An answer to a prnted pamphlet called the case of the inhabitants of Croydon in the county of Surrey humbly offered to the Parliaments judicious consideration.

An Answer to a printed Pamphlet called the Case of the Inhabitants of Croydon in the County of Surrey, Humbly offered to the Parliaments Judicious Considera∣tion.

TO all unconcern'd persons who have known the people of Croydon, and time out of mind their un-Christian dealing with the Reverend Dr. Bernard (the last legall Incumbent, whom they Sequestred,) and all the rest of their Ministers, it might Suffice to say, their Uncharitable and inhumane Pamphlet is a Libel, but supposing it may be perus'd by Straingers, In generall it will seeme incre∣dible to any Considerate man, that if he had beene guilty of those Crimes they pretend, being all or most part alledg'd to be done by him above Ten Years since, that they had not (while in memory) convicted him of one of them, ha∣ving many years vs'd all means that Violent and Unreasonable men for their re∣verige, could possibly invent.

And though he can patiently beare the malice of those who neither frequent Church or Sacraments, And who in several other Courts if their Oaths had been regarded, and by the mercy of God he had not falsified, would long since have ruin'd him. Yet for the Satisfaction of his Friends and impartiall Persons who desire to be further undeceived, its answered, That Mr. Whitford was by some of the late Powers sequestred from his Living, And one Mr. Seymor by his Consent put into the same, who by the Consent of the said Mr. Whitford re∣signed it to Dr. Clewer and by agreement the Dr. did allow him 20 l. per Ann. though by the rules of the then Powers he was not lyable to pay any thing in regard he had a Temporal Estate▪ and no Child, and the living was worth but about 80 l. per Annum.

As to the Allegations relating to Mr. Preston, the Dr. found him there, and did never refine him for his Curate, but the said Mr. Preston (taking advantage of his absence) did of his own accord then officiate as Curate, but the Major of Northampton adjudged him to be of a Scandelous life, and convicted him of Drun∣keness for which he paid his Fine, and the Dr. being threatned to be Sequestered if he employed him, did forbid him, But contrary thereunto there being a Chap∣pel of ease belonging to the Church: He did Voluntarily officiate there, And after Commenced severall suites against the Dr. under Colour of Wages; But the Dr. was never Plantive against him in any Suite▪ nor prosecuted him for reading Common Prayer, The Dr. in those times so far as it was safe for him frequently using the forme thereof, in Baptisms and otherwise, particularly Mr. Howe a Ministers Child of Chessamboys in the County of Bucks, Sir Tobee Terryl, and Mr. King being Godfathers.

As to the Articles therein pretended to be preferred against him as Minister of Ashton, which must be above 20 Years since, the Dr. neither knows or remem∣bers them, and its very sttrange if it should be true that the Authors of that Libellous Pamphlet were not acquainted when, and to whome they were exhi∣bited, but if they had been as much lovers of truth as Calumny they would have also inserted, That a parcell of Articles exhibited against him to the Com∣mittee for Plundred ministers, the Principall Charges whereof were, for neglect∣ing to keepe publique fas••s, thanksgivings, and other Contempts of the then Au∣thorities, And afterwards, the Dr. being in a possibility of obtaining a better benefice, viz. A Rectory of 160 l. per Annum, Another Complaint was made against him to the then Lord Fleetwood for praying in publique for the King, which hindred him of that intended Promotion; And that he did so pray for his Majesty, And at that time when it was treason to do it, He hath very good proofe; But as to the perticular charges in those Articles by the Pamphleter, the Dr. is not guilty of any of them, but is able (if though fit after so long a time) to make it evidently appeare he never Commenced any suite against any one there but upon very just and great provocation, and the law was alwayes for him.

As to the Charges against his life and Conversation,

• The First is a Notorious falsehood.
• The Second is the same, for he was lawfully Married to Mrs. Bernard, and so lived together for above 20 Years.
• The Third is also a false aspersion.

To that Paragraph concerning his coming into Croydon, The Dr. left Ashton about a Yeare before his Majesties happy Restaration, and never used any manner of Sinister meanes for the obtaining of Croydon, nor made any such promise as therein is charged.

That the Dr. was in the Yeare 60 Presented to the Vicaridge of Croydon which is 30 miles in Compass, consists of about 600 House-holders, 3000 Communi∣cants, and worth about 200 l. per Annum, Yet the Dr. for the Two first years he lived there (depending on the Peoples Charity) could not receive besides what some of the Gentry gave him (whose Tythes were very inconsiderable) above 5 l. per Annum: And he being unwilling to sue his Parishoners let all his Tythes (excepting the Gentry) to one Mr. Wood for 60 l. per Annum, who by reason of their Contention was in 3 years time 60 l. in arrears of the said Rent, after∣wards the Dr. let the same to George Plaw Senior (the greatest farmer in the Parish) at the same Rent, who (repenting his bargaine) would not seale the Leases, but engaged several of his Friends (to perswade the Dr. to discharge him of it, saying the Parishoners would not pay him without trouble, and to sue them would ruine him•• Afterwards John Blake Junior offered to take them at the said rate, and entred into an agreement with the Dr. to seale the Leases within a fortnight af∣ter, who notwithstanding did refuse to do the same for the reason aforesaid, then the Dr. desired the Parishoners to make him 60 l. per Annum, among them∣selves, and rate it according to the poors Booke, where upon several of the Gen∣try meeting the vestry, and chose some of the Parishoners to make the said rate,

but his Adversaryes refused to stand to it, whereupon the Gentry advised him to sue them, He having often demanded his Tythes of them by sending to every man a printed Ticket in this forme, A B. I desire you to pay your dues in arreares to prevent charges and trouble to me, William Clewer. And many of them being above Seaven yeares in Arreares, and he (having no other preferment) was at last necessitated least he and his Family should have starved (as some of his pre∣decessors almost were,) to sue several of them, Thereupon they first exhibited Ar∣ticles against him in the Spiritual Court, the principall whereof was, That he did not within Two months after Induction read the 39 Articles, and got Four Witnesses to prove it, viz. Robert Wood Taylor, Thomas Brigstock Husbandman, William Turlo Gardner, and William Cumber Parish-Clerk, the three first Swore he did not to the best of their Remembrance, but the Clerke Swore positively that he never read them till three years after he was Inducted, but the Dr. produ∣ced Mr. Sherman, the Church-wardens, and several other Credible Witnesses, and likewise a Certificate under the Clerkes own hand, (which Mr. Pynsent one of his Majesties Protonotories prooved his Confession of,) That the Dr. read them within a fortnight after Induction, so that upon a full hearing he was acquitted by Sir Gyles Sweit then Dean of the Arches, who gave him Costs for the same.

Secondly, They Indicted him at the Sessions for not reading the Act against Swearing, where the Justices fined him but Sixpence, they being Satisfied it was a Malitious prosecution.

Thirdly, They Indicted him for taking money at the Sacrament, and conver∣ting it to his own use, which he traversed, but none would appeare against him, and so was discharged by Proclamation.

Fourthly, In Easter-Term 24th Caroli Secundi they preserred an Information against him for Barretry in the Kings-Bench, (though he never sued but one Person for any thing but Tythes) to which he pleaded. And in Trinity-Term follow∣ing they moved for a Tryal at Bar, but upon hearing Councell on both sides, and long debate, it was denied, and expresly Ordered that it should be tryed at the Assizes in the long Vacation, where the Dr. attended with his Witnesses but they would not go on, then the day before Michaelmass-Term 24th the Dr. giving them notice he would try it by Proviso the next Assizes, they mooved for a tryal at Bar, which (being done by the Kings-Councell) could not be denyed, and therefore granted accordingly, and set up one William Rolfe (a poore fellow, a Bayliffs follower) as Prosecutor, declaring they knew they could not prove it, but they would do it to disgrace him, and put him to greater charge, and they put up Scandalous Papers against him in Croydon at the Market-House and caused the Common-Cryer on a Market, day to make this Proclamation, O yes, All man∣ner of Persons who have any thing to say against Dr. Clewer, or have paid him any Tythes, are desired to repare to the Signe of the Herne, and they shall have thanks for their paines, and so God save the King. One Richard Heighden (a Bayliff) was the Master of that Ale-House, who went up and down the Parish to enquire what every one gave the Dr. viz. To one Mr. Russel Alsop, Mr. Edmund Gilpin, and Mr. Henry Piggot, who refusing to satisfie him therein, he there upon warned Mr. Alsop to serve on the Grand Jury at the next Assizes held at Kingston in Surrey,

and the said Mr. Edmund Gilpin (being then about 67 years of age,) to serve on the Jury for Life and Death, and the said Mr. Piggot being above 60 yeares of age to serve on the Jury of Nisi prius.

There was a rule of Court, That they should give the Dr. a note of Particu∣lars, and name an able Prosecutor which not being done, (though often deman∣ded) Mr. Attorney General entred a Noli Prosequi.

That the Dr. never made any such agreement as is pretended, with Mr. Bickeeton, or gave him any note for the payment of 10 l.

That they presented a paper of greivances to his Grace of Canterbury (too long here to be inserted) unto which the Dr. gave such an answer that the Libellers thought good not to mention them.

Being dismist at Lambeth, they petitioned his Majesty in Councell where they exhibited some Articles purporting the same in the Libell, who ordered them to give the Dr. a particular of their Charge, which they never did, Yet brought up their Witnesses which were then heard, and the Dr. was promised another day to give in his answer, but instead thereof the whole matter was referred to his Grace of Canterbury, and the Lord Chancellor to call before them the Dr. and the prin∣cipal of the Parish to settle a quiet maintenance for the Vicaer there, which if their Lordships could not effect, to report what was fit for his Majesty to do therein.

Upon which Order they caused the Belis to ring, and Bone-fires to be made at Croydon, giving out in Speeches, That the King should say the Dr. was not fit to Preach, nor should he any more, and that they had turned him out of his Li∣ving, and caused the common Cryer to make O yes, That if any Person should pay the Dr any more tythes, they should be hanged.

As to that which concerns the Act of Grace, its an aspersion that none but such Scandalous Pamphleters durst have tooke upon them.

At their Oaths at Councell Table those which the Dr. answered upon the Reference to his Grace and the Lord Chancellor are omitted, the rest they (sup∣posing the Dr. could not disprove) have misreported, though what was thee-Sworne malitiously by interested Persons, (either those who were indebted to him, or whome had sued for Tythes,) is answered as follows.

Edward Humfry gave evidence he gave the Dr. four shillings to help him into the Almes-House.

For answer hereunto, he was really indebted to the Dr. 7 l. for Security where∣of be entred in a Judgment by consent aboate a yeare before he came into the Alme-House, and about half a yeare after he was in, the Governors ordred him to pay the Dr. 4 shillings which is all be ever paid of the said 7 l. to this day, nor did he help him in, or turn him out.

To the Second, That Sir Gyles Sweit late Deane of the Arches declared to the Churchwardens that the third part of the money collected at the Sect was the Viccars right, as appears by their Certificate, yet he neves Converted it to his owne use, but did always dispose of it among the poor, though one of the Doctors prose••utors would have had one of the Churchwardens to have Sworn it, who telling him he could not, he Swore it himself.

To the Third, That M. Benjamin Preston, (the aforesaid Mr. Prestons Son) did about•• 13 years since come to the Doctors House to demand money of him

for his Fathers officiating for him in Northamptonshire, the Dr. refused to pay him having never employed his Father, or owed him any thing, but neither sent for him, or arrested him.

To the Fourth, That nothing of that was prooved, as is falsly alledged, and that Person whome they pretend was the Doctors speciall Bayliff, and burnt in the hand, they produced upon a bearing in the Common Pleas as a Witnesse for them, and that they never brought any to the Doctors House but upon their own request, nor was ever any kept Prisoner, or drawne into any Judgments in stead of pretended Notes, which the Dr. wonders they could have the confidence to affirme when it was manifestly debated in Westminster-Hall for many dayes, where the Judges not onely confirmed the Judgment which was greatly complained of, but gave the Dr. costs for his unjust Vexation, The Court declaring he had done nothing but what became an honest man and a good Christian.

And they Sufficiently shew their malice in that they doe not onely slander the Dr. in his reputation, but all other persons that appeare for him,

To the Fifth, The Libeller was much mistaken in this proofe, One Swore in∣deed that one of the D••ctors Subpoenaes was rased, but could not tell any of the Names that were in the same, whereas they are legible and free from ••asures, and if any such were, they should have complained of it in the Court of Exchequer, which they never did.

Nor was there a word of the Warrents prooved, only William Rolfe Swore that the Dr. tooke seaven shillings and six pence for a Subpoena, but could not name any but one David Burnel who is Dead, but he denyes he tooke it, but hath several times forgiven them all Charges, and sometimes hath taken 1 s. or 1 s. 6 d. and many times the debt too, the Dr. was a very honest man in the said Rolfes esteeme till he employed another, and then he said he would be revenged of him.

It was also Sworne by Timothy Hills (a violent Prosecutor of the Dr.) That the Church dores were shut up for a moneth together while he was at London minding his Law, whereas the truth is, the Dr. was never at London, or from his Parish a month, nor a fortnight together since he was Viccar of Croydon, till he broak his Leg, Nor absent 13 Sundays these 13 years, and alwayes when he was, tooke care that his place might be supplied with prayers and preaching.

To the Sixth, He never sued any man but one, for any other cause but Tythes, though be hath had above an 100 causes of Actions of Trespass against several Persons, for their Cattle coming into his Orchard and Garden Yet he never brought any Action against any one of them.

To the Seaventh, A Carryer being hired to bring the Doctors goods to London, a large Desk of his was broken open, and several things Of value lost out of is, with a Bond and other Writings, which occasioned him a suite in Chancery to his very great Damage, He never sued for 190 l. pretended to be in the Desk, not hath any Satisfaction for his Goods and Writings to this day.

To the Eighth, It was not Sworne as the Libeller alledgeth. Nor did he ever

heare any before pretended he spoiled the Schoole; Indeed one Swore Rents were much fallen, wherein he did (as in other things) a little stretch his Conscience, they being so far from falling, that those farmes which were formerly let for Thir∣ty, are now let for above 40 l. per Annum.

And as for the other Branch of that Article, the aforesaid Hills Swore, That when the Dr. preached there was not above 60 People at Church, which the Libel∣ler hath reduced to 10 or 12, but in the Afternoon when any body else preached there were 3 or 400, which is now enlarged to 6 7 or 800, Whereas the Parishoners have often declared their approbation of the Doctors Ministry, and he seldom peeacheth to so few as 60 People, seldom fewer then 2 or 300, though there are several Meeting-houses in that Towne, and frequently Seaven or Eight score have received the Sacrament of the Doctor in one day.

To the last, Mrs. Cooling (one of a known Reputation) Swore, That her Husband told her That the Doctor had advised him to be devorced from her, and offered himselfe to procure it: but its denied that any such thing was ad∣vised, or offered by him, notwithstanding the Complaints he made to the Dr. which he forbears to mention.

The Doctor understanding his Majesty had referred it to his Grace of Canter∣bury, and the late Lord Chancellor to heare his defence, he brought his Wit∣nesses, and made out his Innocency so far as then their Lordships proceeded, but the Libellers would not endure any further answer, but brought other Persons to prove new matter never before pretended; But those Honourable Persons proposing a Separation which he heartily desired, and hoping for some provision by the way of Exchange, he waited for the same.

That for the scandal of the Book, It was a Sufficient answer to say, That such persons as conceale fellonyes are as equally Criminal as the Party, and the Trepans of such Persons being notorious in the City, this was no otherwise, for that the Doctor about the yeare 60 being in a Booke-sellers shop in the Eve∣ning, and seeing one pass by whom he had buisness with, stept out hastily to speake with him, no farther then the dore, thereupon the Apprentice of the shop charged the Doctor as if he would have carried away the Booke, hoping to have drawne him to a Composition, rather then such a thing should have beene Questioned, but the Doctor (knowing his innocency) refused to be Trepanned, and is able by Persons of Quality to prove the Master was angry with his Ser∣vant, and exprest his sorrow for his abuse.

And whereas the Libeller pretends the Doctors Wife should pay money, He on∣ly asserts what those Sherks would have had, which if it had been true, had prooved them guilty of Smothering Felonies, which the Doctor doth detest.

The great thing against the Doctor that seemed to stick with the late Lord Chancellor was, That after several suites he did not try the modus Decimandi which was the onely reall Controversy betweene him and his Parishoners, and hein-forming his Lordship that he offered to try the Title with any of the Parish, and that be never waved it, but they refusing he could not try it, and they had 1•• years time to enforce a Tryal, which they never did, but one

John Godden (another Prosecutor) pretending he offer'd to try it, the Dr. disproov'd him by declaring that in the Suit between them he pleaded an agreement in lieu of all Tythes, so that the modus could not come in Issue.

But the Dr. did then deny (as true it is) That his Grace did ever di∣rect him not to try it before the Lord Chief Baron, for that he would never have fear'd the Justice of that Worthy Person.

And the Dr. having manifestly disprooved by Honourable Persons many of the Scandalls they had charged upon him before the King and Councell; and being then ready to have clear'd himself in all other particulars; and the Pro∣secutors (being conscious of it) betooke themselves to their wonted shifts to hinder the Dr. from being heard, and thereupon proposed to settle a certain maintenance of 160 l. per Annum, and upon that offer the business ceas'd: And the Dr. was unwilling further to trouble their Lordships, and so left the opportunity of further vindicating himself; the Crimes charg'd upon him (were they true, which God forbid) being of such Antiquity, which alone had been a sufficient answer to any rationall Man.

The Dr. denies that he ever demanded any Tythes, while Woods Lease was in being, of any that were within his Lease.

That he must ever acknowledge the Justice and Favour of the Right Ho∣nourable the late Lord Chancellor, who did offer him a Living in Northam∣pton-shire; but he taking time to consider of it, was shortly after disabled by a fracture of his Leg to attend it, in which time that being disposed of, the Dr. waited severall times after upon his Lordship to receive his Com∣mands, but his Lordship did never offer or desire (though the Prosecutors urg'd it) that the Dr. should resigne his Living before he had another, and hopes he never gave his Grace of Canterbury any cause to refuse him a Living; for if the Prosecutors would remember, his Grace took notice in the presence of the Lord Chancellor of their abuse in that they had lately presented seve∣rall Articles against the Dr. to his Grace, who order'd him to give an An∣swer thereunto, which was done accordingly, but they dealt there with his Grace as in all other places, designing only to bespatter, and never to re∣ceive an answer, but wav'd his Grace, and clamour'd in other places; and if true (as they pretend) that his Grace hath so bad an opinion of the Dr. he is still willing to refer himself to any determination of his Grace.

That the Libellers do well discover themselves in making their Judgments of the Providence of God by their own Christian as∣sertion in the 13th page, which deserves no other Answer, but its well known he had the Charitable assistance of severall worthy persons.

And for the Bone-setter, the Dr. offered him 5 l. only for his pains, ha∣ving also paid his Apothecary his full Bill, and 5 l. to another Chyrurgeon, whom he desired to attend, saying he could not; and fees to two other Chyrurgeons, but denies he owed the Bone-setter any thing before, he being

then an Apprentice to an Apothecary, and the D. satisfied his Master, and him too; and he (being as unreasonable as the Libellers) first demanding 100 l. and afterwards saying he would not abate any thing of 50 l. he caused the Bailiff to arrest the Dr. coming out of the Church on Sunday, who put in Bayle to his Action, and afterwards (without pleading any priviledge) offered to try it with him, (for severall Chyrurgeons said they would testifie the render was sufficient) but he then readily accepted of the 5 l. and the Dr. long since had his generall Release, and also gave full satisfaction to Mr. Weldon.

It appears by their own Libell (as the truth was) That Sir Adam Browne, and Sir William Howard were only to arbitrate Arrears of Tythes in difference, but not one word of any Report to be made by them, but since they were pleased to do it ex parte, and the Libellers have made such use of it, he supposeth it will not be unbecoming him to offer some Answer to it, which is, That though by writing he acquainted them, he hoped he should be able shortly to attend them, if they would please to appoint a meeting at the Vicaridge House, for that he was not able to wait upon them any where else, with∣out great prejudice; yet within a few days they sent for him to the George-Inn, where (being unable to go without Crutches) he did attend them till 10 of the Clock at Night, though to his great pain and indisposition, the Chyrurgeon telling him it was enough to endanger the loss of his Limbe: The rule they pro∣ceeded by in their Arbitration was, to give the Vicar a third part of the Tenth of their Rent, which was much to the Doctors prejudice in many cases, particu∣lerly in one George Phillips, whose Tythes in kind came to a great deal more then was due by their Rule, yet he accepted of it, but some of the Parishioners where the Rule was against them, refused to pay what they determined: in particuler Henry Ledgold who was Awarded by them to pay 30 s. but he told them he would spend 30 l. first; and John Aldridge, whose Tythes according to the said Rule came to 3 l. and the Dr. was perswaded by them to take 30 s. which is not paid to this day: And several others (knowing that the Rule was against them) would not appear; and most of their time was spent in perswading the Dr. to take less then his agreements, which though he conceived was not within the in∣tention of the Reference, yet to gratifie those persons (who had only power of Perswasion, none of Compulsion) he did agree unto; being willing at their Request, to take 4 l. of Thomas George, of the 11 l. which the Court gave him, and by 20 s. a Month, but not a peny of it (though the 4. Months are past) is paid to this day; Remitting William Henderson 2 l. though he had good Security, Je••frey Matthew 3 l. David Hore 2 l. Thomas Barber about 1 l. and several others to the value of about 40 l. and all charges the Dr. was at in sueing several persons, and there being some who then made complaints, which he desired might have been heard, and that he might answer them, the Referrees utterly denied it, saying, it concern'd not them, for that they only desired to make all Friends, and would not hear any thing but matter of Tythes, and therefore he (having no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Report, nor hearing of any till it was given in) conceives not upon what ground the••e could be any evidence for that part of the Report, whereby he is charg'd to impose by any undue means, to draw any of the Inhabitants into Exorbit••n•• Agreements, Poenal Bills or Judgments, by Arresting or keeping them in duran•••••• for that matter being seriously examin'd in a Court upon full evi∣denc••▪ where it properly belonged, the Dr. was acquitted of it, and did then

offer the Referees to satisfie them in it, but they (as he understood by thorn) thought it not fit to ravell into it after that had been setled in a due course of Law, therefore the Dr. takes it as his great unhappiness, if that in the Libell be a true Copy, that they did not give him leave to satisfie them, which he doubts not to have done, and could still do, or any indifferent persons, notwithstanding the Malice of his Enemies; and whereas they conceive the Dr. in some measure hath been the occasion of the non-payment of what was his just dues, and for a ground of their belief, alledge that every person before them willingly submitted to whatsoever they determined, the Dr. craves leave to put them in remembrance that their foundation was wholly mistaken; for that they cannot but call to mind, and he hath severall Witnesses to prove that Ledgold aforesaid (to name no more) did peremptorily deny it; And besides there are many the Dr. ne∣ver sued, who were, and still are, many years in Arrears, therefore could not (under their favour) be the Occasion of the Non-payment of his Tythes, and doubtless the offence taken was occasioned by the insinuation of his inveterate Enemies, he never being heard in the reason that induc'd him to Sue them, which had they been acquainted with, they could not but have agreed the Dr. had good cause to Sue for his Dues; and till the last Night of their Meeting he did not perceive they were dissatisfied in his proceedings, and the Refer∣rees (for what reason the Dr. knows not) could not possibly be prevailed with by him to meet either in the Vestry, or any other place, but in the only House in Town where all the mischief against him hath been con∣trived; Wherein the Dr. and his Agents having received many Affronts in the time of the reference and the Master of the House having formerly Ar∣ticled against him in the Ecclesiastical Court, it was reason enough (had he been well) to have repaired to his own House after 12 of Clock at Night, there being no persons having any difference, who waited for any determina∣tion of it.

As for Mr. Joyner, The Dr. knows not the value of his Tythes, but a knowing Man in the Parish affirmed they were worth 10 l. per Annum, those years when he had 600 Sheep, &c. and as for the second party mentioned, the Dr. at the first meeting desired that concern might be proceeded upon; and another time supposing it would come on, brought Councell in Order to it.

And as for Bowyer the Dr. had no reason to refer that difference, a Wise and Prudent Person (and a Justice of the Peace in the said County) after much time spent, and hearing Witnesses on both sides, having made his Award therein, and Sir Adam Browne declaring his dislike thereof.

The Dr, though there are now above 300 in Arrears, hath scarcely sued one of an 100, nor they, till severall times summon'd to pay, not so much yearly, as they spend weekly in an Ale house. And therefore who is most opprest, and have most reason to supplicate the Honourable Court of Parliament, they who unjustly detain their Tythes, and many of them from a Principle that they are not due, or the Dr. who is necessitated for Bread, without which he and his Family must languish, or be forced to sue for such trifles, the profits of his Living arising out of no other payments but such small Tythes.

The Dr. admires they should close their Libell with so false an invention as the pretended Debauchery at Newington, for he solemnly affirms, as in the presence God, Angells and Men, that there is not one syllable of it true, and he offers to execute that upon himself, which they unreasonably desire to be done, if by any Credible Witnesses they convict him of it. But this is like the rest of their un-christian dealings; having lately again Cryed him in Scorne in ••he Mar∣ket place, and interrupted him in Divine Service, by publishing that as an Order of His Majesty and Councell, which was never made by them. All which might have been justly answered in their own Language, or with personall re∣criminations, there being sufficient ground to do it, but they having in prosecution of their continued Malice towards the Dr. thus publickly blasted him in Print, it was thought fit to answer the Fact in particulers charged, to manifest to the Par∣liament, and satisfie the Christian Reader, what designs have been carried on to ruine him in his Reputation, knowing they could not otherwise hurt him. And as for their General Accusations, when reduced to particulers, he doubts not but to give them as full an answer.

FINIS.

Notes

• Page 11.
• Page 12.