THE Wiltshire Rant; OR A NARRATIVE  
Wherein the most unparalleled profane Actings, Counterfeit Repentings, and evil Speakings of THOMAS WEBBE  
Late pretended Minister of Langley burial, are discovered; the particulars whereof are set down in the following Page.  
Also the Proceedings of those in Authority against him. With a Catalogue of his untruths in his mass of malice, and Replies to sundry of them.  
By Edw. Stokes Esq;.  ISAIAH 59 4, 5, 6. 
They trust in vanity and speak lies, they conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity: They hatch Cockatrice eggs, and weave the Spiders Webb; He that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a Viper.  
Their webs shall not become Garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works, their works are works of iniquity.  
LONDON, Printed for Ralph Smith, at the Sign of the Bible in Cornhill near the royal Exchange. 1652.   

THE CONTENTS.  

Thomas Webb late pretended Minister of Langley burial 

Appears in Wilts like an Angel of Light. Page 3.  
Obtains a Parsinage. ib.  
Refuseth Tithes. ib.  
Burieth his second wife. ib.  
Makes himself sure to another man's wife. p. 4.  
Commits Adultery with her by his own confession. ib.  
Marrieth a third wife. ib.  
Becomes a kind of Pander to his own wife. p. 6.  
Hath a man-wife, who is discovered. p. 7.  
falls at variance with Mistress M. W. another man's wife. p. 10.  
Is accused of sundry horrid crimes and misdameanors, by Mistress M. W. and divers others. p. 11.  
The Catalogue of the women he said he had lain withal. p. 12.  
He getting the French-pox gave it his wife. ib.  
Salmon's blasphemous Letter. p. 13.  
The particulars of his feigned repentance. p. 14.  
Maketh frequent Confessions of his unclean life to M. Stokes and others. p. 15.  
His first Letter to M. Stokes, confessing his uncleanness. p. 16.  
His second Letter of Confession and repentance to Edw. Stokes, and William Shute Esquires. p. 17.  
His third Letter to William Shute Esq. p. 19  
Preacheth against whorish women and the sin of uncleanness. ib.  
Becomes friends with Mistress M. W. p. 21.  
Scorns and contemns such as dislike his ways, and those to whom he confessed his unclean life. ib.  
His companions. p. 21. His study. 22. Songs. p. 22.  
Is become a lover of music and mixed dancing. ib.  
Seeks the ruin of his own fellow-creatures, for relating his wicked word, and works. p. 23.  
Is charged to have been taken in the act of Adultery with M. W. p. 29.  
Is examined upon the information, which is upon Oath, and committed to Goal. p. 33.  
Rails against his accuser and the Justices. p. 34, 35.  
Pretends a second repentance in Goal. p. 39  
His deliverance and return from Goal. p. 43.  
The Articles of profaneness and scandal against him. p. 47.  
Depositions to the Articles against him. p. 49. to 56.  
His ejectment from the Parsonage of Langley B. p. 57  
His mass of malice discovered. p. 58.  
A Catalogue of his lies. p. 60, 61, &c.  
Replies to some of his lies and self-invented blasphemies. p. 66, 67, 68, 69.  
His blasphemy upon Record. p. 82.  
His late progress into, and return from Wilts. ib.      

THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.  
READER,  
THou art here presented with a Narrative of one of the most saddest Stories that hath been related in this latter age, in which you have these three particulars:  
First, A true Character of T. W. late Minister of Langley burial, his life and actions, according to his own Confessions, Letters and Accusations of his own dear fellow-creatures, whilst he continued Ranting upon the public Stage of Wilts, with the proceedings of the Justices against him the said Webb.  
Secondly, Thou hast laid before thee a Catalogue of Parson Web's most notorious untruths dispersed in his Mass of malice against his Judge, the Justices of Peace, and his accusers and prosecutors, &c.  
Thirdly, Thou hast divers of those untruths guarded with replies of truth tending to clear up the innocency of the most falsely accused E. S. from those fierce, foul and hell-invented aspersions laid to his charge by the malevolent mock-Parson T. W.  
And the Narrative aforesaid is now made public, First, To inform the world upon what grounds Tho. Webb was prosecuted and tried for his life in the County of Wilts; and wherefore he was ejected the Parsonage of L. B.  
Secondly, To give a true Character of the most delusive Parson T. W. that others be not deceived by him, as many hundreds in Wilts have been, many of whom are bound to curse the day that ever they saw his fawning face, or heard his deceitful tongue.  
Thirdly, To clear up the innocency of those in Authority, and to make it manifest that their proceedings against the said T. W. were neither unjust, illegal, nor malicious, as the Author of the Mass of malice and his Ranting gang give out.  
Fourthly, To lay open the weakness, wickedness and vanity of the Ranting principle and practice, that Wisdom may be justified of her children, &c. and the mouth of ungodliness stopped.  
To conclude with the Psalmist, Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies, Psal. 40. 4.  
Reader, Thou art desired to take notice of two particulars, for the better understanding of the Author, in the ensuing Narrative.  
First, That it is not his intention in any wise to cast reproach or contempt upon any of the Godly, able Ministers of the Gospel, for such he accounts worthy of double honour, according to that 1 Tim. 5. 17. whom to despise, is to despise Jesus Christ, whose messengers they are, sent out to proclaim the grace and love of God to sinners, that they may be turned from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God; whose number the Lord increase for the glory of his great Name.  
But profane, ignorant and scandalous Ministers, and such as take upon them the work of public Ministers and Preachers, when never sent of the Lord, nor allowed or approved of men, nor any way gifted and qualified for so glorious a work, whose light is but darkness, whose confidence is in the flesh, whose God is their belly, who glory in their shame, who mind earthly things: Amongst which number you shall find the painted sepulchre, and wandering star T. W. with his most besotted faction and adherents: These are the mock-Parsons and Priests mentioned and intended in the Narrative, and none other; and who in their best estate make but a fair show in the flesh, to accomplish their wicked and most pernicious ends, which when obtained, their abominations appear to the great scandal of Religion, and the righteous ways and people of God.  
The second particular is to let the Reader know that the said Narrative is the more dark and hard to be understood, because the names of many persons, principal actors in the Wiltshire Rant, and others deluded and abused by them, are at this time past over in silence, and not made public, and that for these Reasons:  
First, Many of them seem to repent of their folly and madness; and if their repentance prove true (and not like that of T. W.) their names shall be concealed for ever by this Author, otherwise they may appear with their actions in due time.  
Secondly, Some of them have been but as weak instruments in the hands of the mighty Ranters, and therefore wholly past over in silence.  
Thirdly, Some of them have promised to publish to the world the Wiltshire Rant more perfectly than the Author, and therefore at present their names are left out.  
Fourthly, Some being in great esteem as yet amongst the godly people, the Author was unwilling to publish those words and papers which he received from others of the Ranting crew, concealing them in hopes that they will acquit themselves like men; and withal knowing that the Ranters, especially T. W. and his fellows, are like to the Cretians, who are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies: But they shall proceed no further, for their folly shall be manifest unto all men.   

THE WILTSHIRE RANT.  
MAnifest it is that the Accuser of the Brethren, the old Serpent, the liar from the beginning, could never have acted so much mischief in the world, if he had always appeared in his own Shape: wherefore that he may the better accomplish his ends, he presents himself oftentimes in the shape of an Angel of Light, and so he teacheth all his angels or ministers to appear: So the false prophets of old, the deceivers of this age, and all hypocrites appear in sheep's clothing, with a form of godliness, with the Word of the Lord in their mouths; and although these persons know nothing as they ought to know, yet they assume all knowledge to themselves: And although they are possessed by an unclean spirit, yet sometime they cry up a clean conversation; and all this is because they would the more easily accomplish their corrupt interests, beguile unstable souls, and lead captive silly professors. Nay many of these are so much given up to believe lies, to deceive, and be deceived, that they are become pure in their own di●s: And as the man that would tell a lie so often that at last he believed it to be a truth, so these men being practisers of evil, believe themselves and their cursed ways to be righteous, and that from a cursed principle which they hold, (viz.) There is nothing sin but what a man thinks to be so: This the wise man speaks of, Prov. 30. 11. There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. A right character of our Wiltshire Ranters, who speak great swelling words of vanity, sporting themselves in their own deceivings, whilst they beguile unstable souls, and lie in wait to deceive the ignorant. But notwithstanding these painted sepulchers are discovered by truth and time, which maketh manifest, and it will appear that whilst they assume all knowledge to themselves, and profess themselves wise, they become fools, and this is the great work of our blessed Saviour, to discover cover and destroy the works of the devil, to take away the counterfeit painting and false covering cast upon foul and unclean hearts, and to lay them open to public view: and certainly Jesus Christ will first or last bring every hidden work to light, the purest hypocrite must be discovered, as well as the profane person: and this discovery is made divers ways.  
1. Sometimes by the terrible pangs of a guilty and accusing conscience, hastening and hurrying the soul towards desperation: in this condition many times the most secret and hidden works of darkness are brought to light; and now men vomit up their own shame and confess with horror and astonishment of spirit, their former cursed and abominable ways and actions.  
2. Sometimes by the falling out of those who have been brethren and copartners in iniquity; this way many thieves are brought to the Gallows, and unclean persons to Justice: And to the honour of God, and to his praise be it recorded for ever; The Ranters were building their Babel of profaneness and Community in Wiltshire, but were constrained to pluck it down with their own hands, they laying open each others' wickedness, having each other before the Magistrate, and accusing each other in the day of their fury and horrible confusions, as this Narrative will demonstrate.  
3. Sometimes hypocrites and dissemblers to regain their lost credit by a feigned repentance, lay open the wickedness, madness and folly of their own hearts and ways, and confess their most secret and bosom lusts, and hidden corruptions, with promises of a new life, and never more to turn to folly; yet having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; they return with the Dog to the vomit, and with the Sow that was washed to the former wallowing in the mire: notwithstanding with the whore mentioned, Prov. 30. they wipe their mouths and say, they have done no wickedness. These can sometimes speak purely, yet live filthily: They plead liberty, yet are the servants of sin. These are self-justitiaries, self-seekers, such as sacrifice to their own nets; lovers of themselves and their own deluded followers: Despisers of those that are good, or do any ways protest against their witless, worthless whimsies and practices; yet through the just judgement of the Lord, these deluders, seducers and deceivers, are oftentimes brought to light, and are made (Maugre their hearts) to demonstrate what they are in reality.  
And what discovery the Ranting crew, even the most eminent of them have made of themselves and of each other, the ensuing narrative will sufficiently demonstrate, in which you have little besides their own Confessions, Letters and Accusations of each other, and that will sufficiently declare that their destruction and ruin is of themselves, and not from the Magistrate, as they most untruly give out, with a world of other notorious lies and scandals; (the fittest employment of such a generation of people) which they heap upon all that disown their cursed principles and lascivious ways.  
The most notorious Champion whereof that have caused the enemies of God to blaspheme, and made sad the hearts of the people of God, 
T. W. appears like an Angel of light.  and is become the greatest monument of scandal and reproach as ever appeared in North Wiltshire, is one Thomas Webbe late of Langley burial within the said County; who came as an Angel of Light into those parts, with a great form of godliness, in sheep's clothing; whereby he gained with ease the affections of many, not only hypocrites, but sincere hearted Christians, who took him to be as he only seemed to be: As new things, so new or strange persons affect much: So new brooms sweep clean; this man seems to be of a blameless life and conversation: and being furnished with cunning and expression, makes use of it to his best advantage, and so rolls up and down, 
T. W. obtains a Parsonage  till at last he takes up his rest at Langly aforesaid; and having obtained the parsonage there, he preached and practised for some short space, that none could spy out his wickedness.  
This young Stripling, having formerly made himself a Preacher, forsaking his lawful Calling, 
T. W. refuseth tithes.  becomes a Parish Priest or Parson; and being settled to his content, and obtaining a glebe worth 70lb per annum, he cunningly, to increase his fame, refused the Tithes, protesting against them as an unjust Tax; by which means he obtains the good will of divers of the most ignorant parishioners, and others looked upon him as a conscientious man, not knowing what he had been, nor what he was.  
Not long after his settlement he buries his second wife at Langley aforesaid; 
T. W. burieth his second wife.  who had not lain many days in the grave, but he the said Thomas Webbe became so far in love with a certain Gentlewoman (notwithstanding her husband was then and there living) insomuch that he engageth himself to be a faithful friend and servant unto her, 
T. W. makes himself sure to another man's wife. T. W. commits adultery by his own confession.  not to marry with, or make use of any other woman besides herself; and thereupon he had (as he saith) divers times carnal knowledge of, and fellowship with her.  
But as he said conscience fled in his face, and would not suffer him to continue this vile course: But it's rather thought one woman was not sufficient to satisfy his brutish lust.  
And therefore in a short time he marries a modest sober young woman, 
T. W. marrieth his third wife.  without the consent and to the great grief of her friends; whereupon a great difference grows between the two former lustful lovers; the Parson is charged with perfidiousness and breach of promise, but he being grown a cunning Parish Priest, hath a salve ready to cure this sore, gives satisfaction by a new Engagement; which made good that saying of his, That there's no Heaven but women, nor no hell save Marriage: So that this late Marriage prevents not the rage of lust in either. But notwithstanding that so many times a week are set apart for the satisfying of the flesh. And now any reasonable creature would think that the former Marriage, and the late agreement would have contented both parties. But the union (in wickedness) is not yet near enough; And therefore about March 1650. two houses being too many, and at too great a distance for such choice lovers: Both families are united in one, and Thomas Webbe removes, the former distance being almost a slight shot, was too far to strike whilst the iron is hot; neither could wickedness be acted so covertly, nor kept so closely in many meetings, (and it was not yet time to profess their principles publicly to the world.) Here modesty commands the Author in silence to pass over many particulars of uncleanness confessed by the said Thomas Webbe in the time of his pretended Repentance and Reformation.  
Well, now the famous families are united, and the uniters wonderfully well pleased, and none displeased. The Patron and the parson's wife rejoice, being in hopes to enjoy each others' love more constantly then formerly: But the devout Parson and his copartner in wickedness, having brought their Swine to so fair a market, resolve to eat no such flesh; nor to be so profane or silly as to delight themselves with lawful things; leaving that to those that know not their liberty; and to nice and weak-sighted Pharisees (as they term those that dare not, will not, cannot, run with them into the same excess of Riot) And let those deluded souls feed their fancies with vain hopes or empty husks as long as they please, all's one to these endeared lovers, who have attained to the height of human society, and Christian (alias diabolical) liberty, and to so much perfection as to know their fellow-creatures from other cattle. 'Tis not for servants to pry into their Masters nor Mistresses secrets, nor to meddle with their meat. Mixed governors of a mixed family having the highest knowledge and deepest understanding, are fittest to bear Rule, and to rule the rest: Wherefore no pity nor praise shall attend the forlorn hope of the P. and Parsons wife, who are ordained to stand as Ciphers, or at best as servants, to stand still or wait, whilst those who are more spiritually wicked, give up themselves to chambering and wantonness.  
Well, Thomas Webbe being a Parson of the last Edition, and having undertaken a great charge, lays about him how to manage all his affairs, as becomes a man of so excellent parts and calling, and hold out to the end; which that he may be able to do, and come off with credit, the sweet draughts of an Independent heat, the most coroborating cordials, the fattest morsels, and the most delicate fare is provided for his sweet tooth (which never goes alone) and good reason, for hereby he is made able to give content to his fellow Creature, and to answer all scruples that might arise against him from or by means of any pretended relation, or formal union, such as Ranters term marriage to be.  
For you are to understand that ere a long time is past over, even before this pious (or rather impious) Parish Priest, had taken his fill of lust; although the gentlewoman's husband remains contented, yet the parson's wife being more sensible, begins to grumble, and grows passionate, and manifests much trouble; fearing lest her husband Thomas Webbe (notwithstanding his seeming sanctity) would prove an unclean Parson. Hereupon the slipshood Priest is put to his trumps; yet he having taken so many degrees in wickedness, resolves to answer and silence this case of conscience also; and therefore summons all his wits together, and when he finds them all too shallow, he calls to his council his fellow-creature, who being of better understanding, and of riper wit than himself (two heads being better than one) they make up and contrive a silencing argument to satisfy and content this complaining Spirit of the poor woman.  
Hereupon a cunning and devilish plot is contrived, for they apprehend action to be more prevalent than argument, to make her understand her liberty and the Ranters true doctrine.  
And therefore in the first place the parson's wife is instructed in the lawfulness of making use of any other man (setting relation aside) whom she could most affect: And further she is taught that God hath not tied up mankind from those enjoyments which are left free to the beasts of the field, &c.  
From this doctrine arise many uses, but the use which is insisted upon is an use of examination; the parson's wife is strictly examined by Web's fellow Creature, Whom she loved best, or whom she could love most besides her husband? The woman being pressed exceedingly upon this point, and being (as is supposed) ignorant of the depths of Satan, and not knowing that there was a hook under the Bait, confesseth, that next to her husband she could most affect such a man, naming a lusty young man, who lived not far from Langley, and one who made often resort thither, and was in great esteem with the fellow-Creatures, and therefore as right as a gun (and as pat to the purpose as might be) to accomplish the design in hand, which was to cure the rage of jealousy in one, and to set two fellow-Creatures at the more liberty and freedom; and good reason that one woman's tongue should be silent, whilst two consciences were rocked asleep in the cradle of lust made after the Ranting mode.  
But secondly, 
T. W. a kind of Pander to his own wife.  There is a time and place appointed. The time is whilst Thomas Webbe is Preaching in the public Congregation, and therefore most likely to be on the Lord's day: and the place is near the Congregation. At this time and in this place, by the great industry and contrivance of Webbe and his fellow Creatures, the young man aforesaid, and the parson's wife meet, where no time is to be lost, and therefore whilst Webbe is Preaching in the Church, others of his fellow Creatures, whom he had taught to live above Ordinances, are practising their higher principles at home; and to that purpose a sumptuous bed is perfumed and well warmed (to prevent danger) and the young man with the parson's wife, are brought into the said bed, and the backwardness of the woman is spurred forward by the subtle persuasions of the fellow Creatures; and her modesty overpowered by the immodesty of the others, so that ere the preachment is done in the Church, the practice is effected in the house, and in bed these persons are laid, and then the Parson is sent for by his fellow Creatures, who hastily and chierfully comes into the said chamber, where he perceives (as he had before plotted) his wife in bed with the young man; at which sight Webbe (as one transported) in stead of a sharp reproof or other dislike, brings out of his Priestly budget, this reverend grave salute; Well said T, (saith he, naming the young man) is this your liberty? well done wife, well done, pray God bless you together, or to that effect: and so departed the chamber, having his mouth filled with laughter, and his heart with confidence, that he had laid his wife's tongue as still as his own conscience: And though (thinks he) I am with my sweet and lovely Mistress, and fellow Creatures early and late, night and day, taking my fill in dalliance and fleshly delight, yet my wife cannot clamour; if she be jealous, yet she must say nothing, lest I cast this in her dish: Oh unheard of wickedness! Oh pretty profane Preacher! Art thou he that livest in the Spirit? that hast attained to a higher light? that art raised up against a time of Reformation, to help forward the work? Art thou more wise, more holy, more knowing then the Bishops, and the Episcopal Preachers? Then the Presbyterian and Independent Ministers, or rather, art thou not altogether notwithstanding like a deceitful Idol? Thou art guilded with godliness I say: Art thou not altogether in the flesh? Is not the light that is in thee darkness? Art thou not raised up of the devil to bring an evil report upon the work of Reformation? Do not the Episcopalians hate thy ways in wickedness? Do not the Presbyterians hear of thy fame, or rather infamy, and harden themselves against the independents amongst whom thou hast, to their grief been numbered? And yet thou continuest amongst strangers as a cheater amongst true men, of whom they are not aware; who only with the ranting crew take thee to be some great one: yet God hath opened thy painted sepulchre in Wilts, and all the godly fly from thy infection.  
But to go on, leaving for a time this L. Parson with his female fellow Creatures, as full of security and content, as of lust and uncleanness. The Reader is to take another relation along with him, 
T. W. his man wife discovered.  that so he may know this goodly Preacher. Wherefore note that Web's most principal favourite, and greatest choicest associate in the whole Country; for one of his own Sex, was one i O. a comely young man, and a man of a seeming sober behaviour, even as Webbe himself, of whom a stranger cannot but say, or at least think, that butter would not melt in his mouth (as we use to say) yet here you will perceive, as the Proverb is, The still Sow eats all the draught. This man with his cob-webs seeming sobriety, and unclean inside, is taken by Tho. Webbe, as men use to take their wives, For better for worse: So I say, this man is honoured with the title of Web's wife, for so he calls him, My wife O; and O owns Webb for a husband; and now where ever they come, 'tis my wife O, and my husband Webb. True it is, Webb is become a great lover of music, which to profane hearts is an inlet to lust: but whether ever he played any hellish tune with his Organ or Church music yea or no, is not yet discovered: But this is discovered, that both the man and the man-wife were in other things brethren in iniquity, and have brought more shame upon the professors of the Gospel, than all the hypocrites and whore mongers of this later age.  
This J. O. is of an honest Stock and Parentage and lived in his Country in good esteem, and with good repute, till such time as he was all wood and Married to this holy unholy Parish-Parson, Tho. Webb. But now Cat after kind, he soon becomes Ranting ripe, and enters with the first upon the Stage, publicly to act what he had privately learned from husband Webb: Whereupon he shakes hands with, and bids farewell to his natural affection (the first step towards the perfection of Ranters) he forsakes his own lawful wife, dwelling, and children, and Country to boot; and takes to himself as a Companion and Traveller, a light Maid forsooth, being his neighbour's daughter, which he takes without parent's consent, as his fellow creature; and away he goeth: and as Webbe before, so Mr O. now travels into other Countries, to gain credit and esteem, which in his own Country was totally extinct. And the better to do this, Webbe makes him a Preacher before he goeth; for web is most eminent this way, to teach men how to use the tongue; so as it may not prejudice the principle or the practice of their purely impure sect, or hinder the building of their R. Babel.  
Well into Kent and into the Isle of Shepy there these travellers go: O. appears there like a great new light, though no bigger than a farthing candle, grows into esteem with men of quality, and with the good people in those parts becomes a most singular Preacher there: and gains a living or some other stipend for his said Preaching: but long he continues not there, ere all the fat falls into the fire, and the two Lovers fall at variance; and so through the righteous judgement of God, the traveller's return, the woman to her Parents, and O to his Wife and family, crying shame on his shameful progress, and pretending to the author great sorrow; and hath promised to lay open the pernicious ways of the Ranting crew. Wherefore no more of this, but to conclude this sad story with these Queries.  
1. Whether J. O. aforesaid being an ingenuous young man, was not a fit piece of the Creation, to be a wife for T. Webbe the Parson?  
2. Whether the said web be not a man of a thousand to make a Parish Parson, and public Preacher in this time of Reformation?  
3. Whether all the godly people in Wiltshire ought not to admire the singular parts and gifts of this famous non-such Parson, as the happiness of such as enjoy him?  
4. Whether they ought not to be recommended amongst those that are eminent lovers of Liberty and Christianity, that subscribe a Certificate of Web's preachings and actings, to help him to preferment for the future in a strange place?  
But now to return and review this famous mock-Parson, with his female fellow-Creatures, you may find him enjoying his liberty with all quietness and content, and for a time without check or control swimming down the stream of lust. Yet the hand of Justice is pleased sometimes to fall upon, and to affrighten, even those that are lulled asleep in all carnal security, and become senseless in their lusts; and so it happens to the unhappy Parson, who thought erst while that he had for ever silenced his wife's tongue, and his own conscience, but now finds himself deluded: what ever his conscience doth, yet his wife grumbles afresh, and begins to look sad upon the business, and to take to heart her husband's familiarity with his fellow-Creatures; and so much is the poor woman perplexed with their doings, that she seems willing to choose death at any hand, rather than her husband should continue in the tents of wickedness: whereupon Webbe is advised to have a care of his wife, and to remove her from the aforementioned family, otherwise evil would come of it. Well, the Parson seeing no other remedy prepares himself for a journey, and takes his wife with him; a great kindness, that a man of his principle could so far humble himself and deny himself, as to leave for a while his fellow Creature, and cleave to his wife, but Patience perforce is a medicine for a mad Dog. the cynical Parson is necessitated hereunto, for fear of, and to prevent a worse inconvenience: But it's not long ere Webbe returns in hopes to be accounted a white boy, as formerly, and to be received as in times of Yore; 
T. W. falls at variance with Mistress M. W.  but he is deceived in his expectation: He is to give an account of his idle journey, of his pretended kindness to a simple thing called a Wife; of going out and returning in, as if he were at his own dispose; and so high are these misdemeanours stretch; that the silly Parson is at his wit's end; for being an English man (and more a Parson) he goes better led then drove; he answers his fellow Creature somewhat suitable to her furious spirit, and pretends more love to his wife (contrary to his former promise or the rule of Ranting) which was crime enough: but 'tis an ill wind blows nobody good, the poor woman is like to enjoy better times then formerly, whilst on the other side the fellow Creature acts the part of jealousy even to distraction, pretending she would be her own executioner, and lay violent hands on herself: Yet still the breach grows wider, and the difference greater; that God who sets bounds to the raging sea, sets bounds also to the raging lusts of wicked persons. The pitiful Parson is in a peck of troubles; whilst things are thus disjointed, he well knew he was the common table talk of the Country, that the godly people grieved for him and were ashamed of him, that the profane made him their scorn and reproach, and with the same wounded through his sides. All that appeared for Religion or righteousness in those parts; therefore now the man resolves upon another way, and though his fellow Creature causeth the P. to break the parson's head, yet afterwards she brings him a plaster, in hopes to reclaim him; yet he resolves to set up his flag of defiance against his own dear fellow-Creature: [Ranters are seldom long true to themselves or principles:] neither her strikings or strokings, nor frowns, nor flatteries, nor threats, nor fawnings, shall move him to harken to her again: So that the house is so foul, and the much stirring hath caused so great a stink, that the householders must part, P. W. to his Parsonage, and the rest, Gent. as you were.  
Now the mock-Parson bethinks himself how to regain his lost Credit with the good people, and such as are enemies to the Ranting way; and to that purpose pretends a sight and sense of his sin; cries out also upon the lewdness of his fellow-Creature. She also ringing a Langley peal of Web's wickedness and uncleanness, both which follow in order briefly.  
The spirit of a man seems to possess the hateful hearts of the late lustful lovers; and as great is the present hate, as the former love, so that the Magistrates are complained to, and called upon to hear the business; whereupon a day and place is appointed, where two of the next Justices meet (viz.) Mr Stokes and Mr Shute.  
But before the meeting, Mr Stokes receives these ensuing lines, on the behalf of Parson Webb.  
Sir, I have something to declare unto you, which though I know not how to speak for myself, yet I can heartily beg you for my friend poor Tho. Webbe, which his fall it is true is exceeding great; and by himself greatly lamented, and to my knowledge so exceedingly beset by a pernicious woman, and her perfidious bloody company, that did you know the particulars you would take her to be the only monster of that Sex: And I hear you go anon where you will have the hearing of it; for God's love have no prejudice against him for former failings acted by him: but answer the desires of an insatiable woman in her own folly, and you shall a thousand times engage, &c.  
Fra. bailiff.   

Well the time appointed is come, the Justices met, and many Country people of all sorts are come together to see these rare persons, and to be informed in the truth of things: But by reason one of the Justices could not stay, there was nothing done as to Justice that day, only the parties charged each other with horrid crimes and misde meanours; and Webb confesseth his folly and naughtiness in one kind, denying it in another, Preaching a Billingsgate Sermon, as if he had met with all the oyster wives at once, but was answered in his own kind; and so the company was dismissed, only another day afterwards appointed for a hearing, which was the second day of Sept. 1650. at Chippenham, where the aforesaid Justices met; where Mistress Mary White and divers others appear, and tender upon oath to prove against the profane Parson these high crimes and misdemeanours following. 
T. W. accused by Mistress W. and others.   
The Information of Elizabeth Briscoe, taken against Tho. Webbe Clerk, the second of September 1650. before Edward Stokes and William Shute Esquires.  
She informeth, That she hath heard the said Tho. Webbe say often times within this half year, upon some private discourse in her Master's house, That Moses was a Conjurer, and that Christ was a deceiver of the people: And that Preaching and lying was both alike unto him. And further saith, That when Lieutenant Col. Lilborn was upon his trial, the said web drank a health to the counfounding of the Parliament, and then said they were Rogues and Devils.  
And further she the Informant saith, That the said web said (in a boasting way) That he had lain with six women; and affirmed, that he could lie with any woman except his own mother: and then he named the women, which he had lain withal, (viz.) with two Captains wives at Bristol, Mistress R. of bath, the wife of Captain M. his Aunt D. of Batheston, and with a major's wife at London.  
And further she this Informant heard the said web say, That he had lain with one S. C. of Slaughtenford, and that she had given him the French-pox, and he gave it to his wife.  

To this foul Charge Mrs White also subscribes her Name at large.  
Elizabeth Briscoe. I Mary White do testify the same.   
The Information of William Lewis Yeoman, and Edith his wife, taken as aforesaid, &c.  
William Lewis saith, That about the midst of May last, on a Sunday in the afternoon, Tho. Webbe Minister of Langley was asleep in the said William Lewis his Chamber, when the Sermon Bell was tolling, and then he awaking him told him, that there was a great number of people come to hear him: Whereunto he then answered, Ah poor fools, they be come to sit and gape upon me whilst I tell them lies. And then further said, Now Preaching and lying are to me both one case: and also Edith Lewis, wife of the said William, was then in hearing of these words so spoken by the said Webb, as aforesaid, who verrifieth the same.  

William  
Lewis. 

Edith     
The Information of Anne Brewer, wife of John Brewer of Corsham, taken as aforesaid.  
Who Informeth, That about Whitsuntide last, she heard Mistress Mary White tax Thomas Webb concerning the words that he had formerly spoken unto her, which were, That Moses was a Conjurer, and that Christ was a Deceiver of the people; which he did not deny; but said, If Mistress White would swear it, he would forswear it: and then also said, That Preaching and lying were both one case unto him.  
And then Mistress White further charged him that he did about the time that Lieutenant Col. Lilborn was upon his Trial, drink a health to the Confusion of the Parliament; whereunto he replied also, That he would forswear that ever he drank any such health.  
Anne Brewer.   

Besides all this, Mistress W. chargeth the said Parson to have endeavoured to force her Chastity, and strive to Ravish her in her husband's house: And withal she produceth two other female creatures of the same house (viz.) a married woman, and her own maid-servant; who would have sworn that the precious Parson would have committed uncleanness with them, and had attempted the same oftentimes. Withal the said Mistress White chargeth the Parson and fellow-creature to be a great Ranter; and to prove this, she produceth this most horrid and blasphemous Letter, written to him from one Salmon, the Contents whereof followeth.  
My own heart blood, from whom I daily receive life and being, in whom my eternal freedom is perfected, to whom is ascribed now and for ever, Amen.  
Thou art the Webb of my own spinning, I have laboured to bring them forth in this glorious form that thou now livest; let me clothe myself with the Webb of my own travel. My dear thou art to me as a garment of Needlework, I wear thee as my choicest robes of Royalty; because thou art as a vesture upon me, wind nor weather affright me not; the Northern gales and Borean blasts of cruelty, I know cannot pierce through thee, my garment of salvation. Well, to be brief, I know, my heart, thou art not altogether unascertained of my present estate as appears by yours lately received. My love, thy pathetical lines, I did with much tenderness accept, and I shall never forget thy love therein manifested. Cop, my, thy own heart is gone to London; No other note from the Vulgar but hanging at least for him. The last week five one a soldier was burnt through the tongue for a business of the same nature. The glory of these things possesseth multitudes both in City and Country, notwithstanding all their cruelty. For my own part I find my Genius much elevated and heghtened, to look the worst of casualties in the face, that can succeed these things: My condition outwardly is very poor, when lying here at great expenses, yet am I made not to care for the future, although sometimes I scarce know over night how I shall be provided for on the morrow. Well, what my Titular Angel, the guardian Genius will do with this handful of earth, I know not, neither am at all troubled, but that if I live, my love to thee; if I die, I die to thee: So that whether living or dying I am  
thy To. Salmon.   

Ten thousand salutes, alias holy kisses to thy dear wife, with whom is my heart; my tender respects to thy uncle, my Father, his Spouse, my beloved, my dear love to Mary your maid: Eternal plagues consume you all, rot, sink and damn your bodies and souls into devouring fire, where none but those that walk uprightly can enter. Sirs, I wish you damnable well, because I dearly love you; the Lord grant we may know the worth of hell, that we may for ever scorn heaven: For my own part I am ascended far above all heavens, yet I fill all things, and laugh in my sleeve to think what's coming: well I say no more, but farewell.  
From my palace of Royal Majesty, in the last year of the reign of the beast, and in the day wherein the nest of all hearts are ripening as fast as possible may be.  
Coventry, April 3. 1650.   

Well, you see what the Charge is, and by whom laid against the profane Parson; not by the Justices, not by such as were enemies by profession, but by his own converts, his endeared lovers, and fellow-creatures; these are they that vomit the Spider out of the Webb, and spread the venom of its poison in public, which before lay private amongst the fraternity.  
Yet to all this the Parson pleads the general issue, Not guilty, especially not in manner and form as is alleged; and therefore he gives the special matter in evidence; and by a feigned repentance (as afterwards will appear) he confesseth his notorious wickedness and uncleanness, and promiseth amendment for the future.  
This repentance of Web's appears in these particulars.  
First, By his seeming humiliation.  
Secondly, By his Confessions to persons wholly averse to the cursed principles and practices of the Ranting way.  
Thirdly, By Letters under his own hand writing.  
1. As for his Humiliation 'twas wonderful to behold the head of this Bulrush to hang so low; his countenance is changed, his looks more lamentable, then lustful; the extraordinary powdering of his head and frizling of his hair, and other enticements to lust and wantonness (his former every day's garb) is now wholly laid by, and in all things he now appears as at the first, Poor Tho. Webb, and not like the proud and insolent Parson of Langley; and it's remarkable, how at the first meeting of the Justices, he smote himself upon the breast, and threw himself upon the ground before many witnesses, seeming exceedingly to lament his unclean life.  
2. 
T. W. confesseth his unclean life.  His Confessions were wonderful, both to Mr Stokes and divers others, to whom he confessed, that he had frequently committed folly and uncleanness, even ever since the death of his second wife; and that he had committed the detestable sin of uncleanness so often in one day, that he was glad when he could take the Air. And further before many witnesses confessed, that the child which the Gentlewoman was then great withal, was of his own begetting; naming the time when, and the place where it was by him so begotten; and that he never forced her, neither needed he to do so, but that always she tempted him to commit the sin of uncleanness with her: And further the said Webb alleged that Mistress W. would have hid him for some time in a private place in her husband's house, as her own closet, and then make the parson's wife, and the world believe that Webbe was gone beyond sea, whilst in the mean time a stock of money is providing for such a journey, that they might go both together; with a world of other things of a vile nature, which for brevity's sake I pass over.  
3. The Letters under his own hand writing follow, which are upon record, and in the custody of Mr Stokes, and so not to be denied or forsworn by the Parson, or any others of the Ranting Knights of the Post.  

To the worshipful Edw. Stokes Esq. and Justice of the Peace for this County: Present.  
Dear Sir,  
PRay give me leave to express my whole self unto you, 
T. W. his first Letter to M. Stokes, confessing his uncleanness.  which by these in brief I shall do in the name of a true Christian, one who sincerely loves the Lord Jesus Christ: It's well known to our loving and wise God, that evil that hath been committed by me, which I cannot choose but confess and acknowledge, for my sin is always before me, and for the same I heartily wish myself accursed for the precious gospel's sake which is blasphemed by it, and truly amongst all my trouble, that is the only thing that troubles me; for the rest I am innocent, and God himself knows they never entered into my thoughts: But for that, O my sin which I have committed against my Lord and merciful God, and all good men, I am guilty; I have made the members of Christ the members of an harlot, and God hath suffered the strange and adulterous woman to lead my poor simple spirit captive, though she stand like a bold and impudent woman in the justification of herself: O look for a most sad and fearful coming of the Lords just judgement and vengeance upon her. Dear Sir, I profess to you my heart is smitten within me, for my sin is great, and lies very heavy and sore upon me; and nothing troubles me but that: as for the present proceedings against me since I knew myself free, and that it's because God hath called me home from the ways of an adulterous woman, though they should touch my life, yet I bless God that I am made able to slight them, and to be very careless of them, only I shall do what in me lies to defend myself from them: And in order thereunto, whilst I am at London, I shall advise with some friend about it, and so if our wise God so order it, I shall return and appear before you at the time appointed, which is this day fortnight, as I understand, humbly thanking you that you would grant a longer time, and withal I humbly entreat you to stand my friend as to let nothing be acted against me in my absence. I know the way of an unsatiable woman is to ruin and to have the life of one whom they cannot mould to their Lusts. And for my part, if she doth ruin me, as that is her intentions, I shall glory in for greater would my misery have been, if I should have continued in the ways of her uncleanness. O, dear Sir, it's impossible almost to believe the many temptations she hath followed me withal, and the many devices she hath used ever since the difference, to bring me over to herself again: But O let me be accursed, and O that the earth might swallow me up alive, rather than I should harken to her again. Dear Sir, Your neighbour Uncles doth me much wrong, and I am forced to write in an unusual manner to him: I beseech you to desire him to desist and forbear giving out such scandalous and false things against me as he doth: I know he cannot but see into the malicious proceedings that are against me, as by his own words to me he did acknowledge; yet with them he takes parties, and he and his son in law Crook doth very much wrong and abuse me, whereas if they loved the Gospel which they would profess, they would be silent. Therefore I beseech you, though not for my sake, yet for the gospel's sake desire him to forbear: and truly in equity, though my foot hath slipped and I have sinned against God, yet none ought to divide me, and speak reproachfully of me, especially such who would be thought professors of the Gospel, and so much the more that God hath touched my heart and made it very sensible of its sin. Thus dear Sir, in faithfulness and truth I have made you acquainted with my present condition, the truth of which I hope God will make good by my life and conversation; which is the prayers of him who is,  
Sept, 2d 1650. Your true friend and servant Tho. Webbe.   

For the worshipful Edw. Stokes and William Shute Esquires, and Justices of Peace for this County: Present.  
Gent.  
UNderstanding by my neighbour Brumham that the meeting was put off till Monday come fortnight, 
T. W. second Letter to M. Stokes, and M. Shute, confessing his unclean life.  I took the liberty this day to go towards London, for that my father lieth very sick and weak, and to see him will be great satisfaction to me. As touching the business depending before your Worships, when you and others have had a full and clear hearing of it, and that the tales of both are heard, it will appear to proceed from the height of malice, and that it's but the fruit of an unsatiable woman's malice: For the question is thus to be stated, and the business is thus to be considered (viz.) There hath been a great familiarity and friendship between Mistress White and I, till it was within this three or four months, in which time we have both committed a great evil, of which it pleased God to make me sensible; whereupon I began to forsake, and my spirit grew much troubled, and estranged myself from Mistress White; which she perceiving, and having attempted always and means to keep me, but finding all to be in vain, she now proceeds in this way against me; the truth of which our wise and all-knowing God knows, and which all impartial and unbiased judgements cannot but see: for were there truth in what they say, which there is not, yet for as much as they have for a long time concealed it; and notwithstanding none was so great and so much in her favour as I was, so long as God gave me over to be one with her in iniquity, it appear to be but malice: Much more might be said to prove that it proceeds to be from malice; they in telling their own tale bewray themselves, as witness M. White, who what he swore to the Jurors, as the Jurors will testify upon oath, when called thereto, he denied before you; nay though Uncles was by him, and did justify before him. A fuller relation of the whole business between Mistress White and I, ye shall hear upon the day appointed, wherein I shall answer for myself, and which I have provided to pass through the press into the public. And if it be the will of God, that through the malice of a strange woman I must suffer, I dare not question my God for it, it is the just wages of sin. O that vile thing that hath been committed between us, and that it will be made very good to me; for I bless my God for it, who hath delivered my poor soul out of her hands, for greater would have been my woe and misery, if I should have continued and have gone on with her in our evil courses, than now she can make me by all her false and malicious courses against me; and therefore rejoice that God hath called me home, and not suffered me to go on in the ways of sin continually, which makes me very much to slight and to be careless of what ever she can do against me; and I much rejoice in my present sufferings, being fully assured, and it's that which I can testify to the whole world, that my present sufferings are because I will no longer serve the filthy lusts and desires of the flesh, and this is no new and strange thing, Solomon speaks often of it, By the means of a whorish woman A man is brought to a piece of bread, and the adultress seeks for the precious life. Well, I had rather die through her malice, then in her wickedness; and I bless my God for it, I speak it unfeignedly, that I had rather beg my bread from door to door, and end my days in sorrow, then to sit down with her, and serve the lusts and desires of the flesh as I have done: and so the will of my God be done, and according to the time appointed, I hope I shall be come down from London, and shall wait upon your worships. This account I thought good to give you, that so it should not be thought by any, that I had withdrawn myself out of fear, and for being guilty, a thing which my very adversaries will be very ready to give out: No, I bless my God for it, that as to those things which they charge me withal, I am free from them all, my enemies themselves being judges, if they will speak but the truth: However the Lord will judge between us, and to his judgement I refer myself, and am no ways afraid what they can do unto me: Now I shall rejoice, for I account it's better to suffer by sin, and forsaking the way of uncleanness, than it is to suffer in sin and in the way of uncleanness. O bepity that woman, for there is a most fearful coming of the Lord's vengeance and judgement upon her. Gent. I am  
Your most humble servant, Tho. Webbe.  
Both the aforesaid Letters were received by the said Justices, Septemb. 2. 1650.   

To the worshipful William Shute Esq. this.  
Worthy Sir,  
ACcording to my promise I have been with M. 
T. W. his third Letter to Mr Shute.  Stokes, to whom I have given satisfaction, as by our tithingman I have sent M. White word more than once or twice, but he cannot tell how to leave his old way of contention: and therefore out of a malicious spirit he troubles your Worship, seeking thereby to make you an instrument to execute the base and wicked desires of his wife and her wicked confederacy: But I know not what the will of our wise God is to do with me; I have no heart to stir, but to sit still and see his salvation which he will work for me, and patiently take his present hand that is upon me; for it's just, and I have deserved it by my great folly, wherein with that woman M. W. I have caused the name of Christ to be evil spoken of, and his dear Saints reproached, for which the Lord give us both hearts to be truly humbled, and to repent with a repentance that may never be repented of, which is truly the hearty prayers of him who is: worthy Sir,  
Your worship's most faithful friend and servant, Tho. Webbe.   

Nay, 
T. W. preacheth against whorish women, &c.  besides all the foregoing signs and tokens of repentance, the Parson proceeds further, and desires all persons to take warning by him to beware of a whorish woman; and not only was this advice to single persons or to persons in private; but his zeal carrieth him farther even into the pulpit, where in the face of the whole Congregation at Langley aforesaid he Preached upon that Text mentioned, Proverbs 6. 26. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a morsel of bread, and the adulteress seeketh for the precious life. From whence he admonished his Auditory to beware of such persons; telling them that Solomon was experienced that the adulterous woman tended to the ruin of all those that followed them, and likewise (though he was no Solomon) yet he brought in his own experience; and by that also urged the Parishioners not to follow the way of uncleanness with such, as he had done, &c.  
Upon the view of the aforesaid Humiliation, Confessions and Letters, being acted to the very life (by this juggling Parson) many were in expectation of a great change, and began to think he was real, and so truly sensible and sorrowful for his evil and unclean life, and therefore he was received again into favour amongst many good people, who exceedingly rejoiced in his returning, who were but lately grieving for his Ranting and wickedness.  
Neither can his seeming repentance be paralleled by any Converts, though sincerely returning home to God, especially in the former part and outward appearances: But as the joy of the hypocrite is short, so the repenting of wicked and unclean hearts, is but as the crackling of thorns under the pot; as lightning fills the room with light, but suddenly leaves it as dark as formerly; or as the morning dew dried up with the rising sun; or as the early summer-fruit is soon ripe and soon rotten; so is the repenting noise of the Ranting Parson, whose crackling is extinguished with the fire of lust; the lightning leaves the room of his profane heart, and darkness keeps possession there; the dew is dried up through the rising up of L. flames; and rottenness seizeth the early fruit of his seeming repentance. Solomon saith truly, Pro. 27. 8. As a bird wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place, &c. Was not this man as a silly bird to wander from his place? from his lawful calling? from the wife of his bosom? from his pretended purity, to lay the eggs of his filthiness in other birds nests? But because he could act any part on the devil's stage; he imitates the cuckoo also, the better to increase a generation of a more pure strain then are produced by lawful marriage.  
And then see how far he wanders in a counterfeit repentance: one would have thought his own tongue had raised so many Bulwarks against his own self, that it was altogether unpossible for him any more to return again into his wonted folly or way of wickedness, or to have familiarity with his fellow-creature any more for ever.  
But it hath been the usual practice of these vain persons to give the most cursed titles to each other, that ever the world practised, or the devil invented, as Toad, Toads brood, Toads spawn, Witch, devil's brood, and such like, with most horrible cursing each other, like mad Bedlams or Devils incarnate. See salmon's Letter before recited to Webb, and yet they love each other entirely; scorning and jeering all that are not of their own Sect; their profane language and terms being as they pretend, uttered in a mystery to destroy the precise wickedness of the professing party, who make conscience of these words, ways and actions.  
So it seems that what ever the Parson pretended, 
T W. scorns those to whom he confessed his uncleanness.  yet he intended no such matter: he now slights and scorns all those to whom he had confessed his wickedness, and to whom he promised amendment, and dotes again upon his fellow-creature; enters into the house of H. W. at set times, and at private ways, where all matters of difference are hushed up, and the fellow-creatures reconciled upon a personal Treaty; 
T. W. becomes friends with M●s. W.  after the Gentlewoman was brought to bed, and delivered of her child (which Tho. Webbe said he begot.)  
This agreement of the fellow-creatures, fills the Country with a famous sound, astonishment seizeth the hearts of those that lately rejoiced in his repentance and return; but now all their hopes of him die, in so much that divers reject farther society with him, which the lust-loving Parson bears with scorn enough (being so abundantly satisfied with returning to his vomit.) The old lascivious dress and garb is now taken up again, and the humble Parson acts afresh the part of a most proud and insolent fantastic, and appears more like unto a profane stage-player, than Parish Parson or sober Christian. His long shaggy hair, which lately hung like a forgotten excrement, is now taken into consideration, and furbisht up with so much frizell and pounder, as if nature or lust had altered its course on the sudden. We have read of men, that through sudden fear have been turned grey in one night; why may not a lascivious joy upon its resurrection operate as much upon this vain man?  
1. 
T. W. his companions.  His companions now are not these to whom he pretended a repentance, no, they are slighted, but the Ranting professors, and such as were most notoriously ignorant or scandalous, or both; these are his fellow-creatures and daily associates.  
2. Solomon's Proverbs which lately were so well expounded by him, and applied against whorish women, are now expunged out of his mouth and mind, and the rest, his study of the Scripture must give place to a study more noble in the esteem of illiterate Ranters, 
His study.  called Astronomy; in which he is likely to become a proficient as soon as other Egyptian fortune-tellers; nay more, he being a man of so much learning, wisdom and experience, may haply attain to know how far he may wade in English dirt, and not fall into a French mire.  
3. 'Tis not David's Psalms of repentance or praising that the Parson can now sing, 
Songs.  but foolish fancies and witless songs are his delight, being uttered ex tempore.  
4. Music and mixed dancing is now also grown into fashion and practice, 
T. W. a lover of music and mixed dancing.  with this Parish Parson, to which the youth of the Parish and others are invited, that so the work of conversion may not cease, nor the building of the Ranting Babel be at a stand any more, as lately in the apostasy of the prime Parson and fellow-creatures.  
'Tis recorded of Cain, that to quiet his accusing conscience he went to build Cities; and the learned Parson Webbe knows that a multitude of business, and variety of employments, was the only means to make him have no more conscience of sin; and therefore farewell humiliation, confession and sorrow for sin, I have other fish to fry; welcome my sweet Mistress (let the falling out of us lovers be the renewing of love.) Welcome my lascivious dress and whoring garb, I am no precise Parson; welcome thou new noble study of Astronomy, I am weary of this Scripturing; though I have gained a Parsonage by it, yet i'll use no more than may keep it: welcome my fine fancies and ex tempore songs, you are pleasing to me, and I with you must please my fellow-creatures: welcome music, mixed dancing and mirth, thou art more pleasing to me then those sighs and groans which erst while I poured out most foolishly, to the great scandal and reproach of the Ranting cause; this is the way to attain to our true liberty and freedom, which a foolish niceness would rob us of.  
Such expressions all wise persons read in the parson's practice; and whether the particulars are not fitting qualifications for a Parson and public Preacher, let Christians stand by whilst the profane world judge.  
But to proceed with all possible brevity; The reconciliation is upon such sure grounds between the fellow-creatures that it holds to this day; yet the counsel of the Lord shall stand; destruction shall arise to evil doers from among themselves.  
And therefore the Reader is desired to take notice that when Thomas Web's family was united with Mistress W. there being houseroom enough; another of the same gang is taken with his family, and there retained as a convenient inmate: for the fellow-creatures were acquainted with the old saying of Cheaters, when they have enticed young travellers into their company, The more the merrier. Now you must note that this man (William Lewis by name) was lately become a very great enemy to M. Stokes, who had formerly opposed him in his Ranting principles: For the first that ever manifested those principles publicly to M. Stokes, was the said W. L. and F. B. Whereupon the said parties were received with greater love amongst the fellow-creatures at Langley, and the said W. L. entertained, and who but he with the Parson and his, &c.  
And so they continue great friends for a good space; but when the differences first arose between Webbe and his Mistress, 
T. W. seeks the ruin of his own fellow-creatures.  this Lewis and his wife assist Mistress W. and chargeth the Parson, as you may see formerly expressed; wherefore the Parson resolves to call them to an account for taking parties with the weaker vessel against the mighty male Ranter.  
But Lewis being now jealous of this new friendship, is become a strict observer of the ways of Parson Webbe, and dislikes with his private approaches through buy ways, and his long abode made upon his friendly visits early and late; he now begins to have an evil opinion of his Landlady, and thinks her as lewd as her fellow-creature: Hereupon Lewis discovers his mind to his own wife, she thereupon-declares to her husband, what she both heard and saw.  
Now the rage that was formerly in Tho. Webbe the Parson against his fellow-creature, who likewise hers against him, unite against Lewis and his wife, and for telling tales out of school, are threatened to be soundly whipped. Fear now possesseth the woeful hearts of Lewis and his wife. Mistress W. takes with others a journey to Gloucester, and to the whispering place or some better Oracle they repair, where being advised, home they return, and in their company one J. M. for the better nodification of Goodwife Lewis, upon whose approach she is surprised with fear of what former threatenings would amount unto in the close; and therefore though it was late in the night, and the waters out, yet as late as it was, away runs Lewis and his wife to Justice Stokes, and requires a Warrant of the peace against Thomas Webbe, Mistress W. E. B. her servant, and the said J. M.  
Mr Stokes knowing the aforesaid parties were Ranters all a row, was very shy of meddling with them, and unwilling to harken to any of their stories or complaints, and the rather, because the parties complaining, as well as the fellow-creatures, were his bitter enemies, and expressed so much a good while before; because as a Magistrate he had expressed himself (as well as being a Christian) against the Ranting principle, as is before remembered.  
Wherefore Mr Stokes demands of them why they trouble him about such complaints? why at that time of the night? why they did not rather get the assistance of some of their friends to reconcile them? or if not, wished them to repair to some other Justice of the Peace.  
To which William Lewis answers, Sir, although there have been some former difference between us in matters of opinion, yet I take you to be a just man, and that you will do Justice impartially, which is that we desire: He said, we came this late, because, it was but even now that Mistress W. and her company came home with I. M. a most wicked and profane man; and that he was brought on purpose to do his wife or himself a mischief, and had given out threatening speeches so soon as he was alighted from his horse, the woman in the mean time seeming to be wonderfully affrighted.  
Mr Stokes asked her how they fell at variance: the woman replied that she had discovered some lewd actions of Thomas Webb and Mrs. W. which was come to their ears again, and therefore they have threatened and sworn to be revenged upon me and my husband; so that I dare not return home any more without danger of life, and therefore I desire surety of the peace to be granted against them.  
Mr Stokes replied again, Surely I doubt 'tis not fear brought you hither, but rather revenge; for I understand you were arrested at Mr White's suit the other day.  
William Lewis confessed he was arrested, but the cause of that arrest was but a beginning of that revenge which the Parson and Mistress W. had threatened against them, because they disliked their wickedness. She said further, she would not for a world go such a way to work as to seek revenge, but she could take her oath that she was afraid of her life.  
When nothing would serve to silence the parties, Mr Stokes tenders her (with admonition not to swear falsely) the Oath, which she takes, and thereupon grants her a Warrant of the peace against the said Parson Webb, Mistress W. I. M. and E. B.  
After the Warrant was perfected, these persons make a full relation to Mr Stokes of all passages at Langley between the fellow-creatures, and particularly William Lewis acquainted him with the foul act of Web's being taken in the act of adultery with Mrs. W. a little after Michaelmas last past, and this complaint to Mr Stokes was Nov. 23. 1650.  
William Lewis calls his wife, and she makes good the Information, and tenders to swear it; divers questions Mr Stokes put to her tending to weaken, if not stifle the Information: but she stands boldly in the justification of it, with a world of other most horrible and hateful crimes and practices of theirs, not to be named.  
Two questions Mr Stokes desires them to satisfy him in; one is Why the fact was concealed till now? The second was, Whether ever they took M. W. to be a good woman? To the first query the answer falls in from the woman's own mouth; afterwards to the second he answers, that they looked upon M W. to be a godly, religious, and as wise a woman as any in the Country, till of late they had found to the contrary; but Webb had discovered himself to be a lecherous knave long ago.  
Well, Mr Stokes takes the woman's Information, but not upon Oath, and so made no further proceedings upon it, thinking perhaps the woman might be (as Ranters usually are) of another mind another day.  
But they continue the same tune from day to day; W. L. follows Mr Stokes for a prosecution; M. Stokes acquaints two of his fellow-Justices with it, and a day is appointed for a hearing of the business.  
Well, in the mean time the Warrant of the peace is served on M. W. and Thomas Webbe, and they also meet on the 25. of Novem. before M. Stokes; M. W. gives sureties to keep the Peace; webs credit is so much cracked, that he must needs pretend that he will go to Goal; yet rather than he should go alone, and be in Lo●s pound without a fellow-creature, M. W. (such is the tender love and pity of the woman to the Parson) moves her husband to stand for one of Web's sureties; but some having more wit than some, he refuseth, and pleaded an engagement to the contrary; at which the little Gentlewoman seems angry: And anon M. W. and his wife mount on horseback, and are returning home; but before they had rode a flightshot from the place, M W (Finds better arguments on horseback then afoot) prevails with her husband to become a surety for the Parson (what will not love do?) So M. W. and his horse face about, and he brings his wife with him for a witness that he himself (with another Gentleman) was surety for Tom. Webbe, that he should not go to Goal, nor stay at home to break the public peace; so away they went: And for as much as William Lewis had expressed himself to be in a great fear of M. W. life, by the fellow-creatures, they sent M. White to another Justice of Peace, where he swears that he standeth in fear lest W. Lewis, Edith his wife, &c. will take away his life, hurt and main his body, or burn his houses: Whereupon he obtains a Warrant, and binds them to the Peace: withal, the better to effect the business, (viz.) the design of the fellow-creatures, he procures a Warrant to search for stolen goods; by which means they search Lewis his part of the house, and pretend they find goods of M. W. there: So they arrest Lewis as a felone, and hale him and his wife, &c. before the Justice, where whilst their Mittimus is making, and M. White binding over to prosecute, Parson Webb and his, &c. are employed in getting Lewis his possession; so they are turned out of doors, and their goods secured to the total undoing of the said Lewis.  
The Information of Henry White of Langley burial Gent. against William Lewis and Edith his wife, taken upon Oath, before Edward Stokes Esquire, Novemb. 26. 16●0.  
He this Informer saith, that of late he hath had certain household goods, feloniously stolen from him the said Henry White out of his dwelling house, and having obtained a Warrant from a Justice of peace, he made search in a part of his own dwelling house at Langley aforesaid, being in the possession of the said William Lewis, where he found certain parcels of his goods 〈◊〉 lost, (viz) One new Exe for a Wam never used; certain Apples, in measure about one bushel, and a certain Table-board in length about ten scot; whereupon he the said Henry White chargeth him the said William Lewis and his wife upon suspicion to have feloniously stolen the said goods at several times from the said Henry White.  
Henry White.   

The Examination of William Lewis taken as aforesaid.  
He this Examinant saith, that he is altogether guiltless of the felonies charged by M. White against him, That the Exe mentioned in the Information, was lying and being in the room where upon search it was found, when he the Examinant first entered possession of that part of the house belonging to M. White in Langley aforesaid, and there ever was at M. White's command for his use: For the Apples, he this Examinant saith they were his own goods by virtue of a contract or bargain made with M. White about three weeks before the feast of Michaelmas last past: As for the Table-board he this Examinant saith he borrowed the same of Mary the wife of Henry White, and set the same upon two Tressles in a certain room of the said house, not with any intent to defraud the said M. White; and further he this Examinant saith the said M. White hath four or five times in a day frequented the said room. and made use of the said Table, and never questioned any thing till this very day; and further he hath not to say.  
The Examination of Edith Lewis the wife of the said William, taken as aforesaid.  
She this Examinant saith, that the Information is altogether untrue, that the said Exe was in the said room when she first came into possession thereof with her said husband: That the Apples mentioned in the Information, are her said husbands goods: That the Table-board was in the house when they came to it, and there they intended to leave it: And further she saith, the said M. White did every day resort into the said Room, and made use of the same Table, and till this day never questioned the same; and further she hath not to say.  
You see what the felony is which M. White through the instigation of the fellow-creatures charge against Lewis and his wife, and you may easily guess that the warrant of the peace was upon the same ground. Notwithstanding the Grand jury at the trial finds M. White's Bill of Indictment to be but an Ignoramus.  
By what is past you may perceive what a spirit of giddiness had possessed the primest actors upon the Ranting stage. The Idolators of old having worshipped their Idol God, through the just judgement of God Almighty, fell out among themselves, and sheathed each others sword in their brother's bowels: So these having committed folly, act the part of madness and enraged fury, and resolve never to quit the stage till they have devoured each other, and then the longest liver take all. Lord how true is thy word, Though hand join in hand, iniquity shall not go unpunished. 'Twas wonderful to see the love of the fellow-creatures, but the other day what a union there was among these persons, and others of the same kidney, not yet named, united in family, living under one roof; united in principle, united in practice, united in all things becoming fellow-creatures and lovers of community; yet now like simple children, which for a time delight in each other, and laugh and play friendly together; but anon, fall out and fight with each other, or rather like drunkards, which for a while love each other entirely, praise each other to the skies, and despise all that are not as themselves, pot-companions; yet afterwards having added drunkenness to thirst, fall to boxes and blows amongst themselves, wounding and tearing each other to pieces: such was the behaviour of these who were drunk with folly and frenzy in the time of their Ranting Catterwalle.  
You may perceive all the discovery made by the actors themselves, and very remarkable it is that their own counsels and their own tongues brought their horrid wickedness to light, loudly proclaiming that publicly, which before was but privately suspected and whispered. Remarkable also it is that hitherto none prosecuted them to this day that were not of their own party; except one warrant granted against the fellow-creatures, at the request of one S. V. about August before; to whom one of the faction and council discovered their wicked ways and practices; but the business being upon the stage, the discoverer shrunk in the wetting, only manifested that birds of a feather must hang together; otherwise not a man moved towards their public prosecution, or any way sought their disgrace.  
Neither need any man act that way, seeing the parties concerned had entered upon the work, as if they had taken it to task.  
1. So you have seen the breach, first made between the most choice fellow-creatures, after the highest expressions of love and L.  
2. You have seen the breach made up again by the learned Parson (in wickedness) alias mock Parson.  
3. You have seen the said Parson, First, in his seeming sobriety. Secondly, in his Ranting. Thirdly, confessing and repenting. Fourthly, Ranting as before.  
4. You have seen evil arising afresh against both Parson and fellow-creature from their own Sect and gang.  
5. You have seen the fellow-creatures furiously working the ruin and destruction of their accusers.  
Now it remains that the charge of Lewis and his wife against Tho. Webbe and M. W. and the proceedings of the Justices thereupon, be also made manifest, as it lieth upon record, which is here made public upon this account, only to manifest to the world that the ruin and distraction of this people arose from among their own selves, and not from the Justices, as Tom Webb in his mass of malice most untruly gives out.  
The Information of Edith Lewis wife of William Lewis of Langley Burhill, 
T. W. charged to have been taken in the act of adultery.  Yeoman, given the 23. of Novemb. 1650. unto Edward Stokes Esq. against Thomas Webb of Langley aforesaid Clerk, and Mary White wife of Henry White of the same Gent. for and concerning the felonious committing of the horrible and crying sin of adultery together, and now again taken upon oath this 9th of Decemb. in the year aforesaid before George Ivy, the said Edward Stokes, and William Shute Esquires, three of the Justices of the Peace within the said County, as followeth.  
Who saith, That her husband and she living in part of the said Henry White's house in Langley aforesaid, she this Informant was sent by the said Mistress Mary White to Chippenham upon a Saturday, between Michaelmas and Alhallontide, and making more haste from thence, than she usually did at other times; she went into that part of the house wherein the said Mistress White lived, and finding nobody in any of the lower rooms, she went up stairs, and a chamber-door near the stair-head being open, she stepped into the said chamber, and there saw the said Thomas Webbe lying upon the body of the said Mistress Mary White, and being in the very act of adultery with her, upon the bed there: And further she this Informant saith, that there was in the same room at the same time one John Morrice a soldier of Gloucester, who hastily came to the said chamber-door to put back her this Informant; he supposing (as she conceived) that she had been Mr Henry White aforesaid, husband of the said Mary: but she being in the chamber before he could shut the door against her, he let her alone, where she stood as one amazed, and in exceeding great fear. Then the said Thomas Webbe arose from off the bed and place where he lay, to one side, and the said Mary White to the other side, and afterwards they two together, with the said Morris, fell to dancing, using in their said dancing much filthy and unclean language, worse than ever she this Informant heard from any others, with whom she this Informant complied in dancing for the time, for fear they should do her some mischief, but was glad when she was gone from them. And this Informant being asked, why she concealed it so long, saith, that she told her own brother Thomas Riley of calf of it, the next day after it was done; and that she durst not acquaint any other with it, for that she lived under the same roof with the said Mistress White, and did not know what injury they might have done her, if she should have spoken of it: But not being able to hide it long from her husband, at length she acquainted him with it; who, as soon as he heard of it, caused her presently to go to Justice Stokes, and inform him of it. And this Informant appearing again before the said George ivy, the 17. day of February following, saith further, that the day wherein she took the said Thomas Webbe and Mary White in the act of Adultery, and left uncertain upon her former Information, was the very next Saturday after Michaelmas last past, as she doth now perfectly remember.  
The Information of William Lewis of Langley aforesaid, Yeoman, taken upon Oath the 17. day of February 1650. before the said George ivy, against the said Thomas Webbe and Mary White, as aforesaid.  
Who saith, That about the 10th or 11th of June last past, there being a great falling out between the said Mr Webbe and Mistress White, she the said Mistress White did in the presence and hearing of this Informant and divers others, charge the said Mr Webbe, that he had many times endeavoured to ravish her, & force her chastity: to which the said Webb replied, that he needed not to do so, for that he had oftentimes had carnal knowledge of her with her own consent; and that she had sent her own husband Mr Henry White to fetch him four mornings in a week out of his bed, of purpose to lie with her; & that she had formerly told him, that the child where with she than went, was his, and that he begot it on her on S. Stevens his day at night last past; and that her servant Elizabeth Briscow was as good as herself, for that she lay with John Morris and young Organ of castlecombe: Which things being bruited up and down the Country, some honest and religious people of calf sent one Thomas Riley of the same, to this Informant, to learn the truth of it; to whom he the said Informant gave this answer, That the said Mr Webb and Mistress White had charged each other as aforesaid, not only in the hearing of this Informant, but also in the presence of M. White and Mistress Webbe, being the husband and wife of the said Mistress White and M. Webbe, and that he conceived them to be both nought; and further saith, that this quarrel continued between the said M. Webb and Mistress White, until the said Mistress White was delivered of the child wherewith she then went, and it grew to that height, that there were above twenty suits in Law depending betwixt Henry White aforesaid, and the said M. Webb, and that shortly after Mistress White was brought to bed, and indifferently well recovered of her child birth, the aforesaid Elizabeth Briscow told him this Informant, that her Mistress had a great desire to speak with M. Webb, and had appointed her to bring him unto her: Whereupon this Informant remembering what had formerly passed betwixt them, and fearing that they would grow as familiar again, as they had been before; did the more strictly observe their doings, and the Thursday following being the next Thursday after Michaelmas last past, he saw the said M Webb and the said John Morris walking athwart the grounds towards M. White's house, and coming near the said house, they stood still under an oak, and looked about them, and after a little pause, they went a by-way through the Orchard and Garden into the said house through a door seldom used; and the said Morris continued there all that night; and for the greatest part of the night the said Morris and the aforesaid Elizabeth Briscow drawing a servant of this Informants into their Company did nothing but curse and swear, sing lewd songs, and drink such profane and blasphemous healths, as this Informant never heard the like before; and the next morning being Friday, the said Riley (whose sister he this Informant married) coming again to his house, he the said Informant told the said Riley, that he feared, that M. Webb and Mistress White would grow too familiar again, and that there would be murder or some other mischief follow it; and did thereupon turn away his aforesaid servant, and forbid his wife to meddle or make with Mistress White or any of her business: And further saith, that his wife told him, that the said Webb and Morris were the greatest part of that afternoon in the chamber together with Mistress White: And this Informant further saith, that the morrow after being Saturday about one or two of the Clock in the afternoon of the same day, M. White and his sister being then from home, and this Informants wife likewise at Chippenham, he saw the said Webb and the said Morris walk in the churchyard together, and after a little while slipped into the said M. White's house the back way, through the said Orchard and Garden, and towards the evening he saw the said Webb come forth of the said house again the same way. And the next day being Sunday in the evening, this informant asked of the said Elizabeth Briscow, how it chanced that the said Morris had not preached there that day? to which she replied, that the said Morris intended to have preached, but she would not let him, and that she told him, that he should not come thither roguing and whoring, and yet make people believe he was godly.   

The Examination of the said Mistress Mary White taken the 9 day of Decem. 1650. before the three aforesaid justices; she the said Mistress White being then and thither brought, and charged with the felonious committing of the said act of Adultery, with the aforesaid M. Webb, as followeth.  
Who being examined whether she this Examinant, Thomas Webb aforesaid, and one John Morris were together at her said husband's house on any Saturday betwixt this and Michaelmas last past, or not? denieth that ever they were, but saith that the said Webb and Morris were on the Friday next after Michaelmas day there in her own chamber, at her said husband's house; and that all the same time Elizabeth Briscow this Examinants maid-servant was also in the same room, and during all the while that they continued there: and further saith, that the said Webb and Morris have been divers times severally at her husband's house since Michaelmas last past, but never both together, except that one time. And this Examinant doth also utterly deny, that the said Thomas Webb had carnal knowledge of her then or at any other time, or that she, the aforesaid Tho. Webb. the said John Morris, and Edith Lewis aforesaid ever danced together; or that she, or the said Webb, or either of them are any ways guilty of the things wherewith they are charged in the Information of the said Edith Lewis.   

The Examination of the said Thomas Webb taken before the said Justices, as aforesaid.  
Who saith, That there being some suits at Law depending betwixt the said M. White, and him this Examinant; he the said Examinant and one John Morris a soldier at Gloucester, went to the house of the said M. White the Friday before Michaelmas day to talk with him and his wife about reconciling the said lawsuits, and Mistress White lying in about the same time, sent for him this Examinant and the said Morris into her Chamber, and there had discourse of the business: And being further asked, whether he and the said Morris were ever together in that or any other chamber of the said Mr White's, with the aforesaid Mrs White at any other time since the said Friday before Michaelmas; confesseth and saith, that he this Examinant and the said Morris have been several times together in that house with the said Mistress White, but denieth that they were together in any of the chambers of the said house, with the said Mistress White ever since that time, and doth also deny that he had then ever before or since any carnal knowledge of the said Mistress White, or that he the said Examinant, with the said Mistress White, and the said Morris, and the said Edith Lewis danced together, or spoke such words as they are accused of by Edith Lewis aforesaid.  
After the aforesaid Informations and Examinations were taken, 
T. W. committed to Goal.  the said Mr Webbe and Mistress White for their said offence were both committed by the three afore-named Justices to the common Goal for the said County of Wilts, where they remained prisoners till the assizes following.  
When the fellow creatures understood their mittimus, and saw whereto they must trust, they seem to be somewhat milder than before, and more moderate in their language then formerly; but after a little pause, Webbe being a better Scribe than Parson, employs his pen, and tumbles out of his treasury of self-confidence and impudence, expositions of the Parliaments Act of Adultery in Folio, and sends them to M. Stokes, amongst which he asserts these particulars.  
1. That no Parson (though made a felon by that act) is to be proceeded against till after Presentment or Indictment at assizes or Sessions, and the verdict of twelve men is to be the leading card to sentence, or any other proceedings upon this new Law.  
2. That no Justice of Peace or other Officer is to imprison or secure the felons mentioned in the said Act, till after Indictment and Conviction.  
3. That the Justices had no power to summon Tho. Webbe nor Mistress White before them, nor power to hear the complaints, nor to send them to Goal though offending against the said Act, according to what is charged against them.  
4. That the Parliament would rather a man should fly for such an offence then suffer death, and therefore they have provided that no other proceedings are to be then upon Indictment; wherefore (saith he) the Parliament would be glad to be rid of them so.  
5. That old Laws are not a rule for Justices to walk by in their proceeding against offenders as are made so by modern and late Acts.  
6. That Judge Nicholas can give no council upon this Act more than another man; for first, it is a new Law, and he is as young a Lawyer in the knowledge of it as another.  
7. It is distinct from all other Laws, for it both afflicts and affords that which no other Law doth.  
Then he lays down his own verdict upon the justice's proceedings, and saith.  
That they are Acts of inhumanity and injustice.  
That they are beyond all Law, equity, reason, president and common respect that one creature oweth to another.  
That neither Reason nor Wisdom was called to their counsels or Consultations.  
That their present proceedings were to gain applause amongst the multitude, and that nothing hath more served the enemy's designs, than their cruel and tyrannical proceedings against them.  
That such dealings are not amongst Turks and Infidels that are acted against him and his, &c.   

Then he falls to these Queries.  
1. Who shall secure the Tithingman for what he doth upon the Justices unjust proceedings?  
2. What provision is made for conveying him and his &c. to Goal, for a foot they cannot go, and horses they will not hire?  
3. Whether (seeing they were States-prisoners) the State ought not to make provision for them, both to the Goal and in the Goal?  
4. Whether they ought not to have received more favour being they were public persons, and had laid out themselves for the public, and upon the public service, though they were guilty, and the Act required such dealings?  
5. Seeing they were bound to the Peace before, and were no Rogues nor Vagabonds, whether that was not sufficient; and the rather seeing the poor Gentlewoman is sickly, and not inferior to those that committed them?  
Then he falls to his proud and insolent threats, and tells M. Stokes,  
That for as much as bail was offered and refused; now it should not be given if the Justices accept of it.  
Then for the great wrong and injury which I sustain (saith he) through the Justices, I will seek a remedy by a Law and equity.  
That the business shall be publicly questioned, and Mr Stokes made ashamed of it.  
That whatsoever he hath formerly confessed or written to M. Stokes, he values it not, but challengeth M. Stokes to do him what prejudice he can, and not to spare.  
That he is resolved to turn every stone, to find out, and to be satisfied of the justness of the justice's proceedings against him.  
The Letters bear date, From my illegal and discourteous restraint, Decemb. 6. 1650.  
From my unjust, illegal and tyrannical restraint, Langley burial, Decemb. 12. 1650.  
Signed, This Nations true friend and servant, Tho. Webbe.   

To all which and much more of the like nature, M. Stokes returns to Tho. Webb only these ensuing lines.  
Sir, Your lines savour of so much passion, conceitedness and untruth, that to answer them particularly, would argue more vanity and weakness in me, than yet you impute to me. I perceive 'tis your manner to revile at any that cross you in your lusts: Your Janus-face and conversation is sufficiently known in these parts. I own those acts of Justice you now lie under; you may continue your taunts and threats, and do your worst, either with or without them: Justice is my Master, which I cannot betray to humour you in your lusts.  
Your hypocrisy hath hampered you, and your own practices, if not principles, have brought this judgement upon you, which when you come to yourself, you will acknowledge and give glory to God in truth: till which time I am content to lie under your reproach and scorn, and there subscribe,  
Your, &c. E. S.   

By what is last past, surely there's no Reader that views this Parson, but must needs admire him for his deep judgement and singular knowledge in the act of adultery, and the Parliaments Act against the same, of which he is the only expositor after the Ranters understanding, which he hath fully expressed, that it wants no refutation; and he that goes about to convince a Ranter in any point, either of Law or Gospel, may as well undertake to wash a Black-more white.  
Yet at length towards Goal the fellow-creatures go, and knowing the farthest way about was the nearest way home, they go as Parsons in Perambulation; but in stead of reading Epistles and Gospels, when they are at their utmost bounds, these read railing and invective lectures against the Justices and their accusers: for being the only champions of liberty, and such as had laid out themselves for the public, they resolve not to be cast down, but bravely to carry out the business, for they were well assured that old birds could not be catched with chaff, nor such eminent fellow-creatures so expert in the knowledge of Liberty and L. to be catched by a new Act of Parliament against Adultery; they knew well enough how to manage the business, they can produce witness enough to out-swear whatsoever shall be sworn against them; what if one or two fellow-creatures be fallen off from, and out, with these choice lovers, and tell tales out of school, and swear in public what was acted more private? that's nothing, there are five for one remain faithful to the cause, and they can swear for a need that the evidence is upon malice, and that there was no such thing acted, &c. and this every man that knew any thing of the Ranters principles or ways, knew upon what score there was no danger of death in the parties before they came to trial, and therefore some who were forced to speak at the time of trial, did it to lay open their wickedness not to take away their lives (which were secure) but Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.  
Long these persons had not continued in Goal, but they sue for bail, which the Parson a little before scorns to accept of, yet now all possible means they use for liberty upon bail; to which purpose M. Stokes is again courted by Parson Webb and his then agent M. B. as if all the business had depended upon his will; withal they tell him that the Justices of Salisbury much wondered at the proceedings, and said M. Swanton was offended thereat; and further said he would bail him if he had the informations; whereupon M. Stokes procured the Informations and Examinations, and sent them enclosed to M. Swanton with these lines:   

Honoured Sir,  
BEing informed that you were offended with the proceedings of the Justices against one Webb and Mistress White, because sent to Goal, and not bailed, and that if you had a Copy of the said proceedings you would bail them, I thought good to send you the Copy for your satisfaction, and withal to tell you that I do not in the least credit any report that proceeds from this raging Ranting crew: And indeed having experience of your prudence and wisdom, I am satisfied with whatsoever you shall do on their behalf, and shall only acquaint you that the persons aforesaid have rendered themselves very scandalous, and were of evil fame long before the accusation for which they stand committed; in so much that Webb hath openly confessed, that the child lately born of the body of Mistress White was begotten by him the said Webb, &c. And that he had carnal knowledge of her he confessed in a Letter to myself, when lately he pretended to be troubled in conscience for his sin. Sir, I can make it appear (notwithstanding his fair gloss to strangers) that he is a mere piece of hypocrisy and deceit; as for the Gentlewoman, she hath lived so long in these parts, that I need say nothing as to her particular; I perceive their design at present is to render their accuser infamous, of whom I have only this to say, that I have observed her conversation for divers years, and yet neither by my own observation or other information did I ever take her for other than a modest and sober woman; but what they (viz) Webb and Mistress W. have made of her since they have all lived under one roof together, which was ever since March last, I understand not; but she seems to be very serious in what she chargeth them withal. Sir, I write not this to hinder their bail, but to give you light upon what account we proceeded against them as we have done. The next day after our mittimus was made, M. Shute and myself acquainted Judge Nicholas with what we had done, who justified our proceeding, and in whose judgement they were not bailable.  
Sir, Your cordial friend and servant, E. S.   

M. Swantons' reply to M. Stokes.  
Sir,  
AMongst all affronts and abuses I ever received, I never a more scandalous, as by so false and foul an information made to you, as appears by the first line of your Letter, that I should take offence from you and the rest of my fellow Justices, that Webb and Mistress White should be sent to Goal, and not bailed: so base and unworthy a relation delivered you as before I intend either to read over the Examinations, or to consider what to do in the business, I must give you an account of the daily continued labours and endeavours of the delinquents to be bailed, which hath been prosecuted with all the eagerness that can be thought of; and on Wednesday last, by their mediation, I was sent for to Lieutenant general Ludlow to have bailed them, at which time I gave him such full satisfaction, perusing the mittimus, and informing him of the foulness of the fact, and the regard we ought to have one of another in these cases of bailment, that I satisfied him until I could get a copy of the Examinations I could not be able to give any resolution towards bayling them, the mittimus being so full as proof and oath, of being taken in the act of adultery, which I perceive to be made good by the Examination. Sir, I pray conceive that I am not so slight, as that false relator should make me, for its not a straw difference to me, whether M. Webb or Mistress White be at liberty or in the Goal, and therefore I shall desire you that I may know the relator, for I profess I shall question him. And now I have given you a full answer of your Letter, I shall let you know, and my other good friends M. Ivy and M. Shute, that I conceive you have proceeded according to the Law; but yet if you please to be at the Sessions, and the Court may conceive them bailable, I shall join with them; but Sir, be assured no man shall have a more tender respect unto you and all others of your place, than  
Your most assured Friend Fra. Swanton. Sarum. 29. Dec. 1650.   

Together with this Letter more Letters came from Webb and his Agents to M. Stokes, intimating that his Letter hindered their bail, and earnestly entreating a word from him to M. Swanton; whereupon M. Stokes wrote these ensuing lines:  
Honoured Sir, I have received yours, to which I shall give you a more satisfactory answer when I see you, than I can at present, having only time to acquaint you that the prisoners suppose that my last to you is the only hindrance they are not bailed, for so they write to me, and exceedingly press me to write to you to take their bail. Sir, I am confident if they were bailable in your esteem, you would not defer it, but I thought good to tell you that now they impute their imprisonment till the Sessions, to proceed from my Letter, the truth of which is known to you; but notwithstanding all abuses which they have heaped upon me, I have not yet sought the least satisfaction, much less revenge; neither would I by any means hinder their bail, if any Justices are free to take it.  
Your faithful friend to serve you, E. S. Decemb. 30. 1650.   

The reason why these Letters are inserted, is to show that there was no plot nor contrivance between the Justices, and that M. Stokes did nothing maliciously against the fellow creatures, or hinder their bail, as the Parson hath given out, who having lost a Parsonage, hath made lies his refuge, as if he intended to be a Chaplain to the father of lies, for which he is learned enough.  
But yet notwithstanding they are not bailed, no not at the next general quarter Sessions, where M. Stokes appeared not, and therefore could be no obstruction, yet the Gentlewoman might have enlargement, but like a good and loving soul to her dearest friend refused it, 
T. W. pretends a second repentance in Goal.  unless he might partake of the same privilege, as M. B. confessed. But Webb now perceiving how things went, intends to act another part of repentance, having made himself weary of his Ranting party, as the letters and message hereafter immediately following demonstrate.   

Honoured Sir,  
AS to the will of our wise God, which is fulfilled in my present condition; I must indeed, I am made to acknowledge it; and therefore for that I have blamed and passionately wronged you, I am heartily sorry and humbly implore your goodness for to have me excused for it; I shall now learn to submit to a divine will, who is just in what it doth, and will justify all those whom it makes use of for its accomplishment, &c.  
Your humble servant, Tho. Webbe.   

Dear and Honoured Sir,  
WHat the decree is that is gone forth from the presence of our good and wise God, I do not know, nor indeed am I able to spell it out, the characters almost pass my Intelligence; for providence acts so darkly to me, and in so many paths of contrariety, that indeed I am almost amazed, and were it not that former experiences were renewed in me, and that I do draw something of sweetness from many sweet promises, I should look upon myself as an undone, lost man. I say wisdom acts beyond my genius, and apprehensions; very much engaged should I be in this my straight, you would by your own enjoyment help me to learn and understand; I hope God will yet make me to know, and do his pleasure; and this confidence I have, that out of this wilderness he will deliver me: Oh that my patience would carry me forth to the end, and not suffer me to murmur against him! no nor against any he is pleased to inflict upon me. Many thanks and returns of love to your dear Lady and yourself for your love and care towards me, which I must and shall for ever acknowledge to be altogether undeserved by me, and though my desires for my liberty and your well wishes take not effect, yet I do heartily thank you; and truly I profess it from my heart, it will for ever oblige me, not only to subscribe, but to be, dear Sir,  
Your cordial friend and humble servant, Tho. Webbe. January. 17. 1650.   

Honoured Sir,  
THat which at first moved me to write to you, and to express myself in so bold and rude language, truly was my love to you, for I could have chused to have writ to others, but indeed I ever loved you, and was persuaded my lines would have been received without exception; but understanding my lines were not to be born withal, I most humbly desire you to have me excused for them, and to impute them to passion, not to any thing of prejudice; for I profess it might proceed from the former, but as for the later it had no place nor footing; for I owe you no prejudice, but as formerly I love and honour you. Furthermore, I humbly entreat you to give a gracious hearing to what I have entrusted my loving and very good friend M. bailiff to acquaint you with, and so far own me, if ever you will do me good, as to answer it graciously: I would have made my Paper the Messenger, but truly I could not do it conveniently, and therefore made bold with my friend to do it for me, to whom I have imparted my whole heart, and my present condition as it now stands; I have faithfully declared myself to him, and have desired him to acquaint you with it, and so humbly entreating you to give him a hearing, and to act for me as one who once was your near friend, and still is,  
Honoured Sir, Fisherton January 1650. Your faithful friend and servant, Tho. Webbe.   

The request of the arch-Parson made known by M. bailiff, was, that he was exceedingly wearied and tired out with Mistress White's company in Goal, that she by her flatteries and frowns still endeavoured to keep him in his evil and unclean courses with her, whose provocations and temptations gave him no rest; and therefore he humbly desires to be removed into any other prison out of her company, where he might be at rest, and then he would publish to the people of God the whole business in truth and in Print (concerning his unclean life with the said Gentlewoman) which now he could not perform, because of her presence with him; nay he could not now, such was his condition, so much as write or speak a word but she grew jealous it tended to unfaithfulness. Besides this relator added that the Parson had no rest, unless he were sucking at her breasts, which was his work amongst others (after one Puppy had lost his life by often sucking) or merry and frolic with her, according to the accustomed manner; and besides said, that she left her own husband and came and lay upon Web's bed and body, this relator being then in bed with the said Webb, and there with many tears and threats endeavoured to keep him to herself; notwithstanding with much ado he writes the foregoing lines, and earnestly desired M. Stokes his assistance to work a separation between him and Mistress White, in putting of them to several goals.  
M. Stokes upon the receipt of this Letter and Message said but little, and did less, being well assured that this proceeded at best but from a short-lived heart-qualm, or rather it was only a veil to cast over M. B. whilst at once the amorous Parson and his Giglets made a jeer of the Messenger, the message, and he to whom it was sent, as afterwards was manifest.  
Yet you see the inconsiderate Parson Webb seems to practise a pensive man's part, after all his audacious and malapert carriage and demeanour before remembered. Notwithstanding this repentance also hastily proves abortive, and the Parson faceth about to his fellow-creature, who in a few days after, wrote this ensuing Letter to M. bailiff, in answer to one of his formerly sent to persuade her to show kindness and respect towards Parson Web's wife, who was gone to visit her husband in Goal; for it was feared, it seems, that Mistress White would not nor could not dissemble her principles, but would openly dislike that Mistress Webb should be so bold as to take such a journey to see her husband, having no more right to him then a formal union, which is nothing to the liberal and free union of fellow-creatures.   

The Letter of Mrs. White to M. bailiff follows.  
Kind Friend,  
I Am very sensible of your realities and endeared friendship towards us, you shall find us as truly yours in whatsoever lieth within our powers, when opportunity shall honour us with some ample expressions, whereby we may express in deed rather than word what we would be. Dear friend, To show gratefulness for all favours, and the truth of our profession, which is no less than the height of human society, in which (though darkly) I will walk as far as I know to all, but especially I have observed your desires, though not without trouble, and I must tell you sensibly also how much it reflects upon me, knowing myself so grossly abused, yet am as I am, it must lie upon more worth to requite and acquit, than I have yet found acted towards me from my dearest friend; we shall be glad to see you, I doubt till two days before the assizes I shall not get Bess and Goody Brewer, than I hope you will all meet here; till when, and ever be most confident I am sincerely,  
Your Friend both in life and death, M. W. Jan. 30. 1650.   

Postscript.  
Mr Webbe is so taken up with his friends, I beseech you excuse him for not writing, I am sure he is yours as much as his own: his dear love to you.  
The aforesaid Letter is inserted to show the Reader that the antic Parson did but merely dissemble, whilst he sought a divorce from his fellow-creature in the Goal, for in these lines you may perceive how great the union is; so that now M. Stokes is no more troubled with Letters or Messages, nor hears no more of the Lovers until the assizes.  
Not to trouble the Reader with the deportment of the fellow-creatures in Goal, 
T. W. his deliverance and return from Goal.  nor what unworthy design Webbe puts in practice to save his Neck; nor to mention any thing concerning the witness produced on his behalf at the trial, all which requires a Volume: but the Author forbears these particulars: being tender of the good Names of some, who at present seem to repent for what they have acted in relation to the deceitful mock-Parson.  
As for the trial itself, the Author will pass over that also in silence, because all things acted there were in the face of the whole Country, wherefore the impudent mock-Parson at the trial needs no discovery, it's so famously known in Wiltshire. The grand Jury finds the Bill of Indictment, the Jury for life and death find him not guilty, whereupon he is freed: And surely now any moderate man would have thought he would have given glory to God, turned over a new leaf, and left off his Ranting way: This was expected from him, because of his Goal-repentance not long before; but in stead hereof he continues the same pace as before, nay he becomes more proud, imperious and impudent then ever. After he had kept holiday with the Ranting gang in Sarum, he returns towards his Parsonage, but the farthest way about, to visit the fellow-creatures: Wherefore M. W. being sent home the nearest way, Webb with Mistress W. and his own wife, with others, returns by the way of Warminster; in which progress, such was the demeanour of the Libertine Parson, lately delivered out of the hand of Justice, but still fast in the devil's clutches, that he publicly owns his relation to his fellow-creatures, to be above and more binding to him then his relation to his own wife, which was but formal, but the other was real. Upon this, with other his most impudent carriage, the parson's wife (poor woman) expecting better things, as the fruit of his sufferings; but now seeing her hopes to fail, she falls into a labyrinth of misery and heart-distress, and presently in the same room earnestly desired M. F. bailiff (then in company, who was one of Web's witnesses at the trial) that he would run her through with his sword, for she was no longer able to bear as she had done. Not to trouble the Reader with all passages in the parson's return from his chapel at Fisherton, to the Parish Church of Langley; you shall only know that at Bradford the Sack went merrily down the Witnesses throats, and the rest of the fellow-creatures, who well deserved it: But amidst their Cups they quaff about this health, Here is a health to the Star that now is in the Eclipse, but hereafter shall shine in perfect glory; which the Relator thus interprets, The Star in Eclipse is Mistress White, who though now despised because of the people's ignorance of true liberty, yet hereafter, when it should be known, she should shine in perfect glory (viz.) be had in high account and esteem.  
Well, at length home the fellow-creatures come, divers are in expectation that the mock-Parson will surely now become a new man, at least in appearance; but he reforms like a parson's Ape, the clean contrary way, he swaggereth it out most bravely with his proud looks, powdered pate, and prating tongue; he breathes out no less than ruin and destruction against all opposers, amongst which M. Stokes must have a large share, he shall no longer continue in the Commission of the Peace (a great revenge) because he acts so irregularly and unjustly, as to prosecute the Law against the honest party, and makes no difference between common whoremongers, and Masters of Art, alias mock-Parsons and Priests Apes (a sad case.) Well all the influence of this honest party is withdrawn, which raised M. Stokes into the saddle, therefore he must needs fall; and the prophetical Parson foretells strange things to come, and fortunes to befall divers persons, which will all be fulfilled the next black Monday. And after a while the Parson takes a journey to London, and appears before the Committee of Plundered Ministers (who so bold as blind Byard!) in hopes to continue Parson of Langley by that power which he despised, the better to outbrave Mr Stokes and others, to whom he had whined and howled out his own wickedness: for he well knew though he had narrowly escaped the Halter, yet he appeared in an unclean and most ugly shape to all tender spirits. And at length about May 1651. he sends Mr Stokes, under his own hand writing, the Copy of an Order from the said Committee, with four Articles against himself, to be examined by, and certified from the Justices, and desires Mr Stokes to appoint a time and place for the execution of the said Order, which Mr Stokes appointed accordingly, and withal promised the mock-Parson to make good the charge himself against him, which when his grace understood, he startles not a little, and at length scribles back an invective Letter to M. Stokes, acquainting him also that his time would not now permit to have the business heard, for he must wait upon his wife (a kind Parson) to Batly, which proved a shift, whereupon M. Stokes gives this reply to the P.  
Sir, Though you snarl at creatures, and like a mad man strike at those that are next you, yet when you shall be delivered from your frenzy, you will say, It was the iniquity of your heels that compassed you about, and not malice in your Opposers: You might have enjoyed your being at Langley long enough with the love and liking of all that fear God or love the Nation, had you been true to yourself or friends; your dissembled Repentance had once almost reinthroned you in the hearts of honest men, had not your revolting and revelings tumbled you down from thence. When you appeared in sheep's clothing, who harmed you, who molested you, who advanced themselves above you? When you appeared in another shape, who did not pity you and pray for you, and expect your return, &c. Had you learned the doctrine of self-denial but half so perfectly as that of self-justification, certainly your present condition had been such as now you fain it to be. But why do you boast yourself in your own deceivings? your great swelling words of vanity affrighten none save fools or women. You do well to study the Law, but I wish your understanding therein prove not abortive, like your Gospel knowledge. But howsoever you need not fear, the times are so peaceable, thieves cannot, and so good honest men will not rob you of any priviviledge due to you: The whole body of Articles you may meet withal, with the Committee of plundered Ministers, or have a Copy here when my Clerk is at leisure. You can appoint and wave meetings at your pleasure, you can both juggle and play fair at the same game, 'tis no matter into what shape you lick yourself, so long as you like yourself. Sir, Your contemptible reproaches and threats are but badges of honour, which you are pleased to cast, though with another intent upon.  
E. Stokes.   

About the later end of August following, these ensuing Orders and Articles were sent down by the Committee for Plundered Ministers, unto the Justices of the Peace for the said County of Wilts.   

By the Committee for Plundered Ministers, August the 8th 1651.  
ORdered that the Articles exhibited against Thomas Webb Minister of Langley Burhill in the County of Wilts (a copy whereof is annexed) be referred to the Justices of the peace in the said County, or any two or more of them, who are desired to receive the said M. Webb his Answer to the said Articles; and to summon before them, examine and cross-examine the witnesses that shall be produced, as well for proof of the said Articles, as of the defence of the said M. Webb, and to certify the said Articles, answer and Examinations to this Committee, by the eleventh day of November next, close sealed. And the said Justices are desired to secure the profits of the said Rectory, till this Committee shall have heard and determined the cause upon the said return, and to see that no spoil be made on the said Personage-house or Glebe-lands thereunto belonging.   

By the Committee for Plundered Ministers, August the 13th 1651.  
ORdered that the Additionall Articles this day exhibited against Thomas Webb Minister of Langley Buthill in the County of Wilts (a copy whereof is annexed) be referred to the Justices of the Peace in the said County, or any two or more of them, who are desired to receive the said M. Webb his Answer thereunto; and to summon before them, and examine, and cross-examine the Witnesses that shall be produced, as well for proof of the said Articles, as of the defence of the said M. Webb, and to certify the said Articles, together with the former Articles, Answers and Examinations to this Committee, close sealed up with all convenient speed, and the profits of the said Rectory are to be secured according to the former Order of the 8th instant, in the mean time.   

Articles of profaneness and scandal against Thomas Webb the pretended Rector of the Personage of Langley Burhill in the County of Wilts.  
1. THe said Thomas Webb never had any legal Order for his incumbency there, but by the help and favour of his pretended patroness Mistress Mary White, and some other parishioners of the same Parish upon his promise unto them of non-taking Tithes, obtained the Parsonage, usurping the place of an Incumbent there, contrary to the Orders made by the Honourable Committee for Plundered Ministers, and the Committee of this County.  
2. The said Webb stands charged to be an Adulterous person, and to have committed the detestable sin of uncleanness with divers women (besides his pretended patroness Mistress Mary White) and hath confessed the same, and gloried therein, and affirmed he could lie with any woman save his own Mother.  
3. The said Webb stands charged to have affirmed in his discourse, that Moses was a Conjurer, and that Christ was a deceiver of the People.  
4. The said Webb stands charged to have affirmed, that Preaching and lying are both alike to him.  
5. The said Webb stands charged to have termed his hearers fools for coming to gape on him, whilst he told them lies.  
6. The said Webb stands charged to have drank to the confounding of the Parliament, and to have termed them Rogues and Devils, withal saying, that if he were (by those that heard him) accused for any of the aforementioned crimes, he would for swear the same.  
7. The said Webb hath in an high nature scandalised and abused Judge Nicholas, George Ivy, Edward Stokes and William Shute Esquires, and other the Justices of the Peace for this County, for discharging their duties, both in Law and Conscience, according to the trust reposed in them.  
8. The said Webb hath done much waste, and made great spoil and destruction upon the glebe lands of the Rectory of Langley Burhill aforesaid, by cutting down, and selling at very low rates, a great part of the Wood and Trees late growing and being upon the same, which were before his coming thither much stored, and better replenished with Wood than any Parsonage in those parts; besides also he hath let fallen, pulled down to the ground, and sold away part of the housing belonging to the Parsonage-house there.  
9 Thesaid Webb stands charged by the most knowing Christians in his own Parish, to have Preached false and unprofitable Doctrine.  
WHereas we have received two several Orders from the Committee of Plundered Ministers (purporting certain Articles, heretofore to have been exhibited against Thomas Webb Minister of Langley Burhill in the County of Wilts) referring the same to the Justices of the Peace in the said County, or any two of them, who are desired to receive the said Mr Webbe his Answer thereunto; and to summon before them, and examine and cross-examine the Witnesses that shall be produced as well for part of the said Articles, as of the defence of the said M. Webb; These are to give you to understand, That we Justices of the Peace of the County aforesaid, intend (God permitting) to execute the contents of the said Order at the house of Captain Taylor, being at the sign of the White Hart in Chippenham, on the 12th day of September next ensuing after the date of these presents, between the hours of eight and nine of the Clock in the morning of the same day; where if you think fit you may produce Witnesses to be examined on your part and behalf; and we shall be then ready to receive your Answer according to the Contents of the said Order.  
witness our hands at Chippenham this 28. of August 1651.  
To Thomas Webb Minister of Langley Burhil.   

This Paper following was delivered in by the said M. Webb unto the said Justices, at their appointed meeting for the executing of the aforesaid Orders: viz.   

Grounds of Exceptions against Sir Edward Bainton, William Shute Esq. &c. and against the Examination intended.  
1. FIrst, That the Charge to be examined, is not the Charge exhibited before the Honourable Committee, upon which the Orders were granted, which occasioned this meeting.  
2. That most part of the Charge hath been already answered, and the accused quit.  
3. That in some part of the Charge the Examiners themselves are concerned.  
4. The Examiners have manifested abundance of prejudice against the accused, as will easily be made to appear.  
5. The accused stands bound in Judgement and conscience to prosecute the Examiners (for neglect of doing of their duty for the Common-weal, in the late time of danger) whenever called thereunto, and hath already declared against it, as he believes is known to some of them.  
6. Lastly, Such was the height either of ignorance or malice, if not both, that when the Warrant for appearance was sent, they sent neither copy of Orders nor charge, but I was forced (though not bound to it) to send to them for the Charge and Orders, and as yet have received but a part of the Charge, and but a Breviat of the Orders.  
These and other grounds are my Exceptions built upon, which I humbly tender, that they may be seriously considered, and I have right done to me: No more is desired by him, who in the integrity of his own spirit, subscribes to these his Exceptions,  
Tho. Webbe.   

Depositions of Witnesses taken at Chippenham in the County aforesaid, the day of September, in the year of our Lord God, One thousand six hundred fifty and one, against Thomas Webb Minister of Langley Burhill in the said County, by George Ivy and William Shute Esquires, two of the Justices of the Peace for this County; by virtue of two several Orders unto the Justices of the Peace of the County aforesaid; or unto any two or more of them directed from the Honourable Committee for Plundered Ministers, the one of which order bears date, Aug. 8. last past, and the other bears date the 13th of the same month: in manner following, viz. Charles Aland of Langley Burhill aforesaid, Yeoman, aged thirty two years or thereabouts, Sworn and Examined, deposeth as followeth:  
TO the first Article this Deponent saith, 
I.  That the said M. Webb (about a month since) did confess in this Deponents hearing, that he had no Order from any Authority to possess himself of the Rectory or Parsonage of Langley aforesaid, or to Officiate there; but that he did Officiate there by the consent and approbation of some of the Parishioners of Langley aforesaid. And this Deponent further saith, That he did thereupon shortly afterwards search in the Office of the Committee for Plundered Ministers, to find whether the said ●. Webb had any such Order or Authority from thence, as aforesaid, but could find none.  
To the sixth Article this Deponent saith, 
6.  That the Sunday seven-night before Mistress White and the said M. Webb were carried to Prison for committing of Adultery together, in the Church yard before the morning-Sermon, the said M. Webb and this Deponent walking there together; and this Deponent being formerly appointed to be a Lieutenant unto one Captain Parsons, designed to be a Captain of the Militia▪ forces of this County; the said M. Webb to persuade this Deponent to desert the said service, and to withdraw his affection from the Parliament, used amongst other persuasions these words following, That the Parliament was unjust, and dealt unjustly in gathering too much moneys, and employing the same to their own private uses, and not for the public; and that if he and others might have liberty, they would prove it, or spoke words to the like effect: And at one other time the said M. Webb told this Deponent, That God would appear for and on the behalf of the Cavaliers once more.  
To the eight Article this Deponent saith, 
8.  That when the said M. Webb came and entered into the Rectory or Parsonage of Langley aforesaid, the Glebe-land thereunto belonging, was very well stored and replenished with Timber-trees, and other Underwood, and that since that time the said M. Webb hath cut down, burnt and sold, all or the greatest part of the same Trees and Underwood; and hath also pulled down two substantial outhouses belonging to the said Rectory or Parsonage-house, and sold away the materials thereof. And this Deponent further saith, That the said M. Webb being required by a Warrant, which came under the hands of Edward Stokes Esq. being both a Committee man and a Justice of the Peace of the said County of Wilts, to surcease from making of further spoils upon the Glebe of the said Parsonage, he the said M. Webb returned seven Queries in Writing upon the backside of the said M. Stokes his Warrant, by way of mocking and jeering of him, and withal abused the said Warrant, before he sent it back unto the said M. Stokes defiling the same with his own or some others excrements, as this Deponent doth verily believe.  
To the ninth Article this Deponent saith, 
9  That the lordsday seven-night before the said M. Webb was committed to Prison as aforesaid, he heard the said M. Webb deliver in his morning-Sermon on that day in the Parish-Church of Langley aforesaid, to his Auditors then and there assembled, That he was no Minister of God, and wished them not to look upon him as a Minister, for that (said he) God had put an end to all Ministers and Ministrations, and at the same time persuaded the people not to conform themselves to any visible Ministrations, either for Church or state (meaning thereby, as this Deponent conceiveth) that they should not obey any ecclesiastical or civil Authority. And further in the same Sermon he informed the people, That God requires no obedience to any Scripture-commands. And this Deponent further saith, that after the said Sermon was ended, the said M. Webb being asked by this Deponent, what then meant all the Epistles of the Apostles? whereunto the said M. Webb then answered, that they concerned us not.   

Edward Stokes of Tytherton Lucas in the said County of Wilts Esq. aged Thirty six years or thereabouts, Sworn and Examined, deposeth as followeth:  
TO the first Article this Deponent saith, 
1.  That after M. Hughes had left the Parsonage of Langley Burhill aforesaid, the same being destitute of an Incumbent, one M. Martin had Orders both from the Honourable Committee of Plundered Ministers, and also from the Committee of the said County of Wilts to Officiate there, and to receive the tithes and Profits there-out arising; which Orders the said M. Martin showed unto this Deponent; and upon the request of the said Martin this Deponent went along with him unto the Parish-Church of Langley Burhill aforesaid; who being come thither, and intending to Preach, was opposed by the said M. Webb, Mistress Mary White, and some other of the Parishioners, who laboured to have M. Webb to Officiate there; some of them then conceiving him to be a very godly and profitable man, but have since found themselves deceived; and others upon his promise of not taking Tithes of them, did altogether set themselves against the said M. Martin, which made him to depart thence, and leave the cure: And the said M. Webb hath thereupon continued there ever since, without any Order or other Title to the same place.  
To the second Article this Deponent saith, 
2.  That there having formerly been overmuch familiarity between the said Mr Webb and the said Mistress White the wife of Henry White Gent. about June 1650. there happening a great variance between them the said M. Webb and Mistress White, the said Webb then seemingly▪ professed to this Deponent to be a great penitent, and exceedingly troubled for his vile conversation; and divers times since that, did both by words and letters of his own hand-writing confess to this Deponent, that he had committed the detestable sin of uncleanness with the said Mistress White; through whose temptations he had committed it so frequently with her, that at length he was glad when he had the liberty to walk in the air. And the said M. Webb seemed to this Deponent to be so penitent, that he wished himself accursed for the precious gospel's sake, that had been so blasphemed by his wicked and unclean conversation: And further said, that solicitations were used to bring him over, and reconcile him again unto the said Mistress White, but he then wished, saying, Oh that I might be accursed, and the earth swallow me up alive, rather than I should harken unto her any more! Notwithstanding all which imprecations he shortly after grew intimate and familiar with her again, and was so open and impudent in his carriage with the said Mistress White, that he was charged upon Oath to have been taken in the very Act of Adultery with the said Mistress White, whereupon they both were committed to the common-Goal for the County of Wilts aforesaid, there to remain until they should be discharged from thence by due order of Law.   

Robert Jeffryes of Langley aforesaid Yeoman, aged Forty three years or thereabouts, Sworn and Examined, deposeth as followeth.  
TO the second Article this Deponent saith, 
2.  That this Deponents wife being sent for to Mistress White the wife of Henry White of Langley aforesaid Gent. when she was intravell with her child (whereof she was then shortly afterwards delivered) the said M. Webb came to this Deponents house about a weeks' space after her delivery, not usually having come thither before that time, and then asked her how Mistress White did; and told this Deponents wife in his this Deponents hearing, That the child which Mistress White had them brought into the world, was his the said M. Webs child, or no. And this Deponent further saith, That this present day the said M. Webb told this Deponent, that if he did come to be examined against him, that he would bring his Action for the same against him.   

Deborah clerk late servant to the said Robert Jeffryes, aged Seven and twenty years or thereabouts, Sworn and Examined, deposeth as followeth:  
TO the second Article this Deponent saith, 
2.  That in some short time after Mistress White was delivered of her child, the said M. Webb came to her said late Master's house, and asked her Dame how Mistress, White and her child did, and withal, did thereupon say in a boasting way, That the child which Mistress White had then brought into the world, was his the said webs child, or no.   

Edith Lewis wife of William Lewis of Langley aforesaid Yeoman, aged Forty years or thereabouts, Sworn and Examined, deposeth as followeth:  
TO the second Article this Deponent saith, 
2.  That about Whitsuntide last was twelvemonth, the said M. Webb, this Deponents husband, and she this Deponent, being conferring together concerning matters of Religion; she this Deponent did then and oftentimes since bear the said M. Webb say, That he did live above Ordinances, and that it was lawful for him to lie with any woman. And at one time above the rest, the said M. Webb, Mistress White, this Deponent, and divers others sitting in the gatehouse of the dwelling-house of the said Mistress White (there being tame pigeons in the Court) the said M. Webb observing a great Cock pigeon to tread divers of the Hen pigeons there, said unto those that were there present, that it was lawful for every man and woman, and that they ought to take that liberty and freedom one with the other, as those pigeons did, although they were not married the one to the other.  
To the fourth and fifth Articles this Deponent saith, 
4, 5.  That upon a Lord's day in the afternoon about Whitsuntide last was twelvemonth, the said M. Webb being asleep in a room of the dwelling-house of her this Deponents husband, and sitting in a chair, this Deponents husband came to him, and awaked him, and then said unto the said M. Webb, that it was time to go to Church, for the Bell had done ringing, and there was a great audience of people come to hear him; whereunto the said Mr Webb answered her husband, in her this Deponents hearing, Alas poor fools, why do they come so far to hear me, and stand gaping upon me, whilst I tell them lies! Whereupon this Deponents husband asked the said Mr Webbe, What? do you tell them lies in the Pulpit? whereunto he replied, That lying and Preaching was all one to him.  
To the eight Article this Deponent saith, 
8.  that when the said M. Webb entered into the Rectory or Parsonage of Langley Burhill aforesaid, the Glebe-lands thereunto belonging were very well stored and replenished with Timber-trees of all sort, and other Under-wood, and that since that time the said M. Webb hath hewed, cut down, burnt, and sold all or the most part of the said Timber and Under-wood, which were any thing worth, and hath mored and grubbed up about the one half part of the coppice-ground belonging to the said Rectory; And that in summer last was twelvemonth the said M. Webb did hire Workmen, who did by his appointment pull down an handsome Barn belonging to the said Rectory, and sold away the materials thereof.   

Robert Powell of Langley Burhill aforesaid, Husbandman, aged Fifty years or thereabouts, Sworn and Examined, deposeth as followeth:  
TO the last Article this Deponent saith, 
9  That the next Sunday after the Lent assizes, being the first Sunday after M. Webbe came from Salisbury Gaol, he heard the said web in his then morning Sermon, Preach and declare to his Auditors then assembled in the Parish-Church of Langley aforesaid, these words following (that is to say) That the works of Jesus Christ and his Apostles were dead works and carnal, and ended when they died, and served but for their time only, and that people might live unto God without Jesus Christ; yet said, I must confess that Jesus Christ was the greatest Ordinance that ever God set up, and yet the Saints may live unto God without that Ordinance.   

Nicholas Gale of Langley aforesaid Miller, aged Five and twenty years or thereabouts, Sworn and Examined, deposeth as followeth.  
TO the last Article this Deponent saith, 
9  that about Whitsuntide last upon a Sabbath day he did hear the said M. Webb in his morning-Sermon, Preach and declare in the said Parish-Church of Langley to his Auditors, these words following (that is to say) that the doctrine and practice of Jesus Christ and his Apostles, were dead works, and ended when they died: and that Preaching and Praying cease, for the Lord hath no ears to hear. And this Deponent further saith, that at another time afterwards, upon a Sabbath day, he heard the said M. Webb deliver in a Sermon, in the said Parish-Church of Langley, that Ministers ought not to be believed, though they did Preach the truth, except they could work miracles, as Christ and his Apostles did.   

Hugh Wastfeild of Langley Burhill aforesaid Yeoman, aged Forty years or thereabouts, Sworn and Examined, deposeth as followeth:  
TO the eight Article this Deponent saith, 
8.  That when the said M. Webb came and entered into the Parsonage of Langley aforesaid, the Glebe-land thereunto belonging was very well stored and replenished with Timber-trees and other Under-wood, and that since that time the said M. Webb hath hewed, cut down, burnt, and sold a great part of the same Trees and Wood, and hath grubbed and mored up a great part of the coppice-ground thereunto belonging; and that since the said M. Webs coming to dwell in the Parsonage-house of Langley aforesaid, there hath been a great Barn or Hay-house appertaining to it, pulled down, and the materials thereof were either burnt or conveyed a way.  
To the last Article this Deponent saith, 
9  That he hath heard the said M. Webb deliver in several Sermons these things following (that is to say) that the baptism of water was only John's Ministry, and was a legal washing, and to be reckoned amongst legal things; that God's reaching his people is not by any outward Ordinance or Ministry, or means, but by the inward unction and anointing; and that all preaching, all conference or speaking one to another is but mere declaring to each other what we are taught, and not any Ministry, as for the teaching one of another; and that he knew not whether Paul's Epistles do concern us or no. And further this Deponent saith, that he did hear the said M. Webb deliver in a Sermon, That he did hope to live so long, and that it was now in working, that there should be no such thing as a Parsonage or Minister in England.   

The Certificate of George Ivy and William Shute Esquires, to the Honourable Committee for Plundered Ministers, after they had taken the aforesaid Depositions.  
WE do humbly certify your Honours, That we being the two next Justices of the Peace for this County of Wilts, unto Langley Burhill aforesaid, that are unconcerned in this business, did in pursuance of your two several Orders hereunto annexed, prefix a time and place for the execution of the same, whereof the said M. Webb had sufficient notice, and upon his appearance before us this present day, we did show unto him the said Webb the Charge and Articles exhibited against him, and required his answer thereunto; and withal offered to examine and cross-examine any Witnesses that he should produce unto us for his defence: but the said Webb after much uncivil carriage used by him in the presence of us, and divers others, and many frivolous and unfitting discourses, tending only to the diminution of your Authority, and the disparagement of ourselves, and the rest of the adjacent Justices, as not being fit to examine that or any other business that concerned him, instead of an Answer, did at length deliver us the afore-recited scandalous Exceptions, and withal told us, that he would give us no other answer, and that we should not examine or cross-examine any Witnesses for him by these Orders, or used words to that effect.  
We humbly conceive it necessary to signify these things by themselves, and have also herewith sent the Execution of your Orders so far as Witnesses come in; but we did not examine upon the Article wherein we and other Justices are concerned, because we would avoid all cause of exception, and we did inform the said M. Webb of so much, before we examined any witness.  
Upon the Articles and Depositions aforegoing the most famous Parson was ejected the Parsonage of Langley Burhill, 
T. W. his Ejectment from his Parsonage of L. B.  in September 1651. by the Honourable Committee of Plundered Ministers, where the said Webb appeared in his own defence, being armed cap-à-pie, with his wonted silly self-confidence, impudence and ignorance, who, notwithstanding though he had over-stood his Market, refusing to examine or cross-examine Witnesses in the Country; yet now propounds to the Committee of Examination, as aforesaid, only he desires two other Justices of Peace to be joined with those whom he termed his adversaries, with such like frothy conceits, as vain as himself; but they hold no water, the mock-Parson is reduced to his pristine purity (viz.) a Priest without a Parsonage, which act of Justice operates much upon the parson's foul stomach, and therefore though the Parsonage be evacuated, yet the dregs remain, which are brought up and disgorged at several times, or by degrees.  
First, The unsavoury salt was no sooner cast to the dunghill, but the ejected quondam Parson lays about him, and seeing his tongue was too short to tell of his misfortunes, and to bespatter his persecutors, he betakes himself to his Pen, and writes his black Parson-like Epistles to the honest, alias Ranting Party, acquainting them what had fallen out, and then rails, Parson-wise, against Mr Stokes, giving him such titles as can belong to none save mock-Parsons, and withal promiseth his fellow-creatures to write a book and publish it against Mr Stokes and others, and then sets down such particulars as he intended to Print against M. Stokes, which he hath with some alteration performed.  
Secondly, He abuseth the Honourable Committee of plundered Ministers, taxing them with injustice, and tells his friends that he will endeavour to turn the stream, assuring them that if not this, yet another Representative will do it.  
Thirdly, He makes them believe he is very near a very good settlement in another place, and presseth them to gain him (with speed) a Certificate from the honest party.  
So after this non-such Parson had a while lain his wits a-soaking in the stinking puddle of envy and Revenge, and bent his tongue like bows for lies, he composeth a certain ill-shapen libel, as full almost as the Author of untruth and error.  
Which monster so far resembles a well-formed creature, that it runs upon two legs.  
The first whereof is to inform the world, That Tho▪ Webb is a man of excellent parts, and full of piety, an enemy to uncleanness, to blasphemy, to Parsonages, to Tithes, and whores, a man of a public spirit, of sound judgement, of great temperance, and a sufferer for righteousness sake.  
The second is, That all those that did not flatter him in his wicked and unclean ways, or did in any thing dislike his Rantings and counterfeit repentings, were unjust, cruel, tyrannical, malicious, and bloody minded men; and amongst the rest M. Stokes (being the greatest opposite to the Ranting Parson) is to be numbered amongst the worst of men, he is now a blasphemer of the highest rank, a deceiver, and what not, &c.  
upon these two legs the libel comes into the world, the father whom it resembles gives it a name, and the witnesses names being in number a hundred and four, are fastened to a silly certificate, to justify the father, that by their credit the monstrous birth may travel the commonwealth, without being questioned or dealt withal as a runagate or base born brat.   

The Name or Title is A mass of malice against Tho. Webb late Minister of Langley Burhill in the County of Wilts discovered.  
IN the Title you may note that this Parson hath often times in public and private denied that he was any Minister, yet here writes himself, Late Minister of Langley B.  
Secondly, Whilst he was possessed of a Parsonage, he said there were no Ministers in England, yet now being spewed out of the same, he prints himself, Late Minister of L. B.  
He saith of his work, It's a true relation, which indeed is most untrue, as also are those six several Heads attending the relation (though they all walk upon two legs, as before mentioned) as in the catalogue afterwards will appear.  
Then he most profanely abuseth two several Texts of Scripture, applying that which is true in David the Type, or Christ the Anti-type, unto his unclean and most graceless self.  
The first is Psalm 35. 11. False witnesses did arise up, they laid to my charge things that I knew not. He hath been charged to be a whoremaster, and he hath acknowledged himself so to be (see his Letters before) and yet here he saith in a Scripture phrase, They laid to my charge things I knew not.  
The second Scripture to support the mass of malice and the Author, is Psalm 38. 20. They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries, because I follow the thing that good is.  
It seems all those that disliked Web's wicked ways are such as render evil for good; he justifies his own actions, and by a Scripture phrase, saith they are good, and he follows the thing that good is: Surely the thing that the Parson follows is not good, unless Ranting, revelings, Whorings and counterfeit Repentings be good; these he hath followed to the heels, as the relation makes manifest: But it seems these are good, and so followed by T. W. late Minister of Langley B. and such as dislike him are his adversaries, and render evil for good. But let the mock-Parson alone to condemn all others, and trumpet out his own praises, saying, Stand further off, I am holier than thou, &c.  
The Certificate in the front of the mass of malice being so ridiculous, frivolous, and untrue, needs no more but the bare reading over by the Ingenuous man, the thing itself being but the brainless birth of a broad-brimed professor, who when he shaped it to his own liking, dealt with it as counterfeit cripples with their self-made sores (viz.) lie in the high ways and public places to move pity in the passengers to gain relief: So the professor aforesaid repairs with his scabbed Certificate into the highways, Markets and Churches; where after much beggary and baseness, above one hundred names are subscribed; the pretence is to gain the Parson another place: however, the subscribers, some of them schoolboys, deboist, swearers, covetous earthworms, drunken companions, with unknown names, to fill up the number, some Ranting professors with about three or four plainhearted men, brought in through deceit, whose names pass like Jackdaws among the Rooks; and some there were that set their names in the rear, because Mr White was in the front, and they allege they have as good reason to subscribe▪ as he and more too; yet some of all these are ashamed to see and own their fair names in the front of so filthy a monstrous mass of malice, &c.  
So much for the Title and Certificate: For the mass itself the Author will not foul so much paper to answer a fool according to his folly, nor trouble himself nor the Reader with a particular Survey and reply to all the materials of which the mass of malice is composed of.  
Wherefore you shall have first a Catalogue of divers of the most ill-shapen untruths laid down, which are the subject matter of the malicious mass.  
Secondly, You shall afterwards find replies of truth, to divers of the most notorious quondam Parsons hell-invented untruths against M. Stokes, by which you may guess at the whole mass, and perceive the depth of its Malice.   

The Catalogue of Untruths follow.  
WHat follows is a true Relation of all my sufferings; the unjust, cruel and heard dealings I received from some in authority, and such who desire to be esteemed godly. 
Untruth.   
The first beginning of my troubles was my imprisonment, never was such harsh and rigid proceedings against any offenders, &c.  
Our Justice being prejudiced against us, especially against the Gentlewoman, who had oftentimes opposed him about our Rates, he having a hundred and twenty pound per annum in our Parish, and would never pay any rate for the Parliament and Army, p. 3.  
Mr Stokes took Mistress White aside, and read to her an Information given him by Good wife Lewis, as the cause wherefore she desired a Warrant of the Peace against us, p. 4.  
He (viz.) Mr Stokes being glad of any accusation, is easily wrought upon (though it be contrary to all law and reason) to prosecute us, pag. &c.  
The Justices that day called a petty Sessions, and caused the Country to be there, though they (as before they had resolved) did nothing for the Country, pag. 5.  
The woman did tremble as she was speaking, and looked like death, p. 5.  
They (viz) the Justices could give me no answer, but would refer that matter to Judge Nicholas, p. 5.  
They were resolved, and neither Law nor Reason should alter them, though I used many rational and strong arguments with them, p. 6.  
We offered Bail, but it was denied us, p. 7.  
Lewis and his wife were then bailed for felony, upon Bail not worth 10l p. 7.  
And this the wise Justices would have had done and endeavoured for to do most unjustly and cruelly, time after time, denying me the time, p. 9  
Mr Stokes about three weeks before our trial sent me a time which proved false, p. 9  
For what they had done (viz.) Mr Stokes and M. Shute▪ they could not say any thing, for M. Ivy was gone, but they would the next morning talk with Judge Nicholas, p. 9  
Such were the threats M. Stokes followed the Officer with, pag. 10.  
M. Swanton seemed to be much troubled, saying, he admired at it, and if the business had been before him, he would have freed us, and sent Lewis and his wife to Goal, and that if we would procure the deposition he would bail us, p. 10.  
Whereupon I sent to M. Stokes for the Deposition, but he denied it me, p. 10.  
He (viz.) M. Stokes saith, M. Ivy hath the Information, when he hath it, p 11.  
And at length on purpose to keep us in Goal, sends the Deposition enclosed in a lying Information to M. Swanton, and so continues us prisoners to his lying, ignorant and malicious spirit, p. 11.  
Judge Nicholas saith, O sirrah, you know the Law, do you? you are one of Lilborns faction, you shall be banished, saith the Judge, p. 12.  
Upon this woman's accusation they had an opportunity to lash me, not for the fact so much as for Lilborns faction: You shall be banished, saith the Judge, p. 13.  
I was not suffered to speak, p. 13.  
The Judge did promise our prosecutors that we should not do any thing against them, p. 13.  
The Indictment was to this effect, p. 13.  
This amazed his Lordship, and set his blood on fire.  
He spoke to her in a very chiding, scolding manner, p. 14.  
He discovered himself to be full of malice and envy, p. 15.  
She being upon her trial, could hardly have the liberty to speak for herself, his Lordship sometimes bawling and taunting at her, saying he would go from the Bench, &c. p. 15.  
And the woman swore to the 6th of October, p. 15.  
They were intended to do what they could to deprive us of our lives, p. 15.  
This wicked woman invents an accusation against the Gentlewoman and myself, which had its countenance from the Justices, 
Untruth.  p. 17.  
Reason was a stranger in the Court at that time, and there were not ears to hear peace for justice, p 17.  
I desire liberty to speak but none was granted, and whenever I desired it the Judge held out his stick as if he would have struck me, p. 17.  
The Judge encouraged my adversaries to speak, by his putting words into their mouths, and interpreting what they said, to his own and worst sense, p. 18.  
M. Stokes fearing that he should miss of his ends (viz.) my death, 〈◊〉 the whole series of his actions tended to, p 18.  
His Oath was returned to him with abundance of disgrace, for M. bailiff solemnly took his Oath, that he told him no such thing, pag. 18.  
He then produced two Letters, pretending they were my acknowledgement of the fact, p. 18.  
They held forth no such thing as a Confession.  
The whole story of M. bailiffs Deposition, p. 19 A most notorious untruth made by T. W. never spoken by M. B. in Court.  
M. Stokes (saith the libeler) was so impudent as to swear falsely in the Court to take away our lives which he thirsted after, p. 19  
M. Stokes (saith Web's mass of malice) thinking to get himself a good name, endeavours to take it out of our Ashes; and rather than he will miss of his aims, he will swear falsely in open Court.  
But he respects neither Law nor Gospel, but is a blasphemer and contemner of both, p. 20.  
Perfect malice and envy leads him to another design (saith the Ranting Parson) for to take away my means, which after much injustice and gross abuse acted towards me, he hath obtained.  
The wrong and injury done to me was very great, not only in taking away my means, but rendering me under a most foul and unclean vizard, p. 20.  
So an honest man, one M. Richard Wick supplied my place in my absence, p. 21.  
So M. Pinell parted and looked after the business no further, though very much solicited thereto by M. Stokes, p. 21.  
But M. Stokes he sends to a solicitor that attends the Committee, p. 21.  
M. Stokes being troubled in his mind that nothing was done against me, p. 22.  
Which two Orders were not then created, nor was there any such thing as an Order, p. 22.  
He summons me to appear before the Commissioners, p. 22.  
M. Stokes returns me this answer, that he had sent up the body of another Charge against me, p. 4.  
He will have this Massey, and sent his Letter for him, as it was proved to his face the 22. of September last.  
Great preparation was made by M. Stokes, &c. for a Petition to the Committee for Massey.  
What was acted by these men (viz.) M. Stokes and M. Shute (saith the libeler) not knowledge, nor any interest in the thing, but impudent malice, p. 46.  
Sr Edward Baynton and his faction caused them to be disbanded, p. 50.  
Their sending me the Warrant without either Charge or Order, bewrayed in them abundance of ignorance or malice.  
So about ten days after, when M. Stokes his partner Cha● Aland and Massey had hatched a Charge, than it was sent to me, p. 51.  
The great grounds of exception, pag. 52. are printed contrary to the original Copy.  
Wherein falsely they informed that I contemned the Committees Order, p. 53.  
But M. Wiliington told me what I had done, questioned the Authority of that Committee, p. 53.  
The Articles intended to be examined, were not those exhibited before the Committee, p. 53.  
The libeler intimates, pag. 54. That M. Stokes did carry up the Examination against him to the Committee, and solicited for a poor slipshood-Parson, p. 54.  
Truly mine eyes have seen him do such horrid acts of blasphemy (saith the libeler) of the highest nature as ever I heard related to be done by any, p. 54▪  
He is become (viz) a mere dissembler with God and man.  
He is a public mocker, jeerer and derider of all public worship, and fell down upon his knees to a mock-prayer, and made the same a subject of mirth, pag. 54.  
M. Stokes and myself, with two or three more, lay at the Boars-head in Salisbury, p. 55.  
And came to bed with very blasphemous words in his mouth, pag. 55.  
Finding a bottle he filled it with his Urine and set it by his Filth.  
He used the gesture of kneeling.  
And expressed himself in this abominable and blasphemous language to me, (viz.)  
That I should kneel down and partake the Communion.  
Saith he, pointing to his dung, Here is the body of Christ.  
Pointing to his urine, saith he, Here is the blood of Christ.  
To every cup of Sack or Bear, he would make a mock of the Lord's Supper.  
He would teach me to make a spiritual face, p. 55.  
They cannot away to hear of love and good works, p. 56.  
I might insert many other acts of his blasphemy (as true as the rest,) p. 56.  
Well, saith the Libellous Parson, I may diminish, but indeed I have not added any thing to them.  
Nakedly as they came from him I have here inserted them.  
I might insert (saith he) his (viz.) M. Stokes, his pocketing up of 4l which were collected of the honest party in my Church.  
He issued out his Warrants for the raising of him money to buy him Trumpets and Banners, p. 56.  
I was not suffered to give in my Answer, saith the Parson, in any fair, even and just way, p. 57  
In the 57 pag. he hath set down the Articles of profaneness and scandal against himself falsely.  
In the same page he belies M Stokes concerning his Deposition to the first Article.  
Being earnestly desired (saith he) by M. White (and the Parish) I accepted. Q. Is not M. White and the Parish beholding to T. W? Answer, M. White is, having raised his fortunes and saved his tithe by this acceptation, p. 58.  
He saith M. Stokes and M. Martin were both satisfied that the right lay in M. White and not in the Committee, p. 58.  
The people with one consent cried, A Webb a Webb.  
Until it was within this half year, M. Stokes looked upon me as their Minister, and hath often pressed me to take tithes.  
He saith M. Stokes hath sevenscore pounds a year land in our Parish, (viz.) Langley, as true as the rest, he hath but 30l per annum there, during his father's life, p. 59  
Truly (saith the Parson that cannot speak truth) such is the enmity of my spirit against the evil of uncleanness, that I should be never given over to commit, much less to glory in it, p. 60.  
She (meaning Good wife Lewis) M. Stokes sent his Warrant to come against me, p. 61.  
This last clause struck the nail on the head before the Committee, p. 62.  
At that time M. Stokes and I were a little intimate, p. 62.  
And in this late time of danger engaged myself, p. 62.  
I hope (saith Webb) its because they knew themselves guilty of having dealt very unjustly by me, which is all that ever I said of them, p. 63.  
The following certificate which is from the most knowingest and godliest Christians, pag. 63.  
The Justices most knowingest Christians are such who will swear and speak most falsely, p. 63.  
Their own consciences do acquit me, p. 64.  
All the honest party the whole Country throughout will clear me, saith Parson Webb, p. 64.  
They have sought to take away my life, p. 65.  
Here you have the true Relation of my Case, p. 65.  
The unjust (saith the unclean Parson) and harsh dealing I have received from the Justices was the cause of the great Odium cast upon me, p. 65.  
Truly this was the plot even to send me to the Goal, and thereby cast a cloud of filth over me, p. 65.  
I acted amongst many of the Country for the bringing of him, (viz.) Geo. Ivy Esq. to an account for his Malignancy, p. 65.  
He is not a fit man (meaning Mr Shute) to act in any public employment, p. 65.  
Of M. Stokes he saith he knows that the woman who was my accuser, hath to myself and others, charged him with many things of the same nature, p. 66.  
When danger was eminent, he laid down his Commission, p. 66.  
When he was made Justice for the Peace he faces about, p. 67.  
When these worthy Gent. Lieut. Col. Lilborn, M. Walwin and the rest were put into the Tower, 
Untruth.  he towered up his just principle also, and arraigned them and their wellwishers at the tyrannical and usurping bar of his Justiceship.  
He hath expressed himself bitterly against them, p. 67.  
Often saying that he would give 200l to have me taken out of the way, p. 67.  
He hath always envied the happiness and prosperity of the Gentlewoman, p. 67.  
He caused the salt of M. White's, to be taken away, p. 67.  
He persuades her (viz.) Mistress White to sell a parcel of Plate; She left the sale to him, could never have any account, only received eight pounds, p. 67.  
Many writings of consequence was put into his custody, but not since to be found, p. 67.  
His envy is against the estate and the gentlewoman's prosperity, and therefore he will do what he can to destroy it, p. 68  
Of all things written and related by this notorious Libellous Parson, he saith though it be large yet its all true.  
In the Catalogue aforegoing, you have the most part of those scandalous and slanderous untruths, as they lay in Order in Tho. Webs disorderly mass of malice: In which he hath (as he thinks) justified himself, and sufficiently bespattered with his black mock-Parson mouth both Judge and Justices, especially M. Stokes, on him he hath vomited all his own shame, contracted with the long enjoyment of a fat Parsonage and a fine Concubine.  
That it may the more clearly appear that the said Catalogue is a bundle of notorious untruths: some few of them, and they the most gross (against M. Stokes) are answered; by which the Reader may see of what mettle the rest are made.  
In the 53. pag. of his mass of malice, he confesseth that he is ejected the place (viz.) the Parsonage of Langley B. and in the 20. pag. he attributes the ejectment to M. Stokes, as you may see in the 51 untruth in the Catalogue before.  
Wherefore it is very necessary that M. Stokes should be required and rewarded for so good a work, and the Parson scorns to be ungrateful; and therefore not as a bribe before hand, but as a gratuity afterward, he brings out of his learned Treasury (viz.) his most unchristian and Parson-like heart, a whole mass of malice, and lays, through his pastoral charity, the greatest mess of the said mass on M. Stokes his Trencher.  
And therefore in the 54 page, he begins afresh, as a Parson recovering breath to complete his mass of malice, with a Truly, truly, saith he, my eyes have seen him do such horrid acts of blasphemy of the highest nature, as ever I heard related to be done by any; nay I never heard of the like acted by any, whether Atheists, Pagans or Infidels.  
Answer, How or when could the Parson see with his eyes such horrid acts of blasphemy, and not with his tongue reprove nor admonish the offender? surely no conclusion can be gathered from hence but this, either he believes his own eyes, or else was a party in those acts, for silence gives consent.  
Honest Parsons or true Christians, having the least part of grace remaining in the heart, would have used other means or ways to bring a blasphemer to the sight of his evil, then publish the same in a Libellous Pamphlet two years after the fact, yet before any other admonition, you may easily conclude 'tis published in a mass of malice.  
That M. Stokes is such a man, or guilty of such high crimes, must be proved by more persons, and those of better repute than the quondam Parson of Langley, and registered in a better record, and more true than Web's mass of malice, otherwise none but vain and light creatures will credit the report.  
M. Stokes affirms that he hath had no familiarity with Webb for four years' last passed ended in July 1652. And therefore if his eyes have seen M. Stokes do such horrid acts of blasphemy, either a Parsonage or a blasphemous principle hung in the parson's light that he could never see to speak of it, but conceal it till he brought forth his mass of malice.  
The very reason the Parson urgeth why he concealed it till now, will clear up the innocency of M. Stokes: the tender respects, saith he, I did owe to him, because he carried a fair correspondency with honest people, hath made me hitherto to conceal the same. (Mark) would not any man of reason think that there was reason enough for the Parson to endeavour to convince M. Stokes of his error, as the Scriptures direct? and if M. Stokes had refused his admonition, he might have published the evil to the honest party, towards whom he carried a fair correspondency, and those honest men might have assisted the Parson in so good a work; but surely the Parson was ignorant of his duty, otherwise he never saw those horrid acts of blasphemy, nor ever thought of them till he had sat upon, and almost hatched his mass of malice.  
But to come to some particulars he saith in the aforesaid 54 page of M. Stokes.  
In the first place he is a public mocker, jeerer and derider of all public worship.  
Answer, M. Stokes his daily practice both in public and private acquits him of this slander.  
The consciences of his greatest opposites, even Webb and divers more of the Ranting crew, will free him now in private, and shall at the last and great account, publicly confess that this charge proceeded from the brains and bowels of a discontented Parson, who having lost a good name and a fat Parsonage, behaves himself as a Bear that is robbed of her whelps.  
Yet M. Stokes confesseth that he hath been addicted to laughing and jeering at false and formal worshippers, both Papists and common Protestants, who make ignorance the mother of devotion, and worship an unknown God, or the true God after a manner not prescribed in God's word.  
Moreover he confesseth that he hath privately and publicly jeered those that Preach and Pray, and profess to, for to gain good names, fat Parsonages, and handsome women for wives and whores, that makes merchandise of the word of God, that serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly; and this Tho. Webb knows, whose works praise him in the gate.  
M. Stokes (who before the Lord acknowledgeth that he is less than the least of all God's mercies) affirms, that he hath a most honourable account and high esteem of all God's Ordinances, of all true worship and worshippers, and withal believes that Marriage itself is an Ordinance in force, honourable amongst all, and the bed undefiled; which the accuser believes not, nor yet the Commandment which saith, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife.  
The Parson gives one instance to prove M. Stokes such a public mocker, but it's as solid as the Parson is learned, (viz.) that M. Stokes, Captain Matraners and himself were all three in London about two years ago, and lying (liars had need of good memories) in the blue Boars-head in King-street, the morning we were to come out of town, M. Stokes fell down upon his knees to a mock-prayer in Westminster Abby.  
Answer, M. Stokes affirms that to his best remembrance he was never in London with Webb and Treavers together, but confesseth that about four years since he was in Westminster with the said parties. There is a sign of a blue Boars-head in Kingstreet, at which house all the parties lay, but surely the Boars-head is neither so large nor so hollow as to lodge three persons within its own bulk; yet the Parson affirms we were all being in London, and lying at the blue Boars-head in Kingstreet.  
As for the mock prayer, M. Stokes understands not what the Parson means, yet when he shall print a right time, and also a Copy of the mock-prayer, M. Stokes will be so ingenuous to confess his errors and miscarriages in public worship; yet that either then, or at any other time any thought, word or action passed M. Stokes with an intent to make a mock of that holy Ordinance of prayer, or any other public worship, is the highest untruth and scandal as ever Satan by any of his instruments (whether spiritual) or lay Parson charged upon any creature that expected salvation by Jesus Christ.  
M. Stokes knoweth that all prayer not acted by faith, is mock-prayer; and he believes that the saying of David is true, (viz.) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear my prayer: To allow one's self in the practice of any known sin, and to come before the Lord in daily prayer, is mock-prayer.  
It's much to be feared that the Libertine Parson Webb is well acquainted with mock-prayer. Reason 1. He hath both Preached and Prayed to get and keep a Parsonage. 2. By his own confession he lived in the vile sin of uncleanness a long time together, and yet in that time constantly Preached and prayed in the public Congregation: Quere, Whether those prayers were not mock-prayers? 3. He hath confessed that he hath not had the assistance of the Spirit, as in former times, and yet he kept his appointed hours of prayer in the public Congregation; Q. Were not these mock-prayers? yet all these are left out, and one pretended mock-prayer by a mock-Parson in his mass of malice fastened upon M. Stokes, &c.  
Yet the Parson saith not that M. Stokes made a mock-prayer, but fell down on his knees to a mock-prayer; so whether he means the prayer of the Minister, or the gesture of kneeling, or the pillar to which he kneeled, he is desired to demonstrate what he means when he wipes his eyes with his mass of malice, or makes an addition to that learned libel.  
In the second place he forms a most Execrable blasphemy in the mass of malice, p. 55. concerning the Lord's Supper, not to be thought of, much less named amongst the Christians; and endeavours to fasten that also upon M. Stokes, and this he saith was committed at Salisbury, at the Boars-head, there after the time before mentioned, which was about two years since.  
M. Stokes affirms that he was not with the said Webb at Salisbury at that time, nor at any time since, except when he was upon his trial for Adultery at Lent assizes, 1650.  
M. Stokes affirms that he never lay at the Boars-head in Salisbury by himself, with the said Parson, nor with any other person, and that he knoweth no such sign; moreover he affirms that if he can be disproved in either of these answers, he is contented to be branded with the blackest mark of infamy that ever was due to a blasphemer.  
M. Stokes believes, that were himself (or any) guilty of so horrid and most accursed actions, God is so just and jealous of his own glory, that as great plagues and furies would pursue the offender, as befell Julian, Judas or Spira.  
M. Stokes affirms the whole story of the blasphemy, as penned and published by Webb, is of the libelers own invention, and never had a being, but in Tho. Webs brain or practice till, it came from thence to fill up his mass of malice against M. Stokes.  
M. Stokes believes the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to be of Divine Institution, and of great use to all believers at this day, he cannot justify himself, but must confess that he hath sinned against the Lord in the use and neglect of his holy Ordinances, but to speak or to act any thing by way of derision or derogation to any one of them (even those that are now abolished) is that which his soul abhorreth and trembleth to think of.  
The ridiculous author of the mass of malice, hath divers times in public and private, preached and disputed, That believers into whom Christ or the Spirit is come, are no longer to use the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper, for which learned conceit of his, M. Stokes confesseth that he hath grossly jeered the said Parson, but abborreth the thought of under valuing, much more of blaspheming that body and blood by which only he expects eternal salvation.  
Yet M. Stokes is beholding to the Christian moel-Parson, not for creating a most cursed and detestable blasphemy and fastening it upon him, but for weakening his own evidence, giving himself the lie, and clearing the accused, for so he doth in the 20th line of the aforesaid 55. pag. in these words, Blasphemy that I never heard in my life. If he had said That he had never heard the like in his life, or never heard before, it might have been otherwise understood: But to conclude, after he hath filled up with most accursed circumstance a self-invented blasphemy, he clearly acquits the accused, and saith, blasphemy that I never heard in my life. Lord how good thou art? this is thy hand and thy doing ay Thou hast made the Author of the mass of malice to acquit the innocent, in the midst of his fierce and foul Charge, To thy name be all the glory.  
The Libidinous Parson saith himself, That he made no words of the business till now, concealing it till now from all people, wherefore if M. Stokes were guilty, must not the Parson be as far forth guiltty as himself; Is a man of his Coat and Calling to conceal a blasphemy of that nature, without check to the blasphemer or complaint to the Magistrate for two years together? but it seems the blasphemy, as great as it is, had never been contrived nor revealed, had not this spiritual Parson fallen into travel with, and longed to be delivered of a monstrous mass of malice: And therefore who will not conclude that this blasphemous bastard (being as ugly and deformed as the fellow-creatures could make it) had the corrupt brains of Parson Webb for its womb, and the father of lies for its midwife, who brought it forth, and wrapped it up in a mass of malice, and then deal with it as petty whores with their poor bastards (viz.) give them suck and lay them at other folk's doors.  
But the peremptory Parson is a man of reason, and therefore is not without reason for the concealment of the said blasphemy, yet the unreasonableness of the reasons will acquit M. Stokes.  
His first reason is because we were there met, and about the affairs of the Country.  
Answer, The meeting about the affairs of the Country could not prevent a zealous Christian, much less so eminent a Parish Parson as Tho. Webb (who is none of the shame fast Parsons) from a dislike, or a check to so gross an evil in his companion.  
Must the affairs of the Country be a sufficient ground to exempt a man (when he is employed therein) to set him scot-free from the check or control of reverend grave Divines, though he commit the highest crime against the Lord of life and glory. Surely Parson Webb is no Minister of the Lord's making, that prefers the public employments and Country affairs, above the glory of Jesus Christ the great Bishop and Shepherd of our souls.  
M. Stokes believes that the Commonwealth of England, is not so barren of good men, that its affairs must be managed by blasphemers, and they never told of their evils neither, until such time as a little malice be grown into a mass, but from such blasphemers, and such parson's good Lord deliver the Commonwealth of England.  
But Parson Web's second reason is, He was well thought of, and therefore, saith he, I concealed it till now from all people.  
So long as a man is well thought of, he may commit any sin or blasphemy whatsoever, without check or reproof; surely if this spiritual man had not been mad, he would never insert this reason so void of all understanding.  
The Reader may easily see day light through this little hole: 'tis no matter how much a man blasphemes, nor what sins he becomes guilty of so long as he is well thought of amongst the Ranting crew, called amongst themselves the honest party: let a man be friendly to these, and let them alone with their carnal lusts and spiritual livings, (viz. Parsonages) and all shall be well; but cross them in either, they will load you with their own actions, and lay upon you a a mass of malicious filth.  
M. Stokes believes he is as well thought off in his Country amongst all sorts of people (Ranters only excepted) as ever: yet he desires rather to be good, then to be accounted so; he values not the praises of men, yet loves a good name, which no sort of people, high or low, rich or poor, nor Cavalier nor Roundhead, nor Presbyterian nor independent, ever sought to rob him of; till the famous malevolent Parson Tho. Webb and his fellow-creatures (whose tongues and pens are no slander) undertook the charge of the work in a mass of malice, and this M. Stokes accounts as an addition to his good name and honour (viz.) to be evil spoken of by the generation of Ranters; whose wicked ways and practices are an abhorring to his soul, which the mock-Parson knoweth to the grief of his profane heart.  
The next material thing the Parson chargeth M. Stokes withal, follows in the same pag. 55.  
I having taught (saith he) one Lord's day from the words of St James, Be ye holy in all manner of conversation. And showing how a Christian ought in all his actions to set a strict Watch over himself, and see that he imitate the divine life: And M. Stokes being present after I had ended my discourse, and going out of the Church, he asked me why I meddled with such stuff as that was, &c.  
Answer, This knowing arrogant Parson you may perceive is so well read in the new Testament, that he quotes St James for St Peter, for the Text is, 1 Pet. 1 15. But his employment is so great, and his travel so hard to bring forth a mass of malice, that for hast he robs S. Peter, and belies S. James.  
M. Stokes affirms that the doctrines as they are now set down in the mass of malice, (as Christian watchfulness and imitation of the divine life) are excellent doctrines most profitable to believers: but neither the one nor the other were ever preached by Parson Webb in M. Stokes his hearing, and disliked of by him, neither did the Parson ever Preach upon that Scripture, as M. Stokes remembreth.  
Yet M. Stokes confesseth that about four years since he heard the said Parson preach in the Parish Church of Largley a very unprofitable Sermon, without any life, power, or appearance of the spirit of God, showing the Auditory how much and how often they should eat and drink; when he ought rather to show that that which enters into the body defileth not, but that from the heart proceeds murders, adulteries and the like, and to have endeavoured to have made clean the inside of the cup and platter, for till the heart be cleansed and purified through the presence of the Spirit of Christ, there can be no Christian watchfulness, nor imitation of a divine life: These with all observations of meats and drinks perish with the using, and are bodily exercises which profit little; and this way of preaching by Tho. Webb was friendly reproved by M. Stokes, who then seemed to take it well, and a little after confessed to M. Stokes that he had not the assistance of the Spirit of God in his preaching, as formerly, but now this reproof is become a crime to make up the mass of Malice.  
M. Stokes disliking the preaching of Parson Webb, acquaints him with it presently, which argued love and friendship in him.  
But this Parson conceals all Mr Stokes his errors and miscarriages, as he saith, till now, that is, till he brought forth that worthy work, the mass of malice; in which he is so far from mentioning of real errors, that he endeavours to fasten upon him many most notorious untruths of his own devising and invention.  
If M. Stokes had not been a lover of good works, and the Parson an enemy thereunto, both parties had continued lovers and friends to this day: Yet the Author of the mass of malice justifies himself, and condemns M. Stokes to be an enemy to sound doctrine and good life, hoping thereby to recover his lost credit, and render himself a most rare and singular Parson.  
In the next place the famous Parson in the 56. page of his mass of malice, saith, I might insert many other notorious acts of his blasphemy.  
M. Stokes believes the malcontented Parson to be a man of a quick invention, nimble wit, and ready pen, and therefore wonders why he behaves himself like a Preacher, that having ended his matter with his hourglass, saith, I might insist upon these and these particulars, when poor soul he hath not a word to say more; so this man at first mentions many acts of blasphemy, insists upon one, and then saith, I might insert many more; and who knows not but that he might, had not his charity prevented, or his invention failed in raising so famous a structure as the mass of malice?  
M. Stokes is not offended with this Parson for revealing or concealing any thing concerning him, nor for creating blasphemies, or other crimes in a mass of malice to lay upon him; he well knows that the Parson and all the fellow-creatures are acted by a power irresistible, which makes them to say and swear any thing against those that hate their Ranting practices and blasphemous unclean ways: yet M. Stokes cannot own Parson Web's base born brats, but must leave them to their ghostly father, who is most pure in his own eyes.  
M. Stokes (though a great sinner before the Lord) challengeth Parson Tho, Webb and all others of his envenomed generation, fellow-creatures, male and female; whether Ranters in judgement or practice, or both; to invent, say, swear, write, print, publish, whatsoever they know, think or can imagine against him, which may tend to his dishonour or disgrace; for he is resolved to defy the devil and all his works; knowing that it is God that justifies, and therefore accounts it his greatest honour to be evil spoken of by that generation.  
Furthermore in the same 56. page he saith, what I have asserted is enough, and is no more than what is truth in every particular of it.  
Who seeth not that Tho. Webb is satisfied with his mass of malice▪ and that one of many acts of blasphemy is enough to record at this time? What I have asserted saith he, is enough to discover what the man is: So that the Reader is to take it for granted, that the Parson is very sparing and loath to speak his whole knowledge; yet fearing his assertion will not be believed, he saith, 'tis all true: So that you must understand that the parson's doings are all righteous, and his sayings all true, so that his word must pass without check or doubt. All Parson Web's scandals and self-intended blasphemies, reviling censures and reproaches are all true, you are not to question them, because Thomas Webb is Author of them, which M. Stokes knoweth to be true.  
But to fasten a belief in his Reader, he is fain to use all his ecclesiastical understanding at once; for, thinks the reverend churchman, if this be not believed against M Stokes, all my labour is vain, and my mass of malice will not be regarded nor had in esteem amongst those that are adverse to the Ranting rout; and therefore having wiped his beard, and set his countenance, he devoutly and demurely imitates the whores and bawds, when they act the part of grave Matrons and honest women: or deceitful Shopkeepers, who with a truly put off their Tarnisht wares; so the hypocritical Parson, to make men believe his lies, saith, To imprecate and make protestations is not my usual manner of speaking; for truly, saith he, I approve not of any such thing, but according to my manner of speaking, which is as I am taught by the Scripture, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; in very truth all these things are true.  
So that you may believe him, for all his untruths are uttered by Divine right by the excellent Parson, and fastened in a Scripture phrase upon Mr Stokes, who doubts not but the Parson can prove the legality of his uncleanness and blasphemous ways by the Scripture; he can gain Parsonages, Marry, baptise and Bury persons, live disorderly in his Whoring, Ranting, reproaching and reviling at any who please him not; and confirm himself and his deluded followers by a Scripture phrase, Believe him you that list.  
You may see his manner of speaking in his letters before mentioned that he loves neither imprecations nor protestations; but withal you will conclude, that he that cannot speak truth of himself, nor well of his fellow-creatures, can much less speak well of Mr Stokes, though as he pretends he makes conscience of a manner of speaking which he hath learned in Scripture. So Satan and all his false prophets set forth their untruths in a Scripture language, not out of love to truth or Scripture, but to obtain their own cursed ends (viz) ruin to the souls, bodies or good names of those that fear the Lord, and hate their hypocritical and lascivious ways, otherwise this Parson would have learned and practised other lessons out of the Scriptures than those he makes use of to make up his mass of malice.  
But the Parson proceeds in his charitable way of concealment, of M. Stokes his errors or blasphemies, but yet makes them public, and saith in the same page, I might insert his pocketing up of four pounds, collected of the honest party in my Church, for to defray the charges of our Bristol friends in carrying up a Petition to London.  
Mr Stokes might answer that this slander which the quondam Parson might insert, is as true as the rest which he hath inserted, which are all as like the father, since he hath given himself over to commit uncleanness with greediness, and hath followed the spirit of error as ever they can look.  
Mr Stokes knows not what the learned Parson in wickedness means by his Church, in which he saith the four pound was collected, unless it be the Parish-Church of Langley Burhill: if so, Mr Stokes affirms that in Parson Web's Church he never received a penny for any such use as he mentions in his mass of malice.  
M. Stokes acknowledgeth that in the year 1647. on a Lord's day, after evening Sermon, there was a collection of moneys in the Parsonage house of Langley. And further M. Stokes affirms that he received the moneys there collected to the use aforesaid, which amounted to the just sum of 29t— 11d and no more, as the note yet remaining will demonstrate, who paid it in the particulars, and how much the sum is in gross, which is just 29●— 11d, towards which sum the accountant Parson Webb paid not one farthing. Now 25s M. Stokes paid of the said sum to one William Coller appointed to receive the same; so that the whole sum M. Stokes stands charged withal is 4s— 11d, which the Parson hath screwed to 4l, the better to build a mass of malice.  
This very Parson when he saw that for his high crimes and misdemeanours, he was outed of his Parsonage; within a few days after writ letters to his fellow-creatures in the Country; and among the rest one to M. B. row in the custody of M. Stokes, where he tells of his ejectment, and promiseth to print against Mr Stokes the very particulars now published in his mass of malice, in which he chargeth M. Stokes with 3I, but in the mass of his malice hath stretched it to 4l as you have seen before.  
M. Stokes affirms that the payment of the twenty five shillings before mentioned to W. Coller, according to order, was a work of supererogation in him, and that he might justly have retained it in his own hands to this day, and given a good account thereof to a wiser man than Parson Webb, whom it principally concerned, for it no way concerned him, but to fill up his mass of malice.  
Another blasphemy or crime (which the Parson pleaseth) is the pocketing up of twenty pound to buy Trumpets and Banners, 
mass.  this was paid he said by the Committee of Wilts about two years ago to M. Stokes.  
Answer, M. Stokes affirms, that (that not about two years ago, but) in the year 1648. against Duke Hambletons' Invasion, the Committee of Wilts assigned to M. Stokes and others, then in command, 20ls to each Captain to defray their extraordinary charges, and to provide themselves with necessaries fit for War. And further M. Stokes confesseth, that after the whole service was over, the Cavaliers everywhere beaten, and the L. general Cromwell, with part of the Army in Scotland, then M. Stokes received the 20ls, and about 7 or 8l more at several times, which was all the money of the commonwealths that he ever received for the service, in which he spent a far greater sum, continuing the command from the beginning of June, until about November, 1648. 'Tis believed that if Parson Webb had gained no more by Preaching and practising, then M. Stokes hath by the late troubles, by his chargeable Offices and employments, all along the War, he could never have been so much given up to pride and covetousness.  
'Tis manifest to the whole Country, that for 10 years' space M. Stokes hath spent his time in the service of the Commonwealth, which hath proved a great burden to him, in respect of his Estate, which is but small: That he hath spent and lost much in the time of his banishment from his estate and public employment, and yet never sought any place of advantage or profit in the Nation, nor ever sought after Honour, except it were to be faithful to his own conscience and the Commonwealths Cause, the prosperity whereof is all the praise or reward Master Stokes expects.  
Where is the man that can stand forth and truly say, M. Stokes, you did me injury in the war, you eat my meat and paid not for it, you rode my horse, you received a bribe, you have enriched yourself by these wars, you were cruel when in place of trust and Honour, you were covetous to cheat or cozen the Country or Commonwealth; you sought great things for yourself, you have solicited a Parliament man, a Member of the council of State, or Officer of the Army to assist you in the gaining an Office, or Honour, or Profit, which you spent on your lusts: let such a man stand forth and make the challenge, and M. Stokes will be his bondman for ever.  
But the Parish-Parson, as lawless as a Parish-Bull may bellow forth his black charge, and roar out his mass of malice, and say all manner of evil against M. Stokes, right or wrong. Oh excellent Parson!  
And therefore in the next place he tells the Reader that M. Stokes issues out his Warrants for the raising of him money to buy Trumpets and Banners for the Troop. An aspersion so false and silly, that none but Ranters have the boldness or impudence to affirm, or weakness to believe: All the Commissioners in the whole County, all the Constables, petty Constables, and Tithing-men; and all that pay a penny towards the public Charge of the Nation, will readily and cheerfully tell the Parson, that this is an untruth: But fit enough for his mass of malice.  
The last thing M. Stokes takes notice of amongst all the quondam parson's aspersions is,  
That M. Stokes upon his marriage, and when danger was eminent, he laid down his Commission, and left the Troop without a Commander.  
A most manifest untruth, The whole work of the Nation was over; the Scots and English Cavaliers wholly ruined and broken: And further M. Stokes continued the command six or eight weeks after he had Orders to disband, as the Committee of Wilts can testify, whose Orders and Letters yet remain to manifest the contrary.  
The Charge of the Command being insupportable to M. Stokes, and the work for which they were raised being over; having also many occasions of his own, requiring his attendance, he only took leave of the Troop, and left it to be commanded by his then Lieutenant, Cap. Henry Aland, who continued it by Order of State for the Irish service, where he is at this day.  
Let it be considered by any person, not Ranting ripe, what need there was of a County-Troop in November 1648. unless to eat up the poor Country with freequarter (for no pay was then to be had) and to pull the curse of the needy upon M. Stokes. Yet saith this State mock-Parson, when danger was eminent M. Stokes laid down his Commission. That mass must needs be great that's made up with such abominable and malicious untruths, invented and brought to the work by an opprobious Parson in his luxurious and malevolent humour.  
And that all the world may see that not only an unclean, but also a lying spirit was the Author of the mass of malice; here is inserted the Committees Order for Disbanding the said Troop.   

At the Committee of Parliament, for the said County, the 22. of Septemb. Anno 1948.  
THat all the Horse that are now in pay under several Captains in this County, 
Wilts.  and those under any other Command, 
Ord.  be this day disbanded, and forthwith paid for what service they have lately done in this County, and this day; and that only Thirty be continued under the Command of Cornet Anthony Yardly, and that those Thirty men which are to be continued are to be approved by this Committee.  
A true Copy Examined by Jonath. Hill, Clerk to the said Committee.   

These are the most principal calumnies and foul aspersions that the Parson hath attributed to M. Stokes, which are most faithfully answered and retorted: There are many more, but so ridiculous as not worth a reply.  
But let the Reader take them together, and consider with himself these particulars: 1. If M. Stokes were guilty of such foul crimes, How comes it to pass that Webb in all his angry and reproachful letters, never mentioned a word to M. Stokes of any one of them.  
When he feigns a repentance, and by his own letters confessed his abominations to M. Stokes; it's as clear as the sun, that he then did not take M. Stokes to be the man as he hath set him out to be in the mass of malice, the letters being of a later date than these pretended crimes; neither is it likely that he would make a blasphemer his Confessor.  
His own expressions in his own letters to M. Stokes, clear him: besides those before mentioned in this Narrative there are many other in M. Stokes his hand, which discover to the world, that he is not such an offender, save in Web's mass of malice: Amongst divers take notice of this one of the 3d of Aug. 1650. which is after the time wherein the blasphemy and crimes are said to be committed in the mass of malice.   

Sweet Sir,  
I Ever took you to be a cordial and a true friend to the Saints and truth of Christ, and therefore I profess to you unfeignedly from my heart, that exceedingly I love you and tender you, and could I but assure myself that you would receive me with the same sweetness of spirit as formerly, and with the spirit of meekness restore me, wherein I am fallen. Oh how glad would my heart be to see you! While you were at London I longed for your coming home▪ because to you I would unbosom myself, but I was cast off by you to my great grief and sorrow, &c.  
Now Reader, if Parson Webb in Aug. 1650. took M. Stokes to be a cordial and a true friend to the Saints and truth of Christ how can he justly charge M. Stokes as in his mass of malice, with such abhorred crimes of an elder date.  
Neither can it be imagined that he would have unbosom himself to a blasphemer, deceiver, &c.  
So M. Stokes is acquitted by his accuser before the accusation received any being.  
Let it be considered, whether Webb had not better thoughts of M. Stokes but a very little time before his trial; for about the time Lieutenant Gen. Ludlow went into Ireland, the said Webb being then in Goal, drew with his own hand a Petition to the Parliament, that Edw. Stokes Esq. might command the Regiment of Horse for Wilts, in the place and absence of Col. Ludlow, and this Petition he promoted by his Agents then at liberty, until M. Stokes himself put a period to that design. Quaere, Whether then he took M. Stokes to be the man as now he hath printed him to be in his mass of malice. Yet the crimes charged are of a far elder date by his own account.  
But besides all this M. Stokes is acquitted in his own conscience, which is better to him then 10000 witnesses, and therefore can boldly say, Who art thou that condemnest? it is God that justifies, who will clear up the innocency of his servants, and find out (to their shame) all such as make lies their refuge, and become false accusers of others, as the ridiculous Author of the mass of malice hath done; who having made himself drunk with the much bibing at the Ranting cup, behaves himself like a mad Bedlam, striking those that are next him. In his repentings you have seen him striking and wounding his own dear fellow-creatures, charging them through and through, with malice and wickedness. And so soon as he is reconciled to them, he Raves and Rants like a most furious frantic, against all other that could not dandle or flatter him in his wicked and unclean ways; So that the Parliament itself, the Committee of plundered Ministers, the Judge, and the Justices of Peace for the County of Wilts, amongst which M. Stokes acknowledgeth he is not worthy to be named; these are the object of Web's mass of malice, and are more or less abused by the filthy libel so called.  
And well may the mock-Parson charge M. Stokes with blasphemy, in his mass of malice, being himself a blasphemer upon public Record; All delinquents delight to fasten their own titles and actions upon the most innocent persons; so the delinquent Parson having been discovered and convicted to be a blasphemer, he gives away his own title, and imputes his own abhorred actions to M. Stokes.  
That the said Parson is a blasphemer himself, 
T. W. his blasphemy upon Record.  you shall find upon diligent inquiry, that he stood charged about the year 1644. before the than house of Lords, to be a Blasphemer, one that had delivered many blasphemous principles to the people; whereupon he was by the said House committed, and stood so for some time; yet afterwards he pretended a repentance of those errors, subscribing a form of Recantation with his own hand, and afterwards gave thanks to a Minister of the Assembly, for being a means to draw him off from those errors; and blessed God for his mercies to him, for he was in the ready way (as he said) to Atheism, and many of his companions in those opinions were turned Atheists. Notwithstanding all this he both preached and practised as before, holding forth many things against the glory and truth of Jesus Christ and Scripture; and not long after came into Wilts, as transformed into an Angel of Light, upon which stage he hath acted the Ranting part, as is before expressed.  
The last thing concerning Tho. 
T. W. his late progress into, and return from Wilts.  Webb the Author of the mass of malice, is this, he comes lately (viz) about March last into Wilts, to visit the honest party, and disperse his malicious mass. Well, he visits his friends, and amongst the rest (to colour the business) he gives his poor wife a visit, only by way of compliment, but durst neither to stay with her, nor in any wise to keep her company, as men usually do, &c. but hastens away to visit his man-wife J. O. and others; so to Langley he comes, where he was received with all alacrity amongst his honest party, where divers met, to whom he declared that he lately Preached upon that Text, The spiritual man is mad, and now resolved to dissemble no more (viz.) never to receive Parsonage, nor Preach more, nor yet to conceal his principles from the world, as he had done: But being asked by one, what he would do if his Mistress should cast him off; said, that he should be the most miserable man living, and thought he should make away with himself. So to put it out of doubt that he would dissemble his principles no more, he takes the child, which he said he begot on the body of another man's wife, (yet never went to see his own child born in lawful Matrimony, though he rode by the house where it was kept by the mother's friends;) and himself became a convoy, riding by the wagon in which the child was carried through the Country towards London, and for part of the way afterwards, sends back the party that did attend it, and himself plays the part of (not only a loving father, but) a nurse, till it met the mother and her husband, where the joy was completed: And this the impudent mock-Parson performed, as if he had done it in the height of contempt against both Religion and Magistracy.  
So I have done with the mock-Parson and his mass of malice: Many things I have omitted, because I would not be over-tedious, and the Narration being of too great a bulk already, I forbear to add. If in any particulars I seem to offend, let it be thy glory, courteous Reader, to pass it by. I was forced to the work which I never sought after, nor do not delight in; yet what I have done, I have done it publicly and truly, that truth may be manifest, and falsehood discovered, that the righteous ways and people of God may be justified, and the wicked ways and works of ungodly men may be condemned. Wherefore, as I wish all that respect the health of their bodies, to take heed of empirics and Mounte-banks; so I advise all that respect the health of their souls, and peace of their spirits to take heed of mock Parsons, and counterfeit Preachers, who though they appear in sheep's clothing, yet inwardly are ravening wolves; I mean such as make themselves Preachers and Parish-Parsons to gain Parsonages or filthy lucre for their Preaching; amongst which number you may find T. W. From whom, that God may deliver thee, and all that fear his great Name within the Commonwealth of England, is the daily prayer of this Author.  
FINIS.