A Reply to that Part of the Quakers Relation, that concerns what was done at Mallerstang and Kirkby-Stephen.

THeir Relator saith the Priests missed of their purpose at Orton.] He intimates we had purposes of violence against Nayler, when we met him at Orton a little before: But the searcher of hearts knows that we never intended no more violence to him, then to our selves, and they know also as well as we, that we offered none.

The end why any of us desired to speak with him was this. Having heard much of his seductions of great numbers of people on the other Page  65 side of the Countrey to their wicked way, and knowing he had no o∣ther errand among us, but to infect the people of our several Congre∣gations with their internal doctrines and to perswade them to desert the preaching of the Word, and all their Ordinances of Christ, and to render not onely ourselves, but the very calling of the Ministery hateful to them; We therefore thought it fit to go to him, and have some discourse with him about some fundamental points of Religion, that if we found him to be erroneous in these Principles, we might ex∣hort the people of our respective Congregations to beware of such false Prophets, though they came to them in sheeps clothing. And therein we did nothing but what we tooke our selves obliged to do in duty to God whom we serve in the Gospel of his Son, and the souls of the people related to us. Should we being shepheards and overseers of the flock, stand still, look on, and be silent, or flie when the Wolfe comes and labours to devour? Should we not rather warn all men un∣der our charge if it were possible day and night with tears to beware of such impostors as are risen up among us, teaching such Errours as have overthrown the seeming faith of many, and speaking perverse things to draw Disciples after them?

Their relation saith further, the next Lords Day after, we prepared our Sermons suitable to what we intended.

We intended with the assistance of God to do our endeavour, (and shall while we have a mouth to speak) to help those to whom we preach the Gospel, as far as in us lay, free from the contagion of the Quakers Errours: and to this our intention, some of us did then suit our Sermons. And blessed be God that hath given to any of us some, though weak abilitie to suit our Sermons to the present occasi∣ons. Solomon tels us, how pleasant and profitable a word spoken in sea∣son is, Prov. 25. 11.

Their Relation saith further, that we said the Parliament had o∣pened a gap for blasphemy.]

I do not believe these words were ever spoken by any of us. There is one Mr. Dodson, a Minister of Rassendale, I am perswaded an honest Godly man, that is accused to have uttered these words on the 24. of October, by two of Naylers Proselytes: but the most judicious knowing hearers of that Congregation then present, deny to their best remembrance that ever any such words were there spoken And where∣as this Relator affirms them to be spoken the 5 of December, he might have remembred that true saying, A lier had need of a good me∣mory.

Page  66 The following part of the Relation is a meer heap of lies, as that any of us said, they did God good service that would knock him down, is a wicked malitious lie. That we stird up the ruder sort of people, is another. That any of us sollicited Mr. Burton to come to Mallerstang is another untruth. That the Priests son got him to come, is another falsity. It is well known to those to whom he is known, that he nei∣ther hath, nor ever had son or daughter.

That Mr. Burton had been in actual arms against the Parliament, is another revengeful ly; and an imputation of unfaithfulnesse to those Gentlemen that were of the Committee for sequestration.

That the multitude was armed, is another horrid falsity, or that any was armed, save that 2 Gentlemen there had their swords with them, which is not unusual with them when they go abroad, and 1 Country man. And if he brought his sword thither upon that occasion, as not using to wear one, it was rather for fear of the Quakers, then to of∣fend them.

That any threatned to knock out his brains against the wall, to pull down the house, that the Priests rushed in violently and tooke him by the throat and haled him out of door; That there M. Burton strook off his hat with a pitch-fork, or any body else, or that any violence was done to him any where, are such notorious falsehoods, as I think the Father of lies himself would be ashamed to forge, seeing there are so many sorts of people that can bear witnesse against them. There was no Minister there but my self, and if Nayler, or any of his lying fol∣lowers can say that I was guilty of the least incivility towards him, ei∣ther in word or action, let them not spare to charge me with it before any authority. I shall dare the whole Generation of them to doe it: What was done there was not done in a corner, but before many wit∣nesses, by whom the Truth may easily be made to appear.

Reader, I will not detain thee with reckoning up all the falsities con∣tained in this Relation, onely in general, I beseech every man fearing God that shall reade these lines, to believe, that there was no one of those abuses offered to Nayler, that are there spoken of in our sight or hearing that were there present. If when we were absent any one used any railing language to Nayler or his followers, according to their own constant cu∣stome towards others, I do not here go about to justifie them in that sin∣full practise.

For the Particulars of our conference there, if the recital of them might benefit the Reader, I would set them down exactly according to Truth. While we were discoursing, Nayler was answered one que∣stion Page  67 for another, and I think to his own conviction, seeing his Rela∣tion neither mentions those questions he propounded, nor my Answers to them, I am sure his mouth was stopt then, he had nothing to gain∣say.

For that particular which he charges me with, that I said, Christ was in heaven with a carnal body, I shall reply to it by and by in my relation of the Examination of Nayler, at the Sessions at Appleby.

And where he saith, his Commitment was for Thou-ing Master Burton, and refusing to put off his hat to him, it is most untrue: though his pride and contempt of Authoritie did thereby sufficiently appear.

M. Burton, as all other inhabitants of these parts, had heard much of the blasphemies of these wicked speakers, Fox and Nayler, &c. Of the seeds of heresies they had sowne, the damnable doctrines they had broached, the distractions and disturbances they had caused in Towns and families in other parts of the Country, and of the great number of people they had perverted, and lookt upon it (as I have heard him say) as necessary to give some check to the proceedings of these men, for the preservation of the publicke peace. This he thought to have done onely by binding Nailer over to the Sessions, where he hoped some order might be made for the bridling of the growing insolencies and impieties of this turbulent sect. But Nayler, refusing to yield obe∣dience to the Law in giving security for his apperance at the next quar∣ter Sessions, which were then nigh, occasioned Mr. Burton to write a Mittimus, and send him to Appleby to continue in the Goals custody, till the Sessions should be.

For Hogils businesse, there were three or foure of their speakers or praters rather, in the Market place, all of them speaking together, more like mad men then Ministers of Christ, or sober teachers of the Gospel, and virulently railing against those that were so indeed; and this Hogill amongst them: who affirmed for his part, that all the Mi∣nisters in England that preach in steeple houses were lyars against Je∣sus Christ. M. Burton being then in the Town, sent for him to re∣prove him for this language. When he came in, he behaved himself very contemptuously, & his words were very stubborn & peremptory. Some present told him M. Burton was a Magistrate, and it was meet he should shew him at least some civil respect, as that of putting off the hat. Hogill denied to do it. M. Burton told him in a friendly manner, how far they were degenerated from all Civility and common man∣ners, and that for himself, he did not desire the respect of putting off Page  68 the hat from him, or any man, (though he knew that such behaviour was due towards a Magistrate, as might shew some reverence and re∣spect to him, but did much wonder, they were so superstitiously scru∣pulous of it, as if it were some great sin. Hogil repiyed, God had not commanded him to put off his hat, and that he did not owe him that respect, nor would he give it to him. Whereupon one that stood by took it off and layd it upon the end of the Table by him. Hogil took his hat and put it on again. Another standing by him took it off a∣gain, and laid it in the fire within his reach. He refusing to save his hat himself, one that stood by presently took it off the fire, before it had received any hurt, and gave it to him, and he wore it according to his own mind. Among other peremptory expressions he used to Master Burton, this was one. The Law (saith he) thou actest by is tyranny and oppression. For this and other wicked speeches, M. Burton desired him to find bail among his friends (many of whom were then in the town) for his appearing at the Sessions then not far off, which when he utterly refused to do, he made him a companion to Nayler.

Where the Relator saith, There were 3 large Petitions prepared, stuft with most filthy untruths and slanders, raised out of the bottom∣less pit; The Reader may know, that there were indeed 2 Petitions then presented to the Justicess one of which came from the town of Kendal, the other from some other parts of the Countrie. Nor will the subscri∣bers be ashamed to owne them, being able to make every particular good with advantage.

But I doubt I have already exacted upon the Patience of my Rea∣der, and am even weary of raking in this Relation, wherein untruths ly as thick as worms in old dunghils. But I am not curious to observe all the material Errataes in it.

The Reader may be assured of this, that if they had had any thing whereof they could have justly accused us, we should have heard of it in another manner, then out of Sauls Errant to Damascus long before this time, and louder complaints would have been made then those of this Relator. But if they have neglected hitherto to accuse any of us in particular of such wrongs as they complain to have bin done in gene∣ral, why do they not apply themselves to those in authority, and charge him or them by name that did infer the injury, and prove it by witnes∣ses, that they may bring such to condign punishment? Or if the Ju∣stices have done them injustice, why doe they not Petition to their Superiors for remedy?

If any man shall yet mistake the commitment of Nayler for perse∣cution, Page  69 it were good, (if he have bin a stranger to his sufferings) he were acquainted with the greatest heat of it. It was no more but his confinement to the Goalers house, where he had as good accommoda∣tion, as I think his own house would have afforded him, or he did de∣sire, and better surely then he did deserve: and from whence he is now gone well amended both in body, and rayment, and in purse also. For his incomes from the contributions of his Proselytes, as is reported by some that have reason to know were not inconsiderable; nor would he have had much cause to complain, but that he wanted liberty to range the Country, if it had lasted as long as he had lived.