An ansvver to the articles preferd against Edvvard Finch, vicar of Christ church by some of the parishioners of the same whereunto is added a just and modest reply to a most scurrilous, scandalous and malicious pamphlet, as by the title may appeare, of an uncertaine author / by Edvvard Finch...

An Answer to the pretended proofs, which the Author hath falsly colected, and inserted in his Pamphlet.

THat the Communion Table was removed, I grant it; but that was no particular act of mine, but a command from Authority at a publike Visita∣tion. I doe not remember that my selfe set any help∣ing hand to the removall of it; but if I did, I am sure I used no insolent or proud gesture, either at my ap∣proaches to it, departure from it, or passing by it, as is falsly suggested: but what I did was, as in my an∣swer to my first Article.

That I bow at the Name of Iesus, I confesse it, in∣duced thereunto by the practice of the Church, for many hundred yeares, and conceiving it to be due by the Text, Phil. 2. 10.

Concerning exacting of Fees (a thing for which I stand so much condemn'd) I have given an answer to the Articles in generall, but will give the Reader satisfaction in the particulars alleaged. And

1. For Master How: Hee was indeed an ancient Parishioner, and one to whom (so long as he liv'd) I was much beholding; and because he was one that honour'd the Church, and the well establisht Go∣vernment

thereof, and was indeed a Benefactor (if it may be so properly call'd) by his dayly sollicitati∣on of friends, to a good value. I gave order he should be decently and solemnly enterr'd, and attended on to his grave by those that appertaine to the Church (the Quire.) It was desir'd Master Risdon should preach, I gave way to it, but it was not perform'd, and the reason was this. There came an Order from Au∣thoritie, that there should be no night Funerals, upon a complaint made by the Heralds at Armes; the Ex∣ecutor of master How had notice of this, and that the whole Solemnitie must bee finisht by foure a clock; this was promisde, till past six we waited, at last Master Risdon said unto me, I neither will, nor dare preach, because it is past the Canonicall houre, and against the Order of the Lords, nor is it safe for you to bury it this night, let us attend no longer, but be pleased to give order that the Church doores may be shut up. Whereupon they were; presently after the Guests invited to the Funerall came with the Coarse, and knockt, I caused the doores presently to be open'd, and the Body was buried presently. Without a Sermon indeed, because of master Risdons former refusall, not out of any denyall of mine. It was never prov'd that I had five pound for a Sermon for him, and that master Ioyce, who was brought as a witnesse, knowes well, and so does one master Iohn Wright a Gentleman of our Parish, who was by at the agreement, and will testifie that it was for the ground, and the other Church-officers duties, which for my share came but to five shillings, besides the ground which was in the Chancell, and by conse∣quence,

the benefit of opening of it, and interring of the Body, totally belonging to me, for which I had three pound laid down, of which master Wright lent the Executor twenty shillings.

2. For master Darnton, I confesse, that he dying in my Parish, I did expect as large a proportion for my duties, as any that should come out of another Parish to Officiate in my Pulpit. He mistooke him∣selfe that said, I call'd it my Shop. Indeed, this I said, both upon that and the like occasion to himselfe and others, that it was my livelyhood, and that I had reason to make the best benefit, aswell as any of them of their shops; and this I hope may receive a favourable construction. That I deny'd absolutly that Doctor Holeworth should preach his Funerall Sermon, is utterly false, but as master Pettit, I pre∣sume, upon occasion will testifie for me, I said, I thought my Pulpit honour'd by him, and so indeed I doe, and ever shall; He is knowne to be a man so generally learned, a man of so rare abilities and in∣dowments of nature, and on whom God hath be∣stowed such an admirable gift and faculty in the way of his Preaching. That I spent my time as the Taverne while the Funerall was Solemnizing, is like the rest of the Authors Scandals, maliciously inser∣ted, and utterly false: neither did any such thing come in proofe.

To the Articles concerning my Superstitious affe∣ction to the Surplice, and other (as he ignorantly termes them) Popish practices; which I thanke God, I am farre from, and hope in God, ever shall be. I

have answered to them before; and his vaine bab∣ling Tawtologie, and multiplication of termes, to infuse suspicion against me, in point of my Religion, into the peoples heads, my practice being known to be otherwise, shall not make me wast my time, and tire the Reader.

As for the Article concerning my Drunkennesse, It was testified by Master Risdon, the Lecturer, who for feare of losing his quarterly Contribution might happily be drawne to say that, which I daresay, and he himselfe had since said, he will not, if he came up∣on his oath, sweare for a World. And it was ob∣serv'd by many, that hee gave his Testimony very faintly, and not without being jogged and egged for∣ward by one William Greenhill, a Chandler, that stood behind him, (That Arch-incendiary of Christ-Church Parish who, together with his brother in Law Iohn, I know not what to call him more, have beene the Plotters and Contrivers of these Articles in Parli∣ament against me, and the Procurers of witnesses to testifie upon them, as I will make appeare. Were it not by meanes of these two, I am confident, and so are many more besides me, that my selfe and Pa∣rishoners should live as lovingly, and as peaceably, as any Pastor and people in England. But this by the way. In briefe, I beleeve 'tis an hard matter to sweare positively when a man is drunke: but he that glanc't at that testimony, let him knocke at his owne breast, and see if he bee not guilty himselfe of that sinne, and in a higher measure too, which he laies to the charge of others, though thats no warrant for

me nor any other to sinne, because I can produce Presidents.

Concerning the Administration of the Sacrament to the dying woman, her husband himselfe did be∣fore the Committee, and will any where else cleere me for any rudenesse, or any incivillity, which might cause her to cry out, and so did Mistresse Iohnson her Neighbour in Warwick Lane, and the rest of the Women then present. All that one of them said, was this, that she conceited me to be distemper'd in drinke, and that she we might; my distractions and griefes have been so many, my miseries and afflicti∣ons so great, that when it is well knowne I have nei∣ther eat nor dranke that day, by my lookes, discourse, and unwonted alteration of speech, I have been sup∣posed to be distemper'd, and I desire the Reader to judge of me in a Christian way, and to beleeve this to be true. The improbabilitie to tempt a dying wo∣man in an uncivell way, being in all mens opinions, so abominable, rediculous, that I should injure my selfe to God, about a confutation which the Witnes∣ses did for me.

Concerning my Sermon which I Preacht on the 5. of November, about two yeares since, it was alleged by one Bamfoard, that I should deliver words to this effect, The Plotters in that businesse were but a few male-contented Persons, and that they desir'd at their death that this act might be forgotten, and that I should say, that I thankt God that it was so almost, and I hop't 'twould bee quite forgotten.

Should I have deliver'd any such Doctrine in a Pulpit, or spoken such words in any place whatsoe∣ver, upon the perprecation of so horrid and damnable Treason as that, a Treason never to be forgot while the World lasteth; I confesse, I deserv'd to suffer the same, if not a farre greater punishment then they did; Hanging, drawing, and quartering were not considerable punishments, they were too low for the offence in me, because a Minister; and I could not for shame sue for any mercy heere. And it is a wonder, if not a miracle to mee, that in so great a Congregation as mine is, not one of the Auditors were able to testifie any such thing but himselfe, and he but fumblingly neither. I am sure there are divers of the Parish, learned men and good Schollers, ma∣ny that have tenacious memories as he can possibly have. But God forgive him for casting such an hor∣rid aspersion upon me, I doe forgive him from my heart, 'twas a mistake in the carriage, that's my construction of him, in point of Charitie. And as it falls out, 'tis well I pen all I Preach, as the Pam∣phleter sayes, in a written Booke, for by that means, I am able to give the Reader satisfaction, and set it downe word for word as I deliver'd it.

The words upon which I Preacht, were these, Or despisest thou the riches of Gods goodnesse, &c. After I had spoken of the riches of Gods goodnesse in generall, I descended to particular instances, wherein this Kingdome, above all other Nations whatsoever, had reason to contemplate of the riches of his goodnesse. And first I instan'st, for blessing us with the glorious Sunne-shine of the Gospell, in a perspicuous and

cleere way, wholly hid from many, and darke unto others, &c. Then I shewed how the riches of his goodnesse had be ne manifested to us, in his mani∣fold and sundry Deliverances, from 88. the Pesti∣lence, and from the Gunpowder-Plot, and there I tooke occasion to say thus much. This dayes So∣lemnitie, I hope, we shall never forget; but as once a yeare publikely, so every day privately comme∣morate, A day on which the King himselfe and his Issue, that State, and all the Commons assembled in the High Court of Parliament should at one instant have bin blown up, and our Kingdom brought to ut∣ter desolation. This could not certainly be any pro∣ject or invention by mortals, how politike soever: Certainely the Devils broke loose from Hell, and took upon them humane shapes to lay the ground-worke of so great a Conspiracie. No History can paralell it, no Age come neere so cruell an intention, so bloody a Designe, tending to the utter extirpation and dis-hereditation of us, and all our Posterities, rights and interests to the Worlds end. The subject is mooving, and able to melt the most stony and ob∣durate heart. And I am perswaded that though the desire of change and innovation in Religion, or hope of Honour and preferment (being formerly discontented persons, which works much in such spi∣rits) or desire of gaine, or profit, or some such like thing: yet they themselves could not choose but have some relactancie, and startle at it, being a fact of that high nature, so generally prejudiciall to the Countrey in which they received their birth and e∣ducation, all their meanes, livelyhood, and subsi∣stancie

in this world. Resolute I know they were e∣ver to the last moment of their lives, and little or no confession, no signes of sorrow or repentance could be drawne from them, though strongly laboured that way for the good of their soules. Yet there were amongst them that did professe, not onely a dis∣like, but even an utter loathing and detestation of so horrid and prodigious a Treason, And wisht this, that no records might be registred, no remaines might be kept, wherby it might appeare to Posteritie: what enemies and slaves they had beene? how vilianous and treacherous to their owne Countrey? Non igno∣ta Cano, Their Confessions are extant, and I have read some of them to this purpose. Tis greater to con∣ceive the horridnesse of this Treason, then to endea∣vour to aggravate it with words and language. No tongue how fluent soever, being able to set forth the foulenesse, the Devillishnesse of it. Vox fancibus hae∣ret, I am at a stand, and will forbeare to name if any more, but leave you to meditate on the riches of Gods goodnesse in that great deliverance.

Pardon good Reader, my rediousnesse, it stands me upon to be punctuall upon such an allegation as this, and laid downe to be fully prooved. Let any that has read that and reads this, and compare them together, see if any such doctrine can be pickt out of that part of my Sermon, but meerely the contrary. 'Twas a profitable inversion of my words, for them to make me more odious (as they have done in the rest) to the Honourable Court of Parliament, which I hope they will take into their grave considerations, and not suffer me to groan under the pressure of their

malicious accusations.

Touching the proofe that I had taken for the Ser∣mons, at seven of the clock on Sabbath day mornings severall summes of money of the Parish, I confesse. And thus it was, The Parish after the choice of a Le∣cturer there, before they stirr'd, at the motion of a worthy and eminent member of that Honourable House of Commons, whose Name I dare not be to bold with. For my willingnesse to condescend to let them have a free choice of a man they lik't of, did voluntarily under their hands, as will appeare in the Vestry Booke, give me 20. pound a yeare, as an addi∣tion to my small Living, to bee paid by 5. pound a quarter, this fell short. The Sicknesse drew on, it was thought fit that Lecture, above others (because it was a Lecture, to which all persons, both out of the City and Suburbs, Out-places, and By-Alleys, which might breed a generall Contagion) should surcease. When it pleasd God, to stay his hand, a new Lecturer was chosen, and the money I receiv'd from them was not for the setting up of the Lecture, but for the ar∣reares of the 20. pound unpaid, and that they know very well.

Touching the Testimony of the Coachman, I hope the World will conceive, that it is no argument of Incontinency to ride abroad in a Coach, and take the ayre. And I hope the world will judge that if every man had made choice of his Mate, and inten∣ded any incivility, and vile and obscene gestures, cer∣tainly we would not have beene so impudent as to

call up a Coachman to be witnesse of it. Besides the fattest of the three was my own Sister, since dead, and I hope with God. And I hope the World wil in Cha∣rity beleeve, that God has not given me over to a re∣probate sence, to be so unnaturall, as insuch, as is al∣ledg'd to pollute and defile my own Sister. That sup∣posd, I hope the World will yet further in Charity beleeve, that I would not stand by and see another be uncivill, and shee so immodest, flesh and blood would not have endur'd that. And for setting them downe at Newgate, and studying there to make an excuse to their Husbands, where they had been, for my part, I know no such thing, neither am I acquainted with any such conditions in Women.

And because the scandalous Pamphelter sayes, we arriv'd at a house fit for our intention, I shall satisfie you in that, The place wee arrived at, was the signe of the Goat at Hammersmith. For which cause, the ridiculous fellow, in the Frontispeece of his abo∣minably absurde Pamphlet, pictures a Coach with persons in it, and over the head, Away for Hammer∣smith. The ground of his fond conceit. The per∣sons that live there, and have done for many yeares, are of that credit and repute, so generally known for their honesty and sufficiencie, that they would scorn, if they had suspected any such thing, to have suffe∣red the least shew of incivilitie in their house; and besides, they knew us all to well for that. But to aggravate proofes in a continued malice, I beleeve they hired this journeyman Coachman for a small matter (for he is fouly slander'd if that will not doe it) to say any thing they would have him

Concerning my frequenting Mistresse Stevensons company, I could hardly avoid that, because I dye∣ted and lodged in the house: and for Mistresse Valen∣tine, her husband going to Sea, left me in trust with the mannaging of his whole estate, and the bringing up of his Children. David Lloyd his servant, and di∣vers others, can, and will at any time be ready to te∣stifie: but never kept company with any of them both, in any uncivill way. Concerning the woman he calls my wife, which I doe not, nor have reason to acknowledge to be so, reasons not onely knowne to my selfe, but many more, 'tis as false as malicious.

Concerning Mistresse Valentines Kinswoman, I neither know her, nor to my remembrance ever saw her above once, and that was in the Kitching at the Chequer at Dowgate, an open and publike place, for all commers, and therefore unfit for such a lust∣full desire as hee mentions her. Neither did I ever know her name, till of late, and upon enquiry I finde that before shee was married, her name was Margaret Sweet, one that liv'd by making of Buttons (a pro∣fession I dislike not, I speak it not for that) but shee seldome wrought not aboue once or twice in a month, but ranne up and downe after severall young men, no constant abode at any certaine place, but ran from lodging to lodging, a common Tale-bearer, and make-bate betweene party and party, and noted for this among all her kindred, that they could never be∣leeve one word that proceeded out of her mouth. Let the World judge what a witnesse this demure creature is. And the Pamphleter tels me one thing,

which I never knew of, that a Bishops wife may bee a Lady, we have no such honour conferr'd upon their wiues in our Kingdome, and in other parts they are not married. But the Devill ow'd him a shame, and be forgot himselfe before he was aware.

Concerning the Testimony of one Benson, that liv'd once at the Queenes head in Smithfield, but now at the Bull head in Cheapeside: It is alleg'd that I should speake in his house six yeares agoe, at a dinner upon occasion of discourse, these words, That man which has a handsome woman to his Wife, and was jealous without a cause, it was lawfull for her to make (so the Pamphleter deserv'd, nay, the testimony of Benson) him a Cuckold; and rather then he should not be made one, I would ride an 100. miles to doe it my selfe; that this point of Doctrine I had preacht, and would preach, and that to all eternitie: I take God to witnes, as I shal answer it at his Tribu∣nall, when I have most neede of his mercy, I neither remember any such, either words, or meeting. And what is spoken in mirth at a Table, may in six yeares be easily forgotten; and the former part to be jocu∣lar and inoffensive. The latter troubled me, that I should Preach it, whereupon I besought the Com∣mittee that they would be pleasde to aske Benson, and the rest, whether he, or any of them present, who were my Accusers in other matters, and my constant Auditors, whether he or any of them had ever heard me preach it, or no. They conceiv'd it to be a very ma∣terial question, and accordingly demanded it, the rest were silent (not an argument of consent, but of ig∣norance,

as not knowing any thing of the matter) and Benson answered, no indeed, I never heard him preach it. This being only a merry speech (if any such speech did proceed from me) will, I hope, be conceived not to be an offensive of any such nature, as the Pamphle∣ter would have it. Heartily sorry I am, if any such inconsiderate words past from me, and I hope, God and the Parliament, will forgive my extravagant language.

Concerning my comming in unseasonably, when I lay in the Cloysters with Master Stevensons wife, pretended to be testified by the then Porter of Christ Hospitall, Master Phillips; it is utterly false, there never was any such thing, he never affirm'd any such thing, and I have inserted a Copy of his renunciation, under his owne hand, the Originall whereof I have.

And this it is,

KNow all men whom this doth concerne, Against the Scandalous Papers publisht in Print, against Master Finch Vicar of Christ-Church, That Iohn Phillips the late Porter to Christ-Hospitall, doth, and will prove and maintaine; That Master Finch did never, at any time, at what houre soever of the night, he went foorth, or came in at the Gates, to his Lodging at M. Stevensons, misbehave himselfe in words or deeds to the said Porter, as is publisht, but alwaies demean'd himselfe courteously to him, not gi∣ving any cause of grumbling or mumbling at him. And for his sweet heart Mistresse Stevenson, as is suggested in the Booke, he never saw any more familiarity between

them, whereby to show any cause of suspicion of secret love, more then to any other woman.

Subscribed

IOHN PHILLIPS.

This was a proofe much insisted upon, and of which there was taken by the Committee more then ordinary notice. And therefore this appearing to be utterly false, I hope it will be conceiv'd, that the o∣ther Articles are aswell Scandalous, by adding to them more then was delivered before the Comittee, aswell as his Testimony is wonderfully enlarg'd, and cleane altered by the Pamphlerer from what he spake.

Concerning the two Sisters mentioned in the Booke, 'till long since the publication of it, I never understood who they were, but by accident I was in∣form'd, that it was one Mistresse Buckle and Mistresse Iordan; In the first womans company I never was, and if she dyed of the Pox, and her head dropt off in the Coffin, that concernes not me, and I beleeve it a meere slander. In mistresse Iordans company I was twice, and no more, upon a difference, mistresse Iohn∣son and mistresse Whitney, both of my Parish, refer∣red to master Iames Waters the then Churchwarden, and my selfe. And this divers are living to testifie.

Thus the Pamphleter ends his proofes in parti∣cular, alleaging that more such foule and scandalous things might have beene proved, but glances at the heads of none. Indeede he need not, these were suf∣ficiently

bad, if they were true, but I thanke God they are not.

Ex ungue Leonem, Let the World conceive but thus much by this little, that if he had had any other crime, of any consequence whatsoever, or his malice could have invented, what favour I had beene like to finde from a brasen fac't fellow, void of all sense and truth, that hath dip't his pen so falsely and injuri∣ously against me.

He might aswell have inserted in his Booke, that I writ diverse and sundry Letters, betweene two and three hundred to be seene, sent to the Lady Wolley de∣ceast, for severall summes of money, for the reliefe of Prisoners, poore Schollers, decea'st Ministers Widdowes, setting up of new married couples, and many more such Stratagems, converting it all to my owne use, without having yet given any account. He might aswell have inserted, that I seldome taught any Schollers, whose friends were of ability, but I got money from their Parents, for the above named uses, and kept it to my selfe. He might have inserted that I was found behind a Grammar Schoole doore, young, and know not mine owne name, nor the off∣spring from whence I came.

His naming of places of Scripture, in the thun∣dring of judgements, concernes all men aswell as my selfe: and I hope neither I, nor any other of the Clergy, take them ascendently from the foot of us to the head; for to those the fellow chiefely, but

most ignorantly, applies them. His termes upon me of Athisticall, son of Beliall, and putting on a Whores forehead, carrying my selfe most proudly and inso∣lently, are termes I returne upon himselfe, as being most guilty of them; I take them as scurrilous and rayling language, and therefore passe them by with scorne and indignation. I doe onely observe one thing in a word, to see how the foolish fellow con∣tradicts himselfe; he accuseth me for Officiating shamelesly in mine own person, and presently after condemnes mee, that I seldome or never come a∣mongst them. And for that, Courteous Reader, suspend your Judgement when time shall serve. I hope to give a cleare satisfaction to all men, for for∣bearing as yet my constant personall performance.

To conclude, he condemnes me that I commit many of the forsaid condemn'd Superstitious, wic∣ked, and drunken practises afresh without any blush∣ing, or the least signe of relenting.

For the satisfaction of the Reader, I have inserted this ensuing Petition.

To the Honourable the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses in the Commons House of Parliament assembled.

The humble Petition of the Parishioners of Christ-Church, London.

Sheweth

THat the Petition and Articles have beene here∣tofore presented to this Honourable assembly,

charging Master Edward Finch, Vicar of the said Pa∣rish, with severall misdoings, in part attested by wit∣nesses, upon hearing before the Grand Committee for Religion; Which we find him to have fallen in∣to his time of many Suits, Troubles, and Imprison∣ments, and consequently, will admit of the more fa∣vourable construction, and he more capable of pitty; that the end aym'd at by the said Petition, who wish the reformation not the ruine of the said M. Finch.

Wherefore they are humble Sutors to this Honourable Assembly, that the said Petition and Articles may bee withdrawn, & no further disquisition be therupon had, that the said M. Finch may be restored to the good opi∣nion of this Honourable Assembly, and left to Officiate his Cure amongst them, as to his duty belongeth, and by which all his livelyhood that he hath in the World, and that but a slender one neither.

And they shall ever pray

This Petition which I have to show was subscri∣bed by most of the Gentry, and divers other persons of quallity, honestie and abilitie in the Parish. And many more hands I might have had, had I regarded the number of the men, above the integrity and worth of the persons.

This hath not as yet been presented unto the Par∣liament; the weighty Affaires of the State consider'd, I hope it will be conceiv'd to bee rather modesty in me, to forbeare pressing upon their more urgent busi∣nesses, then negligence in following my owne occa∣sions. In all humility I cast my selfe at the feet of that

Honourable Assembly, imploring their favour and charitable construction of me; and deploring my own misfortune, that any sincere and well intended Ministery hath not brought forth so good fruit, by reason of some particular prejudices cast upon me, as I hop't it would have done, and which I continually prayd to God it might had done, and still may.

I have now done, and referre all to thy conside∣ration, Courteous Reader. And I could have harti∣ly wisht that the Pamphleter, had rather spent his time in the due execution of that profession where∣unto God hath called him. Doing what belongs to him without Dissimulation, not consuming his time in writing of lame and ridiculous Rhimes (I cannot for shame call them Verses, for feare some that have read them should laugh at me) and setting forth Scur∣rilous Pamphlets, without any sense, wit, truth, or approbation.

FINIS.