The arraignment and tryall with a declaration of the Ranters also, several sentences proceedings at the sessions in the Old-Baily, and Councel of War: their protestations and the hanging of one up by the thumbs; with divers penalties to be inflicted upon others. The dancing and revelling of Dr. Buckeridge and his wife, and other gent. dancing all in white, in Berkshire, and their Christmas carol. A dispute between a Ranter in Bridewel, and one that came to see him; with his creed and pater noster: and the names of the false gods they worship. As also, a list of many of the Ranters, from whence they are derived: and of many hundreds of them in England.

THE TRYALL Of the RANTERS Or a Faithfull Chronicle and Narrative of their confession, lives words, and actions, for many years together, their Creed and Paternoster, with the severall kind of punish∣ments inflicted upon above twenty of them, together with some arguments, and several other things tou∣ching those that are tried this present Sessions.

HIgh time it was for the Ranters to be whipt and stript, but alas (saith one) why should we judge of any? and un∣der pretence of scruple of conscience, would not have the notorious wicked practises of those wicked blasphe-phemous wretches laid open, or at least wise not in such a plain manner that must needs render them surpassing vile and filthy, and to help this over the stile another tender hearted creature, saith. But is it fit that women should be brought in under the notion of whores, truly I dare not to say any one is so except I saw her in the fact, let her carriage and report be what it will, and I will believe no more

but what I see with my eyes, and hear with my ears. These are such as conceal and cover the fins of Sodom and would have none to cry aloud, or declare the sins of the people, and where ever I find such as will mince or lesson sin I shall fear that they are readier to be drawn into a most dam∣nable opinion (with the Ranters) that sin is no sin rather then to practise and persevere in the ways of God.

It is not my intent to trouble you with that which hath been already published, for that were to tire the reader with repetitions, therefore wil I dis∣cover some passages which have not yet been mentioned in others, and con∣clude with the trial of others, and the punishments inflicted.

A journeyman Shoemaker that wrought in St. Martins, did oftentimes utter such wicked and blasphemous words, that the Shoemaker which set him on work, and his wife, were oftentimes much terrified and moved to hear his Diabolical expressions, in which he persisted after often admoniti∣on and warning, which caused his Master to forbear setting him on work any longer: and not long after, he was taken revelling and blaspheming and carried to Bridewell. Amongst other speeches of his (which would cause a mans ears tingle to hear) when he heard any mention of God, he used to laugh, and in a disdainfull manner say, that he beleeved money, good clothes, good meat and drinke, tobacco, and merry company to be Gods: but he was little beholding to any of these; for his God allowed him but eight pence or ten pence a day, and that he made him work for; and he knew not of any thing could be gotten from him by fair means, therefore he would have a saying to him, and force what he pleased. With many o∣ther words to the same effect, and so blasphemous, that they are not fit to be once so much as named amongst Christians.

And at another time in his Ranting mood a sober man reproved him for such wicked words as fell from him, and said that if he had any love to God or fear of the Divell he durst nor do it, the Shoo-maker, replied to this effect (yet in broader language) that the Divel was nothing but the backside of God, and that it was but a scarcrow, and other such like spee∣ches proceeding of the height Atheism and prophanesse, in which lamentable condition it appears that he still remains, for his late Mistris went but few days since to give him a visit in Bridewell hoping to have found him peni∣tent, and sorrowfull for what had been past, and when she came thither tshe found him beating Hemp, and asked him if the making of Shoes were not better, to which he answered yea, and said that it was her God that brought him thither, then said she, thou maiest take notice that my God is just in bring thee to open shame and punishment for thy wicked and un∣godly words and deeds whereby thou hast long dishonoured him therefore

it is time for thee to be think with thy self, what a sad estate thou art in if thou repentest not, which words of hers were altogether slighted and reje∣cted by him and instead of seeing of good to be wrought in him, he said he was as be was made, and it was not for her to instruct him, if she would give him any Beer und Tobacco, he would take it, but as for her advice she might keep it to her self.

This Shoemaker was once a man that was called an Anabaptist; but in life and conversation was long noted not to make conscience of any thing and it is no marvel, that when men are given over a loose life and conver∣sation, they are meer Atheists, and become so impious therein, that they think all things come by nature, and believe not that there is a Jehovah, which created all things, and gives a being and preservation to them being created.

And according unto this, one of this viperous generation, in the Church, at the great St. Hellens, London, got up into the Pulpit, and pretended to make a Sermon; and read a portion of the Prophet Esay, where it is said, I the Lord of H••sts will, &e. In opening which words he said, That it is not said He, but I; which according to his application, was meant of eve∣ry mans particular; and and also blasphemingly said, Thut our Saviour Christ was but an ordinary fellow: and in this kind of wicked prophanati∣on he spent the whole time allotted, to the great disquiet and grief of many honest hearted people which heard him; and although he were guarded by a party of his own, yet was his hat turned beside his head, as soon as he came out of the Pulpit: then he hastened into the Vestry, and a grave and sober man that heard him, demanded, Whether he would give sa∣tisfaction for what he had with so much impudency and blasphemy spoken? and he engaged his word to meet him before a Magistrate the next day, at a certain time and place: but he that makes no Conscience of any thing, cares not for his word, and therefore he observed not the keeping of it. And many of them are arrived at that height of incorrigible madnesse and ab∣hominable impudence, that they fear not (in all companies where they come) to contest that all things were made by nature, that mans soul dieth with his body, that the Scriptures are meer lies and tales, &c.

Another of them taking a piece of boiled beef betwixt his hands, and tearing it in his hands, gave part thereof to one of his companions, using these words in derision of the blessed Sacrament) the Body and Bloud of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A she Ranter said openly in the hearing of many, (a friend of mine ac∣ciden••••ly one of them) that she should think her self a happy woman, and a superlative servant of Gods if any man would accompany with her ••arnally.

I shall compare the actions of these and others of their crew, with some that we read of in former times, which came nearest in opinion and practise to them.

In the year 353. there were discovered a sort of people that came out of Affrica, calling themselves Donatists (as some of these do,) which held many strange opinions; and though adjudged to be the greatest Hereticks of that time, yet they held forth to the people, that none were pure but themselves.

And in the ninth year of the Raign of K. Hen. 2 Anno 1163. there came into England one Gerrard a Germain, with many others which de∣nied Matrimony and both the Sacraments (as many of these do) and Christ himself. This Gerrard himself had some learning, but the rest were ignorant persons which he misled, they were examined, and found guilty and received sentence as obstinate Hereticks, for they were marked or stig∣matized in the forehead, after that they were all sharply whipt, which pu∣nishment they seemed indeed to receive (with more joy than these of our time) and by the command of the King and state they were afterwards turned out of prison, and people were forbidden either to harbour or re∣lieve them, so that with the extremity of the cold of winter and want of food and harbour, they all died miserably starved with cold and famished with hunger.

There came also into England in the time of Edward 3. Anno Dom▪ 1349. out of Holland, Zealand, and parts adjacent about 120 persons with an opinion that a man might take as many wives as he was able to main∣tain, and if there were any Resurrection it was by virtue of the motion of the Planets, yet these last, were not so brutish as they in our time; for they ac∣knowledged something of God and met together at certain times to hear exhortations from those which were esteemed to be best gifted a∣mongst them, and were called Stoicks in reference to the place where they sualy met together; for Stowy in the Greek language signifieth a Porch.

In the 11 year of Queen El••zabeth, there sprung a people in England, which called themselves the family of love, which held forth an opinion that women ought to be common: both sects saluted one another at their first meeting, as the Ranters now do, they spent their time in pleasure and prophanesse, for which two of them did pennance at Pauls-Crosse, and there confessed and detested their wicked and damnable heresies.

In the 33 year of Queen Elizabeth, Anno 1591. One Edward Cop∣pinger and Henry Archington, repaired to the house of one John Walker, at Broken wharfe, London, where they found a Northamptonshire young

man, named William Hacket, to whom the said Coppinger and Arthington said, that they were come to anoint him King: but Hacket replied, that they needed not so to do; for he was already anointed by the Holy Ghost: and the said Hacket caused Coppinger and Arthington to believe that he was Jesus Christ; (and some of the Ranters do (at least in substance) af∣firm that they are Christ) so they proclaimed him in London, and at last for these blasphemies, and other things proved against him, he was hanged in Cheapside.

In the 16 year of the Reign of King James, one John Trusk stood in the Pillory at Westminster, for strange and blasphemous opinions concerning Christ, and the Sabbath; as these Ranters have, which esteem every day like, and make a scoff at such as go to hear or pray, some of them saying, that they can make as good a Pater noster as the Lords Prayer is, &c.

I shall now come down to the times of our present memory which is hardly able to record how many they are, and the hellish opinions they have fomented, and the heighth they are grown unto, notwithstanding the diligent care which the civil Magistrate and Officers of the Army have had from time to time to punish and suppress Blasphemers, and such as walk inordinately; of which might be instanced above an hundred late examples, all which might be particularly recited, were it necessary in this place to be inserted; which being not held fit, I shall onely remaind you of some few that are last, and proceed to such as were this Sessions tryed in the Old-Baily. Claxton was a trades man; and having attained some measure of knowledge, a bold spirit and utterance, he would have taken on him to become a teacher; but he soon after fell into such excesse of ryot, that he came within the compasse of being punished by the Civill Magistrate by whom he was committed to Bridewell where (doubtlesse) for many moneths together he hath participated of the custome of the house which is a punishment not inferiour to those that were inflicted in former times on such kind of offendors, an officer of the army in Scotland, holding strange opinions of Jesus Christ was cashiered in dishonour, and is not to pre∣sume to come into the army any more on perill, another officer which held that sin was no sin, had his sword broken over his head, and for ever ca∣shiered, I have also heard of one more (to the honour of the Court-Martial let it be spoken) which for the height of offcutes proved against him hath sentence first to be hung up by the Thumbs for a good space of time, and after he is cut down to be openly whipt, and about three weeks or a moneth since a souldier for his ranting (as its called) was whipt at a Carts tail from Pauls Church to the Royall Exchange.

Collins, Shakespear, Waddleworth, and the rest that were taken in Moor∣lane,

and carryed to Bridewel, shewed blisters (to the Justices) and a king backs, and promise amendment for the future; divers others that were since taken, were brought to the Sessions, who acknowledge, now they smart, that there is a heaven and a heil; yet lest they should return with the Dog to the Vomit, and the Swine to the wallowing in the Mire, it is not amisse that they should tast a few more of the Prodigals husks, without which, there is litle hopes of a through Reformation: and bec••use such as are able to speak wisely before wise men, deserve 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gre••••••er punishment if they are found fools among the ignorant. And in ••eg••rd some of them were convicted of their evil-words and uncivil behaviour, they are bound to the good behaviour for the time to come, and they are to be whipt and receive further punishment if they be taken again. As for Cop, who wrote the Ply∣ing Roll, and some other of the principal Ring-leaders, to whom much of what hath been lately set forth, touching matters of Blasphemy do relate, are charged in a more capital nature of offending, and will be brought to their tryal in due time. Therefore I shall conclude with a List of the Ran∣ters before mentioned. A List of the Ranters tried as followeth.

• Jo. Collins.
• Jo. Gerrard.
• Ed. Copinger.
• Hen. Arthington.
• F. Ket.
• Jo. Ask.
• T. Shakespear.
• M. Waddleworth.
• Jo. Webb.
• Eliz. Trule.
• Jane Waggle.
• and many others

The last thread which is to be wound upon this bottome is a relation which we have out of Berkshire, concerning one Dr. Buckeridge who after he had preached publickly in the Pulpit ame down and went home to his house, and found his wife and some other women clothed in white with which it appeared that he was well pleased, for that himself forthwith chan∣ged his habit into the like similitude and joyned company with them, and so danced together in their white array, and were apprehended by some Gentlemen of the Country.

A Christmas Carol.

They prate of God; believe it, Fellow-Creature, There's no such Bug-bear, all was made by Nature: We know all came of nothing, and shall passe Into the same condition once it was, By Natures power: and that they grossely lie, That say there's hope of immortality: Let them but tell us what a soul is, then We will adhere to these madbrain sick men.