A perfect narrative of the phanatick wonders seen in the west of England. With a true relation of the particulars thereof: sent in a letter to a worthy gentleman, belonging to an alderman of the City of London. Attested under the hands of John Shipman, minister. Thomas Watkins, Church-warden. John Betterton, constable. Francis Cripps, and William Chaundler

A Perfect Narrative OF THE Phanatique Wonders seen in the West of England: With a true Relation there∣of touching the full particulars, &c.

IT is a true saying of one of the Antients, that Time and the Eye try out Truth, but Falshood winneth Credit only on a suddain, and by uncertain∣ties. And since Time, the most sure and impartiall Judge, hath sentenced those glorious Pretences with which our late Politicians did veyl themselves, to be nothing else by gilded Hypocrisies; so also shall we present the World with the odious Frauds of some

Phanatique Impostures; who in a late Seditious Pam∣phlet, endeavoured to suggest unto the People a won∣derful Story of an Army of Frogs at Fairford in Gloucestershire: Whereas, indeed, the true particu∣lars thereof had long since been communicated to publike View, had they not miscarryed in the hands of the Carryer: But a true Copy thereof being tran∣smitted to the hands of a worthy Gentleman, at an Aldermans house in the City of London, be pleased to take a view thereof, VIZ.

Loving Cozen,

THE best of my Affections salute you, &c. These are to represent, That for your last Letter give you thanks: And whereas you write, that you admire you did not hear from me in Answer to your last Letter, I did write; And the Carryer promised me the deli∣vering it with his own hands, for whose neglect I am sorry. And as concerning the Paper-book inclosed in your Letter, I received: In answer whereunto, as near, and as credibly as possibly I can, I have endeavoured; to wit, June the 16th last past, it pleased God to send Us plenty of Rain and Thun∣der showres, which was very welcome, God send us thankful Hearts, and free us from lying Tongues: After which Rain, my Landlord Esquire Barker having some old Fish-Ponds in his Orchard and Ou••lets. These Ponds being fill'd afresh with the Rain and other Supplies, there did (which will appear by perfect Evidence, an Annual Customary thing not onely in that place, but in all other about our Neighbourhood Pa∣rishes)

••ssue forth of these Ponds and Ditches great store of young Froggs and Water Toads, which in length were an Inch or hardly so long, shifting and hopping to and fro, be∣ing out of their Watery ••ement: Insomuch, that if any would have taken the pains to view them, shifting some one way, some another, they might have seen thousands of these silly poor Varments, which was as usuall as the year did pro∣ceed: Which silly Creatures, without any manner of pre∣ju••ice or off••nce unto Man▪ Woman, or Child, that ••ve∣ning and Night were cleared▪ Wherefore, in Answer to the Verity of your Book, and these Zealots that were the Founders, for the od••ousness thereof, I shall leave that to the Judgments of you and your Friends had the Prayers of these Zealots prev••lencie: But God will not hearken to Prayers where Malice is the Foundation. We may perceive by these true Informers, who would turn Magicians, if they knew how to raise the Plagues of Aegypt amongst Us, were not God's Mercies superabundant, who hath chained up their malice? But now, like Demetrius, their Trade and hopes of enjoyment, that which was never left them by Inheritance, being void, they summon up the Brethren to cry down by their vicious and abhorred Lyes. And whereas in your Letter you pitty the persons concerned, might they, or could they have or find out any sure ground how they might finde out or know these true Informers, what the Law of Man would, for such abominable gross Lyers afford, in no wise be wanting; but for that it is at present omitted for want of a ground-work.

As for the Verity hereof, the Persons who have subscri∣bed their hands, will, and are ready for the maintaining the same.

Wherefore, loving Kinsman, if it may not be too much prejudice unto you, That the mouthes of such abominable

Lyars may be stopt, that you use a meanes (through this Letter) for the prevalency of a Book to be printed to the contrary; which if you can, and do perform Us this favour, it shall not (God willing) to the uttermost be forgotten, with∣all desiring with what expedition may be, a speedy return of some few Copies. Thus expecting your loving Answer, I leave you to the preservation of Him that is the Preserver of Us all, and rest,

Fairford the 13th. 1660.

Your loving Ʋnckle, G. BROWN.

The Truth of this Narrative, contained in the pre∣cedent Letter, is attested under the Hands of

• John Shipman, Minister.
• Thomas Watkins, Church-warden,
• John Betterton, Constable.
• ...Francis Cripps,
• ...William Chaundler.

Thus having fully evinced these Politick Contu∣melies, of their Libellous and def••mtory Reports, may we not clearly discern their Phanatick mischiefs in which they are implicated? Their Desires are impossible, their Attempts are wicked, and their Re∣ports are false and scandalous: And is it possible that after all this, any Person should be such a super∣lative

Phanatick, as to need extrinsick Arguments to reclaim them? Surely it cannot be; except he be rooted in his Errour, as they say Marsus Diaboli roots it self in the Earth, which can never be pulled up without breaking. However, I do not doubt, but as Sue••onius reports, that Aug••stus Caesar walking by a Pond where the Froggs were croaking, comman∣ded them to keep silence, and they were never after heard to make any Noyse in that Place: So all that harsh roaring, and discordant clamour both in their Libellous Paper, and Airy Invention, will ere long, 'tis hopes, by the Command of our Gracious Sove∣reign be silenc'd and restrained.

FINIS.