An exact abridgment of all the trials (not omitting any material passage therein) which have been published since the year 1678: relating to the popish, and pretended Protestant-plots in the reigns of King Charles the 2d, and King James the 2d.

ON Monday, Aug. 4. 1679. at Hereford; Charles Kerne was brought to the Bar, and being Arraigned, he pleaded Not Guilty to the Indictment, which was for being a Romish Priest: Then, the Jury being sworn (whose Name's are not inserted into this Trial, only that one VVill. Barret was Foreman) the Court proceeded to call the Evidence against him.

And first Edward Biddolph was sworn, who deposed, that he did not know the Prisoner; that he had seen one of that name 6 Years agone at Mr. Somerset's at Bellingham, but would not say this was he.

Then Margaret Edwards deposed, That she had known Kerne five or six Years.—That the first time she ever saw him was at Mr.VVigmore's of Lucton, who told her it was he. That she hath seen him several times since; twice or thrice at

VVoebly, and the last time was, the 29th of May was Twelvemonth at Sarnsfield, at Mrs. Moning∣ton's, where she saw him deliver the Wafer (and remembred the Words Corpus Christi) to four persons that were there, but she her self did not receive.—She gave also an account of the Reason of her then coming thither, it being at the request of one Harris of Lempster, whose Wife was sick, to seek some Remedy from Mrs. Monington for her.—Telling how the Maid brought her up to the Mistress, how she acquainted her with her Errand, what advice was given her, and how Mrs. Monington under∣standing she was a Papist, took her into the Chappel, whereof she gave a Description.

Then Mary Jones deposed, That she knew Mr. Kerne about eight Years ago, when she lived at Mr. Somersets, and that Mr. Kerne lived in the House about half a Year.—That she hath seen several Persons come thither.—And that one Sunday Morning she saw several Persons go up with Mr. Kerne, and listning, she heard Mr. Kerne say something aloud which she did not understand, there being but a Wall between them.—That also there was a Child Christned in the House, and no one there but Mr. Somerset and his Wife, Mr. Latchet and his Wife, and Mr. Kerne to do it; but she did not see him do it, though she heard his Voice.—And that once she wash'd a Surplice, but knew not whose it was.

Then the Prisoner, in his own Defence, called one Mr. Hyet, who said, That Margaret Ed∣wards had denied to him, that she knew Mr.

Kerne, (but not being on her Oath, when she said so, it was not regarded.) Mr. Weston's maid affirmed, That she saw Margaret Edwards and Mary Jones talking together, and Marg. Edwards instructed the other what she should say; (but being called, they both denyed it upon their Oaths)

Then Mrs. Monington appear'd, who said, She neither knew Marg. Edwards nor James Harris; and Mrs. Monington's Maid denied that ever she saw her at her Mistresses House. Then the Statute being read, of 27 Eliz. the Prisoner urged, that Persons that are not Priest's may say Mass, except that of Bread and Wine; and Christen too in extremis.

Then the Ld. Ch. Justice summ'd up the Evi∣dence, concluding, Margaret Edwards to be a Positive Evidence, but leaving the other doubt∣ful to the Consideration of the. Jury, who brought the Prisoner in Not Guilty.