my Back against the Stone Wall never Plastered fell asleep, till awakened again with the violence of the cold I arose to walking; and so by turns I passed the nights and one day. I hoped to have prevailed with my tender-hearred Governor on Sunday morning to furnish my Chamber; but in vain. When eating time required that exerceise, the loathsomeness of the Place made the thoughts of Meat loathsome also; but necessity compelling I bespoke it of an Innkeeper's Wife dwelling opposite to the Prison; but when brought the Gaoler would not attend to open the Door, but it must be thrust in at an hole in the Door, through which a Trencher or Plate could not be delivered. However on Monday I was prosperous, and tumbled in much clean Straw, and on Tuesday I had Bedcloathes sent; (but the Keeper would not open the Door to receive them till two days after.) In time also I mitigated the ill scents by snuffing up the wind blowing in at the holes called Windows, and by smelling to the Iron Bars in them.  
In this condition I was the most part of three weeks. Some few times I got out by the Privilege of Treating with my incomparable Adversary. For being under Execution, I saw no hopes of deliverance but by composition. Therefore I procured some Friends to motion it and bring him to me. Not to the Prison, for his Nose would not brook it, but I was sent for twice to an Alehouse. In discourse the first time he seemed inclined to take ten pounds, but made no positive agreement. But at his second coming complained that Mr. Skirm and his Master Margan the Sheriff (as he called him) had heard of his being upon agreement with me, and threatened to turn him out of his Office if he agreed with me a penny beneath the full Execution. At the first hearing I imagined this to be a device to squeeze me harder, but I found the contrary, that he was willing to discharge me for ten pounds, but dared not, unless any way might be found whereby he might do it as if ignorant of the Law. This I said he had done already (as I judged) by calling me, being in Execution at his Suit, out of the liberties of the Prison, and even in another County; Haverford-West being a Town and County of itself. This I knew to be so in England, but knew not what was right in Wales, but I was confirmed that it was a Legal Discharge for the Plaintiff, Sheriff or Coaler to call or take a Prisoner charged in Execution out of the Liberties of the Prison, to which he was Legally Committed, and that for the same he could not Legally be retaken or recommanded to Prison. This advice I had from William filips of Haithock Esq▪ a justice of the Quorum, and a very eminent Counsellor in that County, first by word of mouth to a friend of mine, afterward under his hand. In fine, I was invited to the Eating of a Leg of Pork and a Goose on Sunday the 17th of October, and in the morning the Gaoler came to acquaint me, that Henry David desired to speak with me, that there was a good Dinner provided, etc. I delayed until I had Witnesses, which being at last five in number to my liking, the Gaoler renewing his request, I went with him. After Dinner being very liberal in expenses at the Gaolers' House, I was permitted to stay out all night (resolving nevertheless not to return to the Prison without force) and all the next day until four of the Clock, when I espied an Horse brought for me, and set in the Place which I appointed, and so road home. But the next day in the evening Mr. Morgan with fourteen others came to inquire for me; but not finding me pretended to retire, but went to Pembroke, leaving his Imps in convenient Places to besiege me, and returned on the morrow with the Power of the County, forty six or fifty in number. For being at Pembroke he informed the Mayor and Burgesses of the Town that I had broken the Prison and escaped, and Mr. Essex Merrick (alway forward in my concerns) as wisest Burger and ablest Lawyer, acquainted the Corporation that they ought to assist the Sheriff, and might justify the breaking up any House where they knew me to be, and take me. But I am advised (and it seemeth reasonable) that the Sheriff, undersheriff or Gaoler ought to have sworn before the Mayor that I broke the Prison; which none could, and the undersheriff going in to view the Prison before he set forward from Haverford with his Company, himself said to the Gaoler (who probably told him so) I see no sign of any place or thing broken; this in the the hearing of divers Witnesses (whom it occasion served) I can produce. But without much consultation the Mayor (Matthew Bowen by name, a Person actually in Arms for several years against King Charles the first) commanded the Townsmen to follow him with what Arms they had ready. So they came with Muskets, Pistols, Swords, Pikes and Bills; and (I must confess) I resolved upon defence and rather to die in the midst of a Lawless Rabble, then without any just Cause or Lawful Grounds to surrender myself to Execution, my death seeming inevitable if I should be carried back to that Prison, whence the very Plaintiff could not release me without the Consent of a bitterly engaged enemy. The first Aggressors and Enterers must certainly have fallen, had not I been told that the Mayor of Pembroke was at the Door desiring to speak with me. I opened not the Door, but discoursed as we stood, I within and he without. He told me his Name and Character, and I knew his voice. He desired me to cease threatening (I having before affirmed that I would kill the first Breakers up and Entrers of my House) and to deliver myself to the Sheriff. On the other hand I required him as the King's Lieutenant and justice of the Peace to see the Peace kept, telling him, that before his appearance, I thought myself bound to preserve myself in my own House as well as I could, but now left myself to him for Protection, whom I should thank for doing his duty, and question for the breach of it. But this wrought nothing; Morgan with his own hands, and others using Iron Barrs and Sledges broke down the Door, took me and carried me to Pembroke that night in the midst of that Black Guard. Being brought into my Chamber there (notwithstanding so many Bailiffs and others commanded to attend as upon some dangerous Malefactor) my Arms were bound behind me with Cords till bedtime. Then Morgan came to see me put into my Bed, where I was forced to jye on my Back, and my Arms being extended to be bound, and each Arm bound to a Post at the Beds Head. My right Arm being somewhat lame, I desired that they would take what course they pleased to secure a Person so suspicious as they seemed to think me, and make the knot as fast as they pleased, but not to tie it so straight upon that Arm because infirm. Is that Arm Lame (said Morgan) then, Goaler, bind it the harder, which he did, and in that posture and condition I lay all that night, my Arm ask some part of the time, but ceasing after midnight (being then benumbed) and in my Chamber a dozen of the Vndersheriffs' Beardogs smoking trash Tobacco, and playing at Tables all night. In the morning when I was unbound, my right Arm hung down by my Side as dead; I could not move Finger or Arm. But my Arms were immediately again bound behind me in order to my Journey to Prison, and I desiring that if I must be thus dealt with, I might be nevertheless so bound, as that my Riding Coat might cover the Cords; Morgan answered, You shall have nothing that you desire. A quarter of an hour after Morgan calls, What is not that fellow yet gone? Tie him to an Horse tail, and drag him along. During the time of the riotous disturbance, of my being in the way to Pembroke and in the Town I gave no disrespective or angry word to Morgan or Bowen (who had a grand Copper Nose, which might receive the Solemn League and Covenant into its Recesses) but spent my time as merrily as if a Comedy were acting▪ taking only the liberty to make some joco●e remarks upon the Vndersteriffs' knowledge of his Office, and Mr. Bowens doing of Justice. Nothing otherwise until the morning; but when I saw my arm in that plight, I confess I could not contain myself, but cried This Horrid Dog the undersheriff hath undone me; I have lost the use of my Writing hand. Away they led me, and I complaining for want of a Horse, the Gaoler answered that there was an Horse provided for me the last night, but that my jeering the Sheriff had caused him to contradict it; for he saith (quoth the Gaoler) that seeing you are so merry, he will take down your mirth. I went along, but a Servant of one Mr. William Holcomb (Son in Law to Mr. Meare) pretended to lead me by my left Arm pinching me all the way that he went. At something more than three miles' end I fainted through want of sleep, weariness and so many gross abuses, and not much using walking. Then was I set on Horseback, and after a little time recovering, began merrily to reflect upon the great state I road in, to have so worthy a Gentleman as Mr. Goaler to lead my Horse. This affronted the honest man, and he knowing the Saddle would turn round, being too big, for the Horse being very small, had a present revenge in his thoughts; for he lead the Horse out of the way up and down banks, till the Saddle turning cast me down. This was done twice, and I attribute it much to Divine Providence that I escaped with little harm, seeing my Arms bound rendered me helpless. My Leader and Guides were very sportive at my Falls, and their lifting me up again, saying, that they must laugh as well as I. As I passed thus along in Sta●e we met many Persons of Quality in a Company going to a Wedding, who expressed their indignation of such usage of a Clergyman, Mr. William Bowen of Haverford particularly affirming that he could not brook the sight, but would cut the Cords, wherewith I was bound. I thanked and entreated him to forbear in regard the Persons, in whose Custody I was, were ill men, that valued neither Credit nor Conscience, but would Swear any thing, and might do him a great injury, but that his intended kindness could not be very beneficial to me, and thus persuaded him to ride forward, hoping that afterward he might do something for me more eminently beneficial. I was also led forward, and entering Haverford was brought through a considerable part of the Town unto the Prison, multitudes gazing and admiringly enquiring whether I had spoken Treason, or what was the matter? Being conveyed into my Old Lodgings my Arms were freed from their Bonds, but my Legs were put into Irons; not such as ordinary Malefactors for Burglary or the like are wont to be obliged to, with which they can make a shift to walk, but an Iron on each Leg, through both which an heavy Bolt was thrust and fastened with a Riveted Key. It was such that it permitted me not to put one foot an inch before the other, neither to lie down or rise without the help of two men, the one holding my shoulders the other my feet. These two men were Prisoners but had some liberty before, but were committed with me for affirming to the undersheriff that I had not broken Prison, and other truths concerning my being called out of the Prison. The coldness of these Irons in two days put me into a Fever, and my Feet and Legs exceedingly swelled each day more and more, so that at four days end those encompassing my Legs could scarce be discerned. The sixth day I laboured under a general indisposition, and having not before complained, I then said to my two Friends, Two days more wearing these things will inevitably kill me. Whereupon they made an outcry, and one of them (Samuel Roberts) procured a Messenger to call to me one Mr. Thomas Lloyd, a very friendly Person, and frequent visitor of me. He came as he had been wont to the Door (for the Gaoler would not trouble himself to let any in unto me, unless such as happened to be there when it was his pleasure to enter himself) and being informed of my condition, acquainted others with it, who came to the Gaoler advising him to take off the Irons, for the wearing of them would certainly soon dispatch me out of this life, which happening, he, his Master, and as many as were concerned in putting them on, would certainly be hanged. The fear of a Rope brought him to compliance; but when he had unriveted the Key of the Bolt, the Irons which encompassed my Legs could not be taken off without much pain and bruising me. Nevertheless when it was done I was revived, and three days after a violent distemper seized me, not to my injury, but salutiferous by the Strength of Nature; and in a fortnight I was indifferently (through God's great blessing) well recovered. But then (just at the Fortnight's end) came Mr. Goaler, telling me that I must again put on my cold Irons, that he had taken them off without the Sheriff's knowledge, and had been sharply checked for so doing, and commanded to put them on again. He had brought with him one Thomas Morgan (the Undersheriffs' Kinsman) and two more to compel me in case of resistance. I and my two fellow Prisoners demanded for what reason this was offered? Whether I had not behaved myself quietly in word and deed? He answered, That he could say nothing to the contrary, but it was the Sheriff's pleasure and he must obey it. I refused to receive them, and resisted as well as I could; but they were too hard for me, and threw me down; and Morgan beat my head against a rough stone, (which was set at my Beds feet, to keep the Welsh Feathers of my Bed within bounds) and broke it in five places. The noise drew many Spectators, and the fame of the cruel usage of the strange Minister that was in Prison flew swiftly about the Town, and fortuned to meet Mr. Robert Chambers Collector of the Customhouse, and Mr. William Bowen before named and certain others, who sought the undersheriff, and with severe menaces obliged him to promise himself to see me forthwith delivered from my Irons, moreover assuring him that an account must be given for what I had sustained in the cause of so base a Person, his harsh dealing not only exceeding what was imposed upon any Prisoners for just debts and far greater sums, but even the severity used to the worst of Criminals committed in their memory, naming particularly William filips the Bailiff, who was at the taking me upon Michaelmas day. I was committed to them between four and five of the Clock in the Afternoon; and about eleven at night the Chain Chimes at the Prison Door going, gave us matter of wonder, what the matter was. And the sight of Morgan, the Gaoler and three more coming in made the Wonder the greater. He began (but somewhat smoothly) to blame my former Escape and Biting jests used towards him, which were the cause of the hardships I had endured; I only nodded my Head saying, Well enough, what next? If you will (said he) promise me not to break Prison, but to be quiet and orderly your Irons shall be taken off. As you know (I replied) what occasion you have to ask such a question, so I will promise nothing else then (as I did before) to be gone as soon as lawfully I can, and not otherwise. He answered, You did not go away lawfully, for although Henry David and the Gaoler might call you out of the Prison, and you go away thinking yourself discharged, yet I had in my hands a Capias ad satisfaciendum against you for the King's First Fruits. This is (I said) the first time I have heard it; but the Gaoler had no Warrant from you to detain me upon this Cause. No, (he answered) it was sufficient in my hands. And was it warrant enough for you to swear (fro than I heard so, though since told to the contrary) that I broke Prison, for you riotously to break open my House, to bind and Iron me as you have done? Well Sir, (said Morgan) I hope you will be an orderly Prisoner. Goaler, take off the Irons. So once more my Legs were free from Cuffs. But, Mr. undersheriff (said I) you must take care to send some body to cure my Head, showing him and the Company where it was broken. He answered, that they were rude abusive fellows in so doing, he did not allow them so to do; and then rose up and departed. Not long after Morgan was acquitted of his employ, and Willam Skirm succeeded, not by a Deputy but himself. And to him (I continuing in that joyous Place) about the end of january came a Writ of Habeas Corpus to remove me up to the King's Bench. Upon the 28th of january in the Evening Skirm gave me notice to provide for my Journey against Tuesday morning, the then 31st of january. I sent home for Boots, a Riding Coat, and necessaries for my Journey to be brought to me on the Monday; but Skirm with an unaccountable malice (unless my Death was his Project) horsed me early the Monday morning, that my Journey might be the more remarkable upon the day of my Admired Sovereign's Martyrdom, in order to my execution. My Journey was (the way that my Keepers brought me) two hundred and threescore measured miles at least. I had no more on my Legs than one pair of single Stockings, neither any covering more than what I usually wore within the House, nor any money, my servants journey to me with that supply constantly on Sundays being stopped by my appointment for Monday. Thus I road the first days journey to Caermarthen, where (having met with a Friend who lent me twenty shillings) I purchased a Freeze Coat and Boots of the same. The Tailor sitting up all night to dispatch, had not finished them by the time my Keepers were ready to mount me. They urged me to be gone, swearing they would not slay; but I being in a Friend's House refused to travel farther without clothes. Neither was the stay which caused the controversy above half an hour. But I should first have related their carriage towards me at my going to Bed. When they had seen me lain down, the Keepers (one being john the Brother of William Skirm) took away my clothes, and even my Shoes, Stockings and Hat and locked me into the Chamber. The same they did at every Inn, at which I lodged on the Road, the journey being seven days. At Caermarthen I had a Fire in my Chamber, commanding it as known in the House; but every night following, being unacquainted on the Road, in which I never before traveled, these Doughty Gentlemen permitting me to sit by the fire in their Chamber during their pleasure; when they thought it Bedtime, I was taken by the shoulders and thrust into a Cold Room, and then stripped and locked in, no respect had to the weather, (which was extremity of Snow every day but the first) not to my pickled condition, riding on a low Horse through ways so deep, that my feet did frequently, even for miles together hang in the dirt and water, I being tired with holding them up to avoid it. Upon Sunday the fifth of February between four and five of the Clock in the afternnon I was conducted to the Three Cups Inn in Holborn and there detained until the Saturday following, no persuasion prevailing with them to bring me into Court or before a Judge, not any reason but their pleasure shown. There my usage was of the fame nature, but worse; for they each night compelled me to go to Bed before seven of the Clock (stripped and locked up as before) that they might take the opportunity of loose Rambles, and then lying late in Bed in the morning by reason of the Evenings Debauchery, I must lie still, let what importunities soever require my rising. Skirm, when I demanded the reason of such dealing, would swear they would not leave the Company of those Brave Wenches, whose Company they enjoyed the last night, for to humour a pitiful Parson. Seeing they did not (as they term it) turn me over on Monday, upon Teusday I wrote Letters to three Friends to come to me, but being about to Seal them, Skirm demanded the sight of them, which being denied him, he took away the Candle, and Pen and Ink to hinder my Sealing and Subscribing them, telling me that I should not be permitted to send any where any Letter of which he had not first the Reading. Neither found I any opportunity of Writing until Thursday, when my Bailiffs bringing me to the Taphouse Fire fell to Cards, and a Coachman (sometime before a Servant to the Right Reverend the now Bishop of Chichester coming in and knowing me, conveyed to me Pen, Ink and Paper, and while the two Honest Men were busy, I wrote a Letter to my Brother, which the Coachman delivered. The day following at Even my Brother came, whom they locked into a Chamber with me, promising to return at our call, which we said would be within one quarter of an hour; but when we called, the Chamberlain came to the door and told us that Skirm and Smith were gone abroad with the Key. After some stay in a vain expectation of their return, I forced open the Door, and my Brother departing, I went down and sat by a fire until their coming. But then Skirm was filled with great wrath, and with Dammees and other Execrations asked how I dared to open the Door? and would I never leave those tricks of breaking Prison? with other such Language mixed with threatenings. But the next day I was brought into Court and turned over a Prisoner to the King's Bench Prison. The pretence for taking away my clothes at night was, that they feared I would make an escape. Whether that was a legal way of securing me, I refer to better Judgements. But that they could not fear any such thing after my coming to London, is manifest by these reasons. On Sunday, the last day of our Journey Smith exchanged Horses with me, I being not able any longer to ride the Jade on which they mounted me. Skirm staying behind divers times talking with Travellers, and Smith also sometimes, I road before and missing them waited their comin● up. They also knew that I very well understood the Road (leading from Oxford) which we traveled that day, and that I as well understood that they knew it not; in all which respects my escape (had I been inclined to it) would have been without difficulty. Likewise at the Inn in Holborn (as I showed them after three night's lodging there upon discourse of their misbehaviour) an escape was easy; For the Window having a large folding Casement, and the Chamber being but one pair of Stairs high, I could have let myself down by the Sheets tied one to another, and covered myself with a Blanket until I had come to the House of an Acquaintance, of whom I had many in the Neighbourhood and in Gray's Inn. When they locked me into my Chamber (as they did often) in the day time, when a rambling humour possessed them, I might (as well as when I did it for my Brother) have opened the Door and escaped without any one's observation. None of the House saw my Brother or me come down, or him departing; which was a full conviction that I might have given them the slip, if I pleased. So that the pretence was utterly groundless; but mischievous men as they delight in ill doing, so would they nevertheless be esteemed righteous and inoffensive; the repute is grateful, although nothing more disliketh them than deserving it. But to look somewhat back upon the penalties inflicted on me for my pretended Breach of the Prison; (than which nothing is more notoriously known to be false) had it been real, the vileness of the Prison and Cause under which I laboured, and the odious nastiness and condition of the Place considered, might in the esteem of men but indifferently addicted to humanity, have excused the Act and mitigated the Rigour, especially towards a Clergyman. But, alas, this was my fault, (as I too much fear) this tied the Bonds and revetted the Irons, this led me through all the dances of Ignominy. Again, had I not been assured by learned Counsel confirming what experience had taught me, that the Gaolers and Plaintiffs calling me out of the Prison was a sufficient Discharge from the Execution, can any man believe that I would publicly and directly go Home and continue at my own House, and not rather have gone out of the way until I had made a Composition? Any man of common understanding would have avoided errors, which must have been of such unlucky consequence.  
All the time of my Confinement in the King's Bench, and before in the Country, I was rated to the Poor beyond any Person in the Parish, notwithstanding all that I had in the Parish was seized in Execution (for just Debts indeed but illegally taken) and my Person in Durance at the same time under very hard Circumstances. And both then and since I have been compelled to produce in the Field two Musket Arms for the Malitia of the County; whereas the utmost Farm of my Parsonage paid to my Predecessor was fifty seven pounds yearly Rent, the Reparation of the Chancel and a large Parsonage House, First Fruits and Tenths to the King, Charges at Visitations and other payments being all payable out of those fifty seven pounds. Nor is any Incumbent in the County, whose benefice is worth twenty or thirty pounds more than mine, charged with more than one Foot Arms. Yet without respect to Imprisonment, Seizures in Execution of my Goods, the annual Charge of the Rectory, and the smallness of the value, Distresses have been divers times levied (particularly in june last one of five pounds) for fines laid upon me for non Appearance. All which things were done by Instigation of Mr. Essex Merrick, (as I am well informed) and Distresses taken upon any one's Cattle, which were upon the Ground, although it was sufficiently known, that I had nothing left to be seized.  
Being freed from my Imprisonment in the Bench and returning home in April 83. the loss of my Worthy Parishioner and Friend Mr. Nathaniel Powel (though before known, yet then) became to me more sensibly an affliction, especially because his Death was shortly followed by his Eldest Daughters (having left no Son) marriage with the before mentioned Mr. Lloyd of Grove his Son, a Gentleman who with an affected and artificial (but easily discerned) smoothness laboureth to cover whatsoever can be imagined to be couched in an ill natured, malicious and covetous Bosom. Being allied to and intimate with William Skirm, and daily conversant with Mr. Merick, his inclinations cannot be supposed to receive disincouragement from them. But before my coming down, or any acquaintance with him, he began to show what I must expect of him for the future; but above all with a most unmanly Disingenuity practised dissension between me and a very near Friend. Nevertheless at my first acquaintance I refrained from making that ground of variance, which was either matter of suspicion, or at most only such noted Injuries, as were but the slips of an unguarded Tongue, and a raw Judgement, which I might charitably think to be imposed upon. And although in making up certain accounts between us I found some foul practices, yet those I interpreted to proceed from the ill information of Servants, who had no other way of creeping into a Master's Favour, but at the passages of an abused Ear. And so hoping (after I had ascertained the truth of my accounts) by yielding and receding from my Right at the beginning to purchase a lasting good Neighbourhood, he obtained in a manner his own desires. But to me (and will be ever to those who treasure up hopes in vessels made of ill-seasoned Timber) these concessions were always unfortunate. Although I had been often wont to say, that Good Men would not offer their Minister less than his Right, and that Bad Men are so far from being won by his connivance that by it they become daily worse and worse; yet I foolishly transgressed those bounds, within the compass of which my Observation had prescribed me walks. My Tithes of Hey, Wool and other sorts of Privy Tithes he set out in what measure he pleased, not allowing me or my Servants to see whether there were a fair Division. My Tithe Corn was, some manifestly discovered to be falsely set out; some devoured with Swine and other Cattle after Tithing. He, his Wife and Servants seeing the Waste without driving, or commanding the Cattle to be driven away; othersome was clean devoured after Reaping before Binding, and (forsooth) because many Loads of Corn were so eaten, I must have the Straw, which was left, set out for Tithes. Divers in those Parts have an ill sort of Husbandry permitting such waste, and accounting that no damage, that is sustained by their own Cattle. This received opinion that their loss would be small, but mine thereby total, encouraged him to this malicious Project. His Servants frequently entered my House without knocking at the Door, even after Prohibition, and threw into it Tithes, which had been rejected as unduly set forth in respect to both their quality and quantity. Neither was Mr. Lloyd contented to be vexatious alone, but encouraged the rest of my Parishioners to the like, although two only imitated him, the rest approving the reasonableness of mine or my Servants seeing my Deuce paid in Wait and Measure, as their nature required. But to conclude my Discourse of this Gentleman, in October last three of his Servants bringing Tithe Wool in such manner as is before mentioned, the Sheep having been shorn a fortnight before, I denied to receive it. The Servants were very rude in behaviour and language, in which I since understand them to be forward by their Master's instructions, hoping to provoke me to Passion, Of which notwithstanding they failed, yet something said by me was managed to some degree of Revenge, although short of expectation. Their undecent words and gestures extorted from this question; Do you thus speak and act by your Master's Order? To them answering, Yes, I replied, than your Master is a Knave and a Coxcomb. Mr. Merrick and Mr. Lloyd consulting how to punish so great an Enormity, concluded it required security for the Good Behaviour, and appearance at the next Quarter Sessions to answer to an Indictment. Hereupon Mr. Merrick issued forth a very strict Warrant against me, and I being apprehended before eight of the Clock in the morning, was carried about from place to place, and detained in the Constable's custody until past nine at night before I could be discharged. But there was a farther design than thus barely to render me a ridiculous Subject of the Vulgars' Chat, which had taken effect, had not the Chief Constable after his apprehending me received information, that upon my arrival at Pembroke the Undersheriff was ready to arrest me; which he honestly and kindly avoided bringing me before another justice (as soon as I had gotten security) and not before Mr. Merrick.  
How justifiable Mr. Merrick's Warrant was, and the following dedainer of my Person I undertake not to determine, but think what was done to be so unusual, that in all the travels of his Brains to furnish his empty Rooms, he never met with a Precedent for it. Mr. Lloyd was no way by Birth or Office raised so high as to be in danger of suffering diminution by so slight a Character; nor doth his ingenious virtue exempt him (if there were such danger) from severer sufferings in most men's in those Parts (who know him) daily discourses. If I exceed the Rules of Modesty, Mr. Merrick (whom I believe to know it) will justify my forced assertion, That Mr. Lloyd is inferior to any Apology he can pretend to make for himself as injured, if either his Birth, Education, or (what most signaliseth a Gentleman) Honesty be respected. And my further Appeal to Mr. Merrick enquireth, What would have become of himself some time since, if words of an higher nature and consequence uttered by him against his Superiors at a vast distance had been taken into strict examination? But for taking notice of such things he thinketh me fit to be whipped; only my hopes of being received into Protection sufficient to supersede his and the unmerciful sentences of others, do remove the fear, and move me confidently to cast myself down an humble Petitioner;  
That the Hands of the Sons of Violence may at last be restrained from afflicting a poor Clergyman, who sincerely delighteth in the Peace of the Church, and perfectly despiseth himself except in those things, which he steadfastly believeth to conduce to its Promotion.  
IN this Relation is seen an unwearied Spirit of Malignity pursuing me; for what just Causes, (God and my Conscience bear me witness) I know not. No man living can more than myself heartily desire the repose of a quiet life; and that (however stumbling occasions and Rocks of offence were still thrown in my way) I have always studied to tread the safest and most certain measures thereof, is my invincible Comfort. I challenge the whole World to make discovery of any Act, whereby I endeavoured to discompose another, either maliciously or idly. The too too many errors of my life I will not palliate by any excuse; yet am so far from taking pleasure in doing an Injury, that in the presence of my allknowing Redeemer I do affirm that I have always more lamented the condition of those, by whom I suffered, than my sufferings, and could willingly again undergo them, if God would be pleased to accept my toleration for their indemnity. That I would not by undecent submissions to her enemy's labour to purchase Peace is no argument of any turbulent motion in my affections, neither ought it to tend to my Condemnation.  
But whereas some, to whom my Case hath been delivered, have demanded, and others will probably demand, how it hath happened that in a numerous Orthodox Clergy myself only should be oppressed with these weights? My answer cannot be expected to be much more certain, than to an enquiry, How one Vessel hath been shattered by a Storm in that Road, where many Fleets have before safely sailed? The account whereof, because Providence hath not, I dare not pretend to give. But if a strong supposition possess any, that my ill doing hath occasioned dissatisfactions and enraged men to a revenge of received injuries, I can purge myself no otherwise than by my asseverations in the preceding Paragraph, and a request of reflection upon past times, whether men much better than the highest Charity can presume me to be, have not singly fallen by the Arts of malicious Confederates. And furthermore, as the cruelties of the two Vndersheriffs of Pembrokeshire surmounted the others by many degrees, so were they least known, it being impossible for me any way to exasperate them, whom I had never seen or heard of before I fell into their griping Talons. But my Case is not single; For Mr. Thomson hath in Bristol met with the same Swearing Dammee Party, who at first by hurling at me holy Dirt and consecrated Subornations and Perjuries, weakened my hopes of reaping for my Master a plentiful Harvest by the exercise of my Function. God be thanked that their open Acts of Malice and Impudence are dwindled into the corner whirpering of Envy, and that they gall themselves whilst able only sneakingly to traduce him.  
Neither can I forbear (which is my excessive grief) to affirm, That the Orthodox Clergy are not so numerous as many believe, the number of them (I reckon none Orthodox, who is not duly and strictly Conformable) is far inferior to that of Trimmers and Half Sized Men. But some few years since such was the paucity of them on Public Occasions of Clergymens' meeting, and so scorned were they being scattered among the full Tribes, who were contented with any Worship, which was Golden, that they could not assist but only pity one another. Exactness of Conformity doth not only stir up the gall of Nonconformists barely, but more dangerously and immoderately moveth to expressions of discontentment the tongues of those men, whose aim is to be thought moderate by neglecting their Duty and Superiors, and paying an unreasonably obsequious Deference to their Inferiors. When Dr. Ironsides Bishop of Bristol required of his Clergy stricter Observance of the Rubric and Canon (particularly, that Children in health should be baptised at the Font, and that the Parents of the Sick should be held to an engagement of bringing them into the Church with Godfathers, etc. in case of recovery; and also that thanksgiving for Women after Childbirth should be publicly given in the Church, and at the Altar) when these and some other things were commanded, the humour of the People and matter of interest was most in debate by the plurality of the Clergy, and those few who obeyed, were even derided by their Brethren, who also came into their Parishes to Baptise the Children and give Thanks for the Wives of the proud Opposers of Discipline, and by these practices sowed and fomented contention. It's almost incredible what Invectives and ill Reports are daily scattered to worthy Mr. Thomsons prejudice by Clergymen in and near Bristol; and all this occasioned by his very regular Conformity. The same Pride which hinders their imitation of what is so highly commendable, doth also give them troublesome thoughts, that singular Piety accuseth them of culpable Remissness.  
I humbly request a candid interpretation of the foregoing words, there being no design, by comparison or otherwise to put a fair Character upon myself. Only in my own vindication from suffering as an ill Doer, I have made use of other Names and Instances to show Conformity to be ground sufficient for the indirect Practices of my Adversaries. And as no affectation of singularity, nor any other motives, but a perfect sense of Duty hath hitherto obliged me to give them this Cause, so my hopes are that I shall not whilst living cease from it. Moreover as my Delight in Conformity is purely without outward respects; as I pray and hope that no desires of worldly Felicity will be able to baffle my Constancy and Patience, if it please God that they are to be further exercised; so I declare my willingness (if God permit) to serve Him and my Prince in Peace. Which to obtain by other probable means than this Manifestation, is beyond the reach of my Judgement. That nothing is here written out of an unchristian seeking Revenge, is my solemn Declaration before God, Angsel and Men, my earnest wishes of mine eye seeing its desire upon mine enemies, being their humility and amendment. That their Punishment, while they continue obstinate, is in some measure conducing to the Church's welfare is my firm opinion. But to inflict it myself, their power, numbers and riches considered, is so far beyond my ability, that I cannot in any measure promise to secure myself from new additions of violence. But that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty, according to my bounden Duty, I humbly and heartily beseech the ever-blessed Fountain of all Goodness to encompass with the Pledges of his Love our most Gracious Sovereign, His Royal Brother with all that are related to them, and those, who being in Subordinate Authorities, do either direct us in the way of Religion, or guard it for our safe conduct to Glory. Amen.  
FINIS.