OF THF 2. CHAPTER,

The occasion why M. Darrells dealing with Somers was called into questyon at Lambeth.

M.* Darrell by vertue of her Maiesties Commission for causes eccle∣siasticall being sent for, appeared before the L. Archbishop of Canterbury and others at Lambeth: from whence he was committed to prison, by reson of his absurd and vntrue (but yet very confident) assertions: giuing therby iust occasiō to suspect, that he was but a coūterfeyt: & order was taken for the further examination of that cause, according to the vsuall course by the lawes of the Realme, in such cases prouided. The issue whereof was, that vpon the hearing of M. Darrell, and the depositions against him in open court, before the L. Archbishop of Canterbury, the L. Bishop of London, &c. he the said M, Darrell was by the full agreement of the whole court, condemned for a counterfeyt: and together with M. More (his companyon) who tooke vpon him to iustefy the said Darrell, had otherwise greatly mis∣behaued himself) they were both of them deposed from the ministery, and co¦mitted to close prison, there to remayne vntill order were taken for theire further punishment.

All I affirmed at my commitment was, that Somers had not coun∣terfited: Let men nowe iudge, whether that be absurd & falce 2. whe¦ther so to affirme be herisy: for I was commited to prison for heresy, & other heresy (I then vttered not) & not for teaching Som. to counter feit: which fact was not thē in questiō, no not vntil a month after I had bene in prison: yea by the discouerers owne words, (which be that I was Page  14 committed to prison by reason of (or for) my absurd and vntrue assertions: it appeareth that I was not sent to prison: for the same cause I haue bene so long deteyned in prison viz. teaching to counterfeyte. 3 Let men iudge, whither for this confident assertion I deserued to be com∣mitted to prison. what order was taken and agreed vpon by some in se∣cret, & whither the selfe same that after was put in executiō I knowe not: but that in the examination of this cause there was a proceding according to the vsuall course of this Realme in such cases prouided how∣soeuer the Discouerer in generall termes affirmeth it, yet he maketh not the same to appeare in the particulers. Sir Discouerer you affirm indeede that I was iudicially proceeded against by due course of lawe and ordinary practise of the high commission court, according to the lawes in that behalf prouided. I pray you therefore answer mee.

[ 1] First whether doe you knowe, that it is the vsuall course and or dinary practise of that court to deny the coppy of articles, or answers to men convented into that court, whenas vpon their oathes they haue fully & directly answered vnto all such interrogatoryes, as haue bene objected against them? And if this be the due course & ordina∣ry practise of that court: whether doe you knowe the same, to be ac∣cording to the lawes in that behalf prouided?

[ 2] Item whether doe you knowe, that it is the vsuall course, and ordinary practise of that court, touching the examination of any wit¦nesses against a Defendant, to send forth commissioners into the co¦untry, and to authorise any other persons to be commissioners, then such only, as hir Maiesty by her letters patents vnder the Great seale of England, hath appoynted high commissioners? And if this be the due course & ordinary practise of that court, whether do you know the same to be according to the laws in that behalfe prouided?

[ 3] Item whither doe you know, that it is the vsuall course and ordi¦nary practise of that court, that the Commissioners, or other depu∣ted by them, should menace witnesses called before them (as you your selfe Sir Discouerer did) with imprisonment, bringing vp to London, burning of their feete, or with some other kinde of vyolences in case they depose not to their humour and contentment: And if it be soe whether doe you know the same to be according to the laws in that behalf prouided?

Item whither doe you knowe, that it is the vsuall course & ordi¦nary [ 4] practise of that court, to examine witnesses against the defend∣ant, without giuing him notice of the time and place of their produc¦tion, and so to haue them sworne in absentia partis reae? And if this be the vsuall course and ordinary practise of that court, whether do you knowe the same to be according to the lawes in that beehalfe pro∣uided?

Page  15 Item whether doe you knowe, that it is the vsuall course & ordi¦nary [ 5] practise in that court, for such to examine witnesses against the defendant, as haue no authority to take depositions as you Sir Disco¦uerer did at London) And if it be so then whether doe you knowe the same to be according to the lawes in that behalf prouided?

Item whether doe you knowe, that it is the vsuall course & ordi¦nary [ 6] practise of that court, not to suffer the defendant to minister In∣terrogatoryes against the witnesses produced against him: And if it be so. then whether doe you knowe the same to be according to the lawes in that behalf prouided? [ 7]

Item whither doe you knowe &c. that the defendant, whether he be an adulterer, an incestuous person, or periured person &c. for the clearing of his innocency touchinge the cryme obiected, be not suffered to produce witnesses, and to haue them examyned on his behalfe? And if this be the ordinary practise of that court, whether doe you knowe the same to be accordinge to the lawes in that be∣halfe provided?

Item whether doe you know, that it is etc. To denye such as are [ 8] accused of adulterie, incest, periurye, etc. to haue theyre proctors & Aduocates to pleade and defende their cause? And if it be so, then whether doe you knowe that the same is accordinge to the lawes in that behalfe prouided?

Item whether doe you know, that it is etc. to condemne any per¦son [ 9] as guiltie of any offence, obiected against him, vnder the mouth of two witnesses at the least, and them also to be such against whom by the ecclesiastical lawes no exception maye be taken? And if this be the course of that court, whether doe you know the same to be accor¦dinge to the lawes in that behalfe prouided?

Item whether doe you know, that it is ect. that socius criminis, be [ 10] admitted for a witnesse against him, whom none but himselfe can ac∣cuse? And if it be the ordinary practise of that court, then also whether his testimony of necessitie must be instar duorum testimoniorum omni exceptione maiorum? And whether this be according to the ecclesiasti¦call lawes in that behalfe prouided?

Item whether doe you know, that it is etc. to deny vnto the desen¦dant [ 11] the sight of the depositions of such witnesses, as are produced & examined against him? And if it be, whether is the same accordinge to the lawes in that behalfe prouided.

Item whether &c. to commit a minister of the gospell, or any o∣ther [ 12] man to prison without bayle or mainprise, only for absurd and vntrue, though confident assertions? and if it be, whether do you know the same to be according to the laws in that behalf prouided?

Page  61 Item whether doe you knowe, that it is the vsuall course & or¦dinary [ 13] practise of that court, to proceede against offendors in causes temporall? And if it be, whether doe you knowe the same to be acor¦ding to the lawes in that behalf prouided?

Item, whether &c. to proceede to the condemnation of anye [ 14] offendor, by any other proofes, then such only as are warranted by the ecclesiasticall lawes of her Maiesties kingdome? And if it be, whe∣ther doe you knowe the same to be according to the lawes in that be¦half prouided?

Item whether doe you knowe, that it is the vsuall course, & or∣dinary [ 15] practise of that court, to pronounce any finall sentence, or de finitiue iudgment of condemnation for any offence to be committed by the defendant: otherwise then by publique reading of the same sē¦tence in writing by one of the Commissioners themselues, the other his associats by their consents approuing the same: And if it be soe: whether doe you knowe the same to bee accordinge to the lawes in that behalfe prouided?

And where the Discouerer addeth, that the issue thereof was, that vpon the hearinge of me, and the depositions against me in open court, I was by the full agrement of the open court condemned for a counterfeytte: and together with M. More deposed from the ministery, and committed to close pryson, there to remaine vntill order were taken for our further punn∣ishment:

I demaund of him who was present at this hearing: firste whe∣ther I vsed any continued speach then, saue one: and whether in the same I was not cut of. 2. whether being charged to teach Somers and M. Cooper his sister, Kath: Wright and Tho. Darling, I spake any thing in my owne defence concerning the 3, last, one word or two excep∣ted, concerning Kath: Wright, which raysed vp collor in this Discoue¦rer. 3. whether Th: Darling being in the court by the Bishop of L. com¦maundement, was heard to say any thing touching my teachinge of him, or his own counterfeyting, or not counterfeyting: yea whether euer he or any other affirmed that I taught him to counterfeyte. 4. whereas the depositions against mee were heard then to speak their their fill, so the depositions (of the 17. taken by the 12. Comissioners) which are for mee, were heard to speake at all, either then or at any other time before, though I haue oft and instantly desired the same. 5. whether euer any one of my witnesses, (who haue hundredes to cleare me) were heard to speake either in court, or countre before commissioners. 6. whether if it be as I seme to intimate by these my demaunds, this hearing he speaketh of was likewise according to the vsuall course by the lawes of the Realme in such cases prouided yea or not Page  17 7. where he saith we are r•serued for further punishment, I aske of him whether this be according to the lawes of the Realme, that we the acces¦saries (if there were any counterfeyting) shall thus haue punishment vpon punishment, and the counterfeyts (if such they were) nor any of them, be punished at all: as if all the iniquity were in teachinge to counterfeyt, and none in learning and practising the same: otherwise (sure) they should be punished as well as we, and not all the strypes laid vpon M. Mores back and myne. And where it is saide, that I was by the full agreement of the open court condemned for a counterfeyt, it is vntrue. Neither was that or any other definitiue sentence giuen of me. In the end we being commaunded to stand aside (as the manner is) were forthwith after in the open court suspended, and commaun¦ded to close prison there to remayne till we should be are further from thē And so haue we done (saue that we haue not bene all this while close prisoners) wayting when we shall be heard according to the Queens lawes, and be either acquited or condemned. More then this was not done, nor word saide.

They that ymagine Somers was not possessed, but did counterfeyt (saith the preface) doe by •onsequence deny the the soueraignty of our Saui¦our in that action.* And one of the written pamphlets: to deny the work of the diuels and God in the dispossession of So: may seeme to be after a sorte to deny them in the gospell. Then followeth his confutation, Indeede if M. Darrells credit were as good in saying, that So: was possessed, & that by his and his fellowes meanes he was dispossessed: as the Euangelists and Apostles ought to be, when they tell vs of diuers that were possessed in Chr¦ists time, then their said collections were pertinent. Otherwise manye false knaues from time to time, hauing deluded the people with hipocrisy, and pretence of casting forth diuels, it is a suggestion of Sathan for any to colect that thereby the said actions of our Sauiour: and his Apostles, are in any sort blemished: but let them rayleon.

If Somers were possessed and dispossessed (as I trust is made mani∣fest) then are these their collections very pertinent though Darrels cre¦dit nor his fellowes, be any way to be compared with the Euangelists and Apostles: neither are the said actions of our Sauiour and his Apostles in any sort blemished by these wordes, as this man suggesteth, no man so collecting: but a man would thinke rather that they be ble•dyshed, which will not receaue the possessiou and dispossession contended for notwithstanding it hath so great confirmation from the gospell But let them (saith he) rayle on. Is not heere very perylous rayling? well. If there be not heere, yet elswhere there is, whereby they shew of what spirit they are. And this he doth by setting downe many rayling sen∣tences (so termed by him) which are scattered here and ther through Page  18 out the Naration and Praeface to my Apollogye: Some of which I will repeate, but of the shortest for breuity sake.

M. Darrell hitherto could not obteyne somuch as patient audience or any iudicyall course of proceeding.* Agayne, their proceedings haue bene indirect, contrary to the royall commaundement of her Maiesty, her lawes and lawfull liberties of her loyall subiects, and agayne his iudges became parties, pleaders, and accusers: agayne M. Darrell and M. More are now imprisoned for giuing testimony to the truth. agayne let men beware in creditiug false rumours against those holy men of god, who doe nowe or shall hereafter suffer in this holy cause. Agayne I would aduise them that slaunder this worke, and persecute the seruants of god without cause to tak heede, least they be found euen fighters against god.

Thus we see what rayling the frends of this cause doe vse: let vs now consider, what rayling and scoffing (to let others goe) this mā an aduersary to the cause, and great frend to counterfeiting doth vse: that so comparing the rayling togither, we may the better discerne of it, and of these raylers.

This casting out of diuels is discouered to be but a pure play,* contayninge two principall parts of a vyce and a diuell, let them with all their iuglyngs driue out a melancholike spirit, out of any poore soule in Bedlam. Thus much for a taste of diuel driuers legerdemayne: open the curtaine and see the puppets play. M. Darrell is thought by some to be such a one that if hee met with the diuell, he was able to curb him. Is M. Darrell will be a right Ex¦orcist after the currant fashion among the Iesuits: if he want the faith of do∣ing myracles, he may cast his capp at them meaning diuels. when Somers was dispossessed, the deuill was shroudly dressed, he was forsooth so extream¦ly tormented by the fasting, prayers, and preaching of M. Darrell and the rest, as he had no leasure to say what he must doe, or what he would do, but rudely without taking any leaue of them departed. The diuell was trick• with their conceaued prayers. One diuell would haue bene mad at the name of Presbyter, an other at the sight of a minister that will not subscribe, an other to haue seene men sit or stand at the communion. And whoe knoweth whether in time, the naming of a presbitery would not haue had the vertue of a popish relique, as well to cast out a diuell, as to disclose him If their sch¦ollers be of the new cut: they cry, they wallowe, they foame, and shew the signes mentioned in the Scriptures.* There Exorcists for want of worke are driuen to their shifts, and like Tinkers walke vp and downe from place to place, seeking to be ymployed. Two points serued his turne instead of iugling slicks, heere is fast and loose as the Egyptian listeth. If the resemblances of Darrells practises to Pedlers be not fit: then as you remember Somers and Darrell colluding together, thinke vpon the pretty feates betwixt Bankes and his horse. So skilfull a catt is Darrell in hunting Darlings mouse▪ here Page  19 vnto add that he calleth vs diuel flingers, Imposters, iuglers, absurde mates cosoning marchants, false knaues, &c.

A great deale more there is of this stampe: yea the whole boke from the first leafe to the last, is written in such scoffing and raylinge characters, that it might seme rather to haue bene compiled by Nash Pasquil, or some Interlude-maker, then any other of sobriety & iud¦gment. But the stile is sutable to the matter. And so to returne vnto the former rayling, vsed by such as contend against counterfeyting, and for Som: possession: Let vs see what he inferreth & concludeth thervpon. First, that my frends in so doing shew themselues to be but children, which it is a shame for growne men to be: and that in these wordes These are children iudeede• to what rypenes in rayling thinke you they will growe, by the time they be men? To be perrilous children euē the children of the diuell: and this he doth out of Iames It is true (saith he) There is a wisdome whose children by their outward appearance they may be well accounted.* Of which wisdome S. Iames speaking saith. If yee haue bitter enuying and strife in your hartes reioyce not, neither be lyars a¦gainst the truth, for this wisdome descendeth not from aboue, but is earthly sensuall, and diuelish.

I answer him, and vpon occasion of his owne rayling and scof∣fing, retort this scripture vpon him thus. If it be a truth (as it is most true) that Som. Kath: Wright, and Darling were possessed and dispos¦sessed, that neither they nor Mary Couper haue counterfeyted,* that my selfe haue taught them no such thing: which this Discouerer auou¦cheth and contendeth for as a matter of truth, then for-asmuch as he hath bitter enuying and strife in his harte for the falshood (whereof S. Iames speaketh, as the wordes following doe shewe: for contentiō for the truth is lawfull and commendable) as appeareth by his tongue and pen, and is a lyar against the truth: It must of necessitye therefore be, euen by the testimony of the spirit of god, that this Discoverer and such as he, are the children of this earthly, sensuall, and diuelish wisdome: out of his owne mouth then let this man be iudged.