A SECOND BEACON FIRED by SCINTILLA: WITH HIS HUMBLE INFORMATION AND JOINT ATTESTATION To the Truth of his brethren's former DECLARATION & CATALOGVE, that Fired the First BEACON. Wherein is remembered the former Actings of the PAPISTS in their secret Plots: And now discovering their wicked Designs to set up, advance, and cunningly to usher in Popery; By introducing Pictures to the Holy Bible: And by sending many young Gentlewomen beyond the Seas to the NUNS.  
ALSO, Showing and setting forth the Misery Of the whole COMPANY of STATIONERS: And holding out rather a Desolation to Religion then a Reformation; As more at large appears both in our Ministers and Churches, in these sad times, when Blasphemy, Negromancy, Popery, and all Heresies be Printed and Publicly Sold, in a most horrid manner without control or Punishment.  
ACTS 19.19.  
LONDON, Printed for the Author, 1652.   

Obsequium Amicos, Veritas Odium parit.  
THere I left in my former Scintilla, 
Sect. 1.  and here I begin again to fire a Second Beacon: The Lord grant it may give warning to our Watchmen the High and Honourable Parliament and Governors of our Commonwealth: I writ not for profit, nor vain glory, but for Truth's sake, which I follow so close at the Heels, that I may happily be so looked back upon, that I may perceive a frowning Brow, an envious Heart, or a malignant Eye. But that which puts me on at this present, is to attest a Truth, and to join with my Brethren that set the first Beacon on fire, and now by firing this Beacon, there may be the more warning to find out the Plots and subtle dealing of the Enemy to the Government of our State and Reformation in Religion. Had I had any notice of theirs, I should have added one sheet of Paper to them, for the more light: But neither knowing, nor hearing, nor seeing any thing till it was public, I was silent: Now having perused theirs, I here begin to light mine, (Now theirs is out.) The first they begin with in order, I shall do the same in a brief but short Compendium, I shall only name and hint of some old Truths, and so run up the Beacon and fire it anew, that you may so perceive the Truth which this Beacon's light discovers, the full intentions of Papists, and Popish plots, to advance their Religion, and to extirpate the Protestant: 
Sect. 2.  I begin with their first plotters of late years, that thought to ruin at once the Protestant Religion, and with an high hand then to bring in the Popish at one blow, (but that the Lord prevented) and then I shall go on to show their wicked intendments to this present.  
These Plo●● were first put on by the Devil, and he became a lying Spirit in bidding them go and prosper, and putting into their minds these wicked Plots, and into those heads that sat with their Holy Father the Pope, namely of these their pillars in former time, Doctor Fisher, Father Parsons, Father Porter, Father Worington, Father Palmer, Father Lovet, Father Fisher, Doctor Bris●ow, Doctor Wright, Father Wood, Father Lurtice, Father Marfield, Father Hiam, Father Sweet, Father Ployden, Doctor Smith, these were their great Plotters, as Mr. Ward of Ipswich, Mr. Taylor of Clapham describes, for the advance of the Roman Catholic Cause; and for the Plotters of the Powder Treason were these, Sir Everard Digby, Robert Catesby Esq Ambrose Rockwood, Francis Tressam, etc. and so on as appears more at large: (November the 5. Anno 1605) in divers Books, which are so well known, that I need not relate them, for God did let their mischief fall on their own Pate. Afterward anno 1623. what flocking and running was to Mass? (Popery being then suffered too too much) for the which many Citizens (as now) with others would go but to see Mass, for it was as public as in these days, and so Drew-a-ry their Priest in Blackfriars drew them awry, where suddenly the House under them sunk and fell down, and many Citizens and others thet went but to see (as too many now do) never returned but sunk suddenly down, and had not time to say, Lord have mercy on us: of this read more in Mr. Geese Foot out of the Snare, in this was no plot, no powder, but the Hand of God; and these verses have I seen made by a reverend Divine upon the fall of these.  
Upward had we gone, downward goes our foes,  
False Doctrines weight, fair Houses overthrows;  
Our English Pulpits, Popish puddle bear not,  
Our Chairs, our Chambers overthrow and spare not.  
But he whose never slumbering Eye did view  
The slight intendments of this damned crew,  
Did soon pull down what they did think most sure,  
Thy mercy's Lord, for ever will endure.  
But for a Plot, and all Plots to set up, advance, and bring in Popery, let the Reader that desires to know or read more of the cunning carriage of the Popish party, and their Jesuitical plots, in that learned Lawyer's Books, The Popish Royal Favourite, 1643. Rooms Master Piece, 1644. and the Hidden Works of Darkness, 1645. Who hath to his comfort, by God been preserved and kept as Daniel in the Lion's Den, and God that keeps Eels to live and thrive in the mud, can and will preserve him safe in any place by his Providence, into whose protection, and under whom I know he desires to be protected.  
But now to come closer to my brethren, and to attest what they have written, and to declare that which is too true concerning Popish Books, and the growth of Popery, and most poisoning and most Blasphemous Books, as in their first Section they hint and express in the Catalogue at the end: I hope this Honourable House will pardon my boldness in all things that I shall write of that is Truth, and Truth need not creep in a corner, nor be ashamed to show his face in any place, especially and above where in former time his evidence hath been taken and was found Authentic. And now in regard our Honourable Parliament have made a greater profession for Reformation, than any heretofore, and have by Declarations declared in that kind their exceeding care in demolishing Images, Pictures in windows, and burning some Books that have been Popish and Erroneous, and also some few Blasphemous and Scandalous Books, yet so many pass, and such multitudes printed, and those that vent and prefer them so slenderly punished, or not at all almost suffer, that I cannot forbear, b●t could have wished I had been worthy to know of that my Brethren have done that I might have been worthy to have joined with them. But Via Recta in omni Tempore est Bona, now I say they have moved me to prosecute the Truth, for the proof of this and in it, I shall be so brief as may be, for I intent not to reap up the whole Rabble of Deformation; but help on to bring one stone, to begin a Reformation, and thus I proceed, I pray take notice.  
I am a Stationer and a wholesaleman, and I so profess myself, 
Sect. 4.  and have dealt in Books above 40 years for myself, my first master when I was Apprentice, dealt much in Popish Books; and in the first year of King James reign, spent his time in Stafford-shire at Worly-hall in binding, vending, and putting to sale Popish Books, Pictures, Beads, and such Trash: there I learned to abhor Popery by seeing the gross ignorance of many amongst them, and ever since have made observation of their deceitful and double dealing; and the more in regard of the death of a loving friend, that left me so interested with a Papist, by which I did more and more observe their fraud. But this I leave, and to the former, only I add this by way of observation.  
In my Trading to divers parts, I found how all my Chapmen were addicted, and dealing with some in Worcester, etc. amongst the rest with one Francis Ash a Book-binder and ingenious fellow, an excellent Workman, a strong and secret Papist. This man had from time to time written to me for divers Popish Books, and I always either put it by or evaded to furnish his Letter in that sort; and he being an excellent Workman, I employed him and got some friends to do the like; for he grew so famous in Bristol, Gloucester, Shrewsbury, Hereford, and many places, especially with all the Papists in Worcestershire, and having got intimation with most of the greatest Papists was in a manner Agent for them, got good sums of money, and was greatly preferred of all, for Popish Books, Pictures, and the like; and found an extraordinary Trade, especially to join pictures to the English Bible in 8vo. which pictures he had from Mr. Robert Peake, (who after went to Basing-house) so that Mr. Ash after took a voyage to France for Popish Books, and pictures for the Bible, which the Papists so much extolled, so that now the Papists of late will have Bibles in English, and the Po●● cannot avoid it, but so that all their sorts must have pictures, and I fear Popish notes: and by this means Ash grew into an extraordinary way to get Trade; I am credibly informed there, that in France he dealt for the pictures of all the Popish sorts, and the most excellent, as of Vandikes Draft, and there bargained with an excellent workman Mr. Hollard to engrave and cut them, and gave a piece of money in hand to begin withal, and they there were begun, and divers proffers made of them since. But after Ash came home, having by Papists got a good considerable sum of money in his hand, and the King coming to Worcester, and the Parliament besieging it, Ash fearing to be plundered, fling the said money into a House of Office amongst the filth, and after that Worcester was taken by the Parliaments Forces about 14 days, he would trust none but himself, who breaking open the House of Office, undertook to sift his Gold and Silver from the filth; by reason of which noisome smell he was suffocated, and (as I may say) poisoned, and soon after died.  
That this is true, many in Worcester can affirm. But know this, that Mr. Ho●●● goes on, and is come out of France and lives in , and at work on the pieces, whereof about fourteen are finished.  
Now Honourable Worthies look to have Popish notes to the Popish pictures, and where you heretofore put pictures out of windows from sight of your Eyes, now look to have them in your Bibles to set in the Heart, and so to have Popery rooted in you; for if you will not come to them, the Jesuits have a plot to come to you. Honourable Worthies look in time, how people swarm to Masses, and the Gentry do send their daughters to make Nuns: Look with your eyes, hear with your Ears, pity with your Hearts, and consider, O consider, the grievous complaint, (and not without cause) True Religion is corrupted, and the misery of poor perishing Stationers overthrown, and how every Pedlar, Hawker, running Mercury, now hath got the trade of Bibles, Popish, Blasphemous, Conjuring, Heretical, impious and slanderous Books and Libels, to the dishonour of God, scandal of Religion, the decay of Piety, and the disgrace of your Government. Do you not see Right Honourable Governors of our State, you cannot choose but see, and bear, a●● know, how this spreading Gangreen runs quiet, and vent blasphemous, hellish, and horrid Books; I shall not stand to Catalogue all, for so I should muster an Army of them, only I will name one instar onmium, which is that Fiery flying Roll of Copps, where heterms the Holy Bible the Scripturian Whore: Was not one hanged in Qu. Elizabeth's days for a Book not like that? Have not I of late seen many Books, that had they been published in the Bishop's days, how had a man suffered? I know, and with grief I speak it, I heard an Anabaptist (as he professeth himself) affirm it to my face, when I told him I marvelled he would print such a Book, as he had then printed, and how he could in conscience publish a Book so erroneous: his answer was in these plain ungodly terms, he got by it, and well too; I told him although a man got never so much, yet he should have a care what he Printed, his reply was thus, if the Devil himself should give him or bring him a Book that he was sure to get by, he would print it: so I left him to be the Devil's Stationer, for I know none will desire that place, yet too many now vend Books for him. Oh you High and Worthy Members of the House, you that sit at the Stern, you are or at least should be the Watchmen of our Commonwealth, as I doubt not but you will look to the swarms of Lady's daughters and young Gentlewomen hurried beyond the Seas to be Nuns. Next look into Paul's Churchyard, how many have lived bravely, kept good houses, invited, entertained Clergy, Gentry, and all sorts to their Tables, were able to give entertainment to men of learning, men of parts, knowing-men, travellers, strangers, of most Christian Nations, and able to entertain and welcome any, and to give liberally to the poor, and who so well respected in Court, City, or Country as Stationers, knowing men, honest men, pious men, men in name and fame of credit; and happy were the strangers that traveled these parts that knew Stationers, and now, now, now, poor honest Stationer, where's thy glory? where's thy fame? where's thy plenty? Alas, alas! in penury, where as yearly came a hundred, or at least eighty great Dryfats from beyond the seas with Books, now four or five Dryfats serves, where multitudes of people, and no mean ones, and all like Bees brought Honey to their Hive; now it may be comes a Drone, a Wasp, it may be a Spider, and all to suck from them: I dare 〈◊〉, and I have heard it, and from honest Stationers, that have had brave plentiful Warehouses, full Shops, excellently stored, and able to fit any Customer, and these have told me, and I find and know it to be too true, that they have not taken 20 s. a week, and their Rent to be paid was so much without Firing, Beer, and Bread, with much more charges, etc. nay I have heard others that have been excellent well furnished, that they took not above 12 s. a week, some not so much; How, O how can these pay that they have not! and I writ it with grief, I know it, where 500 l. since this unhappy war was expended in Paper and Printing, and a great deal of it for the Parliaments glory, the good of this Commonwealth and for God's glory, and all in Printing and Paper, and suddenly after sold for 75 l. I know where 1000 l. more hath been turned to waste paper, and that which cost 10 or 12 s. a Ream sold at 2 s. 6 d. the very same. Should here my brother Stationers come forth, and at a general Muster called to account, there is not that man now living, that hath Reason, Conscience, or Judgement, but would presently say Poor honest Stationer, get thee gone, and associate thyself with thy brother Girdler, and brother Imbroiderer, and the Lord raise and comfort you up again, for I fear you will be in as small use for the Soul, as they be for the Body, for now your religious learned godly Authors of Books, your Divines who had plentiful Studies; and all Books of worth, will yield little or no money: have not I known a Learned Reverend Divines Study that cost at least 400 l. sold for 60 l. and what a world of Books in all parts of this Land, of Nobleman's, gentlemen's, Ministers and others, are now sold at so poor and low a rate, as it is a shame that ever Learning should be so undervalved: should I undertake to muster an Army of these, which if I should, I should exceed my intentions; for should I but show the swarms of Flies and Lice, I may say now of the base, filthy, stinking, (a term it pleased an unlearned married woman of late not for want of Ignorance to put upon our old Divinity Books) which is and may be very well retorted back to their new stinking stuff daily Printed, able to fire Church and State, and fit for the Devils Imps, and no way to reform Religion or S●●te, nor as I see like to be reform, for our Reformation is now a Desolation; for how many poor Ministers Wives and Children come daily to beg, and how many Ministers cannot have sufficient to  and feed their own Families at home and abroad, 
Witness Burmuda Reformation and Plantation where is not one Minister left in that Country for want of means.  then how should they buy Books that cannot buy shoes to their feet or  to their backs. Now our new Praters or Preachers have gifts they will say, and that passes Humane Learning. It is too true; there be many gifted men, for hath not one a place in the Excise, a shop with Wares near the Exchange, and a preacher near S. Alban: I hope they will not have three wives. In the Bishop's days we thought it not fit one should have three Benefices at once, but now such hold it nothing to have three Callings as the gifted men say. But their Disputations which begun in Coleman-street and at the Spittle, will not end in Bowlane; nor Milk-street, nor Beech-lane; I leave them to argue and dispute, and the Impoverished poor Ministers in a complaint, until a Reformation, which now as it is in a perfect Desolation we see; for how many Churches in Wales and some other parts are turned to Hogsties, Cow-houses Stables, Gaming-places; do we not see, and have we not seen the Ten Commandments put out where the Nine Pins and a Bowl is put in! Let any judge which is the better place of Paul's the upper part or the lower, had the Booksellers had shops in the two outward Isles of Paul's, and the middle been a walk or passage, or had it been made an Hospital for our Lame Soldiers, an Almshouse or an Armoury, it would have been more commendable: I know no reason but they that have the Timber and Lead should repay to me and 10000 more the money we lent for the repair, being Lead is such a commodity for the Dutch, I hope it will be considered, and we to be paid back in money. But what say some, a Meeting house is more convenient than the Church: I remember when I was in Leyden they had one, and I and my Comrades fellow Travellers saw them Excommunicate all in that Meeting house to the last single man, and that was their brave agreement, God send us a better. But now say the Welsh up to the Mountain, and to the highest Mountain, and there we shall find Christ: another says to the Seashore, and hear our Brother out of the Ship, for there's Christ; another comes to the Market-house, and there he will sell Christ, (I hope not Judas) for no money. Go but to Carmarthen, and there with bleeding Heart, and watering Eyes, see and hear, and believe the miseries of those parts: And here I implore the Honourable Parliament, and all the Members thereof, the Council of State, and all, to join and help now or never, for now here is fire, the second Beacon is on fire, and all cry Fire, fire, fire, and we know when Fire is here in London cried, all comes, the Lord Maior, the Sheriffs, the Commons, the Poor, the Rich, the Master, the Servant, one brings a Brome, another a Bucket, a third a Pail, some Ladders, some Hooks, and the Lord Maior and Sheriffs call for the ☞ Engine to play and quench the fire. Honourable and Honoured, you Parliament Members, you the Honourable of the Council of State, come bring out the ☞ Engine, come and begin thi● Reformation against base poisonous Popish Books, against Conjuring, horrid Blasphemous Books, and Disorders in Church and State; Execute those your Acts (upon such horrid Books, as hath been Printed) also set out Licensing and Licensers; Look to Pedlars, Hawkers, Running Mercurists and sellers of Popish Blasphemous Books: you can do what you please to them that de●y Assessments or Taxes, and presently curb them, and why not 〈◊〉 to the abusers of Printing unlicensed Books; and you that can punish for old Primers can punish for Mass Books, lying, scandalous Ranting Books, Blasphemous Scurrilous Books, for poisonous Popish Pictures, and for what you please; you know a File of Red Coats can command Taxes for you; Let this command your Ordinances, for God's glory, and execute Law, Justice, and Equity, and we shall for ever give God the Glory, you the Honour and Praise: And if Scintilla have offended, I humbly submit, and thus I leave this Beacons Fire not to go out, until the 19 of the Acts ●●e 19 be performed to God's Glory, which God grant: And thus I end, only wishing I may live not to see this Fire go out until I see all Blasphemous Books of Conjuration, and the Turkish Koran and all Heretical, Schismatical, Ranting, Scandalous and Libellous Books with Bawdry and Scurrility be consumed by this second Beacon set on fire by Scintilla.