Mr. PRANCE's ANSWER To Mrs. CELLIER's LIBEL, AND Divers other false Aspersions Cast upon him: CONTAINING LIKEWISE A VINDICATION OF Sir William Waller from Popish Scandals;  
Some Mistakes in a Pamphlet Entitled, The Narrative of William Boys, Rectified, and other Remarkables.  
To which is Added the Adventure of The Bloody Bladder: A Tragi-Comical Farce, Acted with much Applause at Newgate by the said Madam Cellier, on Saturday Sept. 18. instant, Faithfully Related by an Eye- and Earwitness.  
LONDON, Printed for L. Curtis upon Ludgate-Hill, 1680.   

Mr. Prance's Answer to Mrs. Cellier's Libel, and divers other Aspersions cast upon him: Containing likewise a Vindication of Sir William Waller from Popish Scandals: Some Mistakes in a Pamphlet Entitled, The Narrative of William Boys, Rectified; and other Remarkables, etc.  
HAving twice heretofore caused some Papers to pass the Press, I may possibly incur some People's Censure for appearing this Third time in that kind. My old Roman Friends will perhaps cry out, I do it only to raise some sorry Contribution from the Bookseller, or out of a foolish Delight I take in hearing my Name Bawled about Streets. These (however will be much more harmless Scandals, than many others they have been pleased to bestow upon me, and yet no less false; for as the Stationers are commonly wise enough, not to give too much Encouragement; so I am as little inclined unto, as qualified for Scribbling; and therefore shall not presume (with their Famous Oratress) to persuade the World, That every Line of this shall be my own Handwriting; but this I will assure the Honest Reader, That he shall find nothing here, but what I know and can justify to be Punctual Truths, and of which I think myself obliged in Conscience to give a public and more particular Account, for stopping the Mouths of such, as make it their Business to palliate their own Villainies, by wrapping me up in a Cloud of Falsehoods; or if it be impossible to silence their incorrigible Humour of Lying, yet I hope, at least, by evident Demonstrations of Truth, so to fortify impartial Ears, That they may not henceforth be in danger of Delusion from these Egyptian Charmers.  
There is scarce any thing has given a greater Confirmation of the Reality of the Popish Plot, than their Murdering Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, of which I have made a Candid Discovery; they had no other way to shift off that Gild from their Party, than by Discrediting my Evidence: But my Conversation having, I Bless God (till then) been free from any Notorious or Extraordinary Crimes or Follies, wherewith they might reproach me; and it being unaccountable Nonsense that any man should own himself concerned in so black and horrid a Crime, if in truth he knew nothing of it, or that he would run the Hazard and Infamy thereof, merely to bring himself into danger, and destroy people that were both Innocent, and his Intimate Friends; and that I Especially (who was never noted for any extraordinary Invention) should forge this story, so reproachful to that Church in which I have been bred, and for which I was so foolish a Zealot; I that had then (and for aught I know have still) two own Brothers that are Priests, and one sister a Nun; I whose Trade and whole subsistence depended upon her Majesty, and others of the Roman Catholic persuasion, that under such Circumstances I should testify such things (if they were false) would be Bedlam-Extravagant as well as Hellish malice. They therefore concluded, that no false Suggestion would appear so probable, as to give out that what I have declared of that Assassination, I was compelled unto by Violence and Torture.  
This spurious Conceit, first begot in Adultery between Priestly-Impudence and Lay-Credulity, being now grown to some Bulk, comes the ever-memorable Madam Cellier (that notorious Midwife, that has brought abundance more Lies, than ever she did Children, into the world) and she exposes the Bantling, and licks the Cub into form, and tricks it up with gay Swadling-Cloaths of Circumstances, or in a word (to leave fooling with Metaphors) to colour the business, She offers herself as a kind of Earwitness of the force pretended to be used to me.  
The Mischiefs designed by this most groundless Lie, are no less various, than all advantageous for the traitorous Conspirators.  
1. Hereby they hope to represent my Evidence as Invalid or at least suspected, as being originally given not voluntarily, but per duress.  
2. This point being once gained, The Actors and manner of Sr. Edm. Godfrey's Murder will become dubious, and then they may not only Outface it for their own Credit, but cast it upon Himself, for the Beggars, or the Earl of Danby, or the presbyterians, or any body else, for all these they have already (though Sillily and in vain) attempted,  
3. Hereby they hope to give some colour to the belief of the Sham-Plots, which they have or intent to set on foot, making the World believe that some persons had made it their Interest and Business, by undue means, to fix horrid Crimes on the Papists, of which they were not guilty, which must be in order to some sinister designs upon the Government, etc. All which Methods are indeed only their own Popish Policies and Practices.  
4. A further design is not only to Baffle the Discovery of the Plot, but to bring an Odium on the Nation and the Protestant Religion in general, as allowing or suffering such Cruelties, and Prosecuting Roman Catholics on Testimonies so unduly obtained.  
Wherefore, though I myself am inconsiderable, and not worth an Apology, but satisfied with Truth, could contentedly sit silent and smile at their effronted Forgeries, yet since in the consequences, 'tis a matter of importance to the Safety and Honour of the Nation, I know not how I can discharge my Duty to my Gracious Sovereign, (to whose Mercy I own my Life) to my Country, and Protestant Religion (in which by the Divine Grace I resolve to live and die) if I should not detect this lewd Scandal.  
'Tis true, Authority in a late just Prosecution of that Wretched Woman, hath fitly confuted her Libel, no Answer being so proper for such stuff as a Pillory; And at her Trial upon my Oath (which I wish Jesuits, Priests, and indeed all sorts of Papists, had that Conscientious regard to, as I have, and I hope shall ever conserve) I did fully satisfy the Court of the utter falsity of any such usage; yet lest the Romanists and their Abettors, should pretend that she was Convicted only for other Branches of her Libel, and Brazen it out (as they are wont) that what I there delivered was but downright Swearing, I shall here by pregnant circumstances, evident Matters of known Fact, her own Contradictions, and other undeniable Arguments, make such her Story of my being Racked or Tortured, appear to be as empty, though withal as malicious a Fiction, as the Father of Lies could invent.  
1. 'Tis well known, (and Celliers Libel, p. 18. confesses, that the King himself told her so) That the Law (of England) will not suffer any person to be Tortured; 'Tis a thing not allowed, not used amongst us; How then can That be imagined to be practised upon me, which never was done on any body else since the memory of Man?  
II. If Eliz. Cellier did at the time she mentions hear such Groans of Torture, and had such Reasons to believe they proceeded from me, why did not she, who was so notable a Busybody, and so familiar with Ladies and Lords, and persons of greater Quality (as she pretends) give immediate notice thereof to His Majesty, that the thing might have been inquired into, the Contrivers thereof and their illdesigns discovered and punished? Can she doubt a Fair Hearing? that were to cast a most undeserved Reflection on His Majesty's Justice and Goodness; For can it be imagined that the best and most Gracious of Princes, would permit, or Connive at causeless Cruelties and Violations of Law, merely by a false extorted Testimony to take away the lives of his innocent Subjects? Or can we think the Papists so destitute of Friends, that they could not have Access, on so important an occasion, to that Sovereign Ear, which is ever open to the Just Complaints of the meanest of His Subjects? Their Interest was too much, and their Modesty too little, to have forborn; but rather they would forthwith have filled all the Court, and Kingdom too with Exclamations. At least, why did not this Gentlewoman or some of he. Five Associate Gossips come in to weaken my Testimoy at the ●●yal of Green, Bury, and Hill, than had been a proper time for the starting of this Story? But alas! it was not hatched for many Months afterwards.  
III. The Libel, p. 2. says, Cellier never saw the Countess of Powis, or had any Money from the Lords accused, till about THE LATTER END OF JANVARY, (78.) and then she went and told that Lady abundance of strange Stories of Mr. Oats and Mr. Bedloe. And after this (which must be supposed to be in February at least) her Ladyship (Powis) taking the Prisoners distressed Condition (so miserably distressed that several of them died with Over-eating themselves, and four or five in a Gang would commonly Tope off a dozen or more Bottles of Wine in a day) into her consideration, there was a weekly Charity erected. And this Mother of the Maids, and Nurse to suckling Swearers of St. Omers, was made Lady Treasuress in that Affair. About this time (says she) going to the Prison to perform these Offices of Charity, on Thursday Jan. 9 I dined in Newgate, etc. Sure the Holy Father that forged this part of the Libel, had taken too large a Morning's draught, else he would have laid his Lies a little closer. For how does this hang together? She saw not the Lady Powis till the latter end of January, and after that there was time spent in telling of Stories, and erecting the Contribution of the well-affected, and yet after all this, comes this Female Judas with the Bag to Newgate to scatter the Charity, and it happens still to be but precifely the 9th of the same January. I would entreat the worthy Author, (whether Lord, or Priest, or Monk, or Bawd, or all together) to solder up this flaw in the next Edition.  
iv She proceeds, p. 3.— About Four of the Clock I came down into the Lodge with five Women, of which three were Protestants, and we all heard terrible Groans and Squeeks which came out of the Dungeon.— Pray observe, there is not one of all these five Women that has got either a Name, or place of Habitation. Nor can she say they were Strangers, for by her own Tale, they were her Companions, stayed with her three hours after, nay so intimate that she could tell what Religions they were severally of, a very difficult business, I'll assure you, as times go, but undoubtedly they dwelled in Fairy-Land, and were some of Queen Mabb's waiting Gentlewomen, that use to walk invisible; or the Devil has since run away with them; For else why were not some of them, the three Protestants at least, produced in Court now at her Trial to confirm this part of the Story?  
V I asked Harris the Turnkey, etc. Here the Reader must note, That the crafty Gipsy knew well enough, that this Harris was not in a condition to disprove her, being long since dead, and therefore of all the rest chooses to make use of his name.— We went behind the Gate and lissened, and found it to be the voice of a strong Man in Torture, and heard, as we thought, the winding up of some Engine;— That was a most lucky thought, and very pat to the Business. But when you invented this Lie, I'll warrant you never thought of the Engine called the Pillory.— We went to the Turner's Shop without the Gate, and stood there amazed with the horror and dread of what we heard— And yet neither the People of that Shop, nor any body else heard one bit of all this Tragedy.  
VI One of the Officers came running from the noise [but he too, has no Name; What! Can she think of never a Servant at Newgate that has died within these two years to father it on?] One of us caught hold of him, saying, O! What are they doing in the Prison? Officer— I dare not tell you: [on my word, a very Civil Gentleman! I was afraid he would have answered,— D—m ye for a Bitch, what's that to you?]  
Mistress— It's a Man upon the Rack, I'll lay my life on't [What Mistress, or whose Mistress, this was, is a Secret; but A Miss she was, we have Madam Celliers word for't, who has as much Judgement and Experience that way as any body about Town, her dear Sister, and fellow-helping Witness, the famous Madam Mosely herself, not excepted.]  
VII. We heard these Groans perfectly to the end of the Old Bailie. What, no further? Why not as well to Powis-house? For undoubtedly this strong Man was Tortured in Perillus' Bull, and had a Speaking-Trumpet all the while at his Mouth.— They continued till near seven of the Clock. So that it seems Cellier and her five Companions attended three long hours to hear them, which had they been so dreadful as to be perfectly heard to the end of the Old Bailie, what a fright must they have put all the Neighbourhood into, and how many hundreds, nay thousands, in so public a passage must have been gathered together to inquire the cause of such dolesome out-cries? yet is there not one person living besides this worthy Gentlewoman that remembers any such thing.  
VIII. Then a Person in the Habit of a Minister, of middle stature, etc. meant in, and a Prisoner loaded with Irons was brought into the Lodge— The Incoherence of this part of the Romance was excellently observed at her Trial by my Lord, Baron Weston, how absurd it is to imagine a man that had been three hours or more on the Rack, should presently be able to walk, loaded with Irons too.  
IX. 'Tis evident, That the Scope of this Invention, is to abuse the World into a persuasion, that I was thus misused only to force me to own myself privy unto and concerned in Sir Edmundbury's Murder, and to charge it on the Papists. Now therefore, to Knock the whole Lie o'th' head, and confute it beyond any possibility of Reply, by notorious Matter of Fact, I shall only desire the Reader to observe, That I was taken into custody the 21 of December (78) as appears by the Warrant of my Commitment; That on the next day, being Sunday, I did upon Examination, set forth several particulars of the Popish Plot, which I had heard from Fenwick, Grove, and others, as that there would very shortly be 50000 Men in Arms, etc. And on the next day, being December 23. on further Examination by a Committee of the House of Lords, I made a Discovery of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey 's Murder, and the Persons that actually Butchered him, viz. Fitz-Girald, and Dominick Kelly, two Priests, Henry Berry, Robert Green, and Laurence Hill, upon which the three last were apprehended, the said Hill being brought to Newgate the same night, Berry, the next day, being the 24th, and Green on the day following, being Christmas-day, as by the Records of their respective Commitments (to which I refer myself) does appear.  
Furthermore, on the said 24th of December, I gave a large Account before His Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council of that horrid Murder and its circumstances that fell within my knowledge (agreeable in all things to what the day before I had declared to the Committee, and which since I have deposed at the respective Trials, and Printed in my first Narrative) And for more full satisfaction to His Majesty, and their Lordships, did then go to Summerset-House, and show to the Duke of Monmouth, the Right Honourable the Earl of Ossory and Clarendon, and Sir Robert Southwell (appointed by His Majesty for that purpose) the particular Rooms in which the Martyred Body had for several nights been Reposited, as most truly, and at large, is set forth in my said Narrative, Page 21.  
Since therefore I had, upon my Oath, made such a full Discovery on the 23d of December; Confirmed the same the 24th, both by Oath, and Satisfactory Circumstances; And that the Three Assassinates (since deservedly Executed) were, Merely upon my Information, all secured in Gaol for that Fact, before the 26th of December; What occasion was there to Torture me on the 9th of January following, to dispose me to a Confession of that, which I had voluntarily, and so effectually made above 16 days before?  
From all which (I suppose) the Vanity, Incongruity, and Utter Falsehood of the Story is sufficiently apparent, and from thence no less plain, That as the Papists have a most Wicked Cause to Manage, viz. Treason and Murder; so they make no Scruple at all of Forging and Asserting any kind of Lies that may serve their Interests therein; And the more Groundless and Improbable such their Lies are, with so much the greater Assurance do they Print, and Brazen them out to the World, to make them Credited.  
Yet is not this Slander of Torture any New Stratagem; but hath been used oft and long ago by Popish Libelers. For Example, in one of their Pamphlets Printed Anno 1602. (but said to be Written in the year 1599) Entitled, An Apology of T.F. and other Catholics. Designing, to Outface the Treason of Edward Squire against Queen Elizabeth, for which he had been Legally Convicted and Executed; The Contents of the Third Chapter run thus— Of the Cruelty of the Rackmasters in England. As if Racking of Men were as common amongst us as in the Spanish Inquisition, and that Torturers here kept their settled Ordinary Offices, and Commenced Masters in the Faculty, And presently after he says— And may it please you to consider, the Barbarous Usage and Tyranny that the Rack-Masters, Tormentors, and Inferior Officers and Examiner's, have used in the Causes of Catholics for many years, and daily do use, observing no order of Justice, nor form of Law— And, Chapter the Fourth, he has these words— They Torment the Catholics on bare Suspicions without any Proof, or Witness in the World, and that with such Extremity, as they Lame some, and Kill others, and with such Devilish Devises, as amongst Christians hath not been heard of. And then to make such his Impudent Assertions the better swallowed, proceeds thus— It is not many years [but pray observe, he dares not say for fear of a Detection, When, or Where] that Francis Dickenson, Priest, was taken and Committed to Prison by one of the Persecutors, who seeing him to be a very proper young Man, in the Flower of his Age, and imagining that he might quickly Overthrow him by the sin of the Flesh, found means to have a Woman conveyed to his Bed, who being repelled by him, and the Enemy seeing that the practice took no effect, but came to be known, not only to all that were in the Prison, but also to many others abroad, to the Commendation of the Priest's Chastity, and honour of the Cathalick Religion, he was so incensed against him, That he caused him to be hanged up, first by the Privy Parts (which he made to be Pierced in divers places with hot Irons) and after by the Hands, until he was half dead, and then called in many to see his said Privy parts instamed and rankled with the Burning of the hot Irons, saying unto them, after they were gone forth again, Behold this  Priest, how he hath dressed, and spoiled himself with naughty Women. And not content therewith, caused him also to be Arraigned, and Executed for being a Priest, without having any other Matter against him: Which kind of Cruelty, tending to the Overthrow both of Soul, Body, Honour, and all, can hardly be matched with any Example of the Old Heathen Persecutors of the Primitive Churches.  
Thus far that effronted Jesuit (for so the Author appears to be) and indeed, Can any thing be devised more horrid, but withal more improbable, and remote from Truth? yet hereby we see Cellier, and her Inspirers, wanted not Precedents for their Fiction, their Party having so long inur'd themselves to Forging Untruths, that now they think they may lawfully Lie by Prescription.  
Having therefore Vindicated, not so much my Self, as Truth, and the Honour of my Country, from that Notorious Slander, I shall take this Opportunity to wipe off some other Aspersions that have altogether as groundlessly been raised by the Popish Faction, and other ill people, to the prejudice of my Reputation.  
1. In the Month of May last, there was a Public Reflection upon me, in a Thing called, The Domestic Intelligence; Suggesting, as if I had received 500 l. of one Blunden, for my being concerned in the Murder of Justice Godfrey. The Truth of which whole matter was thus— Some short time before the first Discovery of the Plot, I did, by the Order of one Fowler a Priest, that was a kind of Steward to one Mr. Ployden then in France, receive of Mr. Blunden of Basingstoke in Hampshire (then utterly a stranger to me) 90 l. Fifty pounds whereof I soon after paid away to a Merchant in London, to be Transmitted to the said Ployden, and the rest to the said Fowler. Now afterwards when I had made my Discovery, and was generally Talked of, the said Mr. Blunden, in Discourse with one Fowler an Apothecary in London, happened to say, That he had once seen me, and paid me some Money, and he wished it were not Employed in the Plot, or Words to that purpose; Long after this, a falling out (as 'tis said) happening between Mr. Blunden and the said Fowler the Apothecary; the latter having, it seems, herded talk of one Blunden, a Popish Priest, that used to frequent Newgate, and manage Catholic Fireworks, etc. did thereupon (whether out of Revenge, or purely on a Mistake, I know not) give Information against this Mr. Blunden as a Priest, and that he Confessed to him that he paid me 500 l. for the Murder of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, etc. Hereupon I was called before His Majesty's most Honourable Privy-Council, to whom I related the Premises, How that Blunden was a Stranger to me; that I never saw him but once, and then received 90 l. of him on the Account aforesaid But, most truly denied, that I ever received of him, or any other Person whatsoever 500 l. or any other Sum of Money for my being Concerned about that Horrid Murder. And the said Mr. Blunden being sent for up by a Messenger, did deny that he ever spoke any such words relating to me, but only that once he, by Order, paid unto me the said 90 l. and, upon Examination, was found to be A good Protestant, and a very honest Man; Whereupon, the matter being referred to the King's Bench, he was there soon after Discharged But the Apothecary, who occasioned all this Noise, and causeless Trouble, was ordered to find Sureties for the Good Behaviour; And the Author of the Domestic Intelligence did Retract his News, and Ask my Pardon; And perceiving he did it through Misinformation, and not with Design, I did pass it by, without giving him further Trouble.  
2. The Papists buzz abroad Reports, as if what I have done were for Profit, or that I had got some Great Advantages by becoming an Evidence. This is the Common Lerry of their Pamphlets; Mrs. Cellier has a Touch of it, in that most Audacious and Seditious Expression (in the Postscript) Whensoever His Majesty pleases to make it as safe and Honourable to speak Truth, as it is Apparent it hath been Gainful and Meritorious to do the Contrary, etc.  
In Answer to which, I shall only say, That as I own my Life to His Majesty's Mercy, so I am freely ready to expend the whole Remainder of it in his Service: And as I must acknowledge, That when I have done all I can, I have done but my Duty; So with all Thankfulness I do own, That His Majesty has Graciously been pleased to Encourage my poor Endeavours, To whose good pleasure I contentedly submit myself; Only to confute these Malicious Clamours of Extraordinary Gains, am obliged to Declare this Truth, That from my first Discovery to this day, I never had, or received any Allowance, Pension, Salary, Place Sum of Money, or other Advantage whatsoever, save only the Sum of 30 l Ordered me soon after my coming out of Prison: Now, if it be Considered into what hard Circumstances this my Honest Discovery had brought me, That I have lost a Considerable and Constant Employ from Her Majesty; Nay, that I have lost my whole Trade and Livelihood, which lay altogether amongst Priests and Papists. That I have now spent well nigh Two years in the Service of the Public, which occasionally has taken up most of my time, and necessitated me to very considerable Expenses, and the neglect of my Private Concerns, to the great hazard of Ruining myself and Family: All this, I say, being considered, I conceive 30 l. cannot be thought any such enviable sum, that any need upbraid me with the Gains I have made by my Evidence; Though yet, to me, the Gains (but in a far different sense) are invaluable. Having, I bless God, gained the Quiet of my Conscience, before miserably distracted with being Privy to that Horrid Murder (The only Rack and Torture which I ever suffered.)  
3. Another Aspersion, is, That I have charged some as Popish Priests, whom I could not prove to be such, and particularly one Geldon But this I do avow is absolutely false: For, as several Priests, viz. Parry, Knapper, and others, have been by me Discovered, and are Legally Convicted (though I have not yet received one farthing on that Account of the Rewards proposed in His Majesty's Royal Proclamations) so I never Taxed any but whom I certainly knew to be Priests. And as for Geldon, alias Bacon, I did Discover and Apprehend him in January last (he having just before been in Cure of a desperate. Pox) who thereupon was Committed to Newgate: Nor was it my Fault that he was not Prosecuted, having been ready to Attend to give Evidence; and since, understanding that he was got out upon Bail, I did myself, the Last Sessions, prefer an Indictment against him, which is found by the Grand Jury; and I am ready (as I doubt not with good Evidence) to prove it upon him, Let him appear if he dare.  
Another damnable Scandal they have broached, which, though it principally be levelled at Sir William Waller, as if he under pretence of searching for Priests, and seizing Popish Trinkets, should take away Money, Plate, and other things of value from the Owners, and Necklaces of Pearl for Beads; yet since I very frequently went along with him, it does obliquely reflect on me, and I cannot but do that worthy Gentleman the right to justify him against such a most false groundless and malicious slander: I do therefore Declare in the presence of God, and shall be ready to Attest on my Oath, that whensoever I attended him in Searches, (which was almost every day,) I never could discern in him the least inclination to any such base practice; but that to the contrary he behaved himself as a good Christian and just Magistrate; for wherever we came what Money was found was left in the Owners possession, and as for Chalices and Pixes (of Plate) belonging to Priests and used in their Mass, or for keeping Holy Oil, etc. We did indeed batter or break them to pieces, but always returned all the pieces to the Proprietors, But their Copes and Priestly Vestments, Superstitious Pictures, Habit of Monks belonging to their peculiar Orders, and such like Trumpery, we did sometimes take away and cause them to be publicly burnt never making any advantage thereof. And as for Books being sometimes too numerous to be immediately perused, they were laid up (each man's by themselves) in places where those they belonged to, might by their Friends have Access to them, and such as were not Prohibited by Law were ready to be returned. And as to any Necklaces of Pearl, reported to be by him taken away, I am more than confident the same is as errand a Lie, as that he thought one Bednigfield, whom he took at Newmark— to have been the same Beding field, who died in the Gatehouse, for he well knew it was another Man, but likewise was not ignorant that 'twas not unusual for two or more Priests to go by the same Name, which yet many times doth in truth belong to none of them. And if Sir William had committed any such ill Acts, why did not the People injured or some of them Indict him, or bring their Actions, (his being a Justice was no Protection,) or why at least did not they forthwith complain to the King and Council, rather than Right themselves in N. 't's Lying Intelligence? But alas, they well knew these stories would not endure the Test, only might serve to raise scurvy apprehensions among some silly inconsiderate People.  
And therefore to show Sir William's innocence, integrity, and kind dealing in these Cases, I shall at present only give the following instance amongst many others, which to my knowledge are true. When we took Napper a Priest, and now a Condemned Traitor in Newgate; we found in his Chamber about 50 pieces of Gold, several parcels of Silver, two Silver Tobaco-Boxes and other such things to the value of above 100 l. as I verily believe, and there was no body present but Sir William and his Company. Now here was a convenient bootty, which if there had been any such bese avaricious design, might have cleverly been carried off by colour of seizing it as appertaining to a Traitor. But Sir William was so far from offering any such thing, that he called to Mr. Napper, and told him, Sir, You must to Prison, and possibly may have occasion for your Money; therefore take this Cabinet (pointing to one that stood there,) and put all your Treasure therein; and either take it with you, or reposite it in such hands as you can trust. Now, how unlikely is it, that he who was so generously just and kind to a known Priest, should be so pitifully injurious to Ladies of Quality, or any other People far less obnoxious, and more capable to right themselves.  
This I thought myself bound in Conscience to say of that Honourable Gentleman, (for whether he be living or dead, I know not,) and do hearty wish, That all Ministers of Justice throughout England were as diligently zeasous in discharge of their Trust, for the finding out and punishing all lurking Jesuits, Popish Priests, and such like Traitorous Vermin; for if they be not vigorously prosecuted, his Majesty's sacred Life and Government cannot be safe, but they will be perpetually carrying on their Hellish Plot, and creating fresh Disturbances.  
Fifthly, There is yet another Aspersion, which is so vain and incredible, that I could scarce believe it should enter into the Heads of any reasonable people, did I not to my amazement often hear it Reported, which is, That I am still a Papist. Now as to this, I know not what words I can use will be effectual to Confute such a ridiculous suspicion, if the Things I have done, so clearly demonstating the contrary, cannot convince them; I shall therefore only say, That as Reflections on the horrid Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, and the villainy of the Priests urging the lawfulness on't, did (when I came calmly to Consider it) raise at first an Aversion in me to that Bloody Religion, so by the Grace of God, the Conferences which the now Reverend Bishop of St. Asaph, and other Divines were charitably pleased to use to me, fully convinced me of the Falsehood, Absurdity, and Superstitions of the Roman Church; and on the other side, of the Truth and soundness of the Protestant Doctrine, and its agreeableness to the sacred Word of God, and all the glorious Ends of Christianity, whereupon hearty, unfeignedly, and on grounds fully satisfying my Conscience, I did cast myself into the Arms of the Church of England, and have without wavering in the least, strictly adhered to her Communion in all the Ordinances and Exercises of Religion, and do resolve, by the help of Almighty God, therein to continue to the last moment of my life. Nor can it be any but Papists, and their Instruments, that would broach this Fable; who do it only to render me suspected to Protestants, and thereby sully the esteem of my Evidence against themselves. And therefore if hereafter any shall maliciously spread such stories, I shall not be wanting to vindicate myself, and punish their Extravagance by such Remedies as the Law allows me.  
Sixthly, Having thus wiped off the Scandals of professed Enemies, I must now take leave to rectify certain Mistakes of a Friend in a Pamphlet entitled, The Narrative of William Boys: The Penman of which has committed some Errors, or at least represented things so as they may be liable to Misconstructions; as p. 5, and 6. where he seems with many words to tell a story, as if I had not made the discovery of Godfries Murder till the 12th or 13th of January; and that he the said Mr. Boys was the first man in the World that I revealed it to. Whereas in truth I had many days before acquainted both the Committee of Lords, and the Lords of the Council therewith; and Green, Berry, and Hill were thereupon in Prison, as before herein is set forth. And the real Truth of the matter that he talks of is only thus: That sometime after I had made such discovery, the closeness of the Prison (though I were used otherwise with Civility enough) occasioned my falling sick, and being in a Fever, I might perhaps (as is usual in such cases) being then Lightheaded, use some extravagant expressions; and in that condition, when Questions were asked me, might (as he observes p. 5.) never answer to the purpose. Whereupon Mr. Boyce being know to be very well acquainted and familiar with me, was ordered by the Lords of the Committee on the 10th of January to come to me, and keep me Company; which he did for several days: And as soon as I recovered any competent degree of health, and was able to talk reasonably, I did declare to him the manner of Sir Edm. Godfry's Murder, and confirm what before my sickness I had discovered to the Lords. And though what he did was by Order, yet I acknowledge my Obligations to Mr. Boyce for his Society and Converse, which was very acceptable to me in that condition; nor were the Lords wanting to satisfy him for his time expended in attending me, but became (as appears in his Paper p. 7.) suitors to his Majesty, on the 29th. of the same January for 30 l. for him, which I understand he received, and I suppose will not deny it to have been a bountiful Reward for about 19 days going up and down.  
But from this Discourse of his I am apt to believe the Contrivers of Celliers Libel might take the Hint to time that Story of her hearing me Racked, for he having published, that he came to me the Tenth of January, and that I did not make any Confession till some days after; these subtle Forgers lay the scene of their Torturing Tragedy on the 9, 10, and 11 days, as you have heard, to make it seem the more probable that my Confession proceeded from some ill usage. I would not hereby be misunderstood to insinuate, That Mr. Boyce had any bad Design, or were in Confederacy with Gellier and her Gang, for I have far better thoughts of him, but only I say, 'tis probable they might take the advantage thence to six the business precisely on the Ninth of January. But as to the cruelty of Racking Mr. Boyce, p. 8. does very honestly and justly attest that there was no such thing, which might, were there occasion, be confirmed by twenty others. P. 10. He tells the World, That he took me and my Wife home to his House for a Month; I conceive my old Friend has no intent (as he has little reason) by these words to upbraid me with his kindness, 'Tis true, we did lie at her House about a Month, but as in that time we provided a great part of our Diet; so at our going away, I gave Mrs. Boyce 5 l. for the trouble we had given their House, and never heard but they were therewith well satisfied.  
At the end of the same Page, 'tis said, That my Wife herself went to her sister Sherburn, a zealous Papist, and cunningly informed her that the time was now come to be Revenged upon Mr. Boyce for being instrument in the discovery of the Murder of Sir E.G. for that I and he were fallen out. As to this, First, I do not understand, that if we had been indeed fallen out, how this could have contributed to their taking Revenge on Mr. Boyce, for I bless God though we had a long acquaintance, yet we never had any dangerous secrets between us, whereby either party might be able to prejudice the other, if he should have so much ill nature, or malice as to endeavour it. Secondly, If my Wife did so cunningly inform her Sister of this, I suppose 'twas secretly; and if so, how came Mr. Boyce to know of it? And thirdly, If he did know her to be of so treacherous and dissembling a Spirit (for no Neighbour or Friend could show more kindness than she always did to Mr. Boyce and all his Family,) 'tis a wonder that he would after this, send for her to his House, and desire her to sit up two days and a night with his Wife in her sickness.  
P. 15. Mr. Boyce seems to take it ill, because I gave him some notice that he was to be examined in January last; I did not tell him what it was about, but this it is to be offended with me for not being a Conjurer, for I knew it not myself; nor do I remember that I said any thing to him, of his having talked at a strange rate of things of high and great Concernment, having no reason, that I know of, to use such an Expression. In a word, as I have been long and intimately acquainted with Mr. Boyce, so I shall never be ungrateful for any kindnesses. But there are some people in the World that sully their Courtesies with an importune ostentation, who never think their Obligations cancelled, and upbraid their Friends with their good Offices so much and so long that they lose almost all their lustre, and the Cackling proves more troublesome than the Egg was valuable.  
Seventhly, A Neighbour of mine, one Mr. Salisbury being questioned for some words, whilst this was preparing for the Press, alleged to have been spoken by him, though I did no more than what I was obliged unto both in Duty, and for my own safety in that Affair, yet some people have misrepresented it, and thence raised false Reports to my prejudice, and therefore I shall presume to annex an Account thereof, being thus, On Thursday, Sept. 23. instant, I heard a Rumour, That the said Mr. Salisbury on the Tuesday before had to his Journeyman spoken words of dangerous Consequence; and that a Boy related to me, and boarding in my House heard him, and did Report it. Hereupon I having a long time known the said Mr. Salisbury, and never observed any thing by him, but that he was a very Civil peaceable man, took the Boy to task, threatening him for reporting such false things, enough to ruin an honest man, the Boy persisted that he did hear him say such words; and desired me to ask the Journeyman, whether it were not true; which I did, who seemed to own that there was some such like words passed between them, though not the same that the Boy (who heard them at some distance) had reported, but that they were qualified with certain other circumstances and expressions. Hereupon the noise increasing, and several persons directing their discourse to me about it, though the man were a Neighbour, and one I had a kindness for; yet where my King is concerned, I know no Friend, and had it been never so near a Relation, I should have thought myself bound in duty to give notice of it, That the matter might be examined; and accordingly I did acquaint the Right Honourable the Earl of Sunderland, one of the principal Secretaries of State, with what I had heard reported, who commanded me to attend the Council, and there it was ordered that Mr. Salisbury should be taken into a Messenger's hands, and on Wednesday last the matter being heard before the Honourable Board, I did acquaint their Lordships, That I knew nothing of my own knowledge of the words, for I heard them not. That Mr. Salisbury had been divers years my Neighbour, and had always behaved himself very civilly amongst us, and that I had always looked upon him as an honest man and good Subject. Then the Witnesses were Examined, and the words appearing to have been in part misapprehended by the Boy, and the occasion and circumstances of speaking them being declared by the other Witness, it was looked upon but as impertinent Chat, and Mr. Salisbury was discharged. In which affair I am confident no discreet man or good Subject will blame me: For besides my Obligations by my Allegiance, my particular circumstances obliged me to it, for how did, or do I still know, but the Report might be fomented by some Papists underhand, and especially Addressed to me, that if I had not speedily informed Authority, they might have had matter of Accusation against me?  
I shall conclude the whole with this solemn Protestation in the presence of Almighty God, That I was never in any kind Racked or put to Torture by any persons during my Confinement; nor by any threaten, or other ill means induced to the Discoveries I have made; and that what I have set forth thereof, and the Evidence I have given thereof against Green, Bury, and Hill, or against any other person or persons relating thereunto, or to the Plot in General, or for being Priests, is true; and that I have not been swayed therein by Malice, Revenge, hopes of profit, or any other sinister end whatsoever. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my Hand.  
Miles Prance.   

POSTSCRIPT.  
THe World I conceive is by this time pretty well satisfied in the Character of the famous Mrs. Cellier; yet to divert the Reader, we would have him take a little further notice of her two Cardinal virtues, Ambitious Impudence, and a prodigious knack of Counterfeiting.  
As for Impudence (to wave the History of her lewd Life) her whole Libel is a sufficient Instance, particularly p. 29. where she has the Forehead to say of the Lords of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council, That they asked her many Trepanning Questions to ensnare her; What a mighty Woman would this be counted, as if their Honours would turn Treppans to ensnare (forsooth) such a Draggle-tailed Prattle-box; So p. 35. she intimates her politic officiousness, That she carried the names of four Persons to the D. in hopes to have them put into the Commission of the Peace, which might conduce much to the breaking of the measures of the Factious— [that is, no doubt, being Translated out of the Catholic Cant into honest English— Conduce much to diverting the prosecution against Popish Traitors.] Now was not she (think you) a rare Gentlewoman to be a Justice-maker? In pursuance of which vain ranting Humour, after she was questioned for her Libel, she had the confidence to quarrel with the King's Messenger that discovered it, For having some time before stopped a Weekly Pamphlet of Intelligence, intended to have been published by Mr. Roger L'Estrange; Saying (as I am credibly informed) that the said Messenger did very ill in suppressing the same (though he acted only pursuant to his Majesty's Royal Proclamation) and further told him, That she would have it Revived, and go on, for it would be a thing of great use; mentioning the said Mr. L'Estrange very familiarly, and pretending then to send her Imps Grange and Sing up and down to him; Though for all her vain Boasting, it cannot (I think) be imagined that so worthy a Gentleman, and so much a Protestant, as he has shown himself by his late Learned Pamphlets; And one that is, (as I am told) of late a Justice of the Peace, would have any Correspondence with such a notorious Popish Baggage, especially since his Marriage, for before it might lie in her way perhaps (had he been willing) to have obliged him.  
As for her Counterfeiting Intrigues and Sham-tricks, her whole Life has been but one continued scene of Legerdemain, so that all the Gusmans', and Gypsies in Europe are but Novices to her, and therefore most fit she was to be chosen Tutoress to the Younglings of St. Omers. It would be too tedious to reckon up half the Stratagems she has invented in her days; only because the Adventure of the sanguine Bladder will do well in after Ages to be joined to that of the Meal-tub, I shall here oblige the World with a brief Relation on't.  
After she had lately received her Sentence to stand 3 days on the Pillory, etc. Some of the Officers of the College wherein her Ladyship at present resides, knowing her to be a Woman of Intregue, and resolving to observe how she would behave herself, gave her intimation on Thursday the 16th. instant, that she was to stand the next day. Hereupon, to prevent the worst, she got in her Armour of defence, and a Cap, of Maintenance made of trusty Bullhide, (the very same which her brother Giles lately made use of on the like occasion;) but with all provided herself of a Vomit, so that (having timed the taking of it conveniently,) when they (to carry on the humour) came up the next morning as if to call her down; she was most busily casting up her Accounts, as if she would have disgorged a Thousand Sham-Plots, and protested it was a distemper had just then seized her, they smiled at the pretty contrivance and left her; but when she found they had but made a fool of her, and caused her to take her Physic a day too soon and troubled her stomach to no purpose, she could with all her heart have spewed in their Chaps.  
However understanding that afternoon that she was to stand in good earnest on the morrow, being Saturday, she knew there was no repeating the same Artifice, and so studied another, declaring herself with Child, and every minute expecting the unlucky hour, when she should bless Newgate with a Catholic Babe: This appeared very improbable in a person of her reverend years, and one Midwife being sent to her returned a Non Inventus on her Belly; but another being called at her importunity, she dealt so, effectually with a small Argument in hand, and promises to prefer her to be Midwife to a certain great Lady, that the good Woman was prevailed with to justify her pregnancy. The Cheat being thus far advanced, on the Saturday morning, her Maid (fit for such a Mistress) very early cried out to the Keepers, and acquainted them that her Mistress was extreme Ill; and some time after Captain R. sending her up word, that she must prepare to go forth to the Wooden Engine, she, in dying tone replied, that they might do what they would with her, but she was not able to stir out of her Bed; whereupon he ordered 3 or 4 honest Women to go up and dress her, charging them to handle her with all tenderness, and let the Maid be by, for he knew she would be ready enough to swear he had Racked and Tortured her. They accordingly with much ado Accoutred her, but then she would not stir a foot, so two men very gingerly brought her down, and would have seated her in a Chair; but she tumbled herself all along on the floor, and roared out, O my back; hold my back, hold my sides, I am in Labour, call some Women, for modesty sake let the Men be gone, use not a Woman in my Condition more barbarously than Heathens; more Savagely than Turks and Indians, etc. By this time some of her female popish Gang were got about her, and all agreed, that she was just on point of delivery; nay so far had she deluded them, that 'tis said, some of them went to a Magistrate and offered to swear it; and the Shreiffs Officers she had so satisfied that they were loath to meddle with carrying her abroad.  
She bellowed out so hideously that one of the Popish Priests was overheard to say she over-acts it, and some of the spectators thought her possessed, and were ready to call Father Martial to try (according to the laudable practice of their Church) his skill in Conjuring and exorcising upon her; but others more prudent alleged, that Monks were better versed in raising Evil Spirits, than laying them, and more fit to put the Devil into such a Woman than cast him out.  
At last after a world of Groan (worse than those of a Soul in Purgatory) and a thousand most bewitching wry faces, an able Physician and several discreet Women being sent for, they searched her so narrowly, that they discovered the whole Cheat, and found that the good Lady was no more with Bearn than the Town-bull, but only having overnight privately gotten a Bladder of Blood, had used her skill in creating the necessary symptoms, and preparing certain Clotts of it, and put them into her Body, (some of which sort designed for a fresh supply, were also found elsewhere about her.)  
Thus (for I would not grate modest Ears with insisting on so fulsome a story,) our politic Madam was delivered only of a Moon-Calfe or (if you please) a few Abortive Blackamoors; nor is it any wonder, that the Birth should prove prodigious, for almost a Twelve month ago, coming in a Coach from Whitehall (when she thought she might shortly be Hanged,) she very solemnly declared to an Officer that came with her, that just than she Quickened; and since a Lioness is said to go with young 10 years, why may we not allow 13 or 14 months to such a teeming Bear of fifty odd.  
The Shame being thus detected, she was carried to the place of Exaltation. How she behaved herself there every body knows; and though she were sufficiently defended by a numerous Guard and her own Armour, so that really she received no hurt from the Multitude, yet she pretended herself half-martyred; and 'tis said, had the silly confidence to send divers of the Stones that were cast at her to Newmarket; which, if she did, I verily believe the Return scarce answered the Fraight. However, to carry on the Cheat at home, though she were up early the next Morning (being Sunday) and briskly walking up and down her Chamber, and busy in writing Letters, etc. yet about Noon, (when she began to expect Visiters,) she put off her Clothes and went to Bed, lying all the Afternoon roaring and complaining of her terrible bruises, and that she was not able to stir; which raised such Compassion in abundance of devout Catholics, that they could not forbear watering their Plants; nor she (sure) choose but smile in conceit (amongst all her outward Lamentations,) to think, how neatly she imposed upon their foolish Credulity.  
These matters of Fact are notoriously true, and ready to be justified; and therefore I would entreat all modest Papists (if there be any such) to reflect, what a Championess they have got, and what an honour she is like to prove to their Cause: A Person who makes no Conscience of any thing she does or says, who confesses and denies things with the same breath; and mocks God and abuses the World with counterfeiting Childbirth-pains, and this by such immodest Practices as are a reproach to Nature, and a shame to all her Sex. In a word, What wickedness might not such a Creature be fit to attempt? What Conspiracy not apt to engage in? What Villainy not ready to execute? Whose Head is giddy with Ambition; her Heart rancoured with Malice; her Tongue tipped with Lies; her very Soul a Juggle, and her Complexion all over Brass.  
FINIS.