JOHN PERROT's Answer to the POPE'S feigned nameless Helper; or, A REPLY to the Tract Entitled, PERROTagainst the POPE.  
SAtan's assistance of his co-workers (in case of the Lambs attempts against his Kingdom) most frequently appears in building Lies as a Bulwark for their Refuge and Defence, as (amidst the smoke of his hideous Furnace) he hath tightly forged out divers Lies to the hand of his Nameless, and (therefore something the rather) shameless Servant, inserted in his Writing to the Reader.  
First, In affirming, that I going to Rome to the Pope, understood nothing but English; for I then understood besides English, both Latin and Italian, the two most usual Roman Tongues.  
Next, In avouching the Pope's admitting me to his presence, which he never did, but rather I believe was (in some certain respect) really afraid so to do: and consequently the asserted particular passages intimated as acted in the Pope's presence, must also altogether, appear deceits and lies; Who sent me not first to Bedlam, as he saith; for I was in two Prisons before that, viz. in one of the New Prisons, and Inquisition; whence also all the rest may be judged from what Pit they ascended, as being blown up of the old Liar, the Dragon, resident as stably in Rome, as in any part else in the whole Earth.  
As for the man's intended lascivious terms touching Jane Stokes, it stinks of some of his Father's Fryeries, Convents, and Nunneries, and therefore I leave that dirt in his own dish, which will not wash but rather noysomly besmear his own face.  
Touching his assertion, of one of our Friends FASTING himself to death, that is another Lie; for the Papists confessed to me, and divers of my Friends, that he was Hanged in Rome, being a Nightwork in that Black City of Murders, and Adulteries: And as for my Zeal, it is still the same (in the true knowledge of God) as it was from first, to the last in Rome; which if the Pope's Inquisitors were men of Truth, must confess the same to the shame of him their Father, and the rest of his Children, their Brethren, who from first to last of my Captivity in that City, never stood to answer either by Word or Writing my sundry Manuscripts (written in the Inquisition and Bedlam) which of late were published by me (here in London) in my Book entitled, BATTERING RAMS AGAINST ROME; for all or any of the Pope's Children in England to Answer, in the behalf of the Pope and his Children in Rome, which they stood not to answer for themselves.  
Here followeth a few Words in Answer to the purpose of the fiction, Printed in the name of the Pope of Rome.  
It cannot be understood by me, nor may be properly apprehended by any rational Reader, but that the precited late published Tract is any other than a feed forgery to propagate the power of the Papists Iniquity, in some sense critically composed (according to the guile of the old subtle Serpent) that the neck of the Pope's strength might not be quite cracked with one twist.  
1. First, considering how Often I propounded for the like Public hearing in Rome, whilst the Pope's Bondman, as may be read in my Book, BATTERING RAMS AGAINST ROME, in Pages 29, 36, 39, 41, 49, 54, 59, 83, 122, but never answered; which gives me to believe he would not readily answer that abroad, which he would not appear to answer at home, yea much less by Word abroad, which he would not by Writing at home; though I know in their boasting parts, they would say rather in Public than in Private, but the fruits show it not.  
2. Considering the Place appointed (viz. Amsterdam) without intimation of the Hollanders licensing such a Public Assembly as was mentioned in mine to the Pope, which though he might presume upon the privilege of his People's private adoration in that City; yet that is not an Argument that the States of Holland must submit to his Will in so public a thing as the other is, in case it were the Pope's Will, but as a craved kindness must first be granted by them.  
3. Considering the manner of my Writing to the Pope, viz. in the Language that I did Write to him, with a subscribed direction how he should send his Answer to me, in order to the Meeting: So that were the said Printed Tract the dictates of his Spirit, in his next he must in honesty confess Oblivion, and bring himself under the conviction of the sentence (which saith) Insipientis est dicere, non putaram.  
And though I esteem the said Letter but as a Fiction which may be taking and tickling to certain airy Fancies, yet that a foolish Jest may not beguile all, I answer to the pretended argument of the Pope touching my temptations in Bedlam, which were first Irons, & many Tortures, and next the offer of all Pleasures which was no more Civility towards me, than was the Devil's temptation to Christ, saying, all these will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me, Mat. 4.9. Nor was I more ungrateful towards them in denying them, than was Christ to Satan in the said case, who renouncing him and said, get the hence, etc. Mat. 4.10. So if this were the Popes, he must yet plead ignorance of a Gospel case; And who is meetest for Bedlam, the POPE or JOHN PERROT? let the rational Readers judge.  
I might also instance the pervertion of the Scripture by him, Acts 26.24. where it is said of Festus to Paul, Too much learning doth make thee mad; but he like a Roman turning it backward saith, too little learning, etc. which is improper to say, too little in such a case produceth the same effect of too much in the same case.  
Finally, I am so favourable and charitable as to think the Pope is not so much a nonsensical person, as to perclose his discourse with a threat of Annunciating a young Jesuit with the weapons of Excommunication with Bell, Book, and Candle, to Excommunicate me that was never in Society, Fellowship, o● Communion with him or his adherents in their way or Worship.  
And therefore with this latter considering the forementioned causes, I find no inducing Obligation on me to pass to Amsterdam, where come might from thence return again as one that sought a pebble stone (but could not find it) in the deep Sea; seeing the certainty of meeting, nor means of finding the Pope's Champion is not stated by him: And therefore also neither is any thing of the said Paper a sufficient ground of my stopping the course of the spreading my former Propositions. Yet with Solomon may finish my saying, Though thou shouldest bray a Fool in a Mortar among Wheat with a Pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him, Prov. 27.22.  
Signified by a Servant of the Lord, Called, JOHN PERROT.   

London, Printed for Robert Wilson, at the Black Spread-Eagle and Windmill, in martin's Le Grand. 1662.