Innocency modestly vindicated and truth impartially, though (but partly discovered) by Thomas Shadforth, Esquire, against George Lilburne, Esquire.  
For right information of all those who have perused a late false Remonstrance by him the same George Lilburne published, and attested under his hand.  
HAd this great and zealous Pretenders Cause, been so good and he himself so clear, as his specious, but false and cunning Insinuations would make it and him, his Case being now stated, witnesses examined, a fair way made (and that by his own Petition) for an impartial hearing, he would not offer (at least he would not need, in this by and uncouth way of inveigling all the several Members appointed for his Judges though in vain) to endeavour the forstalling of the greatest Mart of Justice (for it was select and called out of the whole on purpose) that ever yet was in any particular man's cause, since this present Parliament begun; casting du●t ●n the face (as much as in him lies) of a Member thereof whole integrity is so known, and he so clear as I should wrong him in offering the least Apology, and therefore spare it: But would have stood or fall'n, according to the Allegata & Probata of his cause, and wholly relied on the merits thereof, as I myself shall do on mine, (prosecuted with much more malice, and as I doubt not the effect will make appear, much less truth, and merely upon private spleen) yet in so doing he ●ath but beaten the Winds, the Rocks his si●ly and mightless waves beat against, will neither be worn nor moved with such impotent assaults; however le●t either his Accusations and scurrilous Aspersions of myself and friends, friends of mine merely because of and for the truth) or his own evasions may pass for currant, amongst those who either through non knowledge or prejudice are strangers both to us, our cases and ends, I shall briefly, but very truly (so truly as I shall appear to the candid leisure and knowledge of our whole County, where all our transactions, ways, and designs are apparent) both offensively and defensively take up the Buckler against this Goliath of the people's Liberty and Idempni●y, viz. his own dear beloved self, and more dear beloved Family, and now Mr. Lilburne to your Remonstranoe.  
How serviceable you have been in your Generation for preservation either of your Nation's Interest, or indeed any other save your own, your dear brothers, your kindreds and servants; let them speak that know it, for to any but yourself, and those Ditto dear friends, it is a Riddle: But to your own and their Interest you have indeed (to speak modestly) been no way wanting. Your own enjoyment of Ford field worth three hundreth pounds per An. due and payable to a Delinquent, without either account to that Delinquent, his wife or children, or indeed to the State in the least manner, for aught I know, for whose use it was sequestrable: your making use of Mr. Henry Lambtons' Delinquency to force him to a Composition inconsiderable for Coals by you and your Agent, imbesled and intended to be concealed both from him and the State, by which you gained some thousands: Your farming of Delinquents Lands, and Collyeries of very great value, by yourself or your Trustee sharers, at very low and inconsiderable Rates and yet paying all your Rents in Items & imprimesses, in or by such accounts as you pleased to make and allow of: For a great while you and your party swayed all the whole County, (and I believe it is both your greatest grief and anger that you cannot do so still) to the oppressing of whom you pleased to call or make Delinquents, or clear such as you deigned to cast a favourable glance upon: Your taking of goods, and disposing of them first, then making Delinquents of the owner, who upon evidence and full bearing being discharged, must either accept a third of the true value or lose all, as the Lady Tempests Case, to the very great scandal of the Parliament, who would have justice done with mercy, no● violence with rigour: The procuring yourself and Agent Husband into the Commission for surveying of Bishop's Lands, and by that receiving ten sh●lling per d●em whilst you for your particular sit at home in your shop vending your hard pennyworths of Soap and Rasins unless when for recreation you were pleased (once perchance in two Months) to ride half a score o● miles, and feed at the trusties Charges, and then knowing what particulars were aimed at, and by whom making so much as in you and your man Husband lay the rates and returns high or low, as your affection or malice dictated, though you failed of your purpose in Sanderland and Newbottle, c●me to a more worthy hand; but intended to yourself as you Agent Husband within few days confessed. Your employing your po●re N●phew Blacket, and others of your kindred Sequestrators who have by that means made their 000 hundreds, accounting for goods worth some hundreds at under 20l. as in Sir George Bakers C●se. You● brothers taking and buying much go●ds of that nature, never yet accounted for, as M●. P. his Pla●e, and the like will fully demonstrate that you have indeed been serviceable in but not to you● Generation.  
Your opposing of ship-money (if any such) was probably an innate disposition (which you have extraduce) of thwarting what yourself was not employed in; and yet making use of you power in this Parliament; you gained a considerable sum by forcing Constables then employed to distrain for ship money ●o compound with you for fear of further trouble, as may be instanced in Rich Sm●th, Rob. Pattison▪ Ralph Holmes, and seven or eight more. For Projects name any of them you ever withstood, till the whole Vogue went against them. And for Bishops, you may call to mind it was a Bishop who first made you Right worshipful, and enabled you from Mr. Humphrey wharton's fitter, to si● upon the Bench as a Justice of Peace (no grea● sign of opposition as I take i●) yet I confess with one Clergy man you had some squabble about a Doctrine you understood not, and with another you fell out, for revealing how grossly you abused him in a bargain of Coals under trust, full 6l. in 20l. Do not therefore think by your pretended blowing of the dust cast upon you to besmear Mr. john Blakiston, he will appear in his splendour, and I hope I shall in time make you appear in your Colours, so right as believe it if you strive to absterge (there I am quit with you for one of your hard words) you will but wash the Ethiop. Only let me tell you (by the way) it is a new and odd kind of defence to Calumniate one of your Judges, who was as far from any such indirect and underhand procuring either of a false Certificate, or favourable Abatement as you are from truth and honesty; and for Mr. Coulston and others, scandalously by you made his Instruments to that purpose, the truth of that will I doubt not appear upon his Trial in the Action of the Case brought, or intended to be brought against you by him, for that gross and false slandering of him in the execution of his office; but he is big enough to answer for himself. Non ad me pertinet ole.  
To what purpose Mr. Thomas Midfords' Certificate brings up the Van of your impertinencies I confess I understand not; yet since it is crowded in, the truth of that story will very little advantage you (no more than the credit of your Certifier (who stands at this day legally indicted of) & the truth is this, that such information about Papists mustering, and riding Armed was given to the then Deputy Lieutenant's, of whom the Knights named probably were two, is true, and a Letter procured as I verily believe from the Honourable Speaker of the Parliament. It is as true that they instantly fell into inquiry and search of the truth of it, finding no colour for it, urged the informer to make proof of it, and after many failings, they were ashamed to have taken such pains upon & from so trivial an information and informer: what honour this was to th● cause and Parliament to abuse the Speaker and House so grossly and falsely, let the world Judge.  
What power Judge Heath had to put any man out of Commission or whether he did so or no, it concerns me not, neither will I dispute it, probably the Jndictment hath been for some other matter, etc. from the Bench to plead to it; neither is it impossible, it is not the first time you were at the Bar you know it.  
At the beginning of the Earl of Newcastle Arraying of men, you were so long present and acting with them, till some small distaste of your not having equal respect or power made you petted as is believed, and sent you perchance privately into Scotland; you say you were there, and I will not gainsay it; but I am confident you see them in a posture likely to prevail ere you stirred, and yet both went and returned so privately as you had a reserve, at least a design to make sure what side soever should prevail. A trick which probably you had not forgot at their very last invasion, however you acted with such seeming jehu like Zeal against them, as even being out of Commission and employment (a thing you could never endure) you still drove on with the rest; who neither needed nor I believe thanked you for that your double diligence. I will tell you a short story. There was one T. C. your neighbour drove in those times beyond Seas by your violence: Warrants signed by you for Attaching him; it seems he met with some friends about the than Prince's Court in France, advised and encouraged him (upon hearing his case) to repair back to his habitation, and do his service to you; he did so, met you on the Key, stood a volley of your frowns, at last accourted you with a private commends from the party you wots of, was dismissed, your Warrant recalled, and had not death prevented it, probably might still have lived quietly, your Malignant Neighbour: But dead men can tell no tales; however you know this is more than a vision: But to Scotland you went, and that by your Brother in Law Mr. Levers persuasion. It is strange his opinions should so soon alter as from an high Preacher and Practiser too, and all Tenants and Ceremonies (than even in their height) to fall to a Classical way; but since you have been both inspired, he with Dr. Cousins his fat living, and you with profit and employments.  
At your return, it seems after (some small interruption by Baron Lyddall (a Baron by the way never heard of before) you used such means with Colonel Carnaby, as to have the Earl of Newcastles protection, and I doubt not it will appear in the close of your Case that you did somewhat to deserve it. What your engagement was (for he was not very forward in admitting suspected men without engagement, as I have credibly beard) I will not take upon me to discover, time will do it. Truth is, your play was always to save stakes, and now you have run through Cavalier, ridged Presbyterian, Independent, and arrived at— and I doubt will never prove a Martyr, if yet there should be a further Gradation or Charge.  
You were indeed made a Prisoner and ill used, and I believe (●he Cause on the other side being almost desperate) did no little Glory in it: For any loss in your estate I wonder you are not ashamed to allege it: Your best things were conveyed safe to Scarborough, and nothing considerable of the ●●st lost, I could name you friends on the other pa●●y, who did protect and conceal them.  
What courtesies Mr. Ralph Lamb●on did for you, I know not, but I believe your arresting him without C●use, was but a mean requital, examine him to that point too. It is not denied you were imprisoned and exchanged, you l●st nothing by the bargain, nor by your dear beloved employment in the Committee of Sequestrations; a place it seems you are lo●h to part with, by your so often desiring to continue in it. I know not whether the States will own john Husband for their Agent; sure I am he was yours, and merely instrumental that frivolous p●e●ended Charge against me, contrived by yourself and party, and managed by him according to your directions: that good man some twelve days since, said that this Parliament had sit too long, and he see corruption in that Court as well as others, we will have it dissolved and another Parliament chosen and that he would j●yne wi●h the Soldiers indissolving of it, and assure himself, when the cries of Widows and Fatherless, and others wronged by him shall appear, he shall hardly escape justice. But the truth is, the envy grew on your side against me (who ought you none) I durst not with you & your brother go so high as make Orders against verdicts in law, as in john Adamsons Case, or declare you were in a power above Law, as in Mr. William Powers. I never held it fitting to sit as Judge & Accuser, nor to vote a Gentleman a Delinquent in October, and after in February to prosecute and make him so by your endeavours and Oaths: Nor cross an Order of Lords and Commons of Sequestrations in denying a fifth part where it was allotted, and giving no other reason, but it is my pleasure and it shall be so, as your Brother of late did in another business: I went according to the Dictates of my conscience impartially, and I hope justly.  
What was done in the Business of the three Ministers, was by Ordinance of Parliament; It is strange how you knew by whom procured; however not one of the three have been convinced of or for Malignancy. The Charge you pretend against me you did indeed so imminently appear in, as by your parties means and power, I then a Committee man, and suffered to act with you by Authority of Parliament for three years together, which you ought not to have done; but rather to have sequestered me (take your own words, with the clauses following in your Remonstrance most true against yourself) at least an Englishman, was bebarred of hearing or seeing the Witnesses produced against me, kept forceably out by that your precious Agent, whom I could touch narrowly, should I tell him that to have two Waves at once is Felony, or that Mr. Stockdale the Minister of South-Church died of a wound he gave him in Auckland, with the Iron of his staff under ●he ●are; but these belong to another jurisdiction: How consisttent this was to a free borne English man to be debarred of Legall ●xception to the Witnesses produced against him, or to make his defence against; what was said against him, I will not determine.  
For the long and impertinent story of M. Blackistons, and his wives solicitations and transactions, with you and others about the survey; as it is most false, scandalous and unsufferable, so is it nothing at all either to your defence or my charge, but only in slanders you know always something sticks: It had been proper to have made a Lega● Charge against the Gentleman, to which he might have answered; but it concerns him● one I doubt not in due time both can, and will right himself, though his fello● Members (equally all engaged in the scandal of one) would (as I hope they will not● pass it over.  
Are your Crimes of seven years standing? Pray what are those you so eminen●●● appear in against me? but for my part if they be true, I will never quote them in 〈◊〉 Month, or stand upon their Age▪ However yours had not been thus long in dispatching bade not your party b●en so potent that we could not have hoped for Justice, till we 〈◊〉 a man both of Worth and Honour amongst us; who without partiality durst and wo●●● do right against the Greatest and for the Meanest.  
And is not a word of your Charge proved to this day? Let the event judge of the tru●● or falsity; of that I hope enough is proved to put off your F●x●●k●●, though not the 〈◊〉 part of what may: if Commissions be issued into the County, and men not affrighted 〈◊〉 persuaded from speaking their conscience.  
As you are not careful what to answer; so I think you are careless what you 〈◊〉 so many impertinencies, so little truth; so much malice and showing of teeth where y●● cannot by't, were never crowded into two innocent sheets of p●p●r.  
You fear not Justice, you beg not Mercy truly I wish you both, and am co 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you will stand in need of the last of them. Your uprightness in all men's opinion h●● been no less; h●d not yourself proclaimed it; you know who it was, cast up hi● eye● and cried, Lord I thank thee I am not like this Publican, etc. Neither will your innocen●● shine any brighter by your making it a blazing star, probably a falling one. Y●u a●● bold indeed to say you will do so in spite of Mr. Blakistons' Complices, who never thought you worthy of his envy, nor yet does of his revenge. He hath not such Complices 〈◊〉 one of your prime ones, who both in his own, and other men's Cases hath witness●● ready for any Instructions, which made him tell an Agent of his, find but you 〈◊〉 will do it, I will find Oaths: and in another Case instruct his servant into an app●●●● perjury, almost to the ruin of a Gentleman.  
In this you● concluding resolution of asserting of reputation, having done it with 〈◊〉 many unprobable untruths, avoiding that Scylla, you have fall'n into a worse Ca●y●● and if you did not doubt (what you seem to be confident on) what need you pressent obt●ine a fair and legal trial, or implicitly tax your Court by appealing to all rational men to be your Judges, or beg that Justice might take place, and Truth be manifest, which very thing in doubting, you do tacitly deny, or at least fear, which is 〈◊〉 make up the total of spleen and causeless jealousies, in inducing th● World to belie●● either that Mr. Blackiston (on whom you would cast all you 〈◊〉) can sway ●he 〈◊〉 or that they are all as partial as you would besmatter him to be; but Magna est veri●● & prevalebit.  
FINIS.